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Advantages of Apartment Living

This document discusses the pros and cons of living in a house versus an apartment. It states that for young people or small families, living in an apartment has more advantages due to its affordability, low maintenance requirements, and convenient access to public transportation. However, those who value privacy and space may prefer a house.

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Catherine Kan
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
32 views42 pages

Advantages of Apartment Living

This document discusses the pros and cons of living in a house versus an apartment. It states that for young people or small families, living in an apartment has more advantages due to its affordability, low maintenance requirements, and convenient access to public transportation. However, those who value privacy and space may prefer a house.

Uploaded by

Catherine Kan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

[Beginning]

I hope/trust this letter finds you well (in physical condition).

I am writing to you with regards to / regarding the issue of …


I’m writing to formally request … (Request) / bring to your attention an issue that I encountered …
(Complaint/Help Letter) / express my sincere gratitude for … (Appreciation Letter) / appreciate your
interest in discovering … (GIVE ADVISE)

It has been a long time / quite a while since we last met / were in touch, but I have not forgotten all the
wonderful times we spent together last year. It is my birthday coming up and I want to sincerely invite
you over to my home for the celebration. (INVITATION)

Regrettably, this leaves me with no option but to … (APOLOGY/REQUEST)

[Ending]

I sincerely appreciate the time you spent addressing this matter promptly (in a proper manner).

I am looking forward to hearing back from you soon / your positive feedback. (APPLICATION)/ Please
respond at the earliest convenience. (Complaint / Help)

I would like to … / I expect someone to … / I eagerly await your response.


I am eagerly anticipating +noun. / doing …
Thank you in anticipation.
I hope my suggestion of … resonates as a favorable option for you. (GIVE ADVICE)

It’ll be great to catch up again soon. Please give my best wishes to all your families. / I’d be delighted if
you could come over to celebrate with us. / I really hope you can come over to celebrate with us. It won’t
be the same without you. /, making … an unforgettable experience.

Your appearance will make a difference to … / To enhance … prominence, I would like to sincerely
invite you to …

Agree/Disagree:
People have different opinions/views about/towards (whether)… / The discourse on whether … is
becoming increasingly prevalent. / … is gaining popularity.
From my perspective, … / It seems to me that … / I firmly support that …, since … [2 reasons]

Two opinions. Explain. Examples.

Discussion of both views & give own opinion:


It is becoming increasingly common to hear people talk about …
It is argued that …
[Paraphrase Question]
[Statement of two opinions] It is considered by some that (being) …, while there are others who
believe that (it is better) … / Although …, it does not necessarily follow that … (ONLY … Question)
This assay agrees/disagrees …
Statement of one view. Discuss. Reason (It is therefore agreed that …). Example.
Statement of the other view. Discuss. Reason (Despite of this, …, and this assay disagrees that …).
Example.

While the benefits of … allow …, some people still feel … However, as long as …, … benefits are
clearly positive to human development.

Advantage/Disadvantage:
[Paraphrase]
On one hand, … On the other hand, …
…, whereas/; however, …
Some people advocate for the value of …, while others argue that …

Two advantages. Expand for each. One example.


Two disadvantages. Expand for each. One example.

Solutions:
It is widely acknowledged that …
It is commonplace to witness … grappling with (the issue of) …
There are a variety of reasons for this, including … but steps can be taken to tackle the problem.

Statement of 2 problems/reasons. Explain 1st. Explain 2nd. Example of 2nd.


Statement of 2 solutions. Explain 1st solution. Explain 2nd solution. Example of 2nd.

In a nutshell / In conclusion, the main problems with … are … These can be solved through …

2 Direct Questions:

[Paraphrase] [Mention 2 questions]

Answer 1st question directly. Explain for 2 sentences. Example.

Answer 2nd question directly. Explain for 2 sentences. Example.

In light of this, … / Considering … / Given that …

Time Investment / Dedication / Devotion of Time / Time Commitment / Time Involvement / Time
Contribution / Time Allocation

Choose to … / opt for … / prefer / select / go for / commit to / embrace

Be keen to / be fond of / be enthusiastic to / be passionate about / be eager to


Be/get addicted to / indulged with / obsessed with

Online shopping platform / online retail market(place)/landscape / Virtual retail space / e-commerce
market / digital retail industry

In general, / Commonly speaking, / Usually / Basically / Normally / Most likely / Probably

Take part in / partake in / participate in / engage in / attend / present in

(find / develop / cultivate / explore / discover / nurture) passion / talent / skill / hobby / interest / potential
to be / capacity to

Exert / make collective / concerted efforts

… serves as (a compelling example of …) / … plays a role in (developing / innovating new technologies)

Besides of … / In addition to … (aspect) / Except for … / apart from

Pollutant / pollution discharge / exhaust

Wage / salary / income (disparity)

Deeply memorized / memorable / unforgettable / remarkable


Economical / affordable / saves money

Expensive / pricey / high-priced tag (is beyond my budget) / costly / dear cost (of …) / top-notch price
(comes with the top-notch service)

Within my ability – beyond my grasp

Delighted / pleased / joyful / cheerful / enjoyable

… be seen as / regarded as / treated as / a symbol/sign of / symbolizes / signifies / represents / indicate /


known as …/for symbolizing …

For example/instance/ such as / exemplifying this is … / be exemplified by …

Unique / special / distinct

Charming / captivating / appealing / attractive / distinctive / enchanting / entertaining / alluring / engaging


/ interesting (feature/appearance) / charismatic (personality)
Trigger / boost / bolster / support / motivate / promote / encourage / enable / enhance (economic growth)

Spare/leisure/free time

Deal with / cope with / tackle / solve / resolve / combat / address / counteract the issue / matter / problem /
challenge / obstacle
Ways / means / methods / strategies / approaches / steps / solutions / options / manners

Believe / consider / think / feel / view / perceive

Provide / offer / bring (about) / suggest

Help / aid / support / assist (to/in…) / supervise

Totally / completely / absolutely / definitely / undeniably / undoubtedly / entirely

