The pie charts reveal an increase in working time of the working mother as their young childrens ages in Great

Britain. Firstly, we can see the proportion of working full time mothers increases as their children grow up. According to the first two charts, this proportion remains 11 percents while their children are under 4 years old. However, this percentage increases slightly to 14 percents as their children are from 5 to 9. When their children are older, it rises sharply and account for 29 percents. Likewise, the proportion of mothers who work part time also doubles when their children are from three to four than they are under 2 years old and account for 35 percents. This proportion rises considerably to 48 percents as children grow bigger. However, as the children are more than 10 years old, the proportion declines by 3 percents. In contrast, the proportion of mothers who do not work decreases as their children grow up. Indeed, this proportion is 70 percents while their children are under 2 years old. However, it reduces to 54 percents when the children are bigger. In a similar pattern, it gets to slightly more than 25 percents as their children are older than 10 years old. In summary, we can see an increase in working time of the working mothers as their young childrens ages. Task 1: You are advised to spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this task. The table below summarizes some data collected by a college bookshop for the month of February 1995.Write a report describing the sales figures of various types of publications, based on the information shown in the table.You should write at least 150 words. Non-Book Club Members
College staff College Students Members of Public

Fiction Non-Fiction Magazines Total

44 29 332 605

31 194 1249 1474

122 82 94

Book Club Members 76 942 33 1051

Total 151 1287 1696 3024

The

Table shows the sales figures of fiction books, non-fiction books, and magazines in a college bookshop for February 1995. The figures are divided into two groups: sales to non Book Club members and to Book Club members. The non-Book Club member figures are comprised of sales to college staff, college students, and members of the public. College staff bought 332 magazines, 44 fiction and 29 non-fiction books. College students bought 1249 magazines, 194 non-fiction and 31 fiction books. More magazines were sold to college students than to other group of customers. Although no fiction books were sold to members of the public, they purchase 122 non-fiction books and 82 magazines. Book Club members bought more fiction (76) and non-fiction books (942) than other customers. On the other hand, magazines sales to members (33) were fewer than the combined magazine sales to other customers. The total number of publications sold for the month was 3024(1474 t o college students, 405 to college staff, and 94 to members of the public). Of this figure, 151 items were fiction books and 1287 were non fiction. Therefore, magazines accounted for the greatest number of sales (1696).

Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1950, 1970 and 1990. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. You should write at least 150 words.

The bar provides information on the modes of transport used by people in a European city to commute between work and home. The chart compares the percentages of people traveling by bus, car, bike or on foot in 1950, 1970 and 1990.

The most obvious trend is the rise of car use in favour of non-motorised transport. In 1950, cars were used by only around 5% of travelers but this figures had risen to around 35% by 1990. Travel by bike dropped from 27% to 5% in the period while the numbers of people who walked to work plummeted from 35% to 6%.

The figures for commuters using buses do not show a clear trend. In 1950 about 15% of people went to work by bus. This figure rose to 27% in 1970 but then dropped back to around 15% again in 1990.

Writing Sample 1
Robots are increasing in operating in the industrialized world. On one hand, robot replace people of dangerous or unpleasant for human beings and robotic manipulators create manufactured products that are of higher quality and lower cost. On the other hand, some people think that robots can cause the loss of jobs. In the final analysis, I am firm a supporter of the latter.

Many robot applications are for tasks that are either dangerous or unpleasant for human beings. In medical laboratories, robots handle potentially hazardous materials, such as blood or urine samples. In other cases, robots are used in repetitive, monotonous tasks in which human performance might degrade over time. Robots can perform these repetitive, high-precision operations 24 hours a day without fatigue.

Activities in environments that pose great danger to humans, such as locating sunken ships, cleanup of nuclear waste, prospecting for underwater mineral deposits, and active volcano exploration, are ideally suited to robots. Similarly, robots can explore distant planets. NASA's Galileo, an unpiloted space probe, traveled to Jupiter in 1996 and performed tasks such as determining the chemical content of the Jovian atmosphere. Robots are being used to assist surgeons in installing artificial hips, and very high-precision robots can assist surgeons with delicate operations on the human eye. Research in telesurgery uses robots, under the remote control of expert surgeons that may one day perform operations in distant battlefields, remote areas. It is sometimes said that, robots can cause the loss of jobs. However, robots only cause the loss of unskilled jobs, particularly on assembly lines in factories. New jobs are created in software and sensor development, in robot installation and maintenance, and in the conversion of old factories and the design of new ones. These new jobs, however, require higher levels of skill and training. Technologically oriented societies must face the task of retraining workers who lose jobs to automation, providing them with new skills so that they can be employable in the industries of the 21st century (331 words)

Writing Sample 2
It is inevitable that as technology develops so traditional culture must be lost. Technology and tradition are incompatible- you cannot have both together. To what extent do you agree with this statement? You should write at least 250 words. It is obvious that the rate of at which traditions have been abandoned is closely linked to the rise of technology. Our traditions are quickly dying as technology takes hold of nearly everything we do. Therefore, I totally agree that technology and tradition re in compatible. Firstly, technology causes cultural exchange. This makes cultural traditions across the world much less diverse than they were in previous generations. Young people can use objects of modern technology such as television, video and cinema to see what other people around the world are

doing, wearing and so on. Modern industry and good transportation make it possible now for these young people to then go and buy the same clothes, foods, furniture and so on at their local department store or over the internet. Secondly, technology replaces traditions. Many of our traditions are based on ways of doing things which, because of modern technology, are no longer efficient. Traditional weaving of fabrics, for example is no longer a necessary, it is a luxury. Traditional foods are time consuming to prepare at home when we can buy mass produced version much easily and cheaply from the supermarket. Some people may argue that technology also helps to preserve traditions. Building may be restored by modern machines; television may help to make traditional activities known and understood by many people. However, in my opinion, technology is only capable of restoring artifacts or recording old traditions. It cannot give these traditions new or continued life. It cannot make people use a building in the traditional way, it cannot restore traditional activities to normal daily life. In conclusion, technology causes us to lose our traditions through cultural exchange via the mass media, and by replacing traditional ways of doing things with cheaper, more efficient method s. Technology and tradition are clearly incompatible. Marianne Armitate (303 words)

Writing Sample 3
Studying a language in a country where it is widely spoken has many advantages. It is therefore a good idea to study English in a country such as Australia. However, I believe it is not the only the way to learn the language. In the first place, most students in non-speaking English country learn English at high school and sometime at university nowadays. Although their spoken English is not usually of a very high standard, their knowledge of grammar is often quite advance. This is certainly useful when students come to an English speaking country to perfect the language. Secondly, studying the basics of the English at secondary school is less stressful than learning the language while oversea. This is because students living at home do not have to worry about problems such as finding accommodation, paying for their studying and living costs, and trying to survive in a foreign country where day to day living causes much stress. However, there are obvious advantages of learning English in Australia. Every day there are opportunities to practise listening to and speaking with Australians. In addition, students can experience the culture first hand, which is a great help when trying to understand the language. This is especially true if they choose to live with Australians, as part of a home stay family for example. Furthermore, if students attend a language school fulltime, the teacher will be native speakers. In this case, not only will students speaking and listening skills improve, but attention can be given to developing reading and writing skill as well.

In general, even though it is preferable to study English in an English speaking country, a reasonable level of English can be achieved in ones own country, if a student is gifted and dedicated to study. (254words)

Writing Sample 4
Television has had a significant influence on the culture of many societies. To what extent would you say that television has positively or negatively affected the cultural development of your society? You should write at least 250 words Use your own knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence. Sample answer It has been around forty years since television was first introduced into Australian households and people today still have mixed views on whether it has a positive or a negative influence on the society. Many people believe that television damages culture. It promotes the stronger cultures of countries such as Britain and North America and weakens the cultures of less wealthy countries. This is because the stronger, wealthier countries are able to assert their own culture by producing more programs that are shown widely around the world. These programs then influence people, particularly young people, in the countries where they are shown. Also, because television networks need to attract large audiences to secure their financial survival, they must produce programs which are interesting to a broad range of people. In Australia this range is very broad because we are a multicultural society and people of all ages like to watch television. To interest all these different people, most television programs are short in length, full of action and excitement, do not require much intelligence or knowledge to understand, and follow universal themes common to all cultures, such as love and crime. Television programs which concentrate on or develop themes pertinent to one particular culture are not so successful because they interest a smaller audience. Nevertheless we much acknowledge that television does have some positive effects on the cultures within a society as well. People who do not live within their own culture can, in a limited way, access it through the multicultural station on the television. For example, Aboriginal children who have grown up in white families, or migrants and international students living in Australia, can watch programs from their own culture on the television. In conclusion, I hold the view that television promotes and strengthens those cultures that are wealthy and influential while it weakens the cultures that are already in a weakened position.

Writing Sample 5
In certain countries children are not allowed to leave school until they reach a certain age, for example, in some countries it is 15 years.

Write an essay expressing your point of view on the following topic: Should there be a minimum school leaving age, or should students and their parents be free to decide when they leave school? You should write at least 250 words. You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence. One feature of improved education systems around the world has been an increase in the period of compulsory schooling for students. In many developed countries students are now required to stay at school until they are 15 years of age. There are quite plausible reasons for opposing this policy. Low income families, for example, may not be able to afford to keep their children at school and may resent governments imposing this decision on them. In many developing countries children can bring in much needed income, either by working in family agricultural activities, or else through paid employment. Compulsory schooling might also be opposed on educational grounds. Recent studies have shown that compulsory school can be psychologically damaging for students who are not motivated to learn. They may be more ready to learn later on as adults when their motivation is stronger. But there are also strong reasons why students should be obliged to remain at school until a certain age. First, at a young age students are unlikely to be sufficiently mature to make sensible decisions about their lives. We should not allow students to make decisions they may later regret. A second reason is that in today's society, where increasingly high levels of skills and knowledge are required of the work force, early school leavers will find it very difficult to obtain employment. It is my view that schooling should be compulsory until a certain age. Education authorities, however, must ensure that the education provided is both affordable to families and relevant and interesting to students. (258 works)

Writing Sample 6
Technology can bring many benefits, but it can also cause social and environmental problems. In relation to new technology, the primary duty of Governments should be to focus on potential problems, rather than benefits. You should write at least 250 words. You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

It is true that new technologies can create serious social and environmental problems. The question is whether governments should focus on these problems when they are formulating policies relating to new technology. Some people would argue that governments have an important watchdog role to play and that they should attempt to establish whether a proposed technology is likely to have any harmful effects. This is seen as an aspect of government looking after the public interest and showing concern for the welfare of its citizens. These people would invest government with the power to veto the introduction of certain technologies. The problem with this approach, however, is that it is very difficult to know in advance what the full effects of any new technology will be. The history of science and technology has many fascinating examples of unexpected developments. Sometimes a technological advance in one area can lead to a surprising breakthrough in another, seemingly unrelated area. For example, technology which originated from the US space program has been further developed and applied in many other areas of life. And one certainly cannot depend on government bureaucracies to make accurate assessments about these matters. Another problem is that, where one government might decide to ban the use of a new technology, another country may well go ahead with its introduction. In an increasingly competitive global economy the first country may severely disadvantage itself by such an action. New technology is essential for a country's economic development. The best approach is to positively encourage the development of new technologies and to focus on their benefits. Any problems that may arise can be dealt with after implementation. (279 words)

Writing Sample 7
A much debated issue these days is whether citizens should take out private health insurance or not. The cost of providing free medical care for both the wealthy and the poor is far too great for any government, and most people agree that if you can pay for insurance, you should. In this essay, I will argue that all who can afford it should be insured, but free medical care must be made available for those too poor to do so. The most important reason for encouraging people to take out private health insurance is the cost to the government of health care. Free health cover for people who are able to pay for it is a waste of public money. Of course, people will only pay health insurance premiums if they know that they are getting good value for their money. If they get sick, they should pay very little or nothing at all. In addition, the privately insured are entitled to special benefits such as having the choice of their own doctors, and being able to avoid long waiting lists for hospital beds. On the other hand, those who really cannot afford to pay private insurance premiums, which are often very high, are still entitled as citizens to the best medical care available - they cannot be

expected to pay their own medical bills. However, if they are working, they should still pay a percentage of their wage (say 1 to 2%) as a tax which pays towards the cost of providing free medical services. In conclusion, most people should privately insure their health, but it is unreasonable to suppose that all citizens can afford it. Therefore, a safety net in the form of a basic free health care system must exist for the very poor and the unemployed. (301 words)

Writing Sample 8
As a way of entertainment, movie has become an indispensable part our daily life. Regarding movie as their favorite hobby, film fans expect every film to bring them wonderful spiritual enjoyment. However, others complain that movies should be responsible for some social problems, such as violent crime, drug abuse, in my opinion, compared with it's side-effect, the contribution of movies to our society is extremely great. On one hand, good movies can provide us with recreation, broaden our horizon and enrich our knowledge. In comparison, movies have much more powerful effects than other art means, such as literature and music. After a day's hard work, a laughter brought by a comic movie will soon refresh you. And we wouldn't be able to refrain our tears when immersed in a tragic film. What's more, a document film vividly presents historical affairs in front of us and Disney's cartoons give children endless pleasure. The annual ceremony of Academy Award in Hollywood is watched by a total of billions of audience. Not to mention that the film generates numerous tax revenue to the government yearly. On the other hand, recently there is also a worrying trend on the screen, which many people have noticed. For the sake of earning profits, a lot of film companies abandon their sense of social responsibility. So more and more pictures full of sex or drugs, violence appear before us, which result in the increase of crime rate, degrade of morality. This is especially true for the teenagers, because they are too young to be wise to make a distinction between the right and the wrong, are subject to the influence of movies and would tend to imitate what they see from the movies. Although movie has some negative effects, we can't deny the importance of movie. I suggest that in order to let movies serve us better, some strict censorship measure should be introduced to control the production of movies and the film industry should pay attention to both commercial value and social value. I'm sure that tomorrow's movies will greatly improved. (345 words)

Writing Sample 9

Energy crisis, one of the most serious problems, which Mankind will be faced with in the new millennium, causes more and more concerns. Someone think that among all the alternative energies, nuclear power should be the most suitable. But others argue that the safety of making use of nuclear power is still far from satisfaction. As I see it, both opinions have their own merits. As we known, nuclear reaction can release great energy in a small instant. According to this theory, nuclear power station can provide us with sufficient and cheap electricity. What's more, this way of generation may be the most efficient in all ways we have mastered so far. Because one kilogram uranium, the main material of nuclear power station, can produce thousands of times as much as what one kilogram coal or oil can generate. Also compared with traditional fuel - coal, gas or oil, uranium is so adequate on the earth that we would not encounter the problem of shortage of fuel in many centuries. However, a coin has two sides. Although during the generation in nuclear power station no smoke or harmful gas is given off, the radioactive rubbish remains the biggest problem presented in front of nuclear experts. Usually this rubbish sealed in metal containers is buried deeply in the earth where people seldom come. The radioactivity of rubbish still costs thousands of years or even longer to be reduced to the harmless level. Nobody is sure how much it will damage the environment surrounding it. The safety of generation procedure is also a big problem. Any careless may result in such a terrible consequence as the issue of. In general, the technology of nuclear power still has much to be improved. With the development of science and technology, I'm sure the day of safe utilization of nuclear power is coming soon. (309 words)

Writing Sample 10
There is a Vietnamese saying: "the person who is content with what he has is always happy." A debate about it has lasted for a long time. Some people support it strongly, but the others argue that such a person lacks an ambition and an interest to make a bright future. As I know it, I prefer the latter. Firstly, people's desire for something new or different is the drive power of the development of society. The whole history of human society is also a history of creation and discovery of something new. Not being satisfied with the light of candle, Edison invented the electric bulb. The emerge of airplane resulted from the dream of brothers latter to fly like a bird. The need for convenient communication contributed to the invention of telephone. If people had lost interest in the future and some changes, we would have still lived a primitive life with animals in the forest. Secondly, always to challenge oneself and to be eager to improve the current situation are also extremely important to a person or an enterprise. When an enterprise is

satisfied with what it has achieved, it's bound to be lost in the market competition. If a person didn't improve his own quality, he would not keep the pace of the modern society. In general, to want something new or different is human being's instinct and the nature's gift. Without it, we may lose ideal, fancy, drive and creativity. Not to mention our society will be able to develop continually. (255 words)

Writing Sample 11
Just as other kinds of art, music has become an in indispensable part of human culture. It brings us with nutritious spiritual foods, enriches our leisure life. It's so common that the tastes of individuals for music differ noticeably. Some people prefer classic music, but others like pop music much. In my opinion, both of them have their own characters. Classic music, which is accepted by most mid-aged and old people, usually has a slow rhythm and a pleasant melody, such as opera and symphony. It's good at expressing strong feelings and showing great scenes. Listening to the sound that seems to be from the outer space, you may see several white swans flying over the "swan lake" surrounded by all kinds of flowers and grass. What an elegant picture it is! I'm sure you will soon be refreshed from a day's hard work and relax. Compared with the former, such pop music as jazz, rock is more popular among young people who pursue a kind of music that is accordance with the trend of modern society. It's quick rhythmically and reflects the social reality. Via pop music the young generation directly expressed their discontent and disappointment to the society, their desire for love and friendship, their ambition for success. Enjoying pop music is also a way to relax oneself from tight life. In general, we can't point out which one of two kinds, classic music and pop music, is better .The more important thing is both of them can provide us with pleasure an enjoyment. (256 words)

Writing Sample 12
Death penalty/sentence, also known as the capital punishment, has existed in human society for hundreds of, or maybe thousands of years. When a member of the society has committed a severe crime that terminated another individuals life or inflicting disabling sufferings or pains on others, this individual's life is also physically terminated. Different opinions have existed on the two sides of this controversial issue. Some think executing highly evil and dangerous animals is one of the best ways to curb the crime rate, while others argue it actually does very little to discourage would-be criminals from committing a life-threatening crime in the future. As I see it, under certain

circumstances, death penalty is still quite necessary and effective, especially in countries like Vietnam. First of all, the fundamental purpose in implementing death penalty is to hinder people from committing severe crime, not to kill people. We can imagine that when more people are discouraged from committing life-threatening crimes, more lives can actually be saved. What's also true is that every individual has his basic rights for living. Once this right is deprived, justice needs to be done in some form. It goes without saying that we don't need to be too humane to those who are not humane to others at al. At the same time, our society can not afford to keep these highly dangerous criminals alive in prisons. Secondly, different countries have different situations and what may be acceptable in Western countries such as the United States might not be acceptable here in Vietnam. As a matter of fact, many people have attributed the prevalence of high crime rate to the lenient laws to the criminals. But in Vietnam, which is the most populous nation, penalizing the most dangerous criminals by inflicting dealth sentence is rather justifiable. At least it is so in my eyes. To conclude, there's no perfect solution to the eradication of severe crime. We have to adapt these measures to the real situation of the concerned country. (333 words)

