ILETS Essays accumulated

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap
and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages.
Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.
One question that has caused a great deal of controversy over the years is nuclear
technology. Although it offers a number of advantages in world peace and green power, it
is also a dangerous technology, I believe that it is also a dangerous technology.
The opponents of nuclear power generally base their arguments on the danger it
represents to the world. There are two main dangers: the risk of nuclear warfare and the
nuclear disasters. The danger of nuclear war is obvious and if one thinks about
Chernobyl, it is easy to understand why people are worried about nuclear power, as it can
cause major suffering.
There are, however, good reasons for believing that nuclear technology is generally
advantageous. The first of these is that there has not been a major world conflict since the
invention of nuclear weapons. While there have been wars, they have not been on the
same scale as the Second World War. It is possible to say that the world is a safer place
because of nuclear weapons.
The other most significant benefit relates to the environment. Perhaps the greatest danger
facing our world today is a combination of global warming and the greenhouse effect.
This danger is caused partly by burning fossil fuels which leads to our polluted
atmosphere. Nuclear power, however, is a much greener alternative which does not have
such negative effects. Furthermore, in the last 50 years there have not been too many
nuclear disasters and many experts claim that it is in fact a safe technology.
In conclusion I would say that nuclear technology is better than the current alternatives.
However, I also believe we should keep looking for ways to make it safer.
Nuclear power is a source of energy which has many benefits. Nuclear energy is less
expensive because it is based on uranium. With little amount of uranium a great
amount of energy can be produced. It is a reliable source to rely on as there is
significant amount of it on the Earth’s crust.
One important advantage is that producing energy using Nuclear power does not give off
greenhouse gases. Green house gases are gases like carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide
which are contributing to the greenhouse effect or global warming.
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The biggest advantage of Nuclear power is the discoveries made in nuclear medicine,
such as cancer therapy, CAT scan and MRI machines and the use of irradiation of food to
kill bacteria.
Nuclear power has been use in the last hundred years for the manufacture of nuclear
weapons like A-Bombs (atomic bombs) and H-Bombs (hydrogen bombs). Nuclear
weapons are weapons of mass destruction. A single weapon is capable of destroying an
entire city. In he history of warfare nuclear weapons have been used on two occasions,
both during the World War II in Hiroshima when a devise called ‘Little Boy’ was
dropped and then three days later one in Nagasaki called ‘Fat Man’.
It is a good idea to possess nuclear weapons if you are a ‘Super Power’. If a country feels
threatened it can rely on nuclear weapons to protect them from the enemy. Examples of
‘Nuclear Super Powers’ are USA, Russia, United Kingdom and France.
Nuclear weapons have many disadvantages. Their use can lead to a world crisis as
whenever a bomb explodes the lives of millions of people are affected. Nuclear weapons
are expensive to manufacture, even though uranium is accessible.
One major disadvantage of nuclear power is that it makes variable amounts of radioactive
waste. This waste is causing big problems for the world storage because of its irradiation.
The nuclear waste has to be stored over a hundred years and the waste remains hot for
thousands of years. Some experts say nuclear energy is cheaper to make, but this is not
the entire truth.
Although nuclear power has many disadvantages it can be said that it is necessary only as
long as it is used for a good cause. The fossil fuels we are currently using for making
energy are some day going to run out so we need other sources. If nuclear power is
handled correctly the possibility of an accident is very rare.
Nuclear power is a good substitute to burning fossil fuels for energy as it does not
contribute to global warming. At the same time, nuclear weapons not only cause massive
destruction, the money that countries invest for the manufacturing and testing of these
weapons can be used to feed millions of poor people.
Global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today. What
are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals
take to tackle the issue?
Probably the most worrying threat to our planet at the present time is global warming.
This essay will examine the reasons why global warming is occurring and discuss some
possible solutions.
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The predominant factors resulting in the warming of the earth are the emissions of CO2
and deforestation. CO2, which damages the ozone layer, comes from several sources, but
the most problematic are those coming from the burning of fossil fuels from power
plants. This releases thousands of tones of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Another
cause of these emissions is the burning of gasoline for transportation, which continues to
increase because of our demand for cars and also our increasing worldwide consumption,
resulting in an increasing need to transport goods. Also, forests store large amounts of
carbon, so deforestation is causing larger amounts of CO2 to remain in the atmosphere.
Nevertheless, there are potential ways to solve these problems, or at least reduce the
effects. Firstly, governments need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and promote
alternatives. Plant-derived plastics, biodiesel, wind power and solar power are all things
that are a step in the right direction, but governments need to enforce the limits on CO2
emissions for the polluting industries in their countries for these to be effective. Also,
individuals can play a part by making lifestyle changes. People should try to buy cars
with the best fuel economy, and only use their car when really necessary. They can also
switch to energy companies that use renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. Finally,
small things like buying energy efficient light bulbs, turning off electricity in the house,
and planting trees in the garden can help.