Caused by / due to / as a result of / because of / for the reason of …

Result in / lead to / causing … / as the reason of / account for / consequently, … / as a consequence /


Therefore, / Hence, …

Need / require(ment) / demand / duty / responsibility

Including / encompassing / namely … / (a wide range of …,) in particular, … / involving / incorporating


(… into …) / cover / range from …
(These two factors came top of a … survey conducted by [Link], which found that xx% of
people …)

Owing to the problem which … Some people think that the key to solving this issue is …
I completely agree that it is the best way to tackle the issue of …

Dealing with issues surrounding

Practice
1. Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages
to living in an apartment. Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a
house compared with living in an apartment? Give reasons for your answer and include
any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Society topic
● Introduction - urban population increase, and the housing options nowadays. My
opinion…
● Paragraph 1 - apartment advantage:
○ affordable - living alone or as a new couple
○ low maintenance - shoveling snow, leaves, lawn mowing, building manager for
repairs
○ convenient traffic - close to major public transit centre/downtown
● Paragraph 2 - apartment disadvantage:
○ privacy - noise, neighbors
○ limited living space - small area (gardening, pets)
● Conclusion - Apartment is better for young people or small family
● Key words: accommodation; newlywed couple; economical; eco-friendly; soundproof
Ever since the metropolitan population increased in the last few decades, housing options have
changed drastically. To accommodate more people in the city, condominium building has
become a more popular way of living compared to detached houses. As a young person living in
an urban city, I think there are more advantages living in an apartment than in a house.

The biggest benefit of living in a flat is its affordability. This is particularly true in the case of
young people living alone or moving in together as a new couple. Next, an apartment building
requires much lower maintenance than a house. Most chores in the common area are taken
care of by the building management team, such as lawn mowing in the summer, dead leaf
collection in the fall, and snow shovelling in the winter. Last but not least, apartment buildings
have easier access to public transport. Since urban condominium buildings are largely built in
proximity to major transit centres due to its large accommodation capacity, apartment owners
can commute more efficiently by being accessible to railroad terminals, subway stations, and
bus stops.

Indeed, living in an apartment is not ideal for people who value privacy and space
tremendously. In North America, wood is the most common material for building the dividing
walls between rooms. Hence, many apartment owners complain about noise from the
neighbors because the walls are not soundproof. Moreover, an apartment situated in
downtown or town centre usually comes with a limited living area. People who enjoy outdoor
time such as gardening and playing with pets, will find a huge drawback when living in an
apartment.

Despite apartment households having limited living space and jeopardizing privacy, living in an
apartment is more economical and convenient for young adults with busy daily schedules. In
conclusion, there are more pros than cons of living in an apartment.

2. Some people feel that entertainers (e.g. film stars, pop musicians or sports stars) are
paid too much money. Do you agree or disagree? Which other types of job should be
highly paid? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own knowledge or experience. Job topic
● Introduction - Digital age, celebrities’ lives exposed, raises a question/debate
● Paragraph 1 - agree
○ pop music stars - over commercialization
■ too much focus on advertisement rather than art. reduced overall quality
○ sports stars - hard training, thousands$/week v.s. normal people/month/year
■ also compare top of a field compared to the rest in the same field?
● Paragraph 2 - other jobs
○ occupations that provide essential life quality improvements
○ public service: healthcare. overtime work, on call
○ health science research: new treatment, cures, vaccines/prophylaxis.
● Conclusion: overemphasized, overpaid,
underrepresented/marginalized/underrecognized. Thus more effort should be put into…
awareness/appreciation….

3. Some people feel that jobs involving physical activities are paid too much compare to
people who work in more technological fields. Do you agree or disagree?
● Introduction:
● Paragraph 1:
● paragraph 2:
● key words: blue-collar, white-collar.

4. Today more people are travelling than ever before. Why is this the case? What are the
benefits of travelling for the traveller? Travelling topic
● intro - apart from the pandemic, other reasons to travel more.
● paragraph 1 - why?
○ stress - heavy workload and competition
○ YOLO - live in the moment; start family later in life; no financial burden
● paragraph 2 - benefits
○ embrace personal growth - self-exploration, planning
○ widen social circle - networking
○ broaden horizons - learn different cultures, languages; cultural exchange
● conclusion - travelling can serve as a stress reliever and life lesson. Everyone should
seize the opportunities after the pandemic.
● key words: external/intrinsic factors, mental health, disposable income, adventure,
5. Some people think that it is better to educate boys and girls in separate schools. Others,
however, believe that boys and girls benefit more from attending mixed schools. Discuss
both these views and give your own opinion. Education topic
● intro - disputable education problems, mixed gender versus single gender schools, I
stand with mixed schools.
● paragraph 1 - separate
○ different gender role - tailored teaching
○ straightforward sex education - e.g. teen mom, focus more on studies
● paragraph 2 - co-ed
○ broaden horizon - different ways of thinking
○ widen social circle - learn relationships
○ train for the real world - gender equality (e.g. female scientists and male nurses)
● conclusion - specialized curriculum and less worrisome puberty, coed advantages
outweighs
● keywords: tailored; pregnancy and abortion; distraction; shelter from the reality;
curriculum

6. Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest times of most people's lives.
Others think that adult life brings more happiness, in spite of greater responsibilities.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Society/education topic
● intro - a common question in twilight years, answer depends on family environment,
childhood v.s. adulthood
● paragraph 1 - teenage
○ no financial burden - parents supply
○ initial self-awareness - learn about ourselves/others/society
○ face challenges - family support, overcome hardship
● paragraph 2 - adulthood, with great power comes great responsibility
○ freedom - financial independence, no compromise
○ start a new family - find life partner
○ self-accomplishment - successful career, contribute to society
○ e.g. toxic family environment, escape, self-salvation
● conclusion - everyone has different understanding, hard to have definite conclusion,
important thing is live in the moment and look forward