Writing Sample 14
Although most of people hold that women are playing the same role in the society as men, it's rather common that most high level jobs are taken by men. As for this phenomenon, some people suggest that the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women. But others oppose to this suggestion strongly. As I see it, both sides have their own merits. On the one hand, only persons with rich experiences, plenty of knowledge and strong bodies are qualified for high level jobs. It's not of importance that whether they are men or women. Thus enterprises and countries can develop rapidly and smoothly. To reserve some high positions for women seems to be a pity. It couldn't fundamentally resolve the problem of inequality between male and female. Analyzing the phenomenon, we can find the real reason is the consciousness of sexual discrimination lying deeply in people's hearts. Women have lower social status, less salary, fewer opportunities in education, job and so on. All of these resulted in a shortage of many highly competent women to compete for high positions. On the other hand, due to historical reasons and biological characters, women are to some extent restricted to put all their energy into working. So the encouragement of the government to give some priority to women is reasonable and acceptable. It can increase women's employment opportunities, enhance their confidence and really embody the social equality. In general, the key to radically realize the equality between

men and women lies in giving equal chances in all rounds to women, not just a few of high level jobs.(271 words)

Writing Sample 15
Studying a language in a country where it is widely spoken has many advantages. It is therefore a good idea to study English in a country such as Australia. However, I believe it is not the only the way to learn the language. In the first place, most students in non-speaking English country learn English at high school and sometime at university nowadays. Although their spoken English is not usually of a very high standard, their knowledge of grammar is often quite advance. This is certainly useful when students come to an English speaking country to perfect the language. Secondly, studying the basics of the English at secondary school is less stressful than learning the language while oversea. This is because students living at home do not have to worry about problems such as finding accommodation, paying for their studying and living costs, and trying to survive in a foreign country where day to day living causes much stress. However, there are obvious advantages of learning English in Australia. Every day there are opportunities to practise listening to and speaking with Australians. In addition, students can experience the culture first hand, which is a great help when trying to understand the language. This is especially true if they choose to live with Australians, as part of a home stay family for example. Furthermore, if students attend a language school fulltime, the teacher will be native speakers. In this case, not only will students speaking and listening skills improve, but attention can be given to developing reading and writing skill as well. In general, even though it is preferable to study English in an English speaking country, a reasonable level of English can be achieved in ones own country, if a student is gifted and dedicated to study. (254 words)

Writing Sample 16
A governments role is only to provide defense capability and urban infrastructure (roads, water supplies, etc.) All other services (education, health, social security) should be provided by private groups or individuals in the community. Topic words:

A governments role the job a government should do Defense capability the ability to defend people against attack Infrastructure roads, water supply Private groups or individuals businesses, charities or private people

Task words:

To what extent do you agree or disagree with

Questions I must ask myself:

Do I think the statement is true? Is it true in all cases and countries? Do I disagree entirely with the statement?

The answer must:

Explain what you think a government should do. Give reasons for your opinion, with examples to show why your reasons are right. Give reasons and examples to show why other opinions are not right.

Sample Essay:

Government can only provide a limited range of services for citizens. Certain types of service, however, must be provided by government, whereas both government and private groups or individuals can share the responsibility to provide other services. Introduction states the writers attitude to the opinion in the writing task.

A government must provide those services which are essential to a country. These include defense capabilities and social security. Private enterprise and the profit motive

should not form part of these essential services. On the other had, some services could be provided by either government or private groups or both. Education and health care are examples of such services. A government must provide at least a basic level of education and health care so all citizens can have access to them. Private enterprise, though, could also provide services in these areas for those who wish to pay for them. 1st argument: what governments must provide, with supporting statement - 2nd argument: providers of other services, with examples

Urban infrastructure is another area where government and private groups or individuals can share responsibility. Governments must build and maintain a system of roads, but toll roads can be built and road maintenance carried out by private contractors. Similarly, other infrastructures, such as water or electricity supply, can be operated by private companies. - More support and examples for 2nd argument

To sum up, there are some services such as defence and social security which must be provided by government. Other services, for example water supply or education, could be provided by both government and private enterprise. Consequently, it is not true to say that a governments role is only to provide some services while others should be provided by the private sector. In fact, both government and private groups can share in the provision of most services. - Conclusion re-states main arguments and paraphrases opinion in the writing task. (318 words)

Remember: this sample answer is one of several satisfactory ways to answer the question. Other essays which respond to the writing task would also be acceptable.

Source: Prepare for IELTS, by Vanessa Todd & Penny Cameron, 1996, UTS, Australia. For non-profit educational use only.

Writing Sample 17
A governments role is only to provide defense capability and urban infrastructure (roads, water supplies, etc.) All other services (education, health, social security) should be provided by private groups or individuals in the community. Topic words:

A governments role the job a government should do Defense capability the ability to defend people against attack Infrastructure roads, water supply Private groups or individuals businesses, charities or private people

Task words:

To what extent do you agree or disagree with

Questions I must ask myself:

Do I think the statement is true? Is it true in all cases and countries? Do I disagree entirely with the statement?

The answer must:

Explain what you think a government should do. Give reasons for your opinion, with examples to show why your reasons are right. Give reasons and examples to show why other opinions are not right.

Sample Essay:

Government can only provide a limited range of services for citizens. Certain types of service, however, must be provided by government, whereas both government and private groups or individuals can share the responsibility to provide other services. Introduction states the writers attitude to the opinion in the writing task.

A government must provide those services which are essential to a country. These include defense capabilities and social security. Private enterprise and the profit motive should not form part of these essential services. On the other had, some services could be provided by either government or private groups or both. Education and health care are examples of such services. A government must provide at least a basic level of education and health care so all citizens can have access to them. Private enterprise, though, could also provide services in these areas for those who wish to pay for them. 1st argument: what governments must provide, with supporting statement - 2nd argument: providers of other services, with examples

Urban infrastructure is another area where government and private groups or individuals can share responsibility. Governments must build and maintain a system of roads, but toll roads can be built and road maintenance carried out by private contractors. Similarly, other infrastructures, such as water or electricity supply, can be operated by private companies. - More support and examples for 2nd argument

To sum up, there are some services such as defence and social security which must be provided by government. Other services, for example water supply or education, could be provided by both government and private enterprise. Consequently, it is not true to say that a governments role is only to provide some services while others should be provided by the private sector. In fact, both government and private groups can share in the provision of most services. - Conclusion re-states main arguments and paraphrases opinion in the writing task. (318 words)

Remember: this sample answer is one of several satisfactory ways to answer the question. Other essays which respond to the writing task would also be acceptable.

Source: Prepare for IELTS, by Vanessa Todd & Penny Cameron, 1996, UTS, Australia. For non-profit educational use only.

Writing Sample 18
Are computers an essential feature of modern education? What subjects can be better taught using computers? Are there aspects of a good education that cannot be taught using computers?

Topic words:

Computers Essential features / absolutely necessary

Modern education / good education

Task words:

There are no specific task words. Three separate questions are given.

Questions I should ask myself:

Do I think computers are essential for education? What subjects do I think are best be learnt using computers? What do I think are the features of a good education, and are computers important in it?

The answer must:

Answer each of the three related questions. If you answer the second and third question you will answer the first question, which is the most general and gives the basic topic of the essay. Show which subjects can benefit from the use of a computer, and explain why a computer is so useful. Show what cannot be taught by computer, and explain why a computer cannot help with those areas. After explaining when computers are useful and when not, write a compulsion in which you say whether computers are essential in education or not, using arguments from your essay.

Computers are now essential in many areas of life modern banking, retail and information exchange among others. However, this is not true for education. At a simple

level some subjects may be better taught using computers, but to explain important concepts a human teacher is still indispensable. - Introduction shows main idea

There are some subjects in which a computer can be used successfully to teach. Elementary mathematics, elementary language leaning, any area which requires a student to memorize basic facts through repetition is well suited to computer learning. The computer can be programmed to provide an endless number of simple questions, and as the student answers these questions the facts are learned and reinforced. - Why computers do well, with examples

However, in the learning and practice of more complex ideas, the computer is not adequate. A computer can evaluate an answer as right or wrong, but it cannot determine why. It cannot find out why a student is making mistakes, and then re-present important concepts in a different way so the student will understand. It cannot determine at what stage in a mathematics problem the student has made an error, it can only indicate that the final answer is wrong. Tasks involving reasoning cannot be taught by computers, as there are too many variables for a computer to deal with successfully. What computers cannot be, with an example

Thus, while computers may be useful as a tool for practicing simple skills, they are not an essential feature of modern education, because they cannot monitor a students grasp of concepts, nor evaluate a students reasoning. Until further developments in computers are made the human teacher will remain indispensable. - Conclusion restates main ideas. (285 words)

Writing Sample 19
Man Is to Survive

The human race is facing problems which are getting more acute as time goes on. The most serious are shortages of resources, environmental pollution, and the pressure of population growth. In turn, these problems cause poverty, disease and wars. Pessimists say that the human race is facing extinction. This is because it is now too late to solve these problems, according to them. They predict that resources will become exhausted sooner or later, that pollution will eventually poison the planet, and that unchecked population growth will cause mass starvation.

But I do not agree that mankind is doomed. In the past, the human race has always shown that it has the wisdom to overcome any threat to its survival. In the future, too, mankind will survive by using its wisdom to find a way out of its problems. (138 words)

Writing Sample 20
Some people think the child should be brought up in the village because of the good environment, Meanwhile some people think the young child should be brought up in cities.Do you agree or disagree. There is much controversy that young children should be brought up in the village or in the city. Some people think that young children should be brought up in the village because of good environment. Meanwhile some people insist that the city is a better environment for the young children due to the good education opportunity. In my opinion, as is case with many issues, Young children in the city or in the village has both negative and positive aspects. First of all, it is obviously that children in the village have a healthy living environment, they can breathe fresh air, eat fresh vegetable and study in a tranquil surround. On the contrary, pollution in the city has become more and more serious, children in the city suffer the noise and polluted air every day. Therefore the children in the village are healthier than the children in the city. Secondly, the education in the city is apparently better than in the village. There are many up-date facilities and excellent professional teachers who are aware of the latest development in their field in the city schools. City schools can provide the high quality education to the children. On the other hand, the village school usually has not modern equipment and some teachers are not qualified. Poor education usually leads to the village children facing a little employment chance in their future. In addition, the children in the city have a colorful spare time while the spare time is quite dull in the village. There are many entertainment facilities such as museum, park, zoo, concert hall, cinema and stadium in the city. The children in the city can see movie, visit exhibit, play sports game and listen concert. However, the entertainment facilities are quite limited in the village. Most of children in the village can play in the field only. If they want to visit museum, they have to go to the city. In a conclusion, the children in the village have a better living environment and the children in the city can have the better education and entertainment facilities. Living in the city or villages for the children, it is a matter of choices; it depends on personal likes or dislikes. (370 words)

Writing Sample 21

Some people say that older people should live with their adult children. Others say that they shouldn't. Which do you think is good practice. TEXT257 Words One of the topics in daily life is whether or not the older people should live with their adult children. My answer is the question is that it is better for them not to. Firstly, people of different ages have different ways of life. The old people like a quiet, peaceful and regular life whereas the young prefer noises, activities and unrestrained enjoyment. If they live together, old may feel that they are always disturbed and the young may feel that they are often handicapped. Secondly, people of different generations have different views and values. What is quite normal to the parents may seem to be old-fashioned or wrong to the children. When they live together, they may disagree on matters ranging from minor domestic matters to national and international issues. Consequently, family life may be unpleasant or even unbearable to both the old and the young. Last but not the least, adult children, like their parents, love independence and freedom, but their parents still take them as children and unintentionally interfere in their affairs. The situation will be worse if the adult children are already married. In this case, the children have already built a new and closed world and any outside interference may lead to conflicts. From what has been discussed above, we may safely draw the conclusion that if the parents and their adult children do not live together, both the old and the young can enjoy complete independence and freedom, live a life they like, and keep intact their affections for each other.

Writing Sample 22
It is really uneasy to be parents in current modern societies. Parents are forced to balance the demand of their careers and the upbringing of their children. So some people say that it is the best way to keep a parent at home focus on breeding and educating children, I disagree in such issue at all. Indeed it is to everyone's convenience to keep Mom or Dad at home, as long as the other one makes enough money to feed the whole family. While, as is often the case, with the continuing increase of living cost and tuition fees, a parent is usually hard to maintain all the family members by one's own endeavours, not to mention spare energy to educate the child.So the abovementioned suggestion is unrealistic to the majority of the people. Moreover, a child is unable to learn basic knowledge just alone at home with his parent such as how to communicate with others and react to the world outside, etc. Children are best educated among their likes in kindergartens and schools, which play the role of qualified educators.

Besides, it is too much at the cost of quitting one's career and lose the touch with his or her community and then fall behind, especially unfair to those who are skilled in their occupations. And how long would a child stay at home at most? To conclude, I insist that either of parents not stay at home as a full-time housewife or "househusband". He or she can efficiently cultivate children well while pursuing a career.An active and successful parent is the best model for his child to learn from(273 words)

Writing Sample 23
The great advances in science and technology have brought about dramatic changes in human being's life and work style, especially from computers and Internet. First of all, they have made our lives more comfortable and healthier. In addition, they have eased the burden of work for most people and provided them with more leisure opportunities, while at the same time increasing productivity dramatically. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that technology has some negative side-effects. It has been widely noted that with the growing use of computers and calculators, the level of literacy and mathematical ability of people is dropping, who have little incentive to check spelling, grammar and calculation for themselves. Also, the availability of Internet and modern telecommunication instruments encourage an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle, not to mention the popularity of pornographic websites which does mental health harm. Another aspect of this issue is that technology may be good or bad depending on how we use it. For instance, dynamite may be used to make road construction easier, or it may be used to kill people. Again, nuclear reactors can supply huge amounts of cheap electricity, but if they are carelessly handled they cause devastating pollution. We can conclude that the progress of science and technology has both positive and negative effects. What we must do is to make sure that the positive ones are encouraged and the negative ones are eliminated as far as possible. Among other things, this means, that adolescence is warned neither to let computers do all their work nor to surf on harmful websites of Internet. (261 words)

Writing Sample 24
For the sake of high rate of entrance to college, many of the leading schools in China nowadays arrange scientific and literary courses for students, such as mathematics, Chinese, English and so on, omitting the physical education. It is a rare phenomenon that young schoolchildren run and play on the playground, because they are kept in the classrooms studying and doing exercices.

In fact, going in for sports every day noy only refreshes children's bodies and gives them an appetizer for meals, but makes them mentally alert too, and ready and eager to engage in the study tasks of the whole day. In addition, a reasonable amount of exercise prepares their bodies for a good night's sleep, which is ready for the next day's study. On the other hand, lack of exercise leaves body sluggish and mind dull during the day, decreasing the efficiency of study otherwise.

Moreover, in the course of the adolescence's growing up, they especially need a great amount of physical exercise to reinforce their health, animate their minds, and release their extra energy to stay sound and in balance. Only in this way do thay grow up tall, strong and fast-witted.

All in all, I insist that schools should stress the statue of the physical education for the maturity of the youth and by extension for the future of the nation.(225 words)

Writing Sample 25
With the development of market economy, advertisements have become a dominant feature in television industry. Describe the rich information brought by TV. There still exits strong criticism against TV advertisement. Write an article analyzing the positive and negative effects of TV advertisements.341 Words

There is a positive aspect and a negative aspect to everything--and that includes the TV advertisement. As the most popular media now, TV is offering a large amount of news and other information everyday. In fact TV has the biggest number of audience in the world. Nevertheless, along with populace and welcome, it has brought mankind new problem to solve.

There is no denying that TV can vastly enrich the life of people. TV programs can be received everywhere all over the world .It allows the audiences swift and free access to the world events and other programs. The most important point is that you need not to pay any fee for the TV station. All these expenses of the TV station are being paid from television advertisements. No matter how we compare, the TV program is the cheapest in various kinds of recreation. Last but no least, the TV advertisement has permeated the lives of people already and it helps people buying the goods which they like with both more convenience and more quick.

While there are a lot of advantages of TV advertisement, its drawbacks should not be forgotten. For one thing, the TV advertisements waste a lot of time of audiences, who have to spend a long time to watch many useless programs. We all have this experience and we were very annoyed about a long TV advertisement when watched a normal program. Especially TV advertisements interrupt the play or sport match abruptly. How bored you are at that moment! For another, not all the TV advertisements are either useful or harmless, the audience often are misled by the TV advertisements of overstatement. Some dishonest producers often utilize the TV advertisement to promote their inferior products.

In a word, because people analyze the question in different ways, such as the TV station and audience. So it is very difficult to say clearly whether the advertisement is good or bad. In my opinion, I certainly hope that TV advertisements will be reduced a little in the near future.

Writing Sample 26
Every day people's eyes and ears are filled with all kinds of advertisement on TVs,radios, newspapers, Internet and billboards on main roads. Merchants issue so much advertisement to stimulate consumers' appetizer and then take out their momney willingly for the goods advertised. But it is widely noted that some negative effects are brought about by advertisement, especially those of alcohol, tobacco, pornograpghy and sex-and-racediscrimination. I support the opinion that overflowing advertisement should be properly restricted to moral and legal standard of the general public. It is hard for young men to resist the temptation of those attractive advertisement all the time for they have to keep fashionable even at the cost of money, health and material resources. Many young criminals commit theft, burglar and robbery just for enough money to buy some advertised goods. In such circumstances, the governments of different nations have implemented strict legislation against harmful advertisement. For instance, however the manufacturers would like to invest, alcohol and tobacco advertisement is banned of appearance in public. And before being issued on the media, the advertisement content ought to be examined carefully. The restriction on advertisement leads to a clean and orderly world, where young men can lead a clean and healthy life. (204 words).

Writing Sample 27
Some people argue that fundamental education for children should be at the expense of the government rather than of their parents. As a result, It is unnecessary to have the profitable private schools exist. I hold against the issue mentioned.