To conclude, although global warming is a serious issue, there are steps that governments
and individuals can take to reduce its effects. If we are to save our planet, it is important
that this is treated as a priority for all concerned.
Research shows that global warming is caused by human activity. What are the
possible effects of climate change and what can governments and individuals do to
reduce these?
There is now little doubt that global warming and climate change are the result of human
activity. This has happened because of a failure in environmental policy by governments
and a lack of concern for wasted energy by individuals.
It is almost universally accepted that climate change is the consequence of a number of
environmental failings. Perhaps the most important of these is how fossil fuels such as
gas and coal are still the main source of power. This is a problem because their use means
that a large amount of CO2 is released into the atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect.
Another serious issue is how illegal logging continues in rainforests and the Amazon
Basin in particular. It should also not be forgotten that there is a connection between
global warming and the inefficient use of energy by consumers in the home.
While governments must take prime responsibility for reducing climate change,
individuals too can play a part. Political leaders across the globe need to cooperate so that
research into renewable forms of energy such as wind and solar power is properly funded
and the use of coal and gas in power stations is phased out. They must also of course
ensure that regulations against logging are properly enforced. Consumers of energy can
help by insulating their homes properly and using solar panels where possible so that less
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energy is required and wasted. These actions should limit the amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere and so reduce the greenhouse effect.
In conclusion, while global warming is a serious threat to humanity, there are a number
of steps that can be taken to reduce its effects.
There is an increasing trend for people to live alone. What is causing this to happen?
Will it have a negative or a positive impact on the society?
An increasing number of people are choosing to live by themselves. My belief is that the
changing nature of the family is the root cause of this and that it will have an negative
effect on society.
There are two main ways in which changing family relationships are responsible for more
people living by themselves. Perhaps the most significant of these is that not only has
marriage become less popular, but the rate of divorce has risen dramatically in the last 20
years. This naturally leads to fewer people sharing accommodation. Another related
factor is that there is a tendency for children to leave home earlier than before. This can
have the effect of leaving a single parent living alone in the family home and the child
living in a bedsit in another town.
This phenomenon is likely to be harmful to society at two different levels. At the personal
level, there is a clear risk that people living by themselves can become isolated and lonely
because they live without the daily support that a family can provide. This is particularly
the case with elderly people and the divorced who are more at risk of depression, which
is becoming an increasingly severe problem is society. Then on the social level, if fewer
people are sharing accommodation, the housing shortage is only likely to increase and
this is a serious problem in our overcrowded towns and cities.
My conclusion is that people living by themselves is strongly connected to new patterns
in family life and will cause harm.
Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of
technology.
In what ways has technology affected personal relationships ? Has this become a
positive or negative development?
Advances in technology have without doubt influenced the way we communicate with
each other in a number of different ways. While some of this change can have a negative
influence on the we way interact, my view is that overall modern technology typically
improves communication in personal relationships.
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It is clear that technology has changed the way we communicate in several respects.
Perhaps the clearest example of this is that nowadays many people prefer to keep in touch
to their friends and relatives using applications and social networking sites like
FaceTime, Skype and Facebook. Another way this change is evident is how the email and
texting have almost completely replaced the letter as the primary form of written
communication. Because these modern forms of communication are typically much more
convenient and instant, one result is that we can communicate more easily with people
who we do not see on a daily basis.
I would argue that these innovations have mostly improved personal relationships. The
principal benefit is that it just so much easier to stay in touch with people we might
otherwise lose contact with. It is for example now very straightforward to keep in contact
with friends from university who move to different cities after they graduate and this
means relationships last longer. The only real drawback is that sometimes people become
so addicted to their online social networks that they stop communicating with friends in
the real world. That, however, is a minor issue.
My conclusion is therefore that new forms technological communication have in fact
largely improved human interaction because emails, texting and social networks enable
us to maintain friendships which might otherwise be lost.
(278 words)
Almost everyone agrees that we should be training children to recycle waste to save the
Earth’s natural resources. Some believe that it is parents who should teach their
children to recycle waste. Others argue that school is the best place to teach do this.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion
Most people would agree that young people need to be taught about the importance of
recycling waste products and packaging. There is a difference of opinion, however,
whether this should happen at home or in schools. In this essay, I will examine both
points of view and then state my opinion.
The argument in favour of teaching children at school about recycling is largely based
around the idea that children learn best at school. This is because teachers have a natural
authority over their pupils who are used to learning from them and schools are a natural
environment for learning. Additionally, the need for recycling could easily be included in
the school curriculum in biology and geography classes.
