participants continued to enjoy those activities in the long term.
On the other hand, many people spend their free time doing popular activities that are far from trendy.
One good example would be the game chess. Children and adults who enjoy playing chess are certainly
not following a new fashion or wasting their time on something that they do not truly like. On the
contrary, they are passionate about a game that has existed for hundreds of years, and they find it
inherently fascinating and absorbing. I would say the same about many other hobbies, from reading to
swimming.
In conclusion, while some people are attracted to the latest fashionable hobby, others choose their
pastimes for more genuine reasons.
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13.
Historical sites
Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
It is sometimes argued that tourists from overseas should be charged more than local residents to visit
important sites and monuments. I completely disagree with this idea.
The argument in favour of higher prices for foreign tourists would be that cultural or historical
attractions often depend on state subsidies to keep them going, which means that the resident
population already pays money to these sites through the tax system.
However, I believe this to be a very shortsighted view. Foreign tourists contribute to the economy of the
host country with the money they spend on a wide range of goods and services, including food,
souvenirs, accommodation and travel. The governments and inhabitants of every country should be
happy to subsidise important tourist sites and encourage people from the rest of the world to visit
them.
If travellers realised that they would have to pay more to visit historical and cultural attractions in a
particular nation, they would perhaps decide not to go to that country on holiday. To take the UK as an
example, the tourism industry and many related jobs rely on visitors coming to the country to see places
like Windsor Castle or Saint Paul’s Cathedral. These two sites charge the same price regardless of
nationality, and this helps to promote the nation’s cultural heritage. If overseas tourists stopped coming
due to higher prices, there would be a risk of insufficient funding for the maintenance of these
important buildings.
In conclusion, I believe that every effort should be made to attract tourists from overseas, and it would
be counterproductive to make them pay more than local residents.
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14.
Unpaid work
Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to
help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and
society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?
Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the individual and
society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid
work.
Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given the
added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and
teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day.
When young people do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or
to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when
they finish their studies.
At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young people to do
unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a
group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst
young people, who would feel that they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be told
how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion we should not
make this compulsory.
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15.
Communities
We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be concerned with our
own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long as there are problems in
our own society. I disagree with this view because I believe that we should try to help as many people as
possible.
On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow citizens. In most
communities there are people who are impoverished or disadvantaged in some way. It is possible to
find homeless people, for example, in even the wealthiest of cities, and for those who are concerned
about this problem, there are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give money to support these
people. In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing to serving free food in a
soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and there are obvious ways to help, I can
understand why some people feel that we should prioritise local charity.
At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our national
borders. In some countries the problems that people face are much more serious than those in our own
communities, and it is often even easier to help. For example, when children are dying from curable
diseases in African countries, governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives simply by
paying for vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an international charity might have a much
greater impact than helping in our local area.
In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion national boundaries should not
stop us from helping those who are in need.
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January 1, 2020
16.
Male versus Female in Unis
Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities. However, I do not
agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender in every university subject.
Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealistic. Student
numbers on any course depend on the applications that the institution receives. If a university decided
to fill courses with equal numbers of males and females, it would need enough applicants of each
gender. In reality, many courses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be
practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract more female
applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent of the places needed to go to
males.
Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be unfair to base
admission to university courses on gender. Universities should continue to select the best candidates
for each course according to their qualifications. In this way, both men and women have the same
opportunities, and applicants know that they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good
grades at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it is surely wrong to
reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.
In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it would be both
impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on gender.
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17.
Cultures and Advances
It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as technology develops. Technology and
traditional cultures are incompatible.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Some people believe that technological developments lead to the loss of traditional cultures. I partly
agree with this assertion; while it may be true in the case of some societies, others seem to be unaffected
by technology and the modern world.
On the one hand, the advances in technology that have driven industrialisation in developed countries
have certainly contributed to the disappearance of traditional ways of life. For example, in pre-industrial
Britain, generations of families grew up in the same small village communities. These communities had
a strong sense of identity, due to their shared customs and beliefs. However, developments in transport,
communications and manufacturing led to the dispersal of families and village communities as people
moved to the cities in search of work. Nowadays most British villages are inhabited by commuters,
many of whom do not know their closest neighbours.
On the other hand, in some parts of the world traditional cultures still thrive. There are tribes in the
Amazon Rainforest, for example, that have been completely untouched by the technological
developments of the developed world. These tribal communities continue to hunt and gather food from
the forest, and traditional skills are passed on to children by parents and elders. Other traditional
cultures, such as farming communities in parts of Africa, are embracing communications technologies.