Any government, whether rich or poor, cannot put each penny into education, even though it is trying to improve the educational conditions and teachers' welfare nationwide. While private schools, at their own expenses, much narrow the government's budget on education by charging wealthy students and provide much better facilities and staff. That is why the governments throughout the world, whether developed or developing, stimulate individuals and enterprises to establish private schools. Chinese government has even put forward the concept that everyone from domestic or overseas is encouraged to operate education industry free of some duties.

In addition, some special private schools supply children with spacial foundmental education and training, which public schools are short of, such as football schools, artschools, ballet schools, etc, There is an evidence that many talents and eminent professionals have been trained in or graduated from private schools.

To sum up, private schools should exist and thrive shaply, not only benefiting the government by easing its financial pressure but also benefiting individuals by offering them another choice for their children's education. (215 words)

Writing Sample 28
Some people argue that it is more important to have one language to be adapted as the official international language. Others say that this will lead to the loss of culture and identity of their country. What is your opinion?

Nowadays more and more people learn to speak foriegn languages for communication worldwide. Consequently critics is raised that it is at the loss of native culture and identity of a country for her people to use a foreign language rather than their own , as a native language is part of a nation's tradition. So they advocate not to adopt a foreign language as an official international language.

I believe the opinion above is too feudal to be accepted by modern populace. In the age of high-technology and globalization, it is getting more crucial to be foreign-languageliterate and be proficient in applying them merely to earn a living.

In addition, just communication in foreign languages cannot replace the native country's culture and customs of long history. Much often in their daily lives and on most of ordinary occasions, people are willing to speak their own languages. There is an evidence around the world that migrants maintain their own traditions and customs even in alien countries.

At present, I am leading a Chinese-style life while communicating with foreigners in their languages. Just think a Chinese wedding is held in English!

Most of people do not want to quit their national culture just because they have learned another language. On the contrary, anyone who maintains his culture and tradition tightly but refuses to communicate with aliens will have no way out in the modern opening world, not to mention where his native culture and identity is rooted. (245 words)

Writing Sample 29
It is a common phenomenon in some countries that parents punlish their children for their wrong doings by hurting thrie bidies. While on the contrary ,in other countries, the physical punishment to children is considered to be immoral and illegal. In these countries, any parents who commit such behaviours are put into jail and deprived of the right of the custody of their children. I am the firm supportor of the latter.

As a young child, he first feels and learns how to love and be considerate under his parents' affection and attention. If he is punished physically regularly, what else could he learn about the world except the hatred to others including to his parents? As a result, his personality is distorted and becomes potentially hazardous to the society, especially when he has grown up to be an adult. Violence just trains children how to act violently in the same way.

Another, how does a child's young tender body withstand periodical physical punishment? Excessive punishment is to destroy his health and maturity both physically and mentally, and severe beating may cause his disability.

What does physical punishment do except to frighten children? It is proved more effective and lasting to make children aware of their mistakes under their parents' instruction and then correct them consciously. (216 words)

Writing Sample 30
Nowadays it is so difficult for graduate students to find a job that many high schools tend to teach students some skillful subjects, such as computer, business and communication, while reducing some traditional subjects, such as history, geography. Do you agree or disagree? Give your reasons There is a growing tendency these days that high schools teach their students practical skills such as how to operate computers, do business and communicate with others for the purpose that he or she could find a good job mafter graduation. Of course it is not to blame for the educational orgnizations to teach students such practical skills for their increasing of competion in the future severe job maekets. But somr schools do that at the cost of reducing or even eliminating tradional subjescts like history, geography and literature. I firmly oppose that behaviour for three reasons as follows. First, the traditional subjects represent the accumulated wisdom of our ancestors down through the ages, and far from being impractical, thay equipt our offspringswith the knowledge and confidence to make a sound judgement about any problems which may crop up. In addition, traditional subjects train high school students knowledgeable, cultivated and mentally disciplined, while practical subjects train them proficiency in performing skills rather than their qualities demanded by modern civilized societies. Last but not least, as an old saying goes," Man cannot live by bread alone." A citizen should care about his surroundings and community not only himself. It also benefits him to learn about mankind's advances in history, geography and other aspects, as result of which he concludes the rules of progressing of mankind including himself. To sum up, tradional subjects play essential part in high school education.They cannot be replaced or reduced. (243 words)

Writing Sample 31

Some say that it is good for children to stay away from their families and go to a boarding school. Others say that children had better live with their families and attend a day school. What do you think about it? Nowadays more and more parents send their children to boarding schools, taking it for granted that boarding schools should provide much better accommodations, facilities and more qualified teaching staff at the condition that they charge much more than other schools. In addition, parents are able to get rid of the burden of raising children.

I am against children being brought up without their parents around.

Nevertheless, except quite a few, many children out of boarding schools do not turn out to be a gentleman or a lady. On the contrary, most of them learn to be selfish, inconsiderate,unsociable or other poor behaviours. What's worse, they become isolated from their parents, relatives or playmates lack of enough contact with them.

There're a great deal of evidences that crinimals are not well bred especially in an envionment without their parents' attention and affection.

How is the statue of parents replaced by the world outside like boarding schools? And who can play the role of kinblood part of a person especially when he is young?

Every happy family consists of the union of each family member including the children. Parents cannot avoid the responsibility of bringing up their children in person no matter how busy they are. A child would grow up healthily under his parents' love and care to be a good citizen of the great family----the society. (227words)

Writing Sample 32
Why Do People Feel Isolated from Each Other and Solutions Modern people have a feeling that they are becoming more and more isolated from each other though it is believed that the development of information technology has made the world smaller. There are three reasons for this.

Firstly, modern people have greater tensions so that they have less time to communicate with each other. More and more people are living in urban areas, where life is in a quick rhythm. Due to fierce competition, city dwellers have to be hardworking in order to keep up with the steps of city life. Everybody is busy all the time. Work pressures deprive them of a casual way of life. Moreover, living in apartments in different blocks, people are isolated from each other. It is not convenient for them to meet each other freely. Secondly, the wide use of telephone and overwhelming emergence of the Internet prevent modern people from seeing each other quite often. In the past, when some festivals comes, the way people to send congratulations is to meet each other, to sit together and to talk or they can write letters and send postcards. Nowadays people can simply send an email or make a phone call to send good wishes in a few minutes. However, sitting before the computer screen is not the same thing as meeting, talking and writing. People are loosing the pleasure of writing and talking and hospitality towards each other. In some sense, people are becoming mechanic. Thirdly, modern people's spare time are occupied by various kinds of entertainments and activities. In the past, meeting and talking to others is a fundamental way to get information. However, today TV programs are very attractive. People can just stay at home and knows clearly what is happening in the world. Therefore, people have few chances to meet each other and thus a feeing of isolation arises. There are some solutions to the present situation. First of all, people need to be fully aware of the fact that the modern ways of communication cannot take the place of the traditional ones. Sending emails cannot have the same effect as writing or face-to-face talk. Traditional ways should be encouraged and people can write letters as much as possible. Secondly, activities held in one neighborhood can create a warm atmosphere among people. Thirdly, the people need to know how to enjoy life, which is a new and popular idea in modern society. (401 words)

Writing Sample 33
Causes of Juvenile Crime and Solutions The increasingly high rates of juvenile delinquency are a great problem in modern society. More and more people are paying special attention to it. There are mainly three causes of this problem-the negative influence of mass media, young people's tendency to be rebellious and high divorce rates.

The first reason of the high rates of juvenile delinquency is the negative influence of commercialized mass media. Publishers of books or program producers are more concerned with profits than with the quality. Thus books or movies may have negative

effects on children. Taken obscene books and violence movies as examples. They are very dangerous to children. Once the children are exposed to violence or bad and dirty ideas are introduced into their mind, there will be lifelong harm. Some young children watch hours of murders, fights and crimes every week, with no adult to tell them that life is not like that most of them. The effect of the heavy does of violence is to suggest to children that violence is an ordinary way of life, and that shooting and cheating are ways to succeed. Such an misbelieve usually leads them to a wrong way in near future.

The second reason of high rates of juvenile crime is that modern youth are more revolutionary and more independent that the elder generation. When this tendency goes to an extreme, problems arise. Some of the young want to throw away all the traditional principles and beliefs, most of which are very good for self-cultivation. They are reluctant to listen to the advice from elder generation. If they behave in the way, as they like, they might commit crimes without realizing it.

The third significant factor of juvenile crime is the increasing number of single-parent families. Studies show that juvenile-delinquency rates are twice as high for youngsters from single-parent homes as for those in traditional households. Children in singleparent families are taken less care of and thus have feelings of being neglected, discriminated and isolated. The lack of parental love makes them hostile and cynical towards the society.

There are several ways to prevent the youth from committing crimes. Firstly, school education plays an important role to teach traditional beliefs. Secondly, the present situation also calls for a control and supervision on the mass media. Books and programs should be in good quality. There should be more educational books and programs for young children in to tell them how to distinguish the right from the wrong. Thirdly, mutual understanding between parents and children is also very important. Parental supervision and guidance are a key factor of self-cultivation in lifetime. The two generations need to smooth away disagreement. Parents can spend much time staying with their children and patiently carry out the duty of family education. (460 words)

Referal 35 BENEFITS OF ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION

Proponents of animal experimentation point to hundreds of years of medical advances made possible by research on animals. Treatments for heart disease provide just one example, including open-heart surgery, in which circulatory functions are temporarily controlled by a heart-lung machine; coronary bypass to improve blood flow to the heart muscle; and valve replacement of a defective heart valve. Techniques and equipment for kidney dialysis were also developed through animal experimentation. More than 30 drugs for treating cancer, as well as anticancer radiation therapies, were first tested on rats and mice. Vaccines for diphtheria, measles, smallpox, and many other previously feared diseases were developed through animal research. Organ transplants, blood transfusions, microsurgery to reattach severed limbsthese and other procedures that save thousands of lives annuallywere made possible by work on animals. And not just humans, but dogs, cats, and other domestic and farm animals have benefited from such research, with the development of treatments for distemper, rabies, anthrax, and other diseases of animals. Modern biotechnology is providing still more opportunities for advances with the development of transgenic organisms, such as mice that are specially bred to carry selected human genes. Transgenic organisms permit researchers to investigate genetic causes of cancer and other diseases. In other promising work with spinal cord injury and paralysis, neurobiologists experimenting on rats and mice are investigating ways to repair nerve tissue and restore movement. Animals are also being used to seek cures for todays most pressing diseases, including Alzheimers disease and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

IV

REASONS FOR OPPOSITION

Opponents argue that animal research is cruel, immoral, and unnecessary. The question, wrote English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, discussing animals used in experiments, is not can they reason, nor can they talk, but can they suffer? More recently, Peter Singer, in Animal Liberation, argues that all species that can feel pain and sufferinganimal as well as humandeserve equal consideration. Many people believe that animals are no less complex than humans in their capacity to feel emotionsand to suffer pain. In this view, the infliction of discomfort, pain, suffering, and death on laboratory animals, which are incapable of giving consent to experimental procedures, is purely wrong. Opponents also dispute the scientific validity of results obtained from animals. Many observers question whether data obtained from animals can be reliably applied to humans. They argue that physiological differences between animals and humans make them unsuitable as experimental models. Animal rights activists cite figures of the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) showing that 52 percent of the new drugs marketed between 1976 and 1985 caused adverse reactions that were not predicted by animal studies. Opponents of animal experimentation also point out that experimental animals are under great stress, often confined in small cages or held in special equipment designed to restrict movement. The stress created by confinement, and by repeated handling for experimental procedures, may significantly alter an animals physiological functioning, rendering any experimental observations meaningless. Researchers in labs worldwide currently experiment with a variety of alternatives, such as in vitro methods, which use cell and tissue cultures in place of whole animals. One such test-tube method, designed to replace rabbits in evaluating the skin-irritating properties of new chemicals, has

already won approval from the United States government, which requires extensive testing before chemicals can be used in commercial products. Another promising avenue involves developing more sophisticated methods of statistically analyzing data. Such "data-mining" measures mean that fewer animals are required for tests, or that animals are completely unnecessary. Powerful computer programs, designed to imitate biological functions and demonstrate how a living body reacts to toxic chemicals or disease pathogens, are yet another alternative. Animal rights activists representing the extreme view support a complete ban on animal experimentation in favor of alternative methods. Despite increased interest in and success with alternatives, however, many scientists believe that there is no substitute for the complex response of a whole animal. In their opinion, animal research is vital for continued biomedical progress. The complexities of the animal experimentation debate are certain to remain a topic of discussion for years to come.

Referal 36 17 other sample essays 1. Sample essay:

Every week millions of people buy lottery tickets, hoping their small investment will make them rich. They often believe that if they won a million dollars, their troubles would be over. If they actually got the money, would their dreams come true? Whether people live happily ever after when they win the lottery probably depends on what their dreams are. Money can buy some things but not others. Cash buys houses, cars, and college educations; it pays for medical treatment and clears up overdue bills. Money also purchases travel and new experiences. A million dollars could allow someone to quit a tough, boring job and try for something better. It could provide a feeling of security. On the other hand, winning so much money could actually cause some problems. A person who quit working might eventually become bored or lose some self-respect. Family members might squabble over what should be purchased. Long-lost friends, relatives, and even complete strangers are likely to want a handout. The winner must then decide whom to help and whom to offend. Despite all these drawbacks, I would rather win the money than not. The difficulties of having to manage a million dollars are troubles I would like to have.

2.

Sample essay:

After the baby is born, things will never be the same. People say that to expectant parents-and they are right! It will be a long time before those parents can again sleep late in the morning. A baby wakes early, screaming for food. The toddler thinks 6 a.m. is the right time to start the day. After that come early school mornings. It will be years before the parents can go anywhere together on the spur of the moment. Every outing must be planned ahead so that a baby-sitter can be found. The budget will be stretched, the work load will get heavier, and by the time parents can be alone, they may be too tired to talk.

Still, people want children. Why?

One reason is that children are a link to the future. They will probably be here after the parents are gone. In addition, their children will live after them. A deeper reason for wanting children, perhaps, is that the more people we have to love, the more fulfilled our lives can be. By giving to a child, people enrich their own lives. In the end, we live not only for ourselves, but for others.

3.

Sample essay:

It hurts to look at a paycheck and see how much of it was taken out for income tax. That money could have paid some important bills. It is easy to dream of doing away with the income tax and keeping all that money for ourselves. If there were no income tax, however, the government would have a lot less to spend. The money we send to Washington seems to fall into a black hole and disappear. Actually, though, many people depend on it. The money pays the salaries of government employees, who provide services from drug control to highway building. It supports our military defense. Also, much of the money is returned to people in the form of student loans, veterans benefits, and payments to farmers, for example. The government has been working to cut its budget lately. With every cut, someone complains loudly. So if the income tax were eliminated, other taxes would have to make up for it. Paying those other taxes would also hurt. Sales taxes fall most heavily on poor people. Taxes on manufacturers only result in higher prices to consumers.

Income taxes are not fun to pay. But doing without them would be worse. In my opinion, income taxes should be made as fair as possible. Then we each must bite the bullet and do our share.

4.

Sample essay:

Television has changed both the way we spend our time and what we know about the world. Some of the changes brought by television have improved our way of life, but others have made it worse. People today on the average spend several hours a day watching television. In times past, they would sit on their front steps and visit on nice evenings. This neighborly visiting built close friendships, but it seldom takes place any longer. Even though families may all watch TV together, they may not communicate much. Some women have called themselves sports widows because their husbands spend every spare minute watching televised football, baseball, and other sports. On the other hand, people have learned more about the world because of television. People in small towns know more about the city, and people in cities have learned about the country. Politicians, celebrities, wars, and disasters appear in the living room. Programs take viewers to the bottom of the sea, the tops of mountains, and even outer space. Some people think television leads to violence, immorality, and greed for possessions. I am not sure whether this is true. However, good or bad, TV is here to stay. It is up to each of us to make the most of its opportunities and avoid its problems.

5.

Sample essay:

When lack of money prevents us from having something we want very much, it is tempting to dream of being rich. It is hard to keep in mind that Americans are already wealthy compared with people in many other parts of the world. Our modern conveniences would have been the envy of kings in times past. Just the same, most people would like a larger. Whether most people are capable of making a lot of money is another question. People in average circumstances can often get ahead through education, hard work, and careful money management. But getting ahead is not the same as actually becoming rich. Only a small percentage of Americans could be called truly wealthy. Some people joined this group from ordinary beginnings. Usually they have done it by carefully riding some major development in the economy on its way up. In the past, great fortunes have been made in oil, steel, and railroads. Recently, some people have made millions in computers and real estate. Usually, though, it takes money to make money. Big investors often start rich and then get richer.

Most of us cannot strike oil or start the next new technical breakthrough. Most people are not born into wealthy families, either. In America it certainly is possible to become more prosperous. But unless someone wins the lottery, real wealth is not very likely to come along.

6.

Sample essay:

You come home alone after a long day at work. You open the door to your home. No one is there. Is it blessed silence you hear - or echoing emptiness? The millions of people who live alone today may have either experience. Some love living alone, yet others wish they didnt have to. When they open that door at night, people who live alone do not have to put up with demands or listen to someones noise or meet anyones dinner deadlines. They do not have to debate about which TV program to watch or stay off the phone because someone else is expecting an important call. No one else messes up their kitchen. But when they are sick, no one else will bring them an aspirin or call the doctor. Preparing dinner for one can be difficult, and eating dinner for one night after night can be very lonely. Perhaps no one really cares what they did all day. If they are feeling sad, there may be no one to cheer them up. Some people who live alone say the worst times come when something very good happens because there is no one to share the joy. During the course of a lifetime, one may sometimes live with others and sometimes live alone. Each way of life has its advantages. Learning to take advantage of them is one key to contentment.

7.

Sample essay:

Sports includes both national teams and the teams for the rest of us. The national teams are mainly concerned with winning and with money. The other teams are mainly concerned with winning and with money. The other teams provide different satisfactions. Being on a team helps people learn teamwork - to rely on others and to do their own part as well. Players learn both to win and to lose. When the team loses, the members learn that they can come back from a loss. They look for the reasons they were beaten, work on their weaknesses, and try again. When the team wins, the members can learn to be gracious winners and good sports. Sports are also for play. Most of us have work to do most of the time. Now and then we need to have fun. Sports can provide the time to relax.

If a team helps people learn to work together, lose win, and have fun, its a winner regardless of the score. But if players on a winning team have not worked together, if they feel that winning makes them better than others, if there was no joy in the sport, those winners are losers. Having the winning score is important. Being a winner as a person is worth even more.

