The two line graphs depict the evolution of household appliance ownership

and the corresponding changes in household chores over a century-long

period spanning from 1920 to 2019.

Overall, the ownership rates of three essential electrical appliances, namely

washing machines, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaners,
experienced significant increases over the given timeframe, leading to a
notable reduction in the time spent on household chores per household.

According to the first line graph, the prevalence of washing machines in

households stood at 40% in 1920, steadily climbing to approximately 75%
by 2019, notwithstanding minor fluctuations between 1960 and 1980.
Initially, refrigerator ownership began at 30%, while virtually no families
possessed a vacuum cleaner. However, both ownership
rates saw remarkable growth, with the latter surpassing the former since
1940. Notably, within the last two decades (2000-2019), all households in the
country boasted both refrigerators and vacuum cleaners.
Turning to the second graph, in 1920, households spent an average of 50
hours per week on housework, which gradually dwindled to slightly over 10
hours by 1980. Since then, the time dedicated to household chores has
remained relatively stable.

In numerous countries, there is a growing intrigue among individuals

to delve into the history of their residential areas. This essay explores
the motivations behind this trend and suggests methods for uncovering
such information.

There are two primary reasons driving this phenomenon. Firstly, there is
a concern regarding potential structural issues in buildings. By examining
historical records of their dwellings, individuals can assess the structural
integrity of the property and verify the use of high-quality building
materials. Additionally, many people are driven by curiosity, eager to
uncover the past occupants of their homes and possibly discover
connections to famous individuals.

Several methods exist for discovering the history of a building. The most
effective approach is to consult public records, which can reveal details
about the building’s construction and blueprints. Another valuable method
is to engage with neighbors, who often possess a wealth of information,
having resided in the area for an extended period. Furthermore, neighboring
houses frequently share similar characteristics, providing additional
insights.

In conclusion, the increasing interest in uncovering the history of residential

areas stems from concerns about structural integrity and innate curiosity.
The most reliable methods for obtaining such information include searching
public records and reaching out to neighbors within the community.
Companies frequently promote their products
by emphasizing their innovative features. This practice is essential
as product differentiation plays a pivotal role in persuading consumers
to make purchases. Moreover, this trend fosters consumer
awareness and empowerment.

The primary objective of advertisements showcasing product innovations is

to sway consumers into buying the featured items. By highlighting the
unique attributes of a product, advertisers aim to persuade consumers that
it surpasses its competitors. For example, whenever Apple unveils a new
iteration of the iPhone, its distinctive features are meticulously presented
to potential buyers. This underscores the value proposition of upgrading to
the latest Apple product, thereby increasing the likelihood of a purchase.

This phenomenon is highly advantageous for consumers as it equips them

with valuable knowledge, enabling them to make informed purchasing
decisions. Armed with information about a product’s distinctive
features, discerning consumers can conduct thorough comparisons and
select the product that best suits their individual needs. For instance, I opted
to purchase an iPhone 12 because I discovered that it boasts the highest
camera resolution among all smartphones currently available. As an amateur
photographer, this feature ensures that I can capture high-quality photos
with my phone, making the investment worthwhile despite its premium price.

In conclusion, companies strategically advertise the innovative features of

their products to entice consumers to make purchases. This serves as a
constructive trend, empowering consumers to make informed choices and
ultimately enhancing their overall shopping experience.
In the future, vehicles can function without drivers, and the only ones inside
will be passengers. In my opinion, the benefits this trend can bring totally
outweigh the drawbacks.

On the one hand, the use of driverless vehicles may put human drivers out of
work, which increases the unemployment rate in this sector. This situation
can cause a number of financial and social problems that both the
unemployed drivers and the authorities have to deal with. However, it can
soon be compensated as there are still a range of other employment
opportunities for unemployed bus or truck drivers. For example, businesses
that use driverless vehicles will need more people in other departments such
as vehicle maintenance, and this can bring work to those who have lost their
job as drivers.

On the other hand, autonomous cars can offer a number of benefits once
broadly developed. First, they can reduce the number of road fatalities as
computer drivers are not prone to common mistakes like drunk
driving or speeding that human drivers often make. This can ensure better
road safety in general. Second, this development is beneficial for those who
are restricted from driving, such as the handicapped or the elderly. With
driverless cars, they can travel by themselves and no longer have to depend
on other people or public transport.

In conclusion, I believe that the development of driverless vehicles is a

beneficial trend. It may cause human drivers to lose their jobs, but these
vehicles can increase road safety and allow even those unable to drive, like
the handicapped, to travel on their own.

Some argue that embracing (chap nhan) risks, both in

personal endeavors (no luc)and professional pursuits, offers overall
benefits. I staunchly concur with this perspective, acknowledging the
potential for advancement and personal growth it entails.