7. Some people think that it's a good idea to socialise with work colleagues during
evenings and weekends. Other people think it's important to keep working life
completely separate from social life. Discuss both these views and give your own
opinion. Job topic
● intro - busy schedule, hard to make friends, choose to socialize with colleagues v.s.
inappropriate, no right or wrong
● paragraph 1 - together
○ time spent tgt
○ known personality - collaboration
○ common hobbies, topics
● paragraph 2 - separate
○ hierarchical relationship - complicates things
○ limited social circle
● conclusion
○ peer-social
○ leave personal space: broaden social

8. It is better to buy just a few expensive clothes, rather than lots of cheaper clothes. Do
you agree or disagree? Society topic
● intro - fast-pacing world, our purchase is influenced by social media trend, few
expensive → long-lasting, more cheaper ones → follow the trend at low cost, both valid
but quality is the concern
● 2 - expensive
○ higher quality v.s. low (tailored)
○ classic styles v.s. fast food-fashion styles (e.g. Channel 1960s)
○ minimalism - environment
● 1 - cheap
○ affordable
○ trendy at the moment - easy replacement
● conclusion - depends on financial situation, consume in one’s ability, few expensive is
more economical

9. Some people say that now is the best time In history to be living. What is your opinion
about this? What other time in history would be interesting to live in? History topic
● intro - since industrial revolution → modern life improved living standards/quality, 21st
century is the beginning of the digital age → best time, time travel
● 1 - yes
○ peace - WWI WWII, national security, cybersecurity
○ advanced health care - chronic diseases (e.g. pig heart transplant), IVF
○ technology explosion - AI, space exploration, new energy
● 2 - 1970-90s
○ economy blooming - affordable housing, middle-class experience
○ revolutionary music musician/film industry (e.g. MJ) - hollywood, pop music
● conclusion - embrace the moment → longevity, leverage technology in life, looking back
at history → learning lessons and appreciate human achievement,
10. Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment. What
damage does plastic do to the environment? What can be done by governments and
individuals to solve this problem? Environment topic
● Intro - technology era → inventions helped us → plastic (durability), poses a threat
● 1 - damage
○ Contamination
■ water (marine life, plastic particles)
■ Soil (vegetation → soil erosion)
■ air (toxic vapor → air pollution)
○ Nonrenewable resource - crude oil, impending shortage
● 2 - action
○ Recycling awareness
○ Biodegradable alternative
○ Reusable utensils, bottles etc.
● Conclusion - mothernature, finite resource, in the long run, daily life & adopt new
regulation

11. Nowadays many people complain that they have difficulties getting enough sleep. What
problems can lack of sleep cause? What can be done about lack of sleep? Health topic
● Intro - insomnia, stress, fast-pacing, not just mental, will discuss…
● 1 - problem
○ Mental stress - positive feedback loop
○ Health problem - hormonal imbalance, disrupted circadian rhythm
○ Less productivity - less profit, prosperity
● 2 - solution
○ Healthy lifestyle
○ physician - over-the-counter melatonin, anti-anxiety prescription
○ Psychological intervene - counselling, therapy
● Conclusion - affect daily life and society function, seek professional advice

12. In the future, more people will choose to go on holiday in their own country and not
travel abroad on holiday. Do you agree or disagree? Culture/international/travel topic
● Intro - globalization, convenient transport, temporary trend?
● 1 - individual
○ Social media advertisement - information era
○ More disposable income
● 2 - society
○ Transportation methods
○ Government promote
■ Cultural exchange
■ Economic prosperity to the local
● Conclusion - cultural and economic benefits, technology development → worldwide
integration is imminent, more people will choose to travel abroad for broadening
horizons

13. In many countries today, crime novels and TV crime dramas are becoming more and
more popular. Why do you think these books and TV shows are popular? What is your
opinion of crime fiction and TV crime dramas? Crime/media topic
● Intro - CSI from 90s to now
● 1 - why popular
○ Audience’s curiosity - not daily life, explore the unknown
○ The art of using rhetorics - logical, suspense, readers engaged, sense of
immersion
● 2 - opinion
○ Good
■ Inspire youngsters - police officer, forensic scientist, psychologist
■ Learn from the cases - protection, prevention
○ Bad
■ Traumatize children
■ Set examples for potential criminals
● Conclusion - Genre is popular → satisfy curiosity, although good but PG needed
14. Young people who commit crimes should be treated in the same way as adults. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant
examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
● Intro - juvenile, felony,
● 1 - agree
○ Homicide, arson
○ Age
● 2 - disagree
○ Shape young people’s mind - education, rehab
○ Age - bright future
○ Misled by parents and others
● Conclusion -

Despite the government’s emphasis on law enforcement in today’s society, the crime rate still
remains high. To mitigate criminal cases, more and more people propose to utilize a universal
regulation system on all criminals regardless of their age. In my opinion, penalizing minors
should be more considerate than adults because of their young age.

Young people who committed crimes are usually sentenced to community service or juvenile
detention centers. However, these penalties seem to be inadequate for juveniles who
committed felonies, such as homicide and arson. These felonies often cause catastrophes on
the victim’s family and adverse impact on social security. Therefore, many people believe young
criminals in these cases should be treated in the same way as the adults.
Many studies found that the environment can shape young people’s mindset and personalities
to a much greater extent than adults. Through rehabilitation and appropriate education,
juvenile criminals can potentially transform and become rational citizens. Moreover, the typical
reason for minors committing crimes is their toxic family. Parents with drug addiction or alcohol
abuse can often mislead their children and guide them to the wrong path. It is unethical to
punish these children who have no control of what they can learn from the environment.