8.

Sample essay:

Advertisers who directly attack their competitors may amuse me if they do it cleverly. However, they have probably lost me as a customer. Companies who attack their rivals remind me of people who boost their egos by criticizing others. When people do this, I often suspect they have little to offer and may even have something to hide. I would rather find out what is good about a person, not what is bad about someone else. Similarly, I like advertising that lets me know about products that might meet my needs. I dont place much faith in ads telling me what may be wrong with a rival product. I tend to suspect that the information could be biased. I also believe advertisers are foolish to name their rivals because by doing so they give the competing product free publicity. If the competition is worth attacking, I tend to think it may actually have something to offer. In advertising, as in life, I believe we should try to be the best we can be, without belittling the next person - or the rival product.

9.

Sample essay:

Three generations living together can have both financial and personal advantages. On the other hand, it can also have personal disadvantages. In years past and today, three generations have probably lived together mostly out of economic necessity or advantage. Sometimes a young family moves in with the older generation because the husband and wife cant afford a place of their own. Sometimes grandparents move in because they arent well enough or cant afford to live alone anymore. Occasionally, grandparents come to take care of the children so both parents can work. In times past, and sometimes today, three generations have lived together because they all depended on the same farm or business. Usually these arrangements do help solve financial and practical problems. Everyone has a roof over his or her head. Children and old people in need of care are likely to get it. Often a family can

get ahead financially by sharing the work and the bills. In addition, a strong sense of family and of belonging can develop in everyone. What may be harder to work out are questions of whos in charge. If grandparents dont let go of some authority, the middle generation is likely to resent it. On the other hand, ailing grandparents may force their children to be parents to them and to their own children as well. If parents and grandparents disagree on discipline, children may be confused or angry. The personal disadvantages can be overcome. For three generations to live together successfully, everyones needs must be respected.

10. Sample essay:

Television news shows are dramatic and interesting. Watching them is pleasant and does not require the effort of reading. If television did not cover the news, some people would know nothing about what is going on in the world. However, television newscasters cover only the events that they have time for, and they prefer stories that include some dramatic pictures. Viewers are quickly bored with reporters who sit and talk into the camera. As a result, a complicated story is often cut short. Newspapers and magazines do a better job of explaining complex events. They can include details, and a person with a special interest can take the time to read them. Others can stick to the headlines. Reading allows more freedom of choice than television. The TV audience cannot decide which stories to watch. In broadcasting, one size fits all. However, a person who reads newspapers and magazines can choose to spend time on business, sports, health, or the school board election, depending on special interests. Television provides a useful glance at whats happening. However, a person who has individual interests and who wants the whole story needs newspapers and magazines as well.

11. Sample essay:

Some people live in one community all their lives, while others move around almost as much as nomads. Both experiences have their advantages and disadvantages.

People who stay in one spot can develop lifelong friendships, and such friends may lend a hand if trouble comes. They know each others life history, and they judge each other for the kind of person each is, not for the image each projects. Yet spending a lifetime in one location can also lock a person into a limited way of life. Personal change may become very difficult. People with few experiences may develop a narrow outlook and find it hard to understand those who have different ethnic, racial, or religious backgrounds. On the other hand, moving to different parts of the country is usually stressful. A person may feel lost and uprooted in a place where streets, stores, schools, and churches all are different. At first there are no friends to help. However, those who do move learn that people in other places have a variety of outlooks. There is a chance to appreciate different ways of life and even to choose the way one likes best. For a person who moves to a different place year after year, the disadvantages of moving probably outweigh the advantages. But a few moves are probably worth the effort. By staying in each place for a length of time, people can broaden their outlook but have enough time to make adjustment and form friendships.

12. Sample essay:

The automobile has probably changed peoples way of life more than any other invention of the last century. More than electric lights, television, air travel, or even computers, automobiles have changed where people live and work, how they make a living, and even how they find a mate. Before there were cars, people generally traveled on foot or by horse and buggy over unpaved roads. Whether they lived in the city or the country, they rarely went farther than a few miles from home. They saw the same people and places year after year. The car opened up whole new worlds. Roads were paved, and motorists went to see different parts of the country. Some decided to stay. People with cars could live farther from their jobs, and so the age of commuting began. New suburbs sprang up around the cities. The auto industry boomed, and millions of Americans made a living manufacturing, selling, servicing, or insuring cars. As more people got cars, your people began driving them. No longer was courtship confined to the girls front porch, under the watchful eye of her parents. The automobile began the sexual revolution. Some people believe that commuting, suburban life, and courting in cars are mixed blessings. Whether the changes are good or bad, they seem to be here to stay.

13. Sample essay:

Many people complain that modern society is too materialistic. Other people, they say, place too great an importance on material property. Rather than value values, these critics insist, people today value things. There is no doubt that we live in a material, consumer-oriented society. In economic terms, consumers use products; in everyday language, they acquire things: TVs, cars, clothes, furniture. This kind of materialism can actually be good for a society since it helps create jobs. When people have jobs, they acquire self-respect along with the money they need to provide the material things they and their families require. It is true, on the other hand, that many people have taken healthy consumerism too far. Materialism is evident when an otherwise intelligent person goes into debt charging things that he or she cannot pay for. Materialism is evident when people insist on buying a particular designer label even though the same quality can be found in a cheaper product. Materialism is evident when people are judged and admired for what they own rather than what they are or can do. Even if society has gone too far in the direction of materialism, as some say, the individual person doesnt need to surrender. He or she can still value honesty, integrity, freedom, talent, quality, and all the other values there are to value and leave the materialism to others.

14. Sample essay:

People spend a great deal of time, money, and energy to see or read about movie stars, TV actors, singers, and athletes. Such celebrities often become idols. Posters, T-shirts, fan clubs, and attendance at live performances prove that. What do celebrities do to merit this attention? Celebrities create excitement. They create excitement because they have done something or can do something that supposedly not everyone else can do. Raising a child, waking early to go to work each morning, building a home and a place in the community-these achievements actually deserve more admiration than rolling through Beverly Hills in a limousine or jetting across the Atlantic to star in a new movie. Yet because these achievements are part of many peoples everyday lives, they are not considered special. Celebrities help us dream by lifting us out of our everyday lives and imagining ourselves doing other than everyday activities. Celebrities also set styles. They become models for behavior, clothing, and hairdos. Just consider Elvis Presley or the Beatles, for example. Celebrities also influence politics, as Bob Hope and Robert Redford have done.

Celebrities roles as special people and trendsetters, then, are the reason for the attention many of us lavish on them. In many ways, the celebrities of today have merely replaced the kings and queens of old.

15. Sample essay:

Most people want to be successful in life, but success can come about in four ways: fame, money, knowledge, and pleasure. Success is also usually characterized by the word more; to be successful, people feel they have to be more famous, have more money, absorb more information, or enjoy life more. Success does not need to be characterized by quantity, however. Instead, you can measure the success of your life by its quality. It is not important, for example, how many people know you but who knows you and for what. Working in your community or on good relationships with family and friends can bring quality fame. Earning less money but spending it wisely and learning the joy saving is another way to succeed. Learning more so that you can turn around and teach someone else produces quality knowledge. And finally, all the above will most likely bring you quality success in enjoying the pleasures of living. Success, in conclusion, can be seen in different ways by different people. Only one thing is sure. No matter what other people see, the only one who knows whether youre succeeded is you.

16. Sample essay:

Every year billions of dollars are spent on advertising. Many approaches are used to persuade consumers to buy a product. Some seem to work better than others. One approach, for example, is to try to make the reader or viewer identify with the people shown using the product. These people seem to be glamorous, loved, successful, elite, clever, or sexy. Supposedly, anyone who uses the product can expect the same reward. Another approach is to let the product speak for itself; people are attracted to scrumptious food, beautiful clothing, and sleek new cars. Sometimes good prices and special deals are the focus. Ads for complicated products, such as computers, may provide a lot of information. Endorsements by celebrities are especially common. In general, many of the ads succeed. People do tend to buy what they see advertised. However, some advertising can backfire. People may be offended, for example, by ads that are overly sexy or ones that viciously or sarcastically attack competitors products.

Advertising can be a useful aid for the consumer. It helps a person learn what is new or in style or handy to have around, what things cost, and where to buy them. To use this information effectively, however, a person must learn to look past the emotional appeals and find the facts.

17. Sample essay:

Some animals are pets, some are wild, and many of them provide us with food. All have a different - and important - role in our lives. It is easy to forget that the steak at the supermarket once formed part of a steer. But without domestic animals such as chickens and cattle, we would all be vegetarians, or a great deal of our time would need to be spent hunting. Wild animals attract sport hunters. For some people they are even an important source of food. When urban people visit the wild, deer, bears, and other wild animals remind them of an older way of life. Pets, however, are the animals that are especially significant for most of us. They are undemanding companions; they love us when we are not at our best. A pet can be a great comfort when life seems hard. For children, pets can be both fun and instructive. If a child cares for a pet, he or she learns to take responsibility for another being. Watching kittens or puppies being born can be a natural form of sex education. For children, as for adults, pets are loving companions and a help in tough time. As I recall, an Indian chief once said, Without our brothers, the animals, we would all be very lonely. I believe he was right.

IELTS writing task II sample questions collection

Possible Topic IELTS Writing Task 2 The IELTS Test (Part II)
Please contacts: peacekey@fptnet.com for more information.

1. Now there is an increased work-related stress. Explain the causes and what should be done?

2. The students who study from the school to university get benefit less and contribute less to, than those of student who go to travel or job and get skills and experience before going high. Do you agree or disagree.

3. Many people say that we have developed into a throw-away society because we are filling up our environment with so many plastic bags and rubbish that we cannot fully dispose of. To what degree do you agree with this opinion and what measures can you recommend to reduce this problem.

4. Scientists contribute more to society, so scientific students should get more

support. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?

5. Modern technology, such as chemical fertilizer, has been used in nowadays

rapidly. Some people think that it is dangerous to human health and has negative effects on local communities. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?

6. Compare the advantage and disadvantage, choose three of the following item as media for communication information, give your prefer one which you think the most effective comics, books, film, radio, television, theatre.

7. Many parents use punishment to teach the different between right and wrong to kids. Many think punishment is necessary to help children learn the distinction. What degree do you agree or disagree? What kind of punishment do you think can parents and teachers use?

8. People use the computers when they work, go banking and, but somebody argue

that it will make the people isolate and decrease social skills. To what extend do you agree this viewpoint?

9. Which is the best measurement of a country's success. Some people say it is

people's life quality which has nothing to do with money, others argue that it is a rich economy .What is your opinion?

10. Tell truth not all the time is essential. On some occasion, you have to tell lies. To

what extent do you agree or disagree?

11. Happiness is considered very important in our life. Why it is difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness? What the important factors can affect happiness?

12. Most countries spend a large amount of money in weapons to defend themselves

though they are not at war. To the countries, it should spend money to help the citizens for who in the countries are poor and disadvantaged. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

13. Find the causes, consequence Stress

14. Waste disposal presents problems increasing especially in urban area Suggest

what should government and individuals do can help reduce a amount of rubbish?

15. The parents in unit British decade not have a television to children in their home. Some people think children should take more creatively. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?

16. Your views on whether the extensively using of robot good /bad to we human beings?

17. Live animals are use in research. It is cruel and unnecessary; Other say it is justified in interest of human welfare. Discuss the two views.

18. It is said that today peoples live are becoming increasingly stressful. Whats the reason of it occur and how to solve the problem?

19. The reason cause work-related stress and the way to solution

20. Is that people thinking the elderly person should be take care of by the professionals in the residentical house/home, better than with the younger members of his own famility. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?

21. Scientic and technological advances have changed our lives. But some scientists

in some fields say that scientists are not able to find solutions to the problems they have created. To what extend do you agree or disagree?

22. People rely on news for knowledge, shall we trust the journalists. What is your

opion? what do you think what a good journalist should be?

23. The world of work is changing rapidly. Nowadays, work conditions are not always the same, and the employees cannot only depend on one type of job. Give causes of the changes and give suggestion for employees to face the situation in future. Show your own opinion; tell your experience and understanding about this matter.

24. As the development of modern science and technology, some aspects of traditional culture are being lost, so some people think that the traditional culture and technology will be replaced by the modern science and technology such as computer or internet, what is your opinion?

25. Some people believe that government spends too much money on space

research while there are still a lot of problems on the earth. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?

26. Some sport events such as the World Cup may help reduce the tension and bias between different countries and keep the peace of the world, what is your opnion?

27. Some people think that the animals should be treated as pets, others think that

animals are resources of food and clothing. What is your opinion?

28. Some people think that the developed countries should fund international aid to poor countries to help these developing countries to develop domestic health, education and trade. What is your opinion?

29. Young drug abuse is a serious problem nowadays in many countries, what are the reasons for this and what can be done to combat it?

30. Some people think that the new Millennium is the opportunity while others think it is danger. What do you think about it and what do you expect to happen in the new Millennium.

31. If famous people are treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?

32. Should developing countries concentrate on improving industrial skills and modern technology or should they promote education first?

33. Who should be responsible for protecting the environment of a city or a country the government, the corporation or the people?

34. Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when technology was simpler.

35. Tourism is a multibillion dollars industry that supports economic development, some people think that it causes damage to local environment and culture, so what is your opinion?

36. Nowadays doctors can become very rich. Maybe they should not focus on profitable activities such as plastic surgery or looking after rich patients and concentrate more on patient health, no matter how rich they are?

37. Will modern technology, such as the internet ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information?

38. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or re-educated and rehabilitated, using community service programs for instance, before being reintroduced to society?

39. In some countries if parents hit children or punish children physically, they will break the law and will be arrested. Some people think that punishment is good for teaching children to discipline their behavior; others say it is the matter of parents.

40. Some people think that it is more important for a single language as an international official language. Others think that it will make it difficult to identify countries and loss culture. What is your opinion? And show your reason and example.

41. With the development of market economy advertisements have become a dominant feature in television industry descript the rich information brought by

TV, there still exits strong criticism against TV advertisements. Write on article analyzing the passive and negative effects of TV advertisements.

42. It is wrong that our government pays more money to the artist projects, for instance, there are more and more paintings and sculptures appearing at the public places, because there are more important things to do. What is your opinion?

43. The world of work is changing rapidly. Working conditions today are not the same

as before and people no longer rely on taking one job for life. Discuss the possible causes of these changes and give your suggestions on how people should prepare for work in the future.

44. Write an arguement to an educated person of following statement : Students who

go directly from school to university benefit less from ,and contribute less to their courses than those who take a job or travel in order to get more experience in "real world" before they starting higher education. To what extent you agree or disagree this statement.

45. Some people feel that in order to improve the quality of our education, we should

encourage high school student to evaluate and criticize their teachers. Other feels it will cause the loss of respect and discipline in the classroom.

46. Modern technology has influenced people's entertainment, makes people less

creative. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?

47. TV series (soaps) become more and more popular in modern society, because

communities and neighborhood are non-exist. Do you agree or disagree?

48. When students come to the campus on the first day, they always feel very lonely.

What other problems do they have on the first day and how could school authority help them?

49. It is one of governments responsibilities to enable every child to get basic

education freely. If so, the profit private school is not necessary to exist. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?

50. Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things we really do not

need. Others say that advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives. To what extent, do you agree or disagree?
51.

IELTS writing task II sample questions collection

52.

Possible Topic IELTS Writing Task 2 The IELTS Test (Part I)

53. 54. Please contacts: peacekey@fptnet.com for more information. 55. More topic (New)

56. Topic 1:The telephone plays an important role in modern life. There's no doubt that it has improved the quality of our lives in many ways. In other ways, however, it has had a negative effect on our lives. Discuss both the positive and negative effects of the telephone on modern life. Support your ideas with reasons and examples. (250 words) Topic 2: Many places in the China have lotteries in which a person may win a million dollars or more. What would be the advantages of winning a million dollars? Would there be disadvantages? Write a 250-words essay explaining the advantages and disadvantages.

Topic 3: Many families are having fewer children. Having even just one child can have a dramatic impact on the parents' lives. Write about this impact in about 250 words. You can discuss the negative impact, the positive impact, or both.

Topic 4: Everyone complains about taxes, yet think about what would happen if there were no longer an income tax. In a 250-word essay, discuss the positive effects of an income tax, the negative effects, or both.

Topic 5: Television is still a relatively new invention, yet it has had profound effects on China and on Chinese's lives. Write about 250 words discussing the effects of television. You can write about the good effects, the bad effects, or both.

Topic 6: Most people have dreams of one day becoming rich. But does the average person have the ability to make a lot of money? Think about this question. Then write about 250 words describing your thoughts.

Topic 7: More and more people are living by themselves today. What are the advantages of living alone? What are the disadvantages? Write an essay of about 250 words explaining the advantages and disadvantages.

Topic 8: Sports are very popular in today's society. Some people believe, "Winning is the only thing." Others believe, " It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game." Is there a way in sports in which both opponents could "win" a game? "Lose" a game? Detail your thoughts on this issue in an essay of about 250 words.

Topic 9: Manufacturers who advertise sometimes directly name one or two of their competitors and attack their products. What are your feelings about this advertising practice? Write an essay of about 250 words describing your ideas.

Topic 10: For many years the nuclear family, consisting of father, mother, and children, was considered to be the normal family pattern in China's society. Yet in many other cultures and in our own in the past, three generations--grandparents, parents, and children--often have lived together. What are the advantages and disadvantages of three generations living together? Give specific examples in a 250-word essay.

Topic 11: Surveys show that more people get the news by watching television than by reading the newspaper. Think about whether TV news shows are

adequate as a person's only source of news. Write an essay of about 250 words that details your thoughts.

Topic 12: Some people live in one community their entire lives. Many more move at least once; some quite often. Compare and contrast moving to different parts of the country versus living in one community your entire life. Write about 250 words.

Topic 13: The automobile has had a profound effect on modern life. Some of these effects have been positive and others negative. Detail these effects in a 250-word essay.

Topic 14: Materialism means placing great importance on material things such as clothes, property, and furniture. Many people complain that modern society is too materialistic. Are people in these times " what they own " or " what they are " ? Explain your thoughts on the matter in an essay of about 250 words.

Topic 15: People spend a great deal of time, money, and energy to see or read about movie stars, TV actors, and athletes. What role do such celebrities play in society? Write an essay of about 250 words. Give specific examples.