There are two main reasons why people think parents taking responsibility for this
training could be more effective. The first is that the majority of recycling takes place in
the home and parents can therefore more easily control the recycling habits of their
children. If, for example, parents see their child put a recyclable bottle in the wrong bin,
they can explain that it needs to go in another bin. The other very practical point is that
often children spend more time at home than at school and so parents may have more
effect.
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My own view is that the best solution is for children to learn about recycling both at
home and at school. In this way, they would learn about both the theory and the practice.
It is sometimes said that a high salary is the most important factor in choosing a job.
Do you agree?
It is, of course, important for people to earn a sufficiently high salary to support their
lifestyle. This does not mean, however, that the salary is the only point to be taken into
consideration when choosing a job. Indeed, I would argue that there are a number of
other factors that are equally significant.
The first point to consider is why it may be a mistake to place too much emphasis on the
salary. One reason why this is so is that you may select a job that is well-paid but
ultimately unsatisfying. In this case, you may spend 8 hours a day being unhappy.
Something else to be taken into account is that highly-paid jobs tend to be stressful and
involve long working hours. For instance, many doctors have a 60 hour working week
and they often suffer from burn out early in their careers and wish they had chosen a less
stressful profession.
The other point to be taken into account is how other factors may matter more than the
salary when deciding on a job. Indeed, most people would accept that the work
environment is key to job satisfaction. If you are working alongside people you like and
the atmosphere in the office is positive, you are much more likely to be satisfied in your
work. Likewise, it is also critical that you actually enjoy what you do. For example,
someone who is artistic is much more likely to be happy working for a low salary
teaching art than earning a fortune as a merchant banker.
In conclusion, I would say that the salary should be only one consideration in choosing a
job and that other factors such as job satisfaction and work environment are just as
important.
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In recent years, there has been a considerable rise in crimes committed by young
people in cities.
What has caused this? What solutions can you suggest?
The rise of crime among young people is an urgent problem in many cities that needs to
be addressed. However, in order to find a solution, it is first of all necessary to understand
what has led to this happening. In this essay, I first of all examine the reasons for the rise
in youth crime, then I suggest how this problem may be resolved.
7

Perhaps the principal cause of this rise in youth crime is the increased use of drugs and
alcohol among young people. Many cities suffer from the phenomenon of binge drinking
by teenagers who lose control under the influence of alcohol and commit crimes. For
instance, it is a common sight on the streets of Britain to see fights breaking out outside
pubs and clubs. Similarly, there is a clear connection between drug abuse among the
young and crime. It is still unfortunately the case that young people frequently see drugs
as cool and become addicted. It is a common occurrence for these addicts to resort to
petty theft in order to pay for their habit.
There are a variety of potential ways of combatting this problem. One possibility that is
sometimes suggested is a much stricter system of penalties and punishments to deter
young people from a life of crime. That might work, but it would also be sensible
to improve the system of education so that young people were better informed about the
dangers of drugs and alcohol. This should have the effect of dealing with the issues that
cause youth crime in the first place.
In conclusion, alcohol and drug abuse are among the primary reasons for the rise in
young offenders and if the authorities wish to tackle youth crime, one approach would be
to educate the young more effectively
We are becoming increasingly dependent on computer technology. It is used in
business, crime detection and even to fly planes. What will it be used for in future? Is
this dependence on technology a good thing or should we be suspicious of its benefits?
As we move into the twenty-first century, it is clear to see that we have become more and
more dependent on computers and information technology. This technology now reaches
into almost every area of our lives and it is easy to predict that this phenomenon is only
going to grow. My personal belief is that this presents a variety of dangers.
It is highly likely that in the future there will be comparatively few aspects of our lives
that will not be influenced by computer technology. The probability is that it
will control more and more forms of communication, transforming fields such as
education and business when video-conferencing platforms become more stable. It
might even affect romance with more people forming relationships online.
While there may be benefits to this technological revolution, there are also a number of
potential dangers. Perhaps the most serious of these would be that if people rely on
computers too much for communication, they could in fact begin to communicate less
well. For example, if every member of a family had their own computer screen and smart
phone, they might speak less and less often to one another and simply look at a
screen. This would be serious because our ability to communicate is an essential part of
our humanity.
My conclusion is that the growth of computer technology is inevitable, but that this may
not be entirely positive. Just one area in which it is possible to foresee dangers is
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communication, and if we are going to ensure that computers do not become a
negative influence, we need to think carefully how we use them.
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Differences between countries become less evident each year. Nowadays, all over the
world people share the same fashions, advertising, brands, eating habits and TV
channels. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of this?
It is undoubtedly the case that the world today has become a global village. One of the
effects of this is that increasingly people in all corners of the world are exposed to similar
services and products and adopt similar habits. My view is that this is largely a beneficial
process and in this essay I will explain why.