In conclusion, young criminals should realize the consequences of their actions and learn to be
a responsible citizen in society. The court, when sentencing their penalties, should prioritize the
rehabilitation approach to educate the juveniles.
15. Many different countries have most shops and products as the same. Some consider it a
positive development. Whereas others consider it negative. Discuss both views and give
your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from
your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
● Intro - travel, discover that…,
● 1 - positive
○ Consistent quality - e.g. starbucks, KFC
○ Service - fix issue during travel
○ Globalization - maximize profit
● 2 - negative
○ Boring -
○ Lose diversity - preserve unique culture, my opinion
● Conclusion - convenience v.s. See new things, preserve unique items

Nowadays, more people choose to travel abroad to broaden their horizons. However, people
begin to notice that the stores, along with the items, such as souvenirs, being sold are starting
to look similar regardless of the place they visit. Some may concur that this is the benefit
brought by globalization. Meanwhile, others will argue this trend could have a negative impact
on consumerism.
As an individual, having the same brands worldwide can maximize people’s convenience during
travelling. Large clothing brands often have stores in numerous countries, which provide
universal tailoring services and repair to their customers even though the items were bought in
another country. This is particularly useful for people who encounter unexpected situations as
they travel abroad for work. In addition, restaurants such as KFC and Starbucks often
standardize their quality management around the globe, which ensures the tastiness of their
food no matter where they are located. Hence, a good brand name worldwide can also
tremendously increase the companies’ profit.
On the other hand, having common products and shops in every country can sometimes cause
fatigue in the customers. The unique products purchased from different countries often
symbolize cultural diversity, through which travellers can learn about various customs and
traditions. In the case of seeing the same items around the world, travellers become less
interested in purchasing, leading to a substantial impact on the local economy. Personally, I
value cultural diversity to a great extent. Therefore, countries around the globe should focus
more on preserving cultural uniqueness by selling different items and having different shops
compared to other parts of the world.
To conclude, the progressing globalization has brought convenience in our lives by
universalizing brands worldwide. Nevertheless, I believe every country should propose selling
more unique products using these brand names, such as special editions of food and drinks, as
well as limited clothing options only available in special regions that reflect their local culture.

Alternative for negative effect: competitive advantage of corporation versus local business.
More revenue made by large corporations-> local business bought out by corporations ->
standardization at the expense of less diversity
16. Some people think history has nothing or little to tell us. Others believe that studying
the past history can help us better understand the present. Discuss both views and give
your own opinion.
● Intro
● 1 - nothing
○ Old times - cannot represent
○ Credibility of information
● 2 - better
○ Legacy, tradition, culture
○ Experiences, lessons (e.g. pandemic)
○ My opinion: realize, accept, learn, valuable lessons. Make us appreciate the
present
● Conclusion

As the technology explosion started in the last few decades, science seemed to be the main
stream subject we should be keeping up in our daily lives. On the contrary, history became less
talked about as many think there is little information that people can learn from it. In my point
of view, history is the essential part of understanding culture and showing appreciation for the
present.
History is defined as the events that happened in the past and were recorded by a group
of individuals. Its timeliness is the main criticism that most people have about learning history.
It is understandable that most historical events that occurred in the ancient times fail to fully
represent modern values and notions. For example, we cannot implement the ancient Roman
law enforcement system or war/diplomatic strategies in today’s world. Furthermore, people
who studied abroad might discover that the credibility of some of the historical information is
questionable. The same historical events recorded by different countries have different
emphases or even huge discrepancies. Therefore, people will have disbelief and concur that
history is not a reliable source of studying.
Despite the aforementioned reasons, history still serves as good lessons for people
nowadays to learn about strategies and contingency planning. Take the most recent COVID-19
pandemic as an example. Governments around the globe took swift action within a few weeks
or even days to formulate various policies in regarding minimizing viral spread. This is because
of the historical coronavirus outbreak in 2003 and numerous respiratory infectious diseases
that caused catastrophes in the 1900s. Moreover, the culture, tradition, and customs of a
country is shaped by its hundreds or thousands of years of history. By educating people about
these historical events, the country is preserving its cultural legacy and young people are able
to better understand the traditions we follow at present times.
To conclude, the benefits of learning history tremendously outweighs its drawbacks. We
should perceive this historical information with respect and from a subjective view. From my
perspective, all historical events are valuable lessons for today’s society. More importantly,
looking back at the events that happened in the past can make people appreciate the present
to a greater extent.

* “He who forgets the past is doomed to repeat it.” – George Santayana
17. Large companies should pay higher salaries to CEOs and executives compared with
other workers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
● Intro - compare salary, the problem, true but exception
● 1 - agree
○ Higher education requirement
○ More duties and responsibilities
● 2 - disagree
○ Wage disparity
○ Family business
● Conclusion -

Salary is one of the most important things that workers care about, and is often a disputable
topic to discuss at the workplace. While most of us think that high-level supervisors should be
paid more than junior staff in a company, some people find this to be unfair. From my
perspective, I concur that the executive team should earn a higher salary, however, we should
consider some exceptions.
The higher positions in a large company, such as the CEO and CFO, usually require higher levels
of education. Typically, a Master’s degree along with plentiful working experience is often
considered as the minimum requirement. The money, effort, and time being invested in this
qualifying process, should reflect on the salaries of these positions. In addition, the executive
members of a large company take care of the general management roles, such as making the
decision of recruiting new staff and steering the direction of the company’s future
development. These duties are time-consuming, demand more effort and energy, and come
with great responsibility. Thus, it is understandable/justifiable for the executives to be paid
more than the basic staff.

From a worker’s perspective, differential salary distribution symbolizes wage disparity. Though
all the members in the company work for the same number of hours per week, the money
earned by a basic worker is only a negligible amount of the CEO’s. Moreover, some family-
owned companies often pass on their management positions to their family members
exclusively, leaving no chance for the regular employees to compete. Hence, the enormous
salary difference and the unfair selection criteria for the executive positions could potentially
lead to a bad morale in the large companies.

In conclusion, the executive team positions should have a higher wage than other workers due
to their exceptional working experience, education levels, and accomplishments. Meanwhile,
the company should ensure a competition equality when recruiting executive members, which
could impede instilling bad morale at the workplace.

MBA: master of business administration


CEO: chief executive officer

“with great power comes great responsibility”


Dear Andrea,

I hope this letter finds you well. Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the
wonderful holiday week I spent with you at your place. It is truly one of the most memorable
breaks that I’ve ever had.

Upon to next morning after landing back in London, I realized that my wallet was left at your
home. It is a folding-styled brown wallet featuring a golden metal decoration on the cover. As
far as I recall, it should be on the bookshelf in your bedroom. Could you please check and
confirm if it is still there or not? I don’t believe that I have ever taken it out of your house since I
arrived.