IELTS writing task II sample questions collection

Possible Topic IELTS Writing Task 2 (Part III)
Please contacts: peacekey@fptnet.com for more information.

1. Most countries spend a large amount of money in weapons to defend themselves though they are not at war. To the countries it should spend money to help the citizens for whom in the countries are poor and disadvantaged. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

2. Choose an invertion, telephone or computer, and tell how it has changed our life. Are the changes all possitive or negative?

3. People use the computers when they work, go banking and, but somebody argue that it will make the people isolate and decrease social skills. To what extend do you agree this viewpoint?

4. It is one of governments responsibilities to enable every child to get basic education freely. If so, the profit private school is not necessary to exist. Do you agree or disagree?

5. Someone think the advertisements have the negative influence to young people and it should be forbidden. Do you agree or disagree?

6. Nowadays, family are not as close as before and a lot of people are get used to it. Write an essay to explain the reason and give your own suggestion.

7. In most part of the world, the volume of traffic is growing at an alarming rate. In the form of an assignment, discuss about the main traffic problems in your country, their causes and possible solutions.

8. Nowadays TV soap serials are very popular. It makes a lot of influence on peoples life, community, and neighborhood and so on. Do you agree or disagree?

9. Most young people fell alone on the first day when they enter the university. What do you think should the university to do to help them

10. Some people believe that government spends too much money on space research while there is still a lot problem on the earth. Do you agree or disagree.

11. Compared with three following media of communicating information ,which is the most effective Comic, Books, film, radio, television, theater.

12. Modern technology has influenced peoples entertainment, makes people less creative. Agree or Disagree?

13. Modern Technology, such as fertilizers and machinery have feed our world, but some disagree, what is the advantage and disadvantage? Discuss.

14. Many parents use punishment to teach the different between right and wrong to kids. Many think punishment is necessary to help children learn the distinction.What degree do you agree or disagree? What kind of punishment do you think can parents and teachers use?

15. Agree or disagree: the students who study from the school to university get benefit less and contribute less to, than those of student who go to travel or job and get skills and experience before going high university.

16. It is one of governments responsibilities to enable every child to get basic education freely. If so, the profit private school is not necessary to exist. Do you agree or disagree?

17. It is one of governments responsibilities to enable every child to get basic education freely. If so, the profit private school is not necessary to exist. Do you agree or disagree?

18. Modern technology has influenced peoples entertainment, makes people less creative. Agree or Disagree?

19. It is wrong that our government pay more money to the artist projects, for instance, there

are more and more paintings and sculptures appearing at the public places, because there are more important thing to do. Whats you opinion? Do you agree or disagree with it?

20. Participating in a sport is as important for psychological health as it is for physical condition and social development.

21. Some people say the parents should except school to conduct their childrens behavior and tell them what is right or wrong. Others say schools should take this responsibility. Please give your point about it.

22. As the developing countries and the third world countries, there are a funds, how to use it? Invest in the basic education or in the high-technology, for instance, computer? Whats your opinion?

23. Fast food is developing more and more popular. It replaces other traditional food. Some people think it is good, some people disagree with it. Whats your opinion about it. Give some reason of your opinion.

24. More and more childrens writing & math ability are affected by computers and calculators. We should limit the use of those tools. Disagree or agree.

25. Some people say that it is impossible for a woman to be both effective at work and a good

mother at the same time. It is also suggested that the government should give salaries to mothers who stay at home to take care of their children. What do you think about this? Participating in a sport is as important for psychological health as it is for physical conditions and social development.

26. Who has responsible for our old people?

27. The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. Give reasons for your answer.

28. As technological innovation brings about rapid changes and retraining becomes a lifelong

necessity, industry should take over more and more of the responsibility for education. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

29. It is more important for governments to ensure adequate standards of housing, education

and health care for their citizens by developing the industrial base than to use their resources to develop the rural areas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

30. Business education and training today must promoter environmental awareness. To what

extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

31. Technological advances continue to improve manufacturing efficiency; the weight of a

drinks can has come down from thirty-five grams to about fifteen grams, for example, and modern cars and production techniques are much more energy efficient. Governments need to control the environment rather than controlling industry, as companies already control their resources very efficiently. . To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

32. Training for work is far more important than proving a broad-based education. . To what

extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

33. What steps should a student take in preparing for tertiary education and what would be the

benefit of taking such steps?

34. The developed world should lead by example and not insist that aid to the Third World is

used to develop rural areas. . To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement?

35. People can do longer expect a job for life. What should individuals and governments do to

prepare the current and future environments for different working conditions?

36. As we know, computers bring many benefits and conveniences to people. However,

computers used in primary schools influence children's ability in writing and calculating. Some people think computers and calculators should be strictly limited in the modern classroom. Do you agree? Give your opinion?

37. Some people think school uniforms prevent children's personalities from developing.

What's your opinion?

38. With the development of society, customs and habits have changed a lot. Is it a good or bad

phenomenon? Whats your opinion?

39. Nowadays, nurseries and kindergartens take care of children from an early age, so women

can return to their work and children can get used to the society early. Is this a good thing? Whats your opinion?

40. Today, it is not allowed to raise pets in many cities, especially in modern cities. Do you

agree or disagree with this?

41. Now many people are forgetting their history and culture, so some people suggest that we

should encourage people to wear their traditional clothing everyday. Do you agree?

42. The number of days' holiday that an employee receives per-year varies from job to job. Do

you think people should have the same amount of days holiday regardless of their occupations? Give your reasons for your answer. V80

43. Some young people leave home before 20 for job or study. Do you think the sudden

independence is positive? Think the disadvantage of it? Give your reason and relative sample experience. V.68

44. Now there are more and more television camera in shops and homes to monitor customers and visitors. Some people think this is unhappy and not be trustes. Others think security is important than privacy. What do you think? Require: explain your reason and use your own experience. V69

45. Children are becoming lazy, fat and unsociable, give your possible causes and measures. V73

46. There are great amount of violence in television programs, we should reduce them. Do you agree or disagree? V7*

47. Nowadays, parents spent little time with their children, and use the television for keeping children quiet. What do you think about this case and the results? Give reasons and suggestion about it by your experience (make example). V78

48. Some family sent their children to foreign country for education purpose. What is your opinion? V79

49. It is said that today peoples live are becoming increasingly stressful. Whats the reason of it occur and how to solve the problem? 50. High school students should study general subjects before they are 17 years old, to study specialist subjects before that age is too early for them. Agree or disagree? V72 51. In some country children starting their school at seven age in order to strengthen their relation with their parents, but in other countries, children can begin their school at four ages. Discuss the advantage and disadvantage of starting school at a early age. V50
52. People rely on news for knowledge, shall we trust the journalists. What is your opion? what

do you think what a good journalist should be?

53. The world of work is changing rapidly. Nowadays, work conditions are not always the same, and the employees cant only depend on one type of job. Give causes of the changes and give suggestion for employees to face the situation in future.Show your own opinion; tell your experience and understanding about this matter

54. As the development of modern science and technology, some aspects of traditional culture are being lost, so some people think that the traditional culture and technology will be replaced by the modern science and technology such as computer or internet, what is your opinion?

55. Some sport events such as the World Cup may help reduce the tension and bias between different countries and keep the peace of the world, what is your opnion?

56. Some people think that the animals should be treated as pets, others think that animals are resources of food and clothing. What is your opinion?

57. Some people think that the developed countries should fund international aid to poor countries to help these developing countries to develop domestic health, education and trade. What is your opinion?

58. Young drug abuse is a serious problem nowadays in many countries, what are the reasons for this and what can be done to combat it

59. Some people think that the new Millennium is the opportunity while others think it is danger. What do you think about it and what do you expect to happen in the new Millennium.

60. If famous people are treated unfairly by the media? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?

61. Should developing countries concentrate on Iproving industrial skills and modern technology or should they promote education first?

62. Who should be responsible for protecting the environment of a city or a country - the government , the corporation or the people?

63. Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when technology was simpler?

64. Tourism is a multibillion dollars industry that supports economic development, some people think that it causes damage to local environment and culture, so what is your opinion?

65. Nowadays doctors can become very rich. Maybe they should not focus on profitable activities such as plastic surgery or looking after rich patients and concentrate more on patient health, no matter how rich they are?

66. Will modern technology, such as the internet ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information?

67. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or re-educated and rehabilitated, using community service programs for instance, before being reintroduced to society?

68. In some countries if parents hit children or punish children physically, they will break the law and will be arrested. Some people think that punishment is good for teaching children to discipline their behaviour, others say its the matter of parents.

69. Some people think that it is more important for a single language as an international offical language. others think that it will make it difficult to identify countries and loss culture. Whats your opinion? and show your reason and example .

70. With the development of market economy advertisements have become a dominant feature in television industry descript the rich information brought by TV, there still exits strong criticism against TV advertisements. Write on article analyzing the passive and negative effects of TV advertisements.

71. The world of work is changing rapidly. Working conditions today are not the same as before and people no longer rely on taking one job for life. Discuss the possible causes of these changes and give your suggestions on how people should prepare for work in the future.

72. Some people feel that in order to improve the quality of our education, we should encourage high school student to evaluate and criticize their teachers. Other feels it will cause the loss of respect and discipline in the classroom.

Practice Writing Test 1 (Academic Module)

IELTS Writing Test
We recommend you use this test as examination practice. When you have finished, have a look at the model answers. You have one hour to answer both questions. Good luck! WRITING TASK 1
The table below presents information about the Australian economy in the late 1980s. Write a report describing the trends in profits shown in the table. You should write at least 150 words.
TABLE 1: COMPANY PROFITS BEFORE TAX, BY INDUSTRY ($ million)

Period 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90

Manufacturing 4,650 6,615 8,617 7,810

Mining 3,840 3,816 3,540 4,992

Retail Trade 612 886 1,349 1,373

Other 1,232 1,511 1,696 397

WRITING TASK 2
Write an essay expressing your views on the following topic: Technology can bring many benefits, but it can also cause social and environmental problems. In relation to new technology, the primary duty of Governments should be to focus on potential problems, rather than benefits. You should write at least 250 words. You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Practice Writing Test 1 Answers

Task

Writing Task 1
The table shows Australian company profits before tax for the period 1986-90 in four sectors: Manufacturing. Mining, Retail Trade and Other Industries. Profits were very uneven across these four sectors during the four year period. The most important sector was Manufacturing, where profits nearly doubled from 1986 to 1989 to peak as $8.6 billion, followed by Mining, where profits reached almost $5 billion in 1989-90, after fluctuating just below $4 billion for the previous three years. Profits in Retail Trade also grew strongly during the four year period, doubling to just below $1.4 billion. In Other Industries there was steady growth in profits for three years from $1.2 billion to almost $1.7 billion, followed by a crash to below $0.4 billion in 1989-90. The table indicates that the year 1989 was a turning point for the Australian economy. After consistent rises from 1986 to 1989, profits in Retail Trade leveled off in 1989-90, while those in Manufacturing and Other Industries both fell-in Other Industries the fall was particularly sudden, to less than a quarter of their 1989 level. Only Mining, where profits had been steady during 198689, showed a significant rise in profits in 1989-90. (214 words)

Writing Task 2
It is true that new technologies can create serious social and environmental problems. The question is whether governments should focus on these problems when they are formulating policies relating to new technology. Some people would argue that governments have an important watchdog role to play and that they should attempt to establish whether a proposed technology is likely to have any harmful effects. This is seen as an aspect of government looking after the public interest and showing concern for the welfare of its citizens. These people would invest government with the power to veto the introduction of certain technologies. The problem with this approach, however, is that it is very difficult to know in advance what the full effects of any new technology will be. The history of science and technology has many fascinating examples of unexpected developments. Sometimes a technological advance in one area can lead to a surprising breakthrough in another, seemingly unrelated area. For example, technology which originated from the US space program has been further developed and applied in many other areas of life. And one certainly cannot depend on government bureaucracies to make accurate assessments about these matters. Another problem is that, where one government might decide to ban the use of a new technology, another country may well go ahead with its introduction. In an increasingly competitive global economy the first country may severely disadvantage itself by such an action. New technology is essential for a country's economic development. The best approach is to positively encourage the development of new technologies and to focus on their benefits. Any problems that may arise can be dealt with after implementation.

Practice Writing Test 2 (Academic Module)

IELTS Writing Test
We recommend you use this test as examination practice. When you have finished, have a look at the model answers. You have one hour to answer both questions. Good luck!

WRITING TASK 1
Table 1 below presents the perceptions of Chief Executive Officers and their partners as to the main sources of stress in the CEO lifestyle.

Using the information in the table, describe and compare the ways CEOs and their partners perceive pressures in the CEO lifestyle. You should write at least 150 words. Table 1 Perceptions of pressure in the CEO life style-top ten rated sources of stress (percentages) Factors perceived to produce stress Perceptions of CEOs Time pressures and deadlines Demands of work on private life Demands of work on relationship with family Work-related travel Work overload Interpersonal relations Long working hours Taking work home Inadequately trained subordinates 52 48 45 39 37 25 24 24 24

Perceptions of spouses/partners 60 23 29 57 62 21 62 32 17

WRITING TASK 2
In certain countries children are not allowed to leave school until they reach a certain age, for example, in some countries it is 15 years. Write an essay expressing your point of view on the following topic: Should there be a minimum school leaving age, or should students and their parents be free to decide when they leave school? You should write at least 250 words. You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Practice Writing Test 2 Answers

Task

Writing Task 1
It is commonly said that men and women see things differently. The information in Table 1 tends to support this view, as the perceptions of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and their spouses or partners show significant differences on a number of issues. The three main sources of stress as far as CEOs were concerned were: time pressures and deadlines (52%), the demands of work on private life (48%) and the demands of work on the relationship with the family (45%). The four main sources of stress nominated by their spouses and partners were: work overload (62%), long working hours (62%), time pressures and deadlines (60%) and work-related travel (57%). Time pressures and deadlines are tangible factors that both groups were very aware of. However, spouses tended to be more specific in identifying work overload, long working hours, and work-related travel as problems, compared to CEOs who focused on more general "demands of work". The biggest difference is in the numbers nominating long working hours as a source of stress: 62% of spouses/partners, compared to only 24% of CEOs. It seems reasonable to assume that most CEOs enjoy their work, and generally don't mind the long hours, whereas their spouses and partners don't appreciate this situation at all! (219 works) Task

Writing Task 2
One feature of improved education systems around the world has been an increase in the period of compulsory schooling for students. In many developed countries students are now required to stay at school until they are 15 years of age. There are quite plausible reasons for opposing this policy. Low income families, for example, may not be able to afford to keep their children at school and may resent governments imposing this decision on them. In many developing countries children can bring in much needed income, either by working in family agricultural activities, or else through paid employment. Compulsory schooling might also be opposed on educational grounds. Recent studies have shown that compulsory school can be psychologically damaging for students who are not motivated to learn. They may be more ready to learn later on as adults when their motivation is stronger. But there are also strong reasons why students should be obliged to remain at school until a certain age. First, at a young age students are unlikely to be sufficiently mature to make sensible decisions about their lives. We should not allow students to make decisions they may later regret. A second reason is that in today's society, where increasingly high levels of skills and knowledge are required of the work force, early school leavers will find it very difficult to obtain employment.

It is my view that schooling should be compulsory until a certain age. Education authorities, however, must ensure that the education provided is both affordable to families and relevant and interesting to students. (258 works)

Practice Writing Test 3 (Academic Module)

IELTS Writing Test
We recommend you use this test as examination practice. When you have finished, have a look at the model answers & notes. You have one hour to answer both questions. Good luck! Writing Task 1
You are advised to spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this task. In June 1996, an experimental flu vaccine was trialled in a large country town on females only . Write a report for a university tutor describing the information shown in the diagrams below. You should write at least 150 words.

Writing Task 2
You are advised to spend a maximum of 40 minutes on this task. Write an essay for a university lecturer on the following topic: The costs of medical health care are increasing all the time. Governments are finding it difficult to balance the health care budget. Should citizens be totally responsible for their own health costs and take out private health insurance, or is it better to have a comprehensive health care system which provides free health services for all? Discuss. You should write at least 250 words. You are required to support your arguments with relevant information and examples based on your own ideas, knowledge and experience.

When you have written your own answers, have a look at the model answers and notes.

Practice Writing Test 3 Answers

Writing Task 1
Look at the Task 1 Question
The diagrams show data for a flu epidemic which hit a large country town in 1996. Figure 1 gives the number of persons who died; Figure 2 shows the percentage breakdown of females who received a new flu vaccine; and Figure 3 gives the number of cases of flu before and during the epidemic. In Figure 1 it can be seen that the flu was responsible for the deaths of 2 females but no males in the period from March to May. However, from June to August, there were 4 female deaths and 1 male death.

According to the pie chart in Figure 2, only those females most at risk were given the new flu vaccine; 28% did not take part in the trial. Of those females who took part, 35% were aged (over 65 years old); 24% were babies or children; and 13% were either hospitalised or receiving other medical attention. From Figure 3 it is clear that the new vaccine had a positive effect on the number of new cases of flu reported in females. There were just over 1000 cases reported in March, climbing rapidly to a peak of 3500 in June. Thereafter, the number of cases dropped slowly to about 2800 in August, before levelling off at 2500 for the rest of the year. For males, the figures were lower but showed a similar trend throughout the epidemic. (232 words)

Look at the notes for this answer

Writing Task 2
Look at the Task 2 Question Use your "back" button to come back to the model answers
A much debated issue these days is whether citizens should take out private health insurance or not. The cost of providing free medical care for both the wealthy and the poor is far too great for any government, and most people agree that if you can pay for insurance, you should. In this essay, I will argue that all who can afford it should be insured, but free medical care must be made available for those too poor to do so. The most important reason for encouraging people to take out private health insurance is the cost to the government of health care. Free health cover for people who are able to pay for it is a waste of public money. Of course, people will only pay health insurance premiums if they know that they are getting good value for their money. If they get sick, they should pay very little or nothing at all. In addition, the privately insured are entitled to special benefits such as having the choice of their own doctors, and being able to avoid long waiting lists for hospital beds. On the other hand, those who really cannot afford to pay private insurance premiums, which are often very high, are still entitled as citizens to the best medical care available - they cannot be expected to pay their own medical bills. However, if they are working, they should still pay a percentage of their wage (say 1 to 2%) as a tax which pays towards the cost of providing free medical services. In conclusion, most people should privately insure their health, but it is unreasonable to suppose that all citizens can afford it. Therefore, a safety net in the form of a basic free health care system must exist for the very poor and the unemployed. (301 words)

Look at the notes for this answer

When you have written your own answers, have a look at the topics and notes.
Writing Task 1
The diagrams show data for a flu epidemic which hit a large country town in 1996. Figure 1 gives the number of persons who died; Figure 2 shows the percentage breakdown of females who received a new flu vaccine; and Figure 3 gives the number of cases of flu before and during the epidemic.