The first point to make is that there are some downsides to this process of cultural
globalisation, but these are relatively minor. The most significant of these disadvantages
is that it can weaken national culture and traditions. For example, if people watch films
and television programmes produced in the United States, sometimes they adopt aspects
of the lifestyle of the American characters they see on television. Typically, however, this
only affects minor details such as clothing and does not seriously threaten national
identity.
When we turn to the other side of the argument, there are two major points to make in
favour of this process. The first of these is that the more we share habits, products and
services, the better we understand each other and this reduces prejudice against other
nations. The other point relates to modernity. It is a sign of progress in a society that
people no longer are restricted to brands and advertisements from their own society but
are able to access more international goods. If, for example, there were unable to drink
Coca Cola or wear Nike, then that would mean their society was not part of the
international community.
In conclusion, I understand the point of view of people who worry about cultural
globalisation because it is a threat to national traditions. However, this is outweighed by
its positive impact on international understanding and the fact that it represents progress
within a society.
One of the most pressing problems facing the world today is overpopulation. What
policies do you believe governments should adopt to address the causes and effects of
this problem?
There is no doubt that the massive increase in the world s population in the last 100 yearsʼ
has created a crisis. In order to find a solution to this crisis, politicians need to deal with
not only the immediate problems, but also the long-term causes if they want to rescue
humanity. Finding the right policies is not an easy task as it is a complex problem.
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The first step is to recognise what the consequences of overpopulation are. Only by doing
this can we find an appropriate solution. Perhaps its most important effect is the increased
rate at which we are consuming the Earth s resources such as oil. To combat this,ʼ
governments need to do more research on alternative and renewable energy supplies so
that we do not use up all the oil reserves. Another negative effect of overpopulation is
how some countries suffer from a lack of basic necessities such as food. Here, an answer
could be greater international co-operation so that countries with a food surplus donate
what they do not need to the less fortunate countries.
It is not quite so easy to decide how governments should deal with the causes of
overpopulation. The Chinese have adopted legislation that requires parents to pay a
special tax if they have more than one child. I doubt, however, whether this solution is
realistic in other countries. Another option would be to improve levels of sex education
by explaining the difficulties caused by having too many children.Promoting
contraception though may be problematic in many regions on cultural and religious
grounds.
In conclusion, while it may be possible to find ways to address some of the consequences
of overpopulation by international co-operation, it is harder to find policies to deal with
its causes. It might be that the only way forward is for different countries to adopt
policies that work within their particular culture
Some people believe that exams are an inappropriate way of measuring students’
performance and should be replaced by continuous assessment. Do you agree or
disagree with this view?
There is some dispute whether the best method of assessing students is to use
examinations or some form of continuous assessment. This is a complex issue and my
belief is that there is probably no one method that applies to all educational systems.
There are three major arguments in favour of retaining exams. One is that they provide a
clear and objective measure of what students have learned, whereas any form of
continuous assessment is probably going to be far more subjective. An additional point is
that testing tends to be an excellent way of motivating learners to study harder and to
reward the students who do best. Likewise, examinations test the ability of students to
work under pressure, and this is a vital life skill for their later careers.
On the other hand, there are still occasions when it can be better to relieve the students of
exam pressure and to measure their abilities through continuous assessment. This is
particularly the case in lower age groups where young children can be affected negatively
by stress and under-perform in exams. It can also be argued that continuous assessment is
a more effective way of testing some subjects such as design and technology, which are
more creative and less academic. A further point is that often continuous assessment can
allow teachers to reward students who work hard, but who may be less able and not do
well in more formal testing.
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In conclusion, while continuous assessment may be fairer in some contexts, there are still
times when traditional exams may be more appropriate. A possible compromise would
be to use both forms of testing together, allowing teachers to reward both ability and hard
work.
Newspapers and books are outdated. Why do some people believe this? What is your
opinion?
As we move into the twenty- first century an increasing number of people are relying on
new forms of technology. A possible consequence of this is that traditional media such as
books and newspapers are not just less popular but are considered by some to be
outdated. Personally, I disagree with this point of view.
The principal reason why some people take this view is fairly clear in the case of
newspapers. It is generally much easier and quicker to discover what is happening in the
world from the internet or the television than from a newspaper. If you use Google or
another search engine or simply switch on the television, you can instantly get the latest
news bulletin. A newspaper, by contrast, is out of date the moment it is published because
it contains yesterday’s news.
It is perhaps less obvious why books are said to be out of fashion. One possibility is that
fewer people choose to read for pleasure nowadays because they prefer the instant
gratification and thrills of modern technology. There is less effort involved in enjoying a
3D movie or playing a computer game than in turning the pages of a book.
My own view and conclusion is that books and newspapers will never go completely out
of fashion or become redundant. The reason for this is that they serve basic human needs.