Firstly, taking risks can propel one’s career aspirations forward. While some
individuals settle early in their careers, content with their current status,
others step into various business ventures and explore different fields to
discover their true calling. Although such endeavors may result in temporary
setbacks, individuals who embrace these challenges are often more likely to
achieve significant success in the long run. By embracing risk early in their
careers, individuals increase their chances of reaping substantial rewards in
the future.

Furthermore, risk-taking fosters the development of mature personal

relationships. In conservative societies, many individuals refrain from
pursuing serious romantic relationships until after completing their
education. However, delaying such experiences can lead to immaturity and
poor decision-making in matters of marriage and family life. Conversely,
individuals who take risks and engage in diverse relationships during their
formative years develop a deeper understanding of human nature. These
experiences serve as a catalyst for personal growth and enhanced
emotional maturity.

In conclusion, embracing risks can catalyze substantial growth and

development, making it a prudent approach. However, it is essential to
exercise caution and avoid reckless behavior to mitigate potential
disadvantages associated with risk-taking in various contexts.

Several youngsters spend hours each day engrossed in activities on their

smartphones. The prevalence of smartphone addiction among today’s
youth is fueled by two primary factors, with far-reaching
negative consequences for their health and study.

Children are increasingly spending numerous hours each day glued to their
smartphones, driven by various factors. Firstly, inadequate parental control
contributes significantly to this phenomenon. Some parents opt to grant their
children unrestricted access to phones as a means to maintain peace and
minimize children’s interruptions so that they have more time for work or
rest. Secondly, a plethora of enticing activities available on smartphones,
such as watching videos on YouTube, playing games, and using social media
platforms, serve as irresistible temptations for children. These activities can
quickly become addictive, leading to the habitual misuse of smartphones on
a daily basis.
The detrimental effects of children spending excessive hours daily on
smartphones are multifaceted. Firstly, prolonged exposure to smartphone
screens poses significant health risks, including the development of
vision impairments such as short-sightedness due to extended periods of
staring at screens. Additionally, the sedentary lifestyle encouraged by
excessive smartphone use can contribute to obesity and overweight
conditions among children. Secondly, the pervasive presence of smartphones
in children’s lives negatively impacts academic performance, as children may
struggle to maintain focus on their studies. This smartphone abuse can lead
to incomplete homework assignments, and ultimately poorer academic
outcomes.

In conclusion, the confluence of factors such as limited parental supervision

and intriguing content availability has exacerbated smartphone addiction
among youngsters. This trend not only compromises their physical health
but also hinders their academic performance.

The bar chart delineates the evolving distribution of weekly income among
families in a specific country across two pivotal years: 1968 and 2018.

Overall, a discernible evolution in expenditure patterns is observed,

with marked increases in leisure, transport, and housing
expenses, juxtaposed against declines in other categories, save for
household goods, which remained constant. Notably, food expenditure,
which dominated in 1968, ceded its top position to leisure in 2018.

In 1968, food constituted the primary expenditure for families, comprising

35% of their weekly income, followed by housing and clothing/footwear, each
comprising approximately 10%. Leisure, transport, personal goods, and
household goods shared similar proportions, hovering around 8%, while
fuel/power accounted for a marginal 7%.

Fast forward to 2018, and a noteworthy shift in spending dynamics becomes

evident. Leisure emerged as the paramount expenditure
category, commanding a peak share of 23%. Additionally, families allocated
larger proportions of their income to housing (18%) and transport (14%).
Conversely, food expenditure witnessed a substantial halving from its 1968
level. Meanwhile, expenditures on fuel/power, clothing/footwear, and
personal goods experienced modest declines of 5% or less. Strikingly,
household goods remained steadfast, maintaining a consistent 7% share.
The line chart provides a comprehensive overview of shop closures and
openings in a particular nation from 2011 to 2018.

It is evident that both figures experienced a decline, with openings exhibiting

a more pronounced reduction. By the conclusion of the period, closures
had become the more prevalent phenomenon.

In 2011, the country witnessed approximately 8,500 shop openings,

a substantial figure in contrast to the 6,200 closures recorded during the
same period. Over the subsequent years, openings underwent fluctuating
trajectories, decreasing to a minimum of 4,000 in 2012
before partially recovering to 6,100 in 2014. Notably, closures
demonstrated a more consistent pattern, reaching a zenith of 7,100 in
2013, nearly aligning with opening figures in 2014.

Following this juncture, closures experienced a plunge to a mere 600 in

2015, followed by a return to a high level of around 5,100 in 2016,
concluding with an almost unaltered period from 2016 to 2018. In contrast,
openings exhibited a more modest decline, hovering around 4,000 from
2015 to 2017, reaching a precise low of 3,000 in 2018.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of individuals

avoiding visits to the doctor and turning to alternative therapies. Although I
accept that these methods can benefit patients, I would argue that there are
far more drawbacks.