In Figure 1 it can be seen that the flu was responsible for the deaths of 2 females but no males in the period from March to May. However, from June to August, there were 4 female deaths and 1 male death. According to the pie chart in Figure 2, only those females most at risk were given the new flu vaccine; 28% did not take part in the trial. Of those females who took part, 35% were aged (over 65 years old); 24% were babies or children; and 13% were either hospitalised or receiving other medical attention. From Figure 3 it is clear that the new vaccine had a positive effect on the number of new cases of flu reported in females. There were just over 1000 cases reported in March, climbing rapidly to a peak of 3500 in June. Thereafter, the number of cases dropped slowly to about 2800 in August, before levelling off at 2500 for the rest of the year. For males, the figures were lower but showed a similar trend throughout the epidemic.

KEY TO REPORT FEATURES

Green Orange Red Blue Black Topic sentence of paragraph Further explanation; supporting arguments for the statement(s) made in the topic sentence Phrases which introduce special parts of the essay (the writer's point of view, the first paragraph, and the conclusion) Words and phrases used to interpret data given in graphs Linking words

Note: This analysis is of the model answer above. Other acceptable reports might have different features.

Writing Task 2
A much debated issue these days is whether citizens should take out private health insurance or not. The cost of providing free medical care for both the wealthy and the poor is far too great for any government, and most people agree that if you can pay for insurance, you should. In this essay, I will argue that all who can afford it should be insured, but free medical care must be made available for those too poor to do so. The most important reason for encouraging people to take out private health insurance is the cost to the government of health care. Free health cover for people who are able to pay for it is a waste of public money. Of course, people will only pay health insurance premiums if they know that they are getting good value for their money. If they get sick, they should pay very little or nothing at all. In addition, the privately insured are entitled to special benefits such as having the choice of their own doctors, and being able to avoid long waiting lists for hospital beds. On the other hand, those who really cannot afford to pay private insurance premiums, which are often very high, are still entitled as citizens to the best medical care available; they cannot be expected to pay their own medical bills. However, if they are working, they should still pay a percentage of their wage (say 1 to 2%) as a tax which pays towards the cost of providing free?medical services.

In conclusion, most people should privately insure their health, but it is unreasonable to suppose that all citizens can afford it. Therefore, a safety net in the form of a basic free health care system must exist for the very poor and the unemployed.

KEY TO ESSAY FEATURES

Green Orange Light Blue Red Blue Black Pink Italicised Topic sentence of paragraph Further explanation; supporting arguments for the statement(s) made in the topic sentence Examples Phrases which introduce special parts of the essay (the writer's point of view, the first paragraph, and the conclusion) Writer's proposition(s) (stated once in the introduction and restated in the conclusion) Linking words and phrases Conditional clause beginnings Modal verbs used for persuasion

When you have written your own answers, have a look at the model answers and topics.

Practice Writing Test 3 (General Training Module)

Sample Answer WRITING TASK 1 You have been accepted at Moreton College, a residential college at your new university. You are expected to arrive on 25 February to attend the college orientation session, but you will not be able to arrive by that date. TASK: Write to the Principal of the College explaining why you will be delayed, expressing your concern about missing the orientation session, and asking what you should do. You should write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write your address. WRITING TASK 2 You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task. As part of getting to know the other students in your residential college, you have been asked to write a statement about yourself.

TASK: Give a BRIEF description of your study plans. THEN write a short account of your reasons for deciding to study in this particular English-speaking country. You should write at least 250 words.

Practice Writing Test 5 (General Training Module)

IELTS Writing Test
We recommend you use this test as examination practice. When you have finished, have a look at the model answers & notes. You have one hour to answer both questions. Good luck! Writing Task 1
You are advised to spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this task. You have recently moved into a new flat. Unfortunately, you lost some money the other day, and cannot afford to pay next month's rent when it is due. Write a letter to the landlord explaining the situation and that you will pay as soon as your parents send you the money. Also, mention that there are some problems with the flat. You should write at least 150 words.

Writing Task 2
Discuss both the positive and negative effects of the telephone on modern life. Support your ideas with reasons and examples. (250 words)

When you have written your own answers, have a look at the model answers and notes.

Answer Writing Test 5 (General Training Module)

Writing Task 1
Look at the Task 1 Question
Dear Sir, I am writing to you because I am unable to pay next month's rent which is due on Saturday. Unfortunately, the other day I lost may wallet, and there was a large amount of money inside. I have, therefore, had to write to my parents to ask them to send me some money urgently. As soon as it arrives, I will immediately notify you and arrange to pay by cash or cheque. I hope that this does not cause you too much inconvenience. There are also some problems with the flat that I wish to bring to your attention. First, the cold tap in the bathroom will not turn off properly, and the water is dripping constantly. This will need to be fixed quickly because it is wasting water. Second, one of the back rings on the top of the oven does not work at all. I'm sorry that I cannot pay the rent on time, and trust that you will understand. Yours sincerely, Dai Ling

Look at the notes for this answer

Writing Task 2
Look at the Task 2 Question Use your "back" button to come back to the model answers
Since the telephone was invented, it has improved the quality of our lives in many ways and plays an important role in modern life. The advantages the telephone brings to us are for more than its disadvantages. In other ways, however, it has had a negative effect. On the positive side, the telephone has been used as one of the most popular communication tools and widely applied in many fields such as doing business, communicating with people, providing more employment opportunities and dealing with emergencies. For example, the telephone has made doing business much easier and more efficient. It has made life easier for the consumer. People can pick up the phone to place or check on an order. The telephone has also made the world seem smaller. Since it allows us to talk with people all over the country and all over the world. The telephone also helps you stay in touch with friends, and relatives, both near and far. In addition, the telephone has created many new industries and jobs. It has also saved countless lives in emergencies. On the negative side, the telephone can be a big time waster, both at work and at home. It often interrupts us and can even keep us from accomplishing our daily tasks. The telephone has also brought us plenty of unwanted calls. Because of the telephone fewer people write personal letters. The telephone can also cause people to make fewer personal visits, since they can simply talk to

people on the phone. We can see, then, the role that the telephone plays in our lives. It has had both positive and negative effects on modern life.

When you have written your own answers, have a look at the topics and notes.

Notes 5
Writing Task 1
Dear Sir, I am writing to you because I am unable to pay next month's rent which is due on Saturday. Unfortunately, the other day I lost may wallet, and there was a large amount of money inside. I have, therefore, had to write to my parents to ask them to send me some money urgently. As soon as it arrives, I will immediately notify you and arrange to pay by cash or cheque. I hope that this does not cause you too much inconvenience. There are also some problems with the flat that I wish to bring to your attention. First, the cold tap in the bathroom will not turn off properly, and the water is dripping constantly. This will need to be fixed quickly because it is wasting water. Second, one of the back rings on the top of the oven does not work at all. I'm sorry that I cannot pay the rent on time, and trust that you will understand. Yours sincerely, Hai Ling

NOTES FOR TASK 1:

1. Begin with the correct title for the person to whom you are writing. If you do not know the gender, use "Sir/Madam'. 2.Write in paragraphs, each dealing with a different major point. You may begin the first paragraph (if formal or semi-formal) with "I am writing to you ... because/ in reference to... (sth)" 3. Use linking words where appropriate such as "therefore", "however" and "also". 4. You might also use sequencing words to list the points you make ("First", "Second" etc.)

5. End with "Yours sincerely" for a business letter, or "Best wishes" for a personal letter. 6. Begin by clearly stating the reason for the letter you are writing. If required, write formally, in which case do not include personal questions such as "How are you?". 7. Next, state what you have done, and / or ( as in this case ) what you intend to do. 8. You may wish to write a sentence starting with "I hope..." if a request you make might cause some inconvenience. 9. You must include all the points that the question task asks you to make, or you are sure to score lower than expected. 10. Your last (short) paragraph usually restates the main reason(s) for writing or, in a formal letter, may end with "I look forward to hearing from you in the future" or a similar phrase.

Note: This analysis is of the model answer above. Other acceptable writings might have different features.

Writing Task 2 NOTES FOR TASK 2:

1. First Paragraph (1)Backgound information (2)Mentioning the positive and negative aspects in general (3)Your opinion The three main points should be covered in the introduction. 2. Second Paragraph (1)The positive side is disscussed with detailed information and more obvious opinion (writer). (2)One shift sentence is used to introduce the evidences to support the writer's opinion. (3)Try to list at least three facts (for purpose of getting closer to 250 words) to prove your opinion. (4)All the points (facts) should be organized in a logical order with sequence words / phrases. 3. Third Paragraph The negative side is disscussed with less points than the positive. A solution is suggested to be given when required.

4. Fourth Paragraph Have a brief summary of both the positive and negative sides. Your opinion should be restated here. The four paragraphs writing method is strongly recommended. Sure it is a matter of choices,depending on personal likes or dislikes.

When you have written your own answers, have a look at the model answers and topics.

Sentence to learn
1. Typical of the grassland dwellers of the continent is the American antelope, or pronghorn. 2. Of the millions who saw Haleys comet in 1986, how many people will live long enough to see it return in the twenty-first century. 3. Anthropologists have discovered that fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise are universally reflected in facial expressions. 4. Because of its irritating effect on humans, the use of phenol as a general antiseptic has been largely discontinued. 5. Insgroupsto remain in existence, a profit-making organization must, in the long run, produce something consumers consider useful or desirable. 6. The greater the population there is in a locality, the greater the need there is for water, transportation, and disposal of refuse. 7. It is more difficult to write simply, directly, and effectively than to employ flowery but vague expressions that only obscure ones meaning. 8. With modern offices becoming more mechanized, designers are attempting to personalize them with warmer, less severe interiors. 9. The difference between libel and slander is that libel is printed while slander is spoken. 10. The knee is the jointswheresthe thigh bone meets the large bone of the lower leg. 11. Acids are chemical compounds that, in water solution, have a sharp taste, a corrosive action on metals, and the ability to turn certain blue vegetable dyes red. 12. Billie Holidays reputation as a great jazz-blues singer rests on her ability to give emotional depth to her songs. 13. Essentially, a theory is an abstract, symbolic representation of what is conceived to be reality.

14. Long before children are able to speak or understand a language, they communicate through facial expressions and by making noises. 15. Thanks to modern irrigation, crops now grow abundantly in areasswheresonce nothing but cacti and sagebrush could live. 16. The development of mechanical timepieces spurred the search for more accurate sundials with which to regulate them. 17. Anthropology is a science in that anthropologists use a rigorous set of methods and techniques to document observations that can be checked by others. 18. Fungi are important in the process of decay, which returns ingredients to the soil, enhances soil fertility, and decomposes animal debris. 19. When it is struck, a tuning fork produces an almost pure tone, retaining its pitch over a long period of time. 20. Although pecans are most plentiful in the southeastern part of the United States, they are found as far north as Ohio and Illinois. 21. Eliminating problems by transferring the blame to others is often called scapegoating. 22. The chief foods eaten in any country depend largely on what grows best in its climate and soil. 23. Over a very large number of trials, the probability of an events occurring is equal to the probability that it will not occur. 24. Most substance contract when they freeze so that the density of a substances solid is higher than the density of its liquid. 25. The mechanism by which brain cells store memories is not clearly understood. 26. By the middle of the twentieth century, painters and sculptors in the United States had begun to exert a great worldwide influence over art. 27. In the eastern part of New Jersey lies the city of Elizabeth, a major shipping and manufacturing center. 28. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman medical doctor in the United States, founded the New York Infirmary, an institution that has always had a completely female medical staff. 29. Alexander Graham Bell once told his family that he would rather be remembered as a teacher of the deaf than as the inventor of the telephone.

30. Because its leaves remain green long after being picked, rosemary became associated with the idea of remembrance. 31. Although apparently rigid, bones exhibit a degree of elasticity that enables the skeleton to withstand considerable impact. 32. That xenon could not form chemical compounds was once believed by scientists. 33. Researchsintosthe dynamics of storms is directed toward improving the ability to predict these events and thus to minimize damage and avoid loss of life. 34. The elimination of inflation would ensure that the amount of money used in repaying a loan would have the same value as the amount of money borrowed. 35. Futurism, an early twentieth-century movement in art, rejected all traditions and attempted to glorify contemporary life by emphasizing the machine and motion. 36. One of the wildest and most inaccessible parts of the United States is the Evergladesswhereswildlife is abundant and largely protected. 37. Lucretia Motts influence was so significant that she has been credited by some authorities as the originator of feminism in the United States. 38. The activities of the international marketing researcher are frequently much broader than those of the domestic marketer. 39. The continental divide refers to an imaginary line in the North American Rockies that divides the waters flowingsintosthe Atlantic Ocean from those flowingsintosthe Pacific. 40. Studies of the gravity field of the Earth indicate that its crust and mantle yield when unusual weight is placed on them. 41. The annual worth of Utahs manufacturing is greater than that of its mining and farming combined. 42. The wallflower is so called because its weak stems often grow on walls and along stony cliffs for support. 43. It is the interaction between people, rather than the events that occur in their lives, that is the main focus of social psychology. 44. No social crusade aroused Elizabeth Williamsenthusiasm more than the expansion of educational facilities for immigrants to the United States. 45. Quails typically have short rounded wings that enable them to springsintosfull flight instantly when disturbed in their hiding places.

46. According to anthropologists, the earliest ancestors of humans that stood upright resembled chimpanzees facially, with sloping foreheads and protruding brows. 47. Not until 1866 was the fully successful transatlantic cable finally laid. 48. In his writing, John Crowe Ransom describes what he considers the spiritual barrenness of society brought about by science and technology. 49. Children with parents whose guidance is firm, consistent, and rational are inclined to possess high levels of self-confidence. 50. The ancient Hopewell people of North America probably cultivated corn and other crops, but hunting and gathering were still of critical importance in their economy. 51. Using many symbols makes it possible to put a large amount of information on a single map. 52. Anarchism is a term describing a cluster of doctrines and attitudes whose principal uniting feature is the belief that government is both harmful and unnecessary. 53. Probably no man had more effect on the daily lives of most people in the Untied States than did Henry Ford a pioneer in automobile production. 54. The use of well-chosen nonsense words makes possible the testing of many basic hypotheses in the field of language learning. 55. The history of painting is a fascinating chain of events that probably began with the very first pictures ever made. 56. Perfectly matched pearls, strungsintosa necklace, bring a far higher price than the same pearls told individually. 57. During the eighteenth century, Little Turtle was chief of the Miami tribe whose territory became what is now Indiana and Ohio. 58. Among almost seven hundred species of bamboo, some are fully grown at less than a foot high, while others can grow three feet in twenty-four hours. 59. Before staring on a sea voyage, prudent navigators learn the sea charts, study the sailing directions, and memorize lighthouse locations to prepare themselves for any conditions they might encounter. 60. Of all the economically important plants, palms have been the least studied. 61. Buyers and sellers should be aware of new developments in technology can and does affect marketing activities.

62. The application of electronic controls made possible by the microprocessor and computer storage have multiplied the uses of the modern typewriter. 63. The human skeleton consists of more than two hundred bones bound together by tough and relatively inelastic connective tissues called ligaments. 64. The pigmentation of a pearl is influenced by the type of oyster in which it develops and by the depth, temperature, and the salt content of the water in which the oyster lives. 65. Although mockingbirds superbly mimic the songs and calls of many birds, they can nonetheless be quickly identified as mockingbirds by certain aural clues. 66. Not only can walking fish live out of water, but they can also travel short distances over land. 67. Scientists do not know why dinosaurs became extinct, but some theories postulate that changers in geography, climate, and sea levels were responsible. 68. The science of horticulture, in which the primary concerns are maximum yield and superior quality, utilizes information derived from other sciences. 69. Snow aids farmers by keeping heart in the lower ground levels, thereby saving the seeds from freezing. 70. Even though the precise qualities of hero in literary words may vary over time, the basic exemplary function of the hero seems to remain constant. 71. People in prehistoric times created paints by grinding materials such as plants and claysintospower and then adding water. 72. Often very annoying weeds, goldenrods crowd out less hardy plants and act as hosts to many insect pests. 73. Starting around 7000 B.C., and for the next four thousand years, much of the Northern Hemisphere experienced temperatures warmer than at present. 74. When Henry Ford first sought financial backing for making cars, the very notion of farmers and clerks owning automobiles was considered ridiculous. 75. Though once quite large, the population of the bald eagle across North America has drastically declined in the past forty years. 76. The beaver chews down trees to get food and material with which to build its home. 77. Poodles were once used as retrievers in duck hunting, but the American Kennel Club does not consider them sporting dogs because they are now primarily kept as pets.