I believe that people will always want to read about the news and escape into the
imaginary worlds of great novels. However, books and newspapers may need to change
to meet the new demands of twenty-first century consumers. We can already see this
happening with the arrival of the audio-book and the various free newspaper internet
sites. (292 words)
In recent years, there has been a considerable rise in crimes committed by young
people in cities.
What has caused this? What solutions can you suggest?
The rise of crime among young people is an urgent problem in many cities that needs to
be addressed. However, in order to find a solution, it is first of all necessary to understand
what has led to this happening. In this essay, I first of all examine the reasons for the rise
in youth crime, then I suggest how this problem may be resolved.
Perhaps the principal cause of this rise in youth crime is the increased use of drugs and
alcohol among young people. Many cities suffer from the phenomenon of binge drinking
by teenagers who lose control under the influence of alcohol and commit crimes. For
11

instance, it is a common sight on the streets of Britain to see fights breaking out outside
pubs and clubs. Similarly, there is a clear connection between drug abuse among the
young and crime. It is still unfortunately the case that young people frequently see drugs
as cool and become addicted. It is a common occurrence for these addicts to resort to
petty theft in order to pay for their habit.
There are a variety of potential ways of combatting this problem. One possibility that is
sometimes suggested is a much stricter system of penalties and punishments to deter
young people from a life of crime. That might work, but it would also be sensible
to improve the system of education so that young people were better informed about the
dangers of drugs and alcohol. This should have the effect of dealing with the issues that
cause youth crime in the first place.
In conclusion, alcohol and drug abuse are among the primary reasons for the rise in
young offenders and if the authorities wish to tackle youth crime, one approach would be
to educate the young more effectively.
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?
It is unarguable that television has had a considerable impact and changed the world in
which we live. However, there is debate whether that change has been for the better or
the worse, when we consider cultural development. While there are certainly strong
feelings on both sides of the argument in western Europe, my own view is that television
has had a largely positive influence on our society.
There are, however, several reasons why it can be argued that television has a negative
effect on cultural development. Perhaps the principle argument is the lowbrow nature of
many programmes, particularly sitcoms and soap operas. People who watch these
programmes do not learn anything, they are simply entertained. The other major
argument is that because people watch so much television, they no longer take part in
more traditional forms of cultural entertainment. An example here is how traditional
dancing and music is becoming much less popular because people are staying at home to
watch the television.
On the other hand, there are a variety of ways in which cultural development has been
assisted by television. Here the major argument is that television has allowed the whole
of society access to cultural entertainment. For example, in the nineteenth century only a
small proportion of people could go to the ballet or the theatre. However, it is now
possible for everyone to enjoy these on television. A second positive effect is that on
television we can learn more about other cultures and societies because there are so many
interesting documentaries about other countries.
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My personal conclusion is that television is a largely positive influence. However, it is
important that we do not watch it too much and that we watch the right sort of
programme. If we watch the wrong sort of programme and watch too much television, we
may become couch potatoes.
In many countries there has been an increase in social problems involving teenagers
in recent years. Many people believe that this is due to modern lifestyles because
parents spend more and more time at work and have less time to supervise their
children. To what extent do you believe this is true?
There is no question that standards of behaviour have fallen among teenagers. The
popular belief is that the principle cause is that parents are unable to supervise their
children because they are away at work. I only partially agree with this viewpoint as there
are other important factors too.
It is undeniable that parents should bear some responsibility for the actions of their
teenaged children. This is particularly true when they are absent from the home and not in
a position to control their children. The argument is that if they were at home, then they
would be able to make certain that their children did not join gangs and spent their time
on socially acceptable activities.
However, it can also be said that working parents are in fact setting a good example to
their children. Indeed, it is very often the case that teenagers who come from
hardworking families spend their time on schoolwork and conduct themselves well. In
fact, the teenagers who do create social problems by, for example, getting drunk or
painting graffitti come from homes where parents are unemployed.
Other factors that lead to teenagers getting into trouble relate to the educational
system. This is due to the fact that many teenagers leave school aged 16 and do not find
work because of lack of qualifications. As a result, they spend time on the street with
nothing productive to do. Likewise, social problems with teenagers can be the
consequence of poor discipline at school with teachers failing to control their classes.
In conclusion, it is possible to say that this sort of problem is only sometimes the result
of parents not supervising their children. It is equally possible to say that discipline in
schools is at fault.
(299 words)
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In recent years, people watch more movies from overseas? What are the reasons for
this? Should the government give financial support to local cinema to produce local
films?
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It is unquestionably the case that there is a growing trend for people to watch foreign
films in preference to films made in their home country. In this essay, I will discuss why
this is the case and why I believe national governments ought to support home grown
cinema financially.