The wallet holds several important items, including my driver’s license. Retrieving it promptly is
crucial for me. If you have the time, could you please help me by mailing it to my address at 77
Second Street, London, Ontario, N4V 3Y5? I suggest choosing an express mail service for
additional security and I will cover the mailing fees by transferring the amount to you through
online banking.

If there is any other detail you need for delivery, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I truly
appreciate your help in advance.

Best wishes,
Yours Catherine
Dear Mr. Liu,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am reaching out to you as I am looking for a new job. I would
like to ask if you feel comfortable to provide me a reference letter for my upcoming job
application.

The specific position that I am pursuing pertains to laboratory work, particularly within a lab
dedicated to improving the quality of drinking water in urban areas. I believe my skills aligns
seamlessly with the demands of this position, because many hands-on skills I learnt in your
courses can be applied to the projects in the lab.

In addition, one of the reasons why I consider this position is promising for me is that I can
make contribution to public health issue, which can bring me a sense of achievement. I always
hope to help solve sanitization problems in the society. The chance of securing this job position
would be bolstered with your recommendation letter.

I am grateful for your consideration of my request. In the reference letter, I would appreciate
any feedback or insight regarding my performance while I was working in your laboratory in my
final academic year. For your convenience, I also have attached my updated resume to this
email, along with the job description of the job position I am applying to. The submission
details, including deadline and instructions are outlined in the job description.

Should you have any inquiries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to reach
out to me. I am eager to hear from you and sincerely thank you for your time and support.

Yours sincerely,
Catherine K.
Dear Andrea,

I regret to learn about that you have encountered difficulty in accessing to the office printers.
From my understanding, the issue lies in connecting your computer to the printers, as they are
not showing up in the menu when you try to search their model names.

In situation like this, I would recommend you reaching out to Jerry, who is our best expert in
handling technical issues with electronic devices. In my last experience when I faced an internet
connection failure with my laptop, Jerry responded promptly to my email and came over to
resolve the problem at my desk within 5 minutes, showing his remarkable IT knowledge.

Therefore, I believe that you should send a request to Jerry with explaining your urgent
occasion. He would be more than willing to support you without any excuse.

I hope my advice proves helpful. If you have any further questions or need additional
assistance, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,
Catherine
Dear City of New Market,

I am writing to report an issue concerning road construction on Poppy Lane. There is


intermittent noise due to the ongoing work, causing a disturbing problem for me.

I am one of the residents in New Market, working from 7 am to 4 pm for the most part.
Typically, I need to get up around 6:30 am and go to bed around 10 pm to ensure sufficient
sleep. However, the construction may last until 11 pm from time to time, with unexpected loud
and noisy sound of unloading heavy concrete. This seriously disrupts my sleeping time, shocking
me awake and leading to a prolonged period of wakefulness.

While I understand the street is extremely old and urgently requires maintenance, I believe the
construction team should still adhere to the common rule of working in daytime hours instead
of extending the work until nighttime. After all, restricting construction hours not only provides
a quite environment for the surrounding residents, but also prevents the labours from working
overtime.

I hope this letter could draw attention from the city government, and the situation could be
improved within a few days. I appreciate your time in reading through my letter.

Best Regards,
Catherine K.
Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my keen interest in applying for a volunteer position to assist in


organizing your upcoming charity event, as advertised in the newspaper. The event’s purpose
resonates deeply with me, and I am enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing my skills
and dedication to this meaningful cause.

Driven by compassion, I have been always drawn to charitable initiatives, finding immense
satisfaction in aiding those in need. I could gain a sense of achievement, by voluntarily helping
others, feeling the meaningfulness of my life. (Volunteering allows me to not only make a
positive impact on others but also to derive a profound sense of purpose in my own life.)

Furthermore, I bring to the table a wealth of experience as a committed volunteer. In my role as


one of 12 executive assistants in Charity Summit for Young Entrepreneurs in China, I
successfully spearheaded projects, collaborating with well-established corporations to secure
the vital funds. Additionally, over my four years at university, I was actively participating in
fundraising activities within the student council, honing my skills in resource mobilization and
stakeholder engagement.

Hence, it is evident that my background demonstrates my competence and commitment in


offering effective support in your charity program. I am confident that my outstanding
communication skills and experience can meet the diverse demands of the role, fostering a
positive outcome for all parties involved.

Enclosed with this letter is my updated resume for your perusal. I sincerely hope to be
considered as a qualified volunteer for your charity work. I appreciate your time in reading
through my application.

Best Regards,
Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing to formally request a one-month leave of absence from the office due to personal
reasons. I would like to take leave from January 26 to February 25 in the upcoming year.

The purpose of my leave is to visit my family in my home country during our traditional Chinese
New Year celebrations in February. It is a special time for family reunions, and I feel it is
important for me to be with my loved ones during this period.

To ensure a smooth workflow, I will check my inbox regularly. Even though I may not be able to
respond to every message promptly, my colleague, Alisa, will be handling my responsibilities. In
case of critical tasks requiring additional support, I am willing to provide my assistance
remotely.

I have full confidence in Alisa’s abilities, given her wealth of experience and skills, to serve as an
excellent temporary manager in my absence.

I truly hope that you could approve my request and look forward to your reply soon. If there
are any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours Sincerely,
Catherine K.
Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing to formally apply for resigning (tender my resignation) from my current position,
effective on January 15th. While I regret this decision, yet I would like to illustrate the
circumstances that have led me to take this step.

The primary reason for my decision is that my future husband has been assigned to work in the
neighboring province for the upcoming two years. As we are planning to get married in the next
summer, it would be more convenient for us to reside in the same city during this period.

During my 3 years in TL Laboratory, I have acquired valuable hands-on skills in analytical


experiments. Additionally, a variety of training sessions, including self leadership and problem-
solving program, have significantly enhanced both my professional and personal capabilities. It
is challenging for me to make the decision to leave such a supportive and friendly work
environment.

I hope that, considering my wealth of experience and achievements, you could offer me a
reference letter for my new position application.