78. As a result of what is now know in physics and chemistry, scientists have been able to make important discoveries in biology and medicine. 79. The practice of making excellent films based on rather obscure novels has been going on so long in the United States as to constitute a tradition. 80. Since the consumer considers the best fruit to be that which is the most attractive, the grower must provide products that satisfy the discerning eye. 81. Television the most pervasive and persuasive of modern technologies, marked by rapid change and growth, is movingsintosa new era, an era of extraordinary sophistication and versatility, which promises to reshape our lives and our world. 82. Television is more than just an electronics; it is a means of expression, as well as a vehicle for communication, and as such becomes a powerful tool for reaching other human beings. 83. Even more shocking is the fact that the number and rate of imprisonment have more than doubled over the past twenty years, and recidivism------that is the rate for rearrest------is more than 60 percent. 84. His teaching began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but William Rainey Harper lured him to the new university of Chicago,swhereshe remained officially for exactly a generation andswhereshis students in advanced composition found him terrifyingly frigid in the classroom but sympathetic and understanding in their personal conferences. 85. The sloth pays such little attention to its personal hygiene that green algae grow on its coarse hair and communities of a parasitic moth live in the depths of its coat producing caterpillars which graze on its mouldy hair. Its muscles are such that it is quits incapable of moving at a speed of over a kilometer an hour even over the shortest distances and the swiftest movement it can make is a sweep of its hooked arm. 86. Artificial flowers are used for scientific as well as for decorative purposes. They are made from a variety of materials, such as way and glass, so skillfully that they can scarcely be distinguished from natural flowers. 87. Three years of research at an abandoned coal mine in Argonne, Illinois, have resulted in findings that scientists believe can help reclaim thousands of mine disposal sites that scar the coalrichregions of the United States. 88. When the persuading and the planning for the western railroads had finally been completed, the really challenging task remained: the dangerous, sweaty, backbreaking, brawling business of actually building the lines. 89. Because of the space crunch, the Art Museum has become increasingly cautious in considering acquisitions and donations of art, in some cases passing up opportunities to strengthen is

collections. 90. The United States Constitution requires that President be a natural-born citizen, thirty-five years of age or older, who has lived in the United States for a minimum of fourteen years. 91. Arid regions in the southwestern United States have become increasingly inviting playgrounds for the growing number of recreation seekers who own vehicles such as motorcycles or powered trail bikes and indulge in hill-climbing contests or in caving new trails in the desert. 92. Stone does decay, and so tools of long ago have remained when even the bones of the man who made them have disappeared without trace. 93. Insects would make it impossible for us to live in the world; they would devour all our crops and kill our flocks and herds, if it were not for the protection we get from insect-eating animals. 94. It is true that during their explorations they often faced difficulties and dangers of the most perilous nature, equipped in a manner which would make a modern climber shudder at the thought, but they did not go out of their way to court such excitement. 95. There is only one difference between an old man and a young one: the young man has a glorious future before him and old one has a splendid future behind him: and maybe that isswheresthe rub is. 96. I find young people exciting. They have an air of freedom, and they have not a dreary commitment to mean ambitions or love comfort. They are not anxious social climbers, and they have no devotion to material things. 97. I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill between the nations, and that if only the common peoples of the world could meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. 98. It is impossible to say simply for the fun and exercise: as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are around. 99. It has been found that certain bats emit squeaks and by receiving the echoes, they can locate and steer clear of obstacles------or locate flying insects on which they feed. This echo-location in bats is often compared with radar, the principle of which is similar. 100. As the time and cost of making a clip drop to a few days and a few hundred dollars, engineers may soon be free to let their imaginations soar without being penalized by expensive failure.

How to self study English well

Nevin Blumer
A good English class is a valuable means for acquiring and practicing English, but still the reality is that much of your progress will arise from your own self-study strategies. As a teacher for close to 10 years now, I am often asked for advice on how best to self-study English for fast results. I suspect sometimes my students are looking for that magic shortcut or panacea1 which can deliver them from all the blood, sweat, and tears that often surrounds the process of learning a second language. There is, of course, no magic, but on the other hand, there may also be no need to engage in selftorturous2 activities that drain3 your energy. Part of the self-torture that students inflict upon themselves results from misconceptions formed along the way. I would like in this article to discuss a few of these misconceptions and offer some alternative advice for self-studying English. A.H. Whitehead once said, not ignorance but the ignorance of ignorance is the death of knowledge. In other words, it is important to understand misconceptions before they inhibit your self-study.

Misconception I
If I communicate with a Chinese partner, my English will get worse. There is a common perspective here in Beijing that the only way to improve your English is by speaking with a native speaker. It stems from the perception that speaking to another second language learner has a negative effect, since the partner speaks Chinglish. Consequently, many desperately look for native-speaking partners, some paying a small fortune for the luxury of speaking with inexperienced expatriates4 who do little more than chat. Worse yet, opportunities to speak regularly with a Chinese partner at little or no cost are ignored out of fear. In short, the native speakers English craze is somewhat synonymous with the chinglishphobia5. The view that communicating with another student somehow damages your English rests on the age-old, erroneous6 assumption that language acquisition is a linear progression, with the native speaker at the top of the hierarchy7. Perhaps native speaker teachers are guilty of feeding this perception by labeling courses, students, textbooks sequentially in terms of levels (i.e. beginner, pre-intermediate, intermediate etc); in the arrangement of grammar structures from simple to complex; and in reading and listening passages selected by the number of words they contain (i.e. easy, moderate, difficult). Linguists who have studied the actual process of learning a second language know that developing a second language is * anything but8 a linear process. It can follow patterns and steps but these steps and patterns frequently break down. Language learning often progresses randomly and chaotically9. We sometimes progress rapidly, at other times we learn slowly, there are areas we seem to master easily, and areas in which we never seem to * make any headway10. Sometimes the words and sentences come easily; sometimes they do not.

Moreover, when we talk about the quality of English we must be prepared to acknowledge that it is very much a subjective and contextual evaluation. We know that formal standard professor may find her English very effective in front of her peers, but * next to11 useless with inner city teenagers in New York. Therefore, can we still say that her English is better than the teenagers? Obviously, it would depend on who was judging. With English, quality is often an issue of appropriateness as well as grammaticality. Researchers who have studied English language learning have found that people progress as they practice, and ultimately they self-correct what they say. It is unnecessary to have someone correct your English constantly, because mistakes most often derive from a lack of English instincts rather than a lack of awareness or knowledge of the correct grammar structure. The same student who never makes a mistake doing grammar exercises on paper will make them while speaking but ultimately he will adjust his structures as he continues to use them. Moreover, researchers who have conducted studies of various groups of learners have found that learners who communicate with partners of a similar level tend to progress faster than learners whose partners levels are much higher or lower. One can understand why this is so when a learner communicates with someone at a lower level, but why is it also true of those who communicate with someone at a higher level? The reasons are mostly psychological. Having a partner whose English is much more developed discourages the speaker and the fear of making mistakes tends to stifle smooth conversation. However, the researchers found that those who communicated with partners who were near their own level progressed faster. Thus, in fact your classmate who is at the same level of English as you may indeed be your finest teacher.

Misconception II
If I want to learn American English, I should learn form an American teacher or my English will not be understood when I go to the U.S.A. I have seen many good teachers here in China, both expatriates and Chinese, run into problems because of the way many students judge their accents. Students believe that the best chance of speaking like a native speaker is by having that ideal accent. If the teacher has an accent that is not form the target country that certain students want to go to, they are either rebuffed12 or rejected. Part of the misconception stems from ignorance of the distinction between pronunciation and accent. Pronunciation involves the stress, rhythm, intonation, and phonetic sounds that facilitate communication. An accent is the distinguishable set of sounds that derives from cultural or regional phonetic patterns. Accents are essentially habits formed at a very early age and very difficult to change after the age of six. This has been verified 13 by researchers who studied the tongue and mouth positions of Israeli children at an early age of 5-6, and find that even after heavy immersion14 in American English for about 10 years, their mouth and tongue positions change very little when speaking, and thus their accents change only slightly. In other words, forget about trying to change your accent in a year or two, it is just not going to happen. Pronunciation can be changed and improved. Accents are entrenched15 and need not be changed.

There is no shortage of superb English speakers and writers in my native country, Canada, who have excellent pronunciation, but heavy accents from their countries of origin. In fact, two great Indo-Canadian writers Michael Ondaatje and Rohinton Misty both have slight non-Canadian accents in English, but are * Booker Prize16 winners. Do we say that their English is substandard, because they have accents? No, it would be absurd to make such a suggestion since their pronunciation is excellent and no one has any trouble understanding them. As I mentioned earlier, pronunciation is not the same thing as an accent. I tell my students to give up their hope of developing an American accent, since it is very unlikely to happen unless they stay in America over a very long period, and even then, the are still likely to retain some part of their Chinese accent. An accent is par of your character and heritage. That is not to say that the student shouldnt devote time to improving his or her pronunciation. A student should focus on those pronunciation aspects that make their communication more effective, not trying to mold their accent into another. Developing pronunciation skills that are universally learnt is a much more worthy pursuit of your efforts than trying to copy an accent that is unnatural for your tongue and mouth.

Misconception III
I need a rich vocabulary before beginning to speak. Often I hear students complain that they become tongue tied, meaning that they cant find the right words. Students will attribute it to a lack of vocabulary and memorize more words to compensate. Then they find after a few more thousand words that their English improves only slightly. Why? Your memory is a key element to learning a language and no one should minimize its importance. Without a memory, you wouldnt be able to speak. However, it is also true that a lack of vocabulary is not the culprit17 of communication problems in many instances. It is important to look at other issues, before blaming it as the source of these communication difficulties. I have observed a great many CET-6 graduates who still have a great deal of trouble even uttering simple sentences, while other CET-4 students can speak with much greater ease. How can that be, you might ask? The English language is composed of a hierarchy of vocabulary in terms of usefulness. Some words have broad and sweeping uses such as thing, get, place or do, while others are useful only for a very specific context such as export, endanger, identify, or interrupt. Research has shown that with approximately 800 (some have even suggested 500) key words people can communicate very effectively in English, with few instances of getting stuck. In the times when they were stuck, they could easily ask for assistance. Now we know that 800 words is far below the level most beginner students have even before they begin their GET-4 band level. Why cant all CET-4 students communicate with ease? We do not need a complicated linguistic answer to this question. When we think about it the answer is simple. The quantity of vocabulary has only an indirect relationship to the quantity and quality of speech. To illustrate, children learning their first language start out with a limited

vocabulary, they do not know half of the words that a Chinese CET-6 student knows, but still they are able to make rapid sentences and communicate with ease. This makes common sense, for we all know that in English we can often substitute a simple word for a more complex one. For example, the word facilitate can be substituted with help. Thus, the key is to learn the most useful functional words in English first and apply them often in a variety of circumstances, before trying to learn words that are more complex and used much less often.

Misconception IV
I have studied English grammar for too long, so the last thing I need is more grammar. Chinese students attribute their lack of communication in English to an overemphasis on grammar and thus resist grammar practice and reviews in their self-study programs. They tend to want oral English vocabulary, phrases, expressions, and pronunciation practice. Above all, they want an English environment. However, it soon becomes apparent that students struggle when they try to create sentences and their grammar is typically riddled18 with errors. Nevertheless, students want to have nothing to do with grammar structures while doing self-study. They ignore it completely, and concentrate instead on other aspects. A good knowledge of grammar rules and patterns is absolutely necessary because the transfer of structures from one language to the next is anything but smooth. It is true that direct written grammar exercises, where students merely manipulate sentence structures to fit a pattern, may be unnecessary if you are aware of the pattern already. However, grammar definitely is an important part of your self-study program when it is used for communicative purposes. What students often fail to do is to integrate grammar study into the process of creating English, rather than just manipulating sentences in exercise books. For example, with the structure If I were you, I would a student should be thinking of the occasions he can use this structure and create as many sentences as possible that might be appropriate. Using English requires knowledge of the rules and patterns, just as a painter needs some conventions and boundaries before he can start his work, but ultimately both need a creative process before skill is developed.

Advice for the Self-study Learner

What then can I offer as advice for a motivated self-study learner? For starters, if you have no English environment, then create one. Find q partner to speak with regularly and do not worry if that partner is from China, Korea, Africa, or Europe. It is often better if your regular meetings can center around a topic or theme. For example, you could both read a different book and use the time to talk about the book you are reading. Perhaps you could use the time to exchange information about something you both want to learn. You may also wish to * become accustomed with 19 the types of clubs and activities that expatriates here in Beijing like to get involved with and join them. English corners are also funny ways to link with others who share your desire to learn English. Chat lines in English and * pen pals20 are also great ways to interact in English provided that you do not rely on them exclusively for your English development.

Secondly, you need to find a time of the day to expose yourself to various kinds of meaningful and interesting English stories, dialogues, programs, etc. that can hold your interest. If there is one pattern that shows up in all the studies of language acquisition it is this. The quantity and quality of English you expose yourself to is a key variable21 in determining the speed of your progress. The key issue should be to find a variety of interesting English sources that will not tire you out. Researchers have unanimously concluded that English that is meaningful and interesting is recalled and integrated into a learners speech far more rapidly than English that is deemed appropriate by teachers and textbooks. Finally, pace your energy and keep a positive attitude towards learning English. Acquiring a second language is a long-term journey that is not always smooth. Reward yourself with praise and begin to trust your communication powers. My students who have treated themselves with selfencouragement become more able to communicate and it is their fast progress that further motivates them to challenge themselves.

$1. Discussing.
Open discussing: To day we discuss about What we focus like today is

The topic is Express of your opinion In my opinion, I think What I think is

Support main idea: For example For instance Illustrate: Australians are very friendly, they always say Thank you, sorry is as an illustration.

Show agreement or disagreement: I think so. Its O.K.

That is right. That is true. I dont think so I agree with you, but You may be right, but what I differ from you

Ask for clarification: Clear clearness. Clarity

Could you give me more detail?

Close discussion: Summarize.

Cause and Effect

A. The cause of Reason for higher prices was an increase in demand N + be +N

B.

The One

effect of an increase in demand is consequence Result

higher prices to raise prices increase

CAUSE C. Therefore, So, As a result, Consequences Accordingly, Consequence The demand has increased.(;) Because of this, the prices are higher. Thus Hence For this reason, Now, D. Because the demand has increased the prices are higher

As Since Now E. An increase in demand often Causes Result in leads to Procedure

higher prices

F. Higher prices are ( often) cause caused by an increase in demand Due to Because of G. The prices are higher because of as a result of on account owing to through because since as H. When If there is an increase in demand, (then) prices rise. there is

an increase in demand

Glossary
cohesive ability combine academic committee accomplishment communicate accurate comparison acquisition competent adapt compile adequacy complex adhered comprehensive administration comprise adopt concern advantage conclusive affirmative conduct agenda conflict amend confront
abbreviation

editing effective efficient elective elicitation eligible emerge emphasis emulate endure enroll ensure envisage essential ethnic

intensive intimate invest investigate irrelevant isolate issue journal judgement knowledge laboratory labour lack latter lecture

pattern pause peak per perceive percentage period permanent persuade petition pie chart pitfall placement plus policy

reject related relevant reliable remainder represent reputable request require research resemble reserve resource respondent response

survey syllabus synonym synthetic system tally taxation technical technique technological tend tertiary theoretical thesis timetable

analysis annually anticipate anxiety appeal appendix approach appropriate approved approximate argument arranged array aspect assess asset assignment associate assumption assured auxiliary ballot bar chart barriers basic basis bibliography boost brainstorm budget campus cancel canteen capacity catalyst cater caution ceremony chaotic chronological civic civil

connectives constant consumer context contradict contrast convert convince copyright core corporate correspond counselor course credit criteria criticism crucial curriculum cyclic deadline debate decade decline degree demerit department detail determine development diction diploma disaster discard discipline discussion distinct diversify diversity doctorate document domestic

evaluation evidence example expand exponent extracurricular facility factor faculty familiar federal fervent field financial finite focus formation former formulate forum foundation function gender generalise graduate graphic gross hectare identity illegal immediate impact improvise inadequate income increase indicator induce inflation influence influx inform

legal legendary legible lesser literally lobby location logical maintain major majority manual marketing materials maximum maximise minimise minimum media minor minus model monitor national negative negotiate network noticeable notify notion numerous obtain official operate opinion opponent oppose optimism option organise original outcome

poll positive postgraduate postpone potential practical predict preference prefix pressure prestige principal printout priority procedure process profile programe progress project proposal prospect provision proximity qualify quality query questionnaire queue quote radical range ranking ratio react realistic reality recession reduce reference reflect refute

result resume revenue review revise rigorous roster rough draft route safety sample scales scan scene schedule scope score scrutinise section sector security selection semester seminar sensitive separate sequence series session situation skill skim software source specialise specific stagnant standard state statement statistics steep

tradition transfer trend trial tuition tutor tutorial undergraduate undertake unique unofficial upgrade utilise vacation valid value variables variation variety various vary vast venue virtual virus vital vocabulary vocational welfare wide-ranging windfall wisdom withdraw witness worldwide workforce workshop x-axis y-axis zone

classify client cognitive coherent

dot-matrix draft drawback economic

innovation instance intake integral

outline passage passive patron

regard region regular regulation

stem submit suffix summary

Vietnamese, Chinese English

1. Although we cannot live without money, but there are some more meaningful things than money as the purposes in getting an education C: Although we cannot live without money, there are some more meaningful things than money as the purposes in getting an education
2. People like to choose friends who are different from ourselves have three advantages C: There are three advantages to choosing friends who are different from ourselves 3. If had no automobile, I would have to walk two hours to go to work C: If there were no automobile, I would have to walk two hours to go to work 4. There are many other reasons can support my point C: There are many other reasons that can support my point C: There are many other reasons to my point 5. Having friends who are different from us have these advantages C: There are following advantages to having friends who are different from us

6. I have a friend, she is very different from me, but we can still become good friend, because I always try my best to suit her C: I have a friend who is very different from me, but we still get along well, for I always try my best to go her way 7. Not to lie is very important Cit. is very important not to lie 8. I am sorry for that I cant return the books in time

C: I am sorry that I cannot return the books in time 9. I borrowed some books from the school library on last Monday C: I borrowed some books from the school library last Monday 10. She needs somebody to look after her at the day time C: She needs someone to look after her in the day time 11. I am sure you will love here C: I am sure that you will love it here 12. If not, she might die C: Otherwise, she might die 13. He has only thirty days remain C: He has only thirty days left 14. Now the returning date is coming soon C: Now the books are due soon 15. In Australia, do not ask the following questions such as how much they earn C: In Australia, do not ask the such questions as how much they earn B. 1. In a word, ... C: In one word, 2. The discovery of new products. C: the invention of new products 3. from a place to another place. C: from one place to another 4. the advice of a cookbook. C: a recipe 5. etc. = and so on

6. et. al = and others 7. living quality = C: quality of life C. 1. The artists pushes our civilization to a higher level C: The artists work upgrades our civilization 2. Encourage children to be independent thinkers has at least three advantages C: Encouraging children to be independent thinkers has at least three advantages 3. For example, you work in a big factory C: Suppose you work in a big factory 4. We will own nothing at all if we depend on luck C: We will get nowhere if we rely on luck 5. He will get a higher salary to improve his living level C: He will get a higher salary, thus improving his life 6. Their brain is still very young C: They are still very immature 7. Dissatisfaction makes people produce desire for the better C: Dissatisfaction gives people the desire for the better 8. They cant analyze clearly what is right and what is wrong C: They cannot tell right from wrong 9. It will help children to form a good habit of dealing with time It will help children learn to make good use of their time

10. Though it is not the best job, it afford to his life

C: Though it is not the best job, a job is a job. He can make ends meet with it 11. Since people are always not satisfied with their present situation, they want further development C: Since people are never satisfied with their present situation, they want further development 12. Secondly, for every person, if he is not satisfied with his conditions, he will try to change it
C: Secondly, if someone is not satisfied with his conditions, he will try to change it 13. The only thing they need to do is to find a job which can easily get big money C: The only thing they need to do is to find a job which can bring them big money 14. Some cigarettes may even cost a larger sum of money C: Some cigarettes may cost even more 15. Firstly, dissatisfaction encourages the discovery of new products C: Firstly, dissatisfaction encourages the invention of new products