Perhaps the principal reason for the popularity of foreign made films is the globalisation
of culture in the internet age. In the past, children growing up only had access to the
culture and traditions of their own country and so preferred to watch films about their
own land. Now in the era of Youtube, young people grow up with easy access to an
international culture and so when they go to the cinema, they expect to see films that
reflect that international culture and for them a Hollywood blockbuster is much “cooler”
than a serious film in their own language.
A second reason why internationally produced films tend to dominate the domestic
market is financial. The two great centres of world cinema, Bollywood and Hollywood,
have studios with budgets of billions of dollars which can make films with exciting
special effects and high production values. In contrast, locally produced films often have
much smaller budgets are sometimes therefore less attractive to the mass market.
Personally, I believe that this globalisation of culture is not entirely positive and
governments should take action to promote local films. If countries had their own film
industries which could compete with the international studios, this would not only help
preserve national culture, but would also create more choice for the public as global films
offer little variety.
In conclusion, the main reasons for the expansion of international films are a new
globalised world culture caused by the internet and the financial power of a few film
studios in Hollywood and Bollywood. We would have more choice if the governments
subsidised local films.
In the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the field of
information technology (IT), for example the World Wide Web and communication by
email. However, these developments in IT are likely to have more negative effects than
positive in the future.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
The last two decades have seen enormous changes in the way people's lives are affected
by IT, with many advances in this field. However, while these technological advances
have brought many benefits to the world, it can be argued that these developments in IT
will result in more negative impacts than postive.
To begin, email has made communication, especially abroad, much simpler and faster,
resulting in numerous benefits for commerce and business. Furthermore, the World Wide
Web means that information on every conceivable subject is now available to us. For
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example, people can access news, medical advice, online education courses and much
more via the internet. It is evident that these improvements have made life far easier and
more convenient for large numbers of people and will continue to do so for decades to
come.
Nevertheless, the effects of this new technology have not all been beneficial. For
example, many people feel that the widespread use of email is destroying traditional
forms of communication such as letter writing, telephone and face-to-face conversation.
This could result in a decline in people's basic ability to socialize and interact with each
other on a day-to-day basis.
In addition, the large size of the Web has meant that it is nearly impossible to regulate
and control. This has led to many concerns regarding children accessing unsuitable
websites and viruses. Unfortunately, this kind of problem might even get worse in the
future at least until more regulated systems are set up.
In conclusion, developments in IT have brought many benefits, yet I believe
developments relating to new technology are likely to produce many negative effects in
the future that must be addressed if we are to avoid damaging impacts to individuals and
society.
(287 words)
Many historic buildings are being destroyed or replaced. What are the reasons for
this? What should be done to preserve these buildings?
We live in an age of progress and one result of that is that the urban landscape of many
cities is changing. An unfortunate consequence of this is that some historic buildings are
being lost for future generations. Something needs to be done to preserve these buildings
and, to ensure that, we first need to understand why they are being destroyed.
There are a variety of reasons why these buildings are being replaced and this mainly
depends on their original purpose. Many of these historic buildings were residential and
typically the problem is that they no longer have the appropriate facilities for modern-day
living. For example, they might have been built in an era when central heating was not a
priority, or even when bathrooms and toilets were outside. Unfortunately, it is often
cheaper to pull these buildings down rather than renovate them.
Other historic buildings that are now under threat originally had a civic function and were
built in city centres. Examples of these buildings are theatres and cinemas. As often as
not, these buildings are being replaced through economic necessity as they are no longer
financially viable. They are being replaced by supermarkets or modern cinema
complexes that cater for the demands of the twenty-first century.
There is probably no one solution to ensure that these buildings are preserved. One
possible step though would be for the civic planning authorities to list certain builidngs
15

that they consider historic and prevent any alterations being made to them. Another
possibility would be to ensure that at least the facades of these buildings were preserved
for posterity.
Clearly, this is a complex problem and we have seen that there are a number of social and
financial factors that have led to the destruction of historic buildings. If we are to
preserve them, we will need legislation to prevent or limit the activities of developers.
(315 words)
According to a recent study, the more time people use the Internet, the less time they
spend with real human beings. Some people say that instead of seeing the Internet as a
way of opening up new communication possibilities worldwide, we should be
concerned about the effect this is having on social interaction.
How far do you agree with this opinion?
It is evident that, at present, people are spending a considerable amount of time on the
Internet, and thus spending less time with real people. I strongly agree that although this
use of the Internet has greatly increased the level of communication available, it has also
had detrimental effects on the amount and type of social interaction that takes place.
The benefits of the Internet in terms of increased communication are clear, with people
connected across the globe. In the past, communication was only possible by phone or
mail, which entailed time and expense. It also usually meant just keeping in contact with
those people already known to you. With the internet, this has changed dramatically.
Email and social networking sites such as Facebook and MSN have created online
communities that are global in scale, and they have fostered communication between
people and countries that we would not have thought possible in the not too distant past.