I am proud of having been a member of TL Laboratory and appreciate your continuous


encouragement and assistance. I look forward to your prompt reply.

Yours Sincerely,
Catherine K.
Dear Lisa,

It has been a while since we last getting in touch. I would like to share some of my recent news
with you. One of the biggest news is that I have changed to a new job position which is in the
Great Toronto Area.

Since the last company I worked for is quite distant from my home in North York Region, I
finally found this current job based in the city of Vaugh, which is much closer to where my
family and my friends live.

The position I have got is very promising because it is related to my desired researching topic
which is pharmaceutical analysis method development. The salary for this role also satisfies my
demands.

What is more, I adopted a pet cat from an animal charity in Canada. This decision gives me a
sense of achievement and a sense of responsibility. I hope you could come and visit me one day
and play with my adorable cat, if you could have spare time over the weekends.

Please feel free to call or text me. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours,
Cathy
Recently, an increasing population is having overweight problem and health care services are
required to make more efforts to help these individuals. There are many ways to tackle this
overweight issue, someone believes that providing physical lessons is the best way to combat
this problem. I totally agree with this opinion, since the school can offer more scientific
suggestions and taking lesson is also a more effective method for controlling the weight.

Overweighted people are always trying new methods to lose weight, but some ways of burning
fat could do harm to human body system. For example, it is common to hear that someone stay
hungry for a few days to reduce the weight, which is bad for the metabolism system and
digestive system of a person, because other health problems like stomach-ache may happen
due to the forceful starvation. However, if there is physical education course which could give
effective and scientific advice, people are clearer about how our bodies are functioning and
what kinds of habits could help them lose weight in a healthy way instead of doing irrational
things.

In addition, controlling weight is a long-term process which needs an individual to be patient


and determined. Periodical training in school can play an important role in assisting people to
keep taking actions to combat overweight problem. People nowadays are more likely to have a
sedentary lifestyle since school ages, a schedule with more outdoor activities in campus can let
students have more chances to stand up and do sports. With the frequent training lessons, one
can gradually get used to do exercises as a routine in life and reduce the obesity problem in a
natural manner.

In conclusion, getting physical training sessions involved in school schedule is significant. This
could not only bring effective knowledge to people who are dealing with obesity issue, but also
supervise those people to develop a healthy and lasting living habit to control their weight.
As the most widely spoken language, English begins to predominate over all the other
languages in the world. Some people are worrying that other languages may disappear one day
in the future. Having a common language indeed has benefits that people can communicate
more effectively and develop economics in a faster pace; meanwhile, there are also many
drawbacks.

With a global language, big misunderstandings and misleading information could be eliminated
between individuals, since everyone could learn the same language from born and each one
could master English as the native language. In other words, it would be less possible that
people would hesitate to communicate with each other. As a result, communication with no
barrier could further promote the cooperation between people. The connections between
countries could be strengthened, leading to a more flourished economic system and a healthier
international relationship, which is another advantageous point of using a globally spoken
language.

Honestly (/On the other hand), there are obvious defects of having only one global language.
Firstly, language as the media of conveying information, culture is always spread with the help
of language. If all other local languages disappear, so will their unique cultures. This occasion is
terrible because cultural heritage is one of the treasures in the world and is the most
meaningful thing to civilization (/human beings). Secondly, without the diversity of languages,
people would be less motivated to travel around the world since it would be less attractive
(/desire) to visit places with the same language and similar cultures, resulting in collapse of
tourism industry. The nations that economically rely (/depend) on tourism could lose a source
of income.

In summary, while there are plus points to have a single language shared by people worldwide,
including encouraged communication and boosting the overall economics, it could also be
devastating for keeping diverse cultures and it could affect the development of certain
countries.
It is found that a lot of criminals continue to be offensive to the society despite of having
received punishment in the prisons. There are many reasons for this, including the missing
moral education during their sentence and the difficulty of getting a job position. I believe this
problem can be solved by implementing effective solutions.

Being educated is always crucial for everyone, especially for those who have made big mistakes.
Most prisoners are only ordered to do physical work as services or as punishment; however,
they hardly can learn nothing from these labour efforts. Which is to say, they cannot remember
anything meaningful to them after they leave the prison and there is still a lack of rehabilitation.
In addition, a large number of people who have made crimes are those who have limited ability
to gain salary or to have a decent job. Since they are surrounded by the other criminals who
have the same problem as theirs, this only strengthens their criminal intentions, and no one can
make any progress during their sentence. If they are not given the chance to develop a skill that
helps them get employed, they may always struggle financially and feel hard to reintegrate into
the society.

The first method to combat reoffending problem is to have ethical lessons, which illustrate the
right things and wrong things to prisoners, as well as the aftermath of making bad decisions. In
this way, the criminals can have a deeper understanding of correct moral behaviours and are
more likely to actively change themselves by realizing how important it is to control their
behaviors. Besides, offering training sessions is also supportive for them to get back on the right
track. For example, prisoners can be trained to do customer service work, which is an entry
level job, encouraging them to help other people instead of hurting people. Once they are
released from the prisons, the possibility of finding the job is higher with the experience
obtained during their service.

In conclusion, designing special moral lessons to the offenders is better than meaningless
punishment and providing the opportunities for them can develop their career path in the
future. Once they are equipped with a higher ethical standard and a useful skill after first-time
offense, it is more possible for them to find a goal in life and start to make an income instead of
reoffending the others.
People have different opinions about whether the government should allocate fund to support
arts or not. Some believe that such expenditure should be redirected to solve other social
problems. It seems to me that investing in arts is as equally important as tackling other issues.

Art serves as a medium for conveying emotions and opinions, playing a crucial role in enriching
human spiritual life. Take for example of the great paintings Consider the exceptional work by
Van Gogh, his masterpieces are brilliant because they display to us how his perception of the
surroundings was can display his unique perspective on the world. Examining these paintings,
we could learn a completely different provides a window into diverse viewpoints, making the
appreciation of art a captivating experience. Restoring and preserving the artworks from
centuries past ensures that future generations have more opportunity to explore a myriad of
artistic expressions, fostering their own creative sensibilities.

