An international current affairs magazine has invited readers to contribute articles

entitles “Globalisation – good news or bad?” for its next issue. You decide to write
an article explaining your personal views on this topic.

Globalisation represents nowadays an irreversible phenomena. There is plenty of ongoing

discussion about it, together with several activist movements either pro or against its diffusion. But
can Globalisation really be considered harmful?
When I think about it, the things that come to my mind are mainly positive, and of that kind that I
could not imagine my life without them. Of course they do not come without their own side effects,
but what does? First of all, think about the Internet and all that its existence brought: widespread,
low-cost and ubiquitous culture and information, promptly available communications, the
possibility to virtually share experiences and, of course, it created professions that did not exist
before. Secondly, recall the advantages of being able to choose from a vast range of options:
choosing whether to eat Thai or Italian food anywhere in the world, choose what brand to wear no
matter where does its designer comes from, choose which language to learn without having to
physically go abroad. Furthermore, think about how much education and open-mindedness we have
gained from Globalisation. I do think all of these arguments (and there would be much more) are
enough to definitely identify Globalisation as a positive phenomena phenomenon. Then at this point
some might argue back: “What about the loss of local culture, the loss of identity, the threats against
privacy and so forth?”. Well, what I believe is fairly simple: Globalisation does not take away what
local traditions, cultures and identities are, as it does not take away freedom; it rather gives the
amazing option to be able to choose. Then it is up to the single individual to decide how to behave.
As a matter of fact, sometimes Globalisation can even enhance the local culture, as for what
happened to Catalunya which is now claiming independence. All in all, my one mine is just an
opinion, but it is always better to look at the positive aspects than at the negative ones.

Note: It’s good but I would divide the essay into paragraphs to make your points clearer. Total words
330. Good length.

Some bus services in your area are to be withdrawn, and the local council has asked
people to submit reports for the council website on the impact this will have. You
decide to submit a report on one bus service that is under consideration. Your
report should briefly describe the route and explain its importance. You should also
assess the role that a good transport system plays in either urban or rural areas.

On January 25th the city of Milan announced that the number 94 bus line might be withdrawn in a
definitive way, due to several budget cuts and to the fact that “It does not represent a vital
connection for the areas covered by its route given the other means of transport available”, as
stated by the city mayor. Unfortunately, facts happen to be rather the opposite of what has been
claimed, given the importance of the neighbourhoods connected by the mentioned bus line and the
terrific amount of people who rely on it for several purposes, including studying, working and
touristic ones matters. The 94 bus line, in fact, encompasses Milan city centre linking two vital
railway stations: Cadorna and Vigevano. Beyond that, it cuts the city right at its heart, being the only
bus line connecting these two extreme points to areas such as “Colonne”, “Francesco Sforza” and
Moscova. It is important to underline that in such neighbourhoods the following structures of utter
importance are present: Policlinico Maggiore di Milano (the city’s main hospital), the faculty of
medicine of the University of Milan, the touristic areas of “Porta Ticinese” and “Corso Como”,
whereas many companies are situated too, and two other major universitiies with many
international students, namely Università Bocconi and Cattolica.
Given these this information, it should be clear how vital this bus line is for many workers, students,
people in need of health assistance and tourists.
An efficient and effective public transport system has always contributed to make Milan a
cosmopolitan yet pleasant city to live in with admissible levels of traffic and pollution. Withdrawing
the 94 bus number would not only raise citiziens’ protests and concern, but would probably also
contribute to increase the levels of traffic and pollution, as more people would be forced to use
their own car to (get where they need) reach their destinations, and might have a negative impact
to on the number of international students attracted by the efficiency of Milan.