That said, there is no doubt in my mind that this has had negative impacts on social
interaction. People, especially the younger generation, spend hours of their time online,
chatting and on forums. Although this can be beneficial, it is certainly not the same as
real interaction with human beings and does not involve the same skills. It is important
that children have and maintain real friendships in order to develop their own
interpersonal skills. Not only this, it can also have negative effects on local communities
if people are spending most of their time communicating online and not mixing in their
neighbourhoods, and possibly lead to feelings of isolation for those individuals who do
not have a ‘real’ person to turn to in times of need.
To conclude, I believe that the internet has undoubtedly been beneficial, but there are
good reasons to be concerned about social interaction in our societies. It is therefore
important that we maintain a balance between our online life and our contact with real
human beings.
(328 Words)
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A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and
that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans
must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and
research.
Discuss both views and give your opinion
Some people believe that animals should be treated in the same way humans are and have
similar rights, whereas others think that it is more important to use them as we desire for
food and medical research. This essay will discuss both points of view.
With regard to the exploitation of animals, people believe it is acceptable for several
reasons. Firstly, they think that humans are the most important beings on the planet, and
everything must be done to ensure human survival. If this means experimenting on
animals so that we can fight and find cures for diseases, then this takes priority over
animal suffering. Furthermore, it is believed by some that animals do not feel pain or loss
as humans do, so if we have to kill animals for food or other uses, then this is morally
acceptable.
However, I do not believe these arguments stand up to scrutiny. To begin, it has been
shown on numerous occasions by secret filming in laboratories via animal rights groups
that animals feel as much pain as humans do, and they suffer when they are kept in cages
for long periods. In addition, a substantial amount of animal research is done for
cosmetics, not to find cures for diseases, so this is unnecessary. Finally, it has also been
proven that humans can get all the nutrients and vitamins that they need from green
vegetables and fruit. Therefore, again, having to kill animals for food is not an adequate
argument.
To sum up, although some people argue killing animals for research and food is ethical, I
would argue there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that this is not the case, and,
therefore, steps must be taken to improve the rights of animals.
(Words290)
Many people choose to work or live abroad because of the higher standards of living
they can find outside their home country. Do you think this brings more advantages or
disadvantages to the people who follow this path?
The standard of living in developed countries is considerably better than that in
underdeveloped or developing countries and that is what prompts most people to
emigrate. People who choose to live abroad almost always come from underdeveloped or
developing countries where they do not have enough opportunities for career or personal
growth.
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When talented youngsters move abroad, they get the kind of salary that matches their
qualifications. They may not get similar opportunities in the country of their birth. By
moving abroad, they will also be able to provide world class education to their children.
Another advantage is the availability of excellent healthcare in the developed world. It is
a well-known fact that people in the first world countries live longer than those in the
third world countries. People who immigrate to these countries may also enjoy this
benefit.
On the flip side, when the talented youth move to other countries in search of better jobs,
it creates a dearth of talent in their mother country. While this is a disadvantage, it has
another side to it. A large number of Indians now work and live abroad. The money that
they sent to their loved ones in India makes a significant contribution to the Indian
economy. According to some statistics, annually India receives over 50 billion USD in
foreign remittance. That’s a huge amount that can significantly improve the quality of a
living in a country. Foreign remittance, for example, is the backbone of the Kerala
economy (a south Indian state) where the literacy and longevity rates are comparable to
those in the developed world.
After analyzing both sides of the situation it is felt that moving abroad for a better job has
more advantages than disadvantages. Not only the people who immigrate, but also the
country of their birth benefit from this trend in more ways than one.
People do not have enough money to pay internet. Should the governments provide
free internet service to everyone?
Sample response
Much like the telephone or the television, the internet has become an integral part of our
day-to-day existence. However, the internet is expensive and this prevents many people
from accessing this limitless source of knowledge and information. This, however,
doesn’t mean that the government should provide free internet to everyone.
All over the world, the number of people who use the internet is steadily on the rise and
that is hardly surprising. The internet is a vast source of knowledge and entertainment. In
fact, having a computer with an internet connection is a bit like having all the books in
the world under one’s disposal. The internet is even better because it allows you to find
the necessary information in a matter of seconds. The internet also provides
entertainment and keeps us up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world. And hence
one cannot underestimate the importance of internet.
However, saying that the government should provide free internet to everyone is kind of
absurd. In a world where we have to pay for basic necessities like food and medicine,
demanding that the internet should be free is a bit ridiculous. It is a useful service but for
many people there are far more pressing needs. For example, millions of people across
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the world still have no access to safe drinking water or electricity. Tens of thousands of
people are homeless. A lot of them haven’t even heard about the internet. What they need
are the basic necessities of life and not free internet.