Mobile phones give farmers access to information, from weather predictions to market prices, which
helps them to prosper and therefore supports their culture.
In conclusion, many traditional ways of life have been lost as a result of advances in technology, but
other traditional communities have survived and even flourished.
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18.
Advertising
Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real
needs of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that we are increasingly surrounded by advertising by companies that want to sell us their
products. To some extent I agree that advertising has an impact on sales, but I would also argue that we
do need most of the goods that we buy.
Advertisements can certainly tempt people to buy products that they might not otherwise want. A good
example could be the mobile phone. Every year people can be seen queuing to buy the latest models,
even when they already have a perfectly good phone that does not need replacing. Perhaps it is the
influence of marketing that leads us to make these kinds of decisions; we want to say up-to- date with
the latest fashions or own the newest high- status device. The high sales of the iPhone seem to support
this idea.
On the other hand, I believe that most people do not buy products because of the advertising alone.
There are other good reasons why we make these choices, and there must be some kind of need before
a person makes a purchase. New versions of products almost always have improved features that
buyers may want. A new car, for example, may have greatly improved safety features, or it may be more
economical to run, or it may pollute less. A new phone may allow the user to communicate more quickly
or effectively, thus enhancing their quality of life.
In conclusion, while advertising obviously influences our buying behaviour, I do not agree that people
make decisions that go against their real needs.
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January 1, 2020
19.
History & Literature
Some people believe that it is more important to teach children the literature and history of their
own country, rather than the literature and history of other countries. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
People have different views about the teaching of national versus global literature and history in
schools. Personally, I support the idea that children should study first and foremost the great books and
historical events of their own countries.
There are several reasons why I believe that schools should focus on teaching national literature and
history. Firstly, children enjoy learning about where they live, and by studying the ideas, culture and
history of their own countries they begin to develop a sense of identity. At the same time, this approach
is appealing to parents, who studied the same books and historical events and can therefore help their
children with school work. English children, for example, read Shakespeare and learn about the Battle of
Hastings just as their parents did, and there is educational continuity across the generations. Finally, an
emphasis on national literature and history gives educators a narrower teaching scope, making
curriculum design an easier task.
By contrast, the study of global events and foreign novels could cause unnecessary difficulty and
confusion for school pupils. For example, I do not see the point in presenting Russian or Chinese history
to a British child who has not yet studied the history of his or her own country in detail. Surely the child
would be more able to comprehend historical events that took place in London than those that
happened in Moscow or Beijing. Similarly, any exposure to international literature is likely to require
the teaching of a foreign language or the use of translations. Young people at primary or secondary
school age are simply not ready for such complications.
In conclusion, I would argue that it is undesirable for schools to cover aspects of foreign history and
literature; they should ground their pupils in the local culture instead.
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20.
Parental care
Caring for children is probably the most important job in any society. Because of this, all mothers
and fathers should be required to take a course that prepares them to be good parents. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
It is true that parents shoulder a huge responsibility and that raising children is by no means an easy
task. However, I completely disagree with the idea that we should therefore force all mothers and
fathers to attend parenting courses.
In my opinion, the idea that all future parents should take a parenthood preparation course is
completely impractical. Many prospective parents have jobs and busy schedules, and they may not be
willing or able to attend regular parenting classes. This raises the question of whether those who missed
the classes, or perhaps refused to attend, would be punished. I believe that it would be wrong to do this,
and it would therefore be impossible to enforce the idea of compulsory training for parents. Besides,
even if parents could be forced to attend, I doubt that people would agree on what good parenting
entails, and so it would be difficult to create a parenting course to suit everyone.
As well as being impractical, I would argue that training courses for parents are unnecessary. Mothers
and fathers have been raising children without any formal help or official interference for thousands of
years. Parenting skills are learnt from family members, friends, neighbours and the surrounding
culture. Perhaps more importantly, adults learn to be good parents by instinct, by trial and error, and by
getting to know their own children; for example, a good parent will try different strategies when faced
with a badly-behaved child, and will gradually develop an understanding of what works to correct the
behaviour. None of this requires the intervention of a taught course.
In conclusion, while compulsory parenting lessons might seem like a good idea, I believe that such a
scheme would be unworkable and largely pointless.
(289 words, band 9)
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21.
Salaries
In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people believe
that this is good for the country, but others think that governments should not allow salaries
above a certain level.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about whether governments should introduce a maximum wage. While in
some ways it may seem reasonable to allow people to earn as much as companies are willing to pay, I
personally believe that employee remuneration should be capped at a certain level.