Furthermore, many artworks narrate historical stories. For instance, the intricate patterns on
Chinese vessels vary significantly from Tang Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. Studying these artworks
unveils the evolution of Chinese painting techniques over millennia, offering valuable insights
into human civilization how the process of painting on Chinese material was improving during
thousands of years. Therefore, it becomes evident that spending money on arts holds
significance as it enables social science scholars to delve deeper into human civilization
development, some techniques from thousands of years ago were found to be even more
awesome than our revealing ancient techniques that surpass some of our present-day
technologies.

In a nutshell, dedicating financial resources to arts is indispensable for the society. Since
artworks not only inspire individuals but also could help researchers decipher historical
development. Hence, I totally support the notion that the money should be spent on arts
instead of ignoring the cultural and historical significance embedded in these creations.
Nowadays, more and more people are placing orders online for almost everything they need.
While there are plus points of buying products through online platforms, we should admit that
there are also drawbacks by doing so. (In today's digital era, an increasing number of individuals
are turning to online platforms for their shopping needs. While the advantages of this trend are
evident, it is crucial to acknowledge the drawbacks associated with the pervasive practice of
online purchasing.)

Internet technology brings extensive convenience to our modern society. This unprecedented
change of lifestyle saves much time for customers. People are getting used to purchase items or
order food from virtual stores, without stepping outside the room. Instead of driving to
shopping centers or to restaurants, people can simply make orders online within minutes and
wait for their orders being dropped at the door. Moreover, having online stores allows
merchants to reduce their cost, including the rental fee for a physical store, the additional
expense such as electricity and cleaning fee, as well as salaries for hiring employees.
(Undoubtedly, internet technology has ushered in unparalleled convenience to modern society.
This transformative shift in lifestyle translates into significant time savings for consumers. The
ease with which people can now acquire goods or order food from virtual stores, all from the
comfort of their homes, is remarkable. By opting for online transactions, individuals bypass the
need to travel to physical shopping centers or restaurants. Instead, they can effortlessly place
orders within minutes and await the delivery of their purchases at their doorstep. Additionally,
online stores offer a cost-effective alternative for merchants, allowing them to minimize
expenses such as physical store rentals, electricity, cleaning fees, and employee salaries.)
On the flip side, many problems have occurred due to this new operation of market. Firstly,
packing large number of orders is resource-wasting and environment unfriendly. Since people
are more likely to purchase different sizes of clothes, without trying them physically and
knowing whether they fit or not, more packages are used not only for shipping things to clients
but also for returning items that are given up by clients. This leads to the second complicated
issue with handling refund and exchange. Specifically, customers can easily return the items to
the real stores and get money back in one day; whereas for online orders, it may take many
days even weeks to ship back the unwanted products to the merchants and get refunded.
(However, the surge in online shopping has not been without its challenges. Primarily, the
excessive packaging associated with fulfilling numerous orders poses a significant
environmental concern. The trend of purchasing various sizes of clothing without physically
trying them on leads to an increase in packaging materials used for both shipping and returning
items. This not only raises environmental sustainability issues but also contributes to resource
wastage. Furthermore, the process of handling returns and exchanges becomes more complex
in the online retail landscape. Unlike physical stores where customers can swiftly return items
and receive refunds on the same day, online orders may require days or even weeks for the
return shipment process and subsequent reimbursement.)

In a nutshell, a surge trend in purchasing online undoubtedly saves time for customers and
reduces cost for business owners; meanwhile, this new way of doing business also brings
environmental problems and concerns associated with returning items. ( In conclusion, the
escalating trend of online shopping undoubtedly offers time-saving benefits for consumers and
cost reductions for businesses. However, this evolving commerce model raises environmental
concerns related to excessive packaging and introduces complexities associated with product
returns and exchanges. Striking a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of online
shopping is crucial as society continues to navigate the digital marketplace.)

With the continuous expansion of online retail market, a wave of fervor has swept over
customers who are increasingly opting for frequent online purchases.
It is commonplace to witness celebrities grappling with the exposure of their private lives by the
media. While some perceives it as an invasion, leading to harassment, others view it as an
opportunity to bolster their public image. In my opinion, safeguarding privacy is paramount for
everyone, as even innocuous details made public can lead to unforeseen troubles.

Privacy is a fundamental right for every citizen worldwide, including celebrities. People feel
embarrassment when their privacies are known by others, especially in situations that they are
not aware of it in advance. (The public discomfort that arises when personal matters are laid
bare, especially without prior knowledge, is a sentiment shared universally.) More seriously, the
viral spread of information on countless social media platforms can exacerbate the issue (in
today’s digital age). There are always netizens, often uninformed of the complete picture,
readily engaging in baseless online criticism fueled with what media selectively discloses.
Therefore, it is evident that media is violating people’s private space and potentially foster an
unfriendly internet environment.

Conversely, there are celebrities who remain unperturbed by privacy concerns. From their
perspective, increased public discussion regarding to their personal life translates into
heightened attention. They willingly sacrifice privacy for the sake of becoming commercially
valuable figures in the entertainment industry. Despite the apparent benefit to reputation, the
gamble of whether the ensuing fame would be positive or notorious remains uncertain. As a
result, privacy right serves as a crucial shield for each of us.

In a nutshell, media should be restricted to share personal lives without any respect, preventing
public figures from being the subjects of criticism and cyber-bullying. Although some people
consider any exposure can enhance their popularity among the public, it is imperative to realize
the risk associated with divulging individual’s personal information.
With the surge in urbanization worldwide, there is a concerning tread of systematically clearing
naturally formed spaces to accommodate the demands of developing municipal environments
and the growing population. These areas, often teeming with natural beauty, provide numerous
benefits that, if preserved, can significantly enhance our well-being. Therefore, concerted
efforts are needed to address the issue of dwindling natural spots.