After analysing the situation it is not hard to see that the basic necessities of life are far
more important than the internet. Of course, the internet is useful, but it is not
indispensable. And hence the governments should use their resources to provide the basic
amenities rather than giving free internet.
The clothing and fashion industry have a big influence on people. Is this a good or bad
thing?
There is no denying the fact that the clothing and fashion industry dictate the way we
dress ourselves. Youngsters, in particular, are easily influenced by the latest fashion
trends. Now fashion shows are being organized even in smaller towns and children as
young as three years want to wear the latest model clothes. All of these are signs of the
growing influence of fashion industry. Unfortunately, this trend has both positive and
negative aspects.
Fashion helps people dress well. Fashionable clothes make us more presentable. When
people dress fashionably they feel good about themselves. This boosts their level of
confidence and makes them perform well in the workplace. It is now a known fact that
people who dress and look well have better chances of getting a job. Even if a person is
not blessed with naturally good looks, they can make themselves more presentable by
dressing well. That is where fashion helps.
On the flip side, fashion can blind people. Fashion trends are often launched by films and
rich people. What celebrities wear on and off screen soon become a craze with the
general public. In a bid to become the most fashionable among their peers, youngsters
often spend insane amounts of money on clothes and other accessories. This could make
their poorer friends and colleagues feel inferior. What’s more, fashionable clothes are not
always the best. Fashion trends that originate in the US or Europe may not suit the
climate or the culture of Asian countries. This often leads to a conflict of interest.
In conclusion, clothing and fashion industry have a big influence on people. However,
this trend has both advantages and disadvantages. Fashion is good as long as it helps
people feel good about themselves. When it becomes an obsession it does more harm
than good.
Some people believe that men and women possess different skills. According to them
certain jobs are more suitable for men than women. There are also some jobs where
women perform better. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
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Women now compete and cooperate with men in almost all walks of life and they have
proved their mettle, too. However, men and women are not built alike. They may have
the same intellectual capabilities, but physically and emotionally men and women are
different and that probably explains why certain jobs are considered suitable for men and
certain other jobs suitable for women.
Until a few decades ago many people used to believe that women are not suitable for a
career in science or finance. Such wrong notions no longer exist because many women
have proved that they make equally brilliant engineers and number crunchers. Still,
certain sectors prefer men over women. There are also some sectors where women
outperform men.
Thanks to their stronger physique, men are more suitable for physically demanding jobs
than women. For example, jobs in mining and mechanics are laborious and involve
handling heavy machinery. A few women have proved that they are capable of handling
such jobs, but the majority of workers employed in these sectors are men. The armed
forces also recruit more men than women.
Though women lack physical prowess, they score better than men in some other areas.
For example, women are more caring and patient. These qualities make them excellent
teachers and nurses. Women also possess better people skills and are considered more
suitable for careers in hospitality and public relations.
Of course, several women have proved that they are capable of doing just about anything
that men can. Take for instance, the case of Madam Curie, the first woman to win the
Nobel Prize for Physics. She proved her mettle at a time when science and technology
were largely dominated by men. Women have also conquered the seas, the mountains and
the skies. The fact that they lacked muscle power didn’t deter them from pursuing their
goals. Still, these are exceptions rather than the rules.
In conclusion, certain jobs are more suitable for men. There are also certain jobs where
women perform better than men. Personally I believe that a person’s physical and
intellectual capabilities, rather than gender, should determine his or her career choice. If a
woman possesses sufficient physical strength and is determined enough to pursue a career
in a male dominated sector, her gender should not come in the way of her goal. The same
theory applies to men as well
Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?
It is no doubt true that the majority of people would like to be happy in their lives. While
the personal nature of happiness makes it difficult to describe, there do seem to be some
common needs that we all share with regard to experiencing or achieving happiness.
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Happiness is difficult to define because it means something different to each individual
person. Nobody can fully understand or experience another person’s feelings, and we all
have our own particular passions from which we take pleasure. Some people, for
example, derive a sense of satisfaction from earning money or achieving success,
whereas for others, health and family are much more important. At the same time, a range
of other feelings, from excitement to peacefulness, may be associated with the idea of
happiness, and the same person may therefore feel happy in a variety of different ways.
Although it seems almost impossible to give a precise definition of happiness, most
people would agree that there are some basic preconditions to achieving it. Firstly, it is
hard for a person to be happy if he or she does not have a safe place to live and enough
food to eat. Our basic survival needs must surely be met before we can lead a pleasant
life. Secondly, the greatest joy in life is usually found in shared experiences with family
and friends, and it is rare to find a person who is content to live in complete isolation.
Other key factors could be individual freedom and a sense of purpose in life.
In conclusion, happiness is difficult to define because it is particular to each individual,
but I believe that our basic needs for shelter, food and company need to be fulfilled
before we can experience it.
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