There are various reasons why it might be considered beneficial to allow people to be paid extremely
high salaries. If companies offer excellent pay packages, they can attract the most talented people in
their fields to work for them. For example, technology companies like Google are able to employ the
best programmers because of the huge sums that they are willing to pay. Furthermore, these well-paid
employees are likely to be highly motivated to work hard and therefore drive their businesses
successfully. In theory, this should result in a thriving economy and increased tax revenues, which
means that paying high salaries benefits everyone.
However, I agree with those who argue that there should be a maximum wage. By introducing a limit on
earnings, the pay-gap between bosses and employees can be reduced. Currently, the difference between
normal and top salaries is huge, and this can demotivate workers who feel that the situation is unfair.
With lower executive salaries, it might become feasible to introduce higher minimum wages, and
everybody would be better off. One possible consequence of greater equality could be that poverty and
crime rates fall because the general population will experience an improved standard of living.
In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better, on balance, for governments to set a limit on the
wages of the highest earners in society.
274 words, band 9
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22.
Economic goals versus other goals
Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people,
however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’ progress. While
economic progress is of course essential, I agree with those who believe that other measures of progress
are just as important.
There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for countries. Firstly, a
healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens.
Secondly, economic progress ensures that more money is available for governments to spend on
infrastructure and public services. For example, a government with higher revenues can invest in the
country's transport network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can help
a country’s standing on the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading power.
However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as significant as the economic
factors mentioned above. In particular, we should consider the area of social justice, human rights,
equality and democracy itself. For example, the treatment of minority groups is often seen as a reflection
of the moral standards and level of development of a society. Perhaps another key consideration when
judging the progress of a modern country should be how well that country protects the natural
environment, and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability. Alternatively, the success
of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, well-being and happiness of its residents.
In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but social, environmental
and health criteria are equally significant.
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23.
Minority Languages
Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are spoken by very small numbers of
people. Some people say that governments should spend public money on saving these
languages, while others believe that would be a waste of money.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
It is true that some minority languages may disappear in the near future. Although it can be argued that
governments could save money by allowing this to happen, I believe that these languages should be
protected and preserved.
There are several reasons why saving minority languages could be seen as a waste of money. Firstly, if a
language is only spoken by a small number of people, expensive education programmes will be needed
to make sure that more people learn it, and the state will have to pay for facilities, teachers and
marketing. This money might be better spent on other public services. Secondly, it would be much
cheaper and more efficient for countries to have just one language. Governments could cut all kinds of
costs related to communicating with each minority group.
Despite the above arguments, I believe that governments should try to preserve languages that are less
widely spoken. A language is much more than simply a means of communication; it has a vital
connection with the cultural identity of the people who speak it. If a language disappears, a whole way of
life will disappear with it, and we will lose the rich cultural diversity that makes societies more
interesting. By spending money to protect minority languages, governments can also preserve
traditions, customs and behaviours that are part of a country’s history.
In conclusion, it may save money in the short term if we allow minority languages to disappear, but in
the long term this would have an extremely negative impact on our cultural heritage.
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24.
University students
Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe
that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those
related to science and technology.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard to what they can
study at university. While some argue that it would be better for students to be forced into certain key
subject areas, I believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.
There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only offer subjects that will be
useful in the future. They may assert that university courses like medicine, engineering and information
technology are more likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it can
be argued that these courses provide more job opportunities, career progression, better salaries, and
therefore an improved quality of life for students who take them. On the societal level, by forcing people
to choose particular university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in
the economy are covered. Finally, a focus on technology in higher education could lead to new
inventions, economic growth, and greater future prosperity.
In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should be free to choose their preferred
areas of study. In my opinion, society will benefit more if our students are passionate about what they
are learning. Besides, nobody can really predict which areas of knowledge will be most useful to society
in the future, and it may be that employers begin to value creative thinking skills above practical or
technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps we would need more students of art, history and
philosophy than of science or technology.
In conclusion, although it might seem sensible for universities to focus only on the most useful subjects,
I personally prefer the current system in which people have the right to study whatever they like.
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25.
Punishments to drivers
Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic
accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures would be more effective in improving
road safety.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
People have differing views with regard to the question of how to make our roads safer. In my view,
both punishments and a range of other measures can be used together to promote better driving habits.
On the one hand, strict punishments can certainly help to encourage people to drive more safely.