People nowadays tend to use alternative therapies, such as herbal products,

due to several reasons. To begin with, such treatments can cure disease
without all the potential side effects of other modern medicines, whose
continued use can lead to issues such as liver damage. Alternative medicines
are largely based on natural products, like oils and herbs, so they are less
likely to contain substances which may be harmful to the patient with long
term use. Another benefit of alternative treatments is that they are usually
cheaper and more convenient than modern medical care. For example,
patients can do yoga or get a massage at home, while medicinal plants like
ginger and green tea can be grown in their gardens for free.
Despite the above-mentioned benefits, I believe that this trend is negative
for various reasons. Firstly, not all alternative therapies are effective, since
there is not enough scientific evidence to prove the efficiency and
effectiveness of such treatments. Therefore, patients might not recover
from their illness, and end up wasting their time and money. Secondly, acute
diseases and serious injuries are better treated with modern medicine
because the recovery time when using alternative cures is often much longer
than when using modern medicines. Finally, health problems can sometimes
even get worse due to the misuse of alternative medicine, or misdiagnosis by
friends or relatives. For instance, the idea of putting toothpaste on burns
actually only aggravates the problem.

In conclusion, while I recognise the possible benefits of alternative therapies,

I consider it to be an undesirable development overall.

The provided graph illustrates the urban population percentages in four

Asian countries: the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The data
spans the years 1970 to 2020, with projections extended to 2030 and 2040.

Overall, the graph depicts a consistent trend of urbanization across the

selected Asian nations. The projections imply that this trend of urbanization
will persist, albeit at varying rates, in the upcoming years.
In 1970, approximately 30% of the populations in the Philippines and
Malaysia resided in urban areas, surpassing the under 20% figure for
Thailand and the roughly 15% for Indonesia. All these figures displayed
an upward trajectory. Notably, the urban population percentages in the
Philippines and Malaysia converged in 1990, each reaching 50%. A similar
convergence occurred in 2000, when both Thailand and Indonesia had equal
urban populations at 30%. The increasing trend continued until 2010, except
for the Philippines, where the proportion of urban dwellers experienced
a marginal decline.

Projections for 2030 and 2040 illustrate a surge in urban population, with
Malaysia experiencing the most dramatic increase, peaking at 85%. The
percentage of Indonesian city dwellers is projected to significantly
surpass the remaining countries, reaching 60%, compared to the 55% for
the Philippines and 45% for Thailand.

The bar chart presents data regarding the distribution of households in the
United States based on their annual income from 2007 to 2015.

Overall, this period exhibits trivial changes in each annual income level. In
2007 and 2015, the most substantial proportions of households were those
earning $100,000 and above annually; however, in 2011, a shift occurred as
the peak moved to the $25,000 to $49,999 income bracket.

In 2007 and 2015, around 30 million households earned $100,000 or more

each year, but it was slightly lower in 2011with about 27 million households
falling into this category. Conversely, the $75,000-$99,999 income
bracket consistently maintained the lowest figures, with approximately 15
million households belonging to this range during the three years. Despite its
higher level, the $50,000-$74,999 income category demonstrated minimal
variation throughout the depicted period, with just over 20 million
households consistently falling within its boundaries.

The two lowest income groups, comprising households earning less than
$25,000 and $25,000-$49,999, initially encompassed significant numbers,
around 25 and roughly 27 million respectively. Subsequently, in 2011, both
categories experienced marginal increases before slightly decreasing to
approximately 28 and 29 million households respectively.

In numerous nations across the globe, there is a noticeable trend of rural

inhabitants relocating to urban centers, leading to a decline in the rural
population. This phenomenon has sparked a debate regarding whether this
shift should be perceived as positive or negative. In my opinion, there are
both favorable and adverse aspects associated with this urban migration.

On the positive side, the migration from rural areas to cities can offer
individuals enhanced opportunities for education, employment, and access
to better healthcare facilities. Urban centers often provide a wider range of
educational institutions, professional training programs, and job prospects.
This can lead to personal growth and financial stability, as well as the
improvement of overall living standards. For instance, a rural youth
moving to a city might gain access to specialized education and
subsequently secure a well-paying job, enabling them to uplift their family’s
economic condition.

However, the rural exodus can also have negative implications. As more
people leave rural communities, local economies can suffer due to a
reduction in the workforce engaged in agriculture and other rural industries.
This can result in decreased agricultural production and a potential
increase in food prices. Moreover, the depopulation of rural areas may lead
to the abandonment of traditional cultural practices and a loss of
traditional knowledge and skills that have been passed down through
generations. For example, the decline in rural population might lead to the
disappearance of indigenous farming techniques and craftsmanship.

In conclusion, the movement of people from rural to urban areas brings both
benefits and drawbacks. While it can provide better opportunities for
education and employment, it can also lead to negative impacts on local
economies and cultural heritage.

The line graph illustrates the fluctuations in the prices of three commodities –
copper, nickel, and zinc – over the course of the year 2014.

Overall, the twelve-month period of 2014 witnessed

continuous fluctuations in prices, