Writing Test: 60 minutes

Task 1: Write an essay at least 150 words

The diagram below shows the production of bricks

Excavate (v)

Exploit (v)

Redundant (adj) --- unusable (adj)

Undergo (v)

This step lasts 24-48 hours to complete

It takes 24-48 hours to complete

During/over/in 24-48 hours to complete

Bake / fire / heat

Oven (cn) – kiln (cn) – furnace (cn)

Subsequently / after that / afterwards / then / thereafter / over(during/in) the next step, +
clause…

The linear manufacture of bricks is illustrated in the given diagram.

Overall, the process is comprised of various stages, commencing with collecting raw
materials and culminating with delivering final products to consumption areas.

In greater detail, the first step of the process is to exploit clay by the use of diggers, and it
then is transported to the factory where it is filtered by a metal grid to remove redundant
small stones or pebbles. Subsequently, the finer clay follows a roller to a mixing step when
it is combined with sand and water. After that, the mixture is formed into bricks by using
either wire cutters or moulds.

As far as the remaining steps are concerned, the process continues with drying the raw
bricks in an oven and this lasts one to two days to complete. Afterwards, the dried bricks
undergo 2 times of firing into 2 different kilns; particularly, one is under the moderate
temperature of 200-980 degrees Celsius and the other is under the high temperature of 870-
1300 degrees Celsius. Finally, the heated bricks are cooled in a chamber before being
packaged and transferred to retailers or construction sites, ready to be used.

Task 2: Write an essay at least 250 words

In the past, knowledge was contained in books. Nowadays, knowledge is uploaded to the
internet. Is it a positive or negative development?

BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
Better at storing and searching knowledge Harmful to users’ health
An environmental method Unreliable knowledge

At the technological and digital age, almost all of the aspects are available on online
platforms and knowledge of our civilizations is not an exception. In my opinion, this
development has introduced both positive and negative points in equal measure.

On the one hand, a remarkable strength of uploading knowledge to the internet is that this
method is better at searching and storing our knowledge than conventional books. Indeed,
numerous precious and vital forms of information are typically contained in a book and
avid readers have to visit local library or bookstores to make some references. By contrast,
they are more likely to make various researching much more effortlessly at home if such
necessary knowledge has existed on the internet in advance. Moreover, the internet is a
safer storage where knowledge is conserved and preserved. Another significant benefit is
that this online approach is also considered as an environmental solution. That is to say,
manufacturing paper and printing are excluded when we no longer use conventional books
to store knowledge, leading to the protection of million green trees from annually cutting
down for paper making processes.

On the other hand, this development unfortunately triggers a demerit related to users’
health. In other words, the knowledge on the internet is synchronized with personal digital
devices when we need to open and exploit. Therefore, gluing eyes to the harmful blue-light
screen of these electronic appliances is more often than not detrimental to health namely
eye strains and fatigue. Furthermore, we should take some unreliable information
uploaded to the internet into more consideration as many of them are uncensored by the
authorities.

In recapitulation, it seems to me that this development is either fruitful or fruitless. Thus,

we should take it more into account to not only maximize the advantages but also minimize
its drawbacks.

Benefit > drawback

Body 1: a drawback

Body 2: 2/3 benefits

Drawback > benefit

Body 1: a benefit

Body 2: 2/3 drawbacks

In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move to

regional areas outside the big cities. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the
disadvantages?

BENEFITS – city DRAWBACKS - city

Reduce all forms of pollution in big cities The lack of job opportunities
Provide more space of citizens
Lessen the pressure on infrastructure
(accommodation / road systems) of big cities
Benefit > drawback

The use of social media is replacing face-to-face interaction among many people in society.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
No distance barrier Internet fraud
A time and money-saving method
Easily share emotions/interests/status with
others
Benefit > drawback

Some museums and art galleries charge admission fees, while others have free entry. Do
you think the advantages of admission fees outweigh the disadvantages?

BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
To cover operational costs Reduce the interest of visitors
Limit the range of visitors (students / the
elderly)
The loss of education/propaganda method

Drawback > benefit

Children’s education is expensive. In some countries, the government pays some or all of
the costs. Do the advantages outweigh its disadvantages?

BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
Provide an educational opportunity for Tax pressure on young adults/workers
all children
Back bone of society = well-educated
developed society

More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in foreign
countries. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
Better and various cultural / language Home-sickness
experiences. Cultural shock (language / customs &
practices / weather / food) – globalization
More valuable degrees / education The cost of studying abroad
system in international universities
A sense of independence/discipline
It is true that the number of students choosing to study overseas has been increasing rapidly in
the past few years. This education method has its own positive and negative sides, but I
personally believe that it has more benefits for the students themselves.

On the one hand, studying abroad has a potential drawback in terms of the tuition fee for an
overseas course which is normally much more costly than studying in the home country. Besides,
international students certainly need a huge parental investment spent on their living expenses
including accommodation, foods and other daily necessities. Therefore, if a student makes a
decision of studying abroad, his family has to be well-prepared for either a stable budget or
unexpected financial difficulties.

On the other hand, I strongly assume that studying in another country is much more
advantageous in some extent. The exposure to new friends who are from different countries is
considered to be a remarkable plus point. The students would get familiar with the multicultural
environment, learning new languages and new cultures; and this is fruitful to their future career
path. Moreover, it can also develop a strong sense of self-reliance for students studying overseas.
It is true that those who live far away from their parents have to face a great number of problems
on their own, ranging from managing personal budgets, finding suitable part-time jobs to eating
properly and taking care of their health. Furthermore, in certain countries, international graduate
certificate gives additional values when the students seek for jobs.

In conclusion, I believe that studying abroad has more advantages for the students; therefore,
young people should be encouraged to study in a new country. Although some of them might
have difficulties with the fees, they could be offered many international scholarships these days.

In some countries, most people prefer to rent their homes rather than buying them. Do the
advantages of renting houses outweigh its disadvantages?

BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
More affordable for most youngsters Obey the rules set out by the landlord
(tenant)
More portable to change the
accommodation
As countries expand, more fast-food restaurants open in the region, providing
locals with greater access to fast food. Do the benefits of this outweigh the
drawbacks?

BENEFITS DRAWBACKS
Add the variety of daily meals to the Harmful to eaters --- threat the local
local restaurant
More restaurants = better income for
local farmers => developing the
region

HOMEWORK – Deadline Thursday 9/6

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