Greenery, such as plants, not only serves as oxygen providers and CO2 consumers but also acts
as a natural filter for air pollutants. Robust vegetation, capable of resisting dusts and harmful
particulates, mitigates the risk of respiratory diseases, thereby improving the overall quality of
life. Additionally, the aesthetic appeal of natural landscapes, encompassing pristine rivers and
unique ecosystems, can be transformed into attractions, fostering a tourism destination and
elevating the city to a coveted place. Hence, safeguarding those natural spaces becomes
imperative for the myriad advantages they offer.

To tackle the loss of natural spots, a two-fold approach is essential. Firstly, community
education plays a pivotal role. Initiatives such as distributing informative posters and organizing
lectures on environmental preservation should be widespread. Over time, this sustained
educational effort will embed the importance of natural resources conservation in the mind of
every resident. Secondly, tangible actions need to be taken by individuals. The deployment of
volunteers to spearhead environmental protection movements can have a lasting impact on the
local community. The collective efforts from individuals can bring about substantial change,
supplementing governmental initiatives.

In a nutshell, the conservation of natural spots not only enhances the health conditions of
citizens but also boosts economic growth through tourism. By emphasizing education on nature
conservation and encouraging voluntary contributions, we can effectively counteract the
diminishing natural spaces.
It is undeniable that there has been a significant surge in traffic volume worldwide, causing a
myriad of problems. Contributing factors include the rising population and an increase in
urbanization. However, steps can be taken to address this challenging issue.

As the popularity is growing globally, it is undoubtedly there is a larger demand for


transportation. I remember the time, a decade ago, when only a few cars traversed the city
express lane; nevertheless, in recent years, traffic jams are even common on highway.
Additionally, almost every country is developing in a rapid pace, aiming at globalization, which
has led to improved economic situations in the local communities. Therefore, more areas are
getting urbanized and private vehicles are more affordable to residents, resulting in a larger
amount of traffic.

To counteract the busy traffic problem, a two-folded approach is essential. Firstly,


implementing a tax fee on CO2 emission is effective in discouraging unnecessary private vehicle
usage. By considering an extra cost for owning a vehicle, individuals may opt for carpooling if
feasible, especially for those living near each other. Secondly, government should invest in
constructing more infrastructures, encompassing subway line extensions, increasing the
frequency of bus services, and supporting railways with sufficient funds. If there are a variety of
convenient transportation options, citizens are more likely to give up purchasing transporting
tools or, at the very least, limit themselves to one car per family.

In a nutshell, the increasing popularity and urbanized development contribute to the large
density of traffic. By imposing an additional tax on gasoline-produced CO2 and improving local
infrastructures, the high volume of traffic could be gradually alleviated.
It is becoming increasingly common to hear people talk about whether children should be
taught to compete more or to co-operate more. Some people consider competition as an
indispensable spirit, others advocate that being a good cooperator is more meaningful. From
my perspective, I believe a sense of co-operation is much more valuable to assist a kid to
succeed in his/her development.

Today’s society is enriched with all types of teamwork and co-operating relationships.
Globalization, as an obvious example, exactly proves the significance of working together. In
addition, executing a task or a project usually requires different roles with various
responsibilities. It is not always that one person is equipped with sufficient skills to challenge a
complicated mission. Cooperation also promotes individual’s motivation since members can
feel supported from each other. As a result, given all these reasons, children should be
educated to co-operate with mates.

On the other hand, a sense of competition is undeniably crucial for one to become a successful
adult. As there are always limited opportunities and benefits for those outstanding individuals,
it is undoubted that nearly everyone strives to be the best. Despite of this, making efforts only
by oneself can hardly make things happen because it is time and energy consuming if
completing all things independently, this essay disagrees with the point that being competitive
is more required than being cooperative.

In a nutshell, being ambitious to win others has advantages, however, learning to co-work with
peers enables a kid to be more useful in team projects, which are involved in almost every stage
of one’s life.
Dear manager,

I hope this letter finds you well. Unfortunately, I am writing to complain about a difficult
problem that me and my team members are facing in recent days. Since the new colleague has
joined in our group, she began to give us a hard time, which interrupted our workflow.

Specifically, during normal working hours, she is always sharing about her private life, including
mortgage stress, noisy neighbourhood, and health condition. Once, when we were busy in the
laboratory where our attention should be highly focused, she was talking with her personal
issues endlessly, which greatly effected our working efficiency.

However, we have been hesitating to point it out in front of her, since all of us perceive her as a
sensible person who might also be easily furious. Even though some of the colleagues have
politely suggested her to concentrate on job duties and resolve the issues after work, it seems
that she cannot adopt our advice.

Therefore, we are in need of your help by having a formal conversation with her. It is possible
that she can listen to your opinions since you are our supervisor who have a position power
over us.

I would like to say thank you in advance and look forward to your response soon. I am more
than willing to provide further help if you need.

Yours sincerely,
Catherine
The discourse on whether a second language can be learned only in the country where the
language is used is becoming increasingly prevalent. While some people advocate for the value
of living in the country with the language is spoken, I disagree with this standpoint. Because
there are a plenty of contributing factors for mastering the language, including the accessible
resources and an individual’s efforts.

Primarily, in today’s digital era, we can get access to a diversity of information, encompassing
learning materials, videos in various languages, and the language courses in communities. By
taking benefits from these resources, everyone can learn a second language and improve their
language proficiency. For example, it is totally possible to immerse oneself in a language
environment by playing songs and videos in specific language and making friends with certain
backgrounds. Consequently, people can learn a new language with the similar experience as the
immigrants have overseas.

In addition, it is crucial for an individual to make efforts in language learning process. There is a
study that shows that nearly everyone can master a skill or a different language from native
tone by spending 10000 hours on it. By being hard working and practice English in all spare
time, a friend of mine, who has been living in my home country from born, succeeds in speaking
in English fluently and outperforms all the other peers. She even impresses the foreign
customers in the company she is working for, leading to the success in her career path.

In a nutshell, while it is undeniably that living in the nation is helpful for language learners, this
does not mean that this is the only way to be excel in learning language. As long as we adopt
suitable approaches and consistently practice, mastering a second language without traveling
abroad is achievable.

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