16. In order to suit the needs of entering into work, students must grasp some technical skills C: In order to meet the needs of future work, students must learn some practical skills 17. It is very necessary more qualified scientists and technicians C: Qualified scientists and technicians are in great demand 18. This knowledge will become a part of your body C: This knowledge will become part of you 19. They cannot think clearly C: They cannot think straight 20. Money can improve their living standard

C: Money can improve their life 21. Parents always think that children will get a good job and earn a lot of money C: Parents always expect their children to get a good job and earn a lot of money 22. If a student only cares about money, will lead to be unhappy all his life C: If a student only cares about money, he will be misled all his life 23. One purpose of education is to study the way in which he studies later C: One purpose of education is to learn to learn 24. Many parents arrange their children go to learn piano C: Many parents send their children to piano lessons 25. When I want to absorb somebody elses opinion, I will study with others C: When I need second opinion, I will study with others 26. eating outside has the most advantage that we can go at any time when we finish eating without doing any washing C: The best thing about eating out is we can leave everything behind after meal 27. Smoking can help you relax your mind C: Cigarettes can help you relax 28. Whats about nonsmokers? C: What about nonsmokers? 29. Why not to be a non-smoker? C: Why not be a non-smoker? 30. Everyone will have many friends in his life C: Everyone has friends in his life 31. I am not good at math, but English C: I am good not at math but at English

32. Who is the proper person to make up his minds about childrens leisure time? C: Who is the proper person to plan childrens leisure time? 33. It is children who clear about their interests C: It is children who are clear about their interests 34. I agree the latter idea C: I agree with the latter idea 35. Many new products were invented by people who dissatisfy with the status quo C: Many new products were invented by people who were dissatisfied with the status quo 36. So I feel breathe more comfortably now C: So I feel more comfortable now when I breathe 37. People should learn knowledge no matter how old they are C: People should learn no matter how old they are 38. No one knows all the things C: No one knows everything 39. They like an active life but not a peaceful life C: They like an active life rather than a peaceful one 40. Youll find that you are fit for business and you can make it your main job C: Youll find that you are fit for business and you can make it your career 41. Could you postpone the time of returning the books? C: Could you postpone the deadline of the book? 42. I would appreciate it if you could give me another one week C: I would appreciate it if you could give me one more week? 43. I know that returning the books late will be fined C: I know that I will be fined for returning the books late 44. I never closed my eyes C: I did not get a wink of sleep

D. 1. I want to live in a quiet place to admire peaceful life C: I want to live in a quiet place to enjoy peaceful life 2. Each form of having friends has its advantages C: Each way of choosing friends has its advantages 3. I was admitted to a Key University for which few dared to sign up C: I was admitted to a Key University to which few dared to apply 4. Luckily, he recognized an American professor C: Luckily, he knew an American professor 5. They will learn the bad habits C: They will develop bad habits 6. In this continued process, people make progress C: In this cycle, people make progress 7. Lastly, higher education is equal to higher salary C: Lastly, higher education means higher salary 8. By making friends who are different from ourselves, we can make up for deficiency C: By making friends who are different from ourselves, we can make up for our shortcomings 9. A wrong decision will bring even worse fact C: A wrong decision will bring even worse result 10. You spend all your life to fulfill your willing C: You devote all your life to the fulfillment of your dream 11. Children should be taught disciplines in order to avoid unnecessary lost C: Children should be taught disciplines in order to avoid unnecessary loss

12. I felt alone C: I felt lonely 13. A house is a fortune C: A house is a piece of property 14. So I lived there last night C: So I stayed there last night 15. Ive got known that my uncle was sick C: I learned that my uncle was sick 16. Hope you can accept my requirement C: I hope you can accept my request 17. There was little change in the numbers of spending on education C: There was little change in the amount of spending on education 18. Australia people like to eat something sweet C: Australian people like to eat sweet food 19. After looking my letter, I believe you will understand me C: After reading my letter, I believe that you will understand me 16. Doctors have tried their best to survive my grandfather C: Doctors have tried their best to rescue my grandfather 17. I will return the books as quickly as possible C: I will return the books as soon as possible. quicklysoon 20. He is my most favorite person in my life C: He is the closestperson in my life 21. I am a passenger of your library

C: I am a user of your library

B
W : life conditions C : living conditions, 2. W : living level C : living standard 3. W : living quality C : quality of life 4. 5. W : earn good achievement C : make great achievements 6. W : to save lost C : to avoid loss 7. W : expert skills C : expertise 8. W : around the country C : across the country 9. around the world

10. W : National High School Entrance Test C : National Entrance Examination for Higher Education 11. W : see from the long vision C : in the long run 12. W : experimental group/ contrast group C : treatment group/ control group 13. W : long distant education C : long distance education 14. W : the time of returning C : the deadline 15. W : heart sick C : heart attack F. 1. W : isnt/ hasnt/ didnt/ C : is not/ has not/ did not 2. W : 3 reasons C : three reasons 3. W : a lot of people

C : many people; a large number of people 4. W : if A or B C : whether A or B 5. W : like A and B C : such as A and B 6. W : Sports like swimming and running improve childrens health C : Sports such as swimming and running improve childrens health 7. W : I think, sports have advantages and disadvantages C : I think that sports have both advantages and disadvantages 8. W : Yours faithfully Fanny C : Yours faithfully Fanny Wang 9. W : I have to say sorry to you C : I have to apologize to you 10. W : Thanks a lot C : Thank you very much 11. W : Sorry again C : I apologize again

12. W : I will come back at the beginning of Aug C : I will come back at the beginning of August 13. W : He is sick now and is in the hospital C : He is sick now and is in hospital 14. W : My dad called me yesterday and said my mum was sick C : My father called me yesterday and said that my mother was sick 15. W : I received a sudden call that my father was sick C : I received a sudden call and was told that my father was sick. (call G. 1. Recently an announcement is made by the government that it plans to build a new university C: The government has recently made an announcement that it plans to build a new university 2. We were told by the doctor that his life is in danger C: The doctor told us that his life is in danger 3. The government has recently made an announcement that it plans to build a new university C: The government has recently announced that it plans to build a new university 4. I hope you can forgive me for this kind of thing. C: I hope you can forgive me for the delay.
H.

1 W: We havent any plan for the weekend C: We do not have any plan for the weekend 2. W : First. Planning ones free time.. C : First, planning ones free time.. 3. W : First, Planning ones free time.. C : First, planning ones free time..

4. etc. = and so on et al = and others 5. W : Dear Sir C : Dear Sir or Madam 6. W : 2001/8/24 C : August 24, 2001/8/24 Ways of Nice Writing I am reading articles of Prof. WuChang.Zhang recently. Maybe you have not heard of him before, for he is teaching in Hong Kong University, dean of economics and finance school, and he is also famous founder of new theory of property economics. Why I write this article, you may want to know. The answer is very obvious, for I find his articles very useful and helpful for people like me, so I introduce some of the articles to you, just like share a bottle of beer with a friend. In fact, share beer with a friend is for nothing but happiness from friendship, but for my writing this article, I have other intention. It is, firstly practicing my English, secondly promoting my ability of logical thinking, finally for nothing but beer friendship. Note that, I do not translate his articles word to word, but only some important thoughts and words, so if you want to get original words of Prof. Watching. Zhang, you may read his articles directly. Here is an article about how to write articles, and its original title is < Ways of Nice Writing >. Ways of Nice Writing Different languages in the world, but same ways of nice writing. I also agree that, if someone, who understands two languages, is good at one language, it is not possible that he is very bad in another language. In fact, my articles are not quite good, but fortunately, theyre clear and plain. I was not born talented, almost before the time I was 30, I used to write over complicated and over flowery articles, so it was not easy for others to understand me. But one day, almost before the time I was 30, my teacher, Armed Alchian called me to his office, and he told me formally that heand other teachers were confident in my potential ability, but my articles were too difficult to understand, and the most important thing is to write clearly and plainly, or else it is difficult to make a success. After the interview, I thought myself that, my teacher seldom arranged such kind of interview with his students, and he only told me such a thing, so it was obviously of great importance. For I studied and started to use English when I was already over20, of course it is not possible for me to become a great writer, but if I tried my best, I may write clearly and plainly enough. There are many ways to write well, but you have to get rid of your bad writing habit. Apparent bad habit is as following. 1) Over complicated and over flowery. But to write well, you have to express yourself directly and frankly. This is very difficult for all, by now, I write over complicated words sometime.

2) Rare and uncommon words. That is, if there are several words able to express a same meaning, I prefer to choose the rare and uncommon one, just as to tell people I am talented and know much or have read many books. From the time I decide to write clearly and plainly, I always choose the common and ordinary one. 3) Long sentences. Many people always think using long sentences may show their talent, but it is quite mistaken. To write clearly and plainly, you have to use short sentences, as well as short paragraphs, which make your articles easy to understand. 4) Pay much attention on grammar. I do not mean grammar is not important for an article. You have to pay much of your attention on the content and the focus, and grammar should be put in the latter edit. If you emphasize grammar too much at the start, the content and the most important focus may be influenced. 5) Sacrifice clearness for nicety of words. Sometime, you think that readers may understand your articles, so you try to make the articles nice in words, but ignore clearness, in fact readers cannot easily understand your meaning. Reading is not Chinese chess; readers can not pay much time to know your real meaning, so you have to write clearly and plainly enough. I often sacrifice word nicety for clearness, and I think it worth doing. Of course, there are many other ways of nice writing. Anyway, Think that you ought to know clearly who your reader is, and you need not make yourself like a know-anything teacher, on the other hand, you ought to make your reader as a friend, and you are faired frank to deal an issue together. Writing an article is like talking with a friend, so being clear, frank and plain is okay.

Abbreviations
e.g. i.e. etc. cf. viz. for example that is etcetera: and so on compare namely

c. (or cr.) about/approximately N.B C19 C20 1920s i.e.1920-1929: similarly 1970s etc. note nineteenth century

approx. approximately dept. department

diff.(s) difficult(y)(-ies) excl. govt. imp. incl. info. lang. ltd. max. min. 1st 2nd 3rd G.B. U.K Eng. Brit. Q. A. Great Britain United Kingdom English British question Answer excluding government important/ importance including information language limited maximum minimum first second

no.

nummber

p.pp. poss. prob. probs. reref. sts. tho thro v.

page/pages possible/possibly probable/probably problems with refeerence to/ concerning reference studens though through very

therefore

Common connective words

Familiarity with these words would be useful in all IELTS test modules. Common connective words indicating: Addition in addition and similarly likewise as well as besides furthermore also moreover and then too not only ... but even Sequence first(ly) initially second(ly) etc. to begin with then next earlier/later after this/that following this/that afterwards Consequence as a result thus so therefore consequently it follows that thereby eventually then in that case admittedly Contrast however on the other hand despite in spite of though although but on the contrary otherwise yet instead of rather whereas

besides this/that Certainty obviously certainly plainly of course undoubtedly Example for instance one example for example just as in particular such as namely to illustrate

Condition if unless whether provided that for so that whether depending on Reason since as so because (of) due to owing to the reason why in other words leads to cause

Definition is refers to means that is consists of Time before since as until meanwhile at the moment when whenever as soon as just as

nonetheless even though compared with in contrast alternatively Summary in conclusion in summary lastly finally to sum up to conclude to recapitulate in short

Skills for the IELTS Writing Task 2

The best structure of the introduction
Structure The issue of whetherhas been debated widely/The issueis/remains controversial. It is an important issue because Some people believe Others feel that In my opinion/ I am strong of the opinion

Example topics: 1. School uniforms should be abolished in all schools 2. smoking cigarettes should be made illegal 3. Shops should be open 24 hours a day

Skills for the IELTS Writing Module

TASK ONE
In Task 1 of the Writing Module, you are given about 20 minutes to write a minimum of 150 words. You are asked to look at a diagram, table, graph or short piece of text and describe the information in your own words. There are three important steps you should follow: preparation, writing and editing. These steps will help you to write a coherent and well organised essay in the time given. Preparation (about 2 minutes) You need to spend 2-3 minutes working out exactly what you are going to do. You should pay attention to the following points:

Study the question carefully. Most Task 1 writing involves writing a report which describes some information given. You may wish to note the instructions with a high-lighting pen. Think carefully about the topic. Outline some pertinent points. Ensure that your ideas are arranged logically.

Writing (about 15 minutes) When writing a Task 1 report, include:

introductory sentence body paragraphs (1-3) concluding sentence (optional)

Introductory sentence The introductory sentence explains what you are describing, for example: The table compares the population growth and interstate migration in each Australian state for 12 months to the end of 1994.' The graph shows the growth of computers in Australia between 1975 and 1995.' The pie chart represents the proportion of gases contained in natural gas.' Body paragraphs

When discussing the date presented in the task, identify significant trends and give examples that relate directly to the given information to support your statements. If you are explaining a process or an object and how it works, you need to group your information so that it follows a definite logical order. Remember that the use of verbs expressed in the present passive voice is often appropriate when giving a description of a process or procedure, for example: Coffee beans are pulped to remove their casing. They are then soaked in water, rinsed thoroughly and dried. After the beans are sorted, they are roasted in a kiln and blended. Next, they are packed and dispatched to shops and supermarkets.' Concluding sentence (optional) A simple concluding statement could include any of the following, where relevant:

significant comments a potential solution an overall summary of the ideas future implications.

Editing (about 2 minutes) Make sure that you have followed the instructions carefully. Be sure that you have written what you intended and that no important ideas are missing. In the last few minutes, check for obvious errors, such as spelling or grammatical errors.

TASK ONE
All too often students begin planning or even writing their answers in the IELTS Writing Module before they understand what is actually expected of them. Following the steps below will help you to plan a well-structured and coherent essay or report that addresses the given task. Preparation You may wish to spend about 5-7 minutes working out exactly what you are going to do. There are five steps to consider.

Study the question carefully. Most task statements or questions have a key instructional word or words telling you what to do. Note these words with a highlighting pen.

There are also key topic words which point to the most important parts of the question. Underline those words too. Ask yourself how the key words relate to the given instruction.

Think carefully about the topic. How do you feel about it?

Establish a point of view and list some points for development. The answer normally takes the form of a short essay. The word essay' comes from an old French word essai which meant to attempt or try out', or to test'. In an IELTS Writing Module Task 2 answer, your purpose is to develop your point of view in a convincing way. Decide which points will be written as topic sentences. Think about how they will develop into paragraphs. Ensure that your points are arranged in a logical order.

Skills for the Reading Module

One of the main difficulties experienced by students doing the Reading Module is not having enough time to complete the test. It is, therefore, essential to read both efficiently and effectively. There are a few main skills that you will need in order to do well in the IELTS Reading Module. It is useful to use the following procedure for each text that is given. Previewing (about 2 minutes for each passage) (a) Study the passage by noting:

titles headings illustrations diagrams any print in bold type or italics.

(b) Study key parts of the passage by skimming. Read the first paragraph which often focuses on the main idea. The first sentence of each paragraph usually expresses the key points of the paragraph. Generally, the concluding paragraph provides a summary of the given passage. You may wish to highlight these with a pen. Interpreting the instructions and questions (about 2 minutes) Read each word in the instructions carefully and ensure that you understand exactly what is required and in what form. For example, the instructions may say, Choose no more than three words from the passage for each answer'. In this situation, it would not be acceptable to write four or more words. Often students find the right answer but present it in the wrong form and, unfortunately, do not score any marks for that answer. Understanding what is required, therefore, is just as important as finding the right answer in the passage. When you are looking at the questions, you need to recognise:

what type of question you have to answer (is it gap-filling, multiple choice, matching information, etc?) whether or not the question requires a specific or general answer

what form the answer should take (is it a number, date, reason, etc?)

Scanning the text for specific answers (about 1 minute per question) Use your time wisely. Spend no longer than one minute on finding each answer. Only look in the given text, table, diagram or graph for the answer required. Locate key words in the question and find them, or synonyms for them, in the text. The sentences around these words are most likely to contain the answers you need. If you are still unsure of the answer after you have spent approximately one minute on the question, make a sensible guess in the appropriate form. You may wish to mark the answers you are unsure of in some way so that, if you do have time at the end of the Reading Module, you can check these answers again. Checking your answers (about 3 minutes) After you have completed your answers for each section, you need to check them. Check that you have followed the instructions exactly. If you have time, return to the answers you marked because you were unsure and see if the answers you have given are the best ones. Do not leave any answers blank as you do not lose marks for incorrect answers. Helpful hints for the Practice Reading Module

There may be some words in the passage with which you are unfamiliar. Use the strategies explained in the section, Working out unfamiliar vocabulary' to help you work out the meanings of these words. Be aware of the use of connective words. These will help you with the general meaning of the text. If you are unsure of any answers, check the table of common connective words. Note if there is a glossary accompanying the passage. Follow the instructions carefully. A correct response will be marked wrong if it is written in the wrong form.

Working out unfamiliar vocabulary When reading a passage in the IELTS test, it is most likely that you will come across words with which you are unfamiliar. Be prepared for this. You may not need to understand the exact meaning of an unknown word, unless there is a question directly related to it. If you do need to know the meaning of an unfamiliar word, don't panic. There are various strategies that you can use to work out the meaning of the unknown words. Check the context

Are there any clues in the surrounding words or phrases? Look particularly at the words just before and just after the unfamiliar words. Look for a definition Sometimes the writers realise that the word is an uncommon one so they define, restate, explain or give an example of it. Words that signal meaning often include is', means', refers to', that is', consists of'. For example, Snoring is a noise generated by vibrations of the soft parts of the throat during sleep.' The word is' signals a definition. Remember, too, to check if there is a glossary. Identify the word's place and purpose Is it a noun, adjective, verb or adverb in the sentence? Are there any punctuation clues, for example, semicolons or question marks? Look for connective words They are often near the unknown words and will usually help to identify the general direction of the argument which will help to give some understanding of the unknown word. Break the word down into syllables Sometimes knowledge of common roots, affixes and possible similarity of words in your own language can help you to identify the meaning. Treat the unknown word as an algebraic entity X' Observe the relationship of the unknown word,X', to other words and concepts with which you are more familiar. Often this is enough to answer questions that includeX'.