Penalties for dangerous drivers can act as a deterrent, meaning that people avoid repeating the same
offence. There are various types of driving penalty, such as small fines, licence suspension, driver
awareness courses, and even prison sentences. The aim of these punishments is to show dangerous
drivers that their actions have negative consequences. As a result, we would hope that drivers become
more disciplined and alert, and that they follow the rules more carefully.
On the other hand, I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different ways that do not
punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to educate people properly before they start to drive, and
this could be done in schools or even as part of an extended or more difficult driving test. Secondly,
more attention could be paid to safe road design. For example, signs can be used to warn people, speed
bumps and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter people from
driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road accidents by investing in
better public transport, which would mean that fewer people would need to travel by car.
In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe that other road safety
measures should also be introduced.
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26.
People’s relationships
Some people think that in the modern world we are more dependent on each other, while others
think that people have become more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about whether we are more or less dependent on others nowadays. In my
view, modern life forces us to be more independent than people were in the past.
There are two main reasons why it could be argued that we are more dependent on each other now.
Firstly, life is more complex and difficult, especially because the cost of living has increased so
dramatically. For example, young adults tend to rely on their parents for help when buying a house.
Property prices are higher than ever, and without help it would be impossible for many people to pay a
deposit and a mortgage. Secondly, people seem to be more ambitious nowadays, and they want a better
quality of life for their families. This means that both parents usually need to work full-time, and they
depend on support from grandparents and babysitters for child care.
However, I would agree with those who believe that people are more independent these days. In most
countries, families are becoming smaller and more dispersed, which means that people cannot count on
relatives as much as they used to. We also have more freedom to travel and live far away from our home
towns. For example, many students choose to study abroad instead of going to their local university,
and this experience makes them more independent as they learn to live alone. Another factor in this
growing independence is technology, which allows us to work alone and from any part of the world.
In conclusion, while there are some reasons to believe that people now depend on each other more, my
own view is that we are more independent than ever.
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January 1, 2020
27.
Financial support to artists
Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as
painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative
sources.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about the funding of creative artists. While some people disagree with the
idea of government support for artists, I believe that money for art projects should come from both
governments and other sources.
Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are many works of art in public
spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new
statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These
artworks represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city, and act as
landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists. Governments and local councils should pay
creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less
interesting and attractive.
On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government funding for art. The main reason
for this view is that governments have more important concerns. For example, state budgets need to be
spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, among other areas. These public services
are vital for a country to function properly, whereas the work of creative artists, even in public places, is
a luxury. Another reason for this opinion is that artists do a job like any other professional, and they
should therefore earn their own money by selling their work.
In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on alternative sources of financial support,
but in my opinion government help is sometimes necessary.
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28.
Animal testing
Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to test the safety
of other products. Some people argue that these experiments should be banned because it is
morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favour of them because of their
benefits to humanity.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
It is true that medicines and other products are routinely tested on animals before they are cleared for
human use. While I tend towards the viewpoint that animal testing is morally wrong, I would have to
support a limited amount of animal experimentation for the development of medicines.
On the one hand, there are clear ethical arguments against animal experimentation. To use a common
example of this practice, laboratory mice may be given an illness so that the effectiveness of a new drug
can be measured. Opponents of such research argue that humans have no right to subject animals to
this kind of trauma, and that the lives of all creatures should be respected. They believe that the benefits
to humans do not justify the suffering caused, and that scientists should use alternative methods of
research.
On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal experimentation may not always be available.
Supporters of the use of animals in medical research believe that a certain amount of suffering on the
part of mice or rats can be justified if human lives are saved. They argue that opponents of such
research might feel differently if a member of their own families needed a medical treatment that had
been developed through the use of animal experimentation. Personally, I agree with the banning of
animal testing for non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a necessary evil where new drugs and
medical procedures are concerned.
In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban testing on animals for vital medical research
until equally effective alternatives have been developed.
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29.
Higher education versus work
Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career,
while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education.
While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to
college or university.
The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want
to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be
able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to
find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to
gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to
promotions and a successful career.
On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly,
academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a
doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have
access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer
qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are
hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications
from a university or college will not be able to compete.
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their
careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.
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30.
Museums
Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while others
believe that the purpose of museums is to educate.
Discuss both views and give you own opinion.
People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinion, museums can and
should be both entertaining and educational.
On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain. Museums are tourist
attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of interesting objects that many people will want to
see. The average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to too much educational
content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather than learning. This type of
museum is designed to be visually spectacular, and may have interactive activities or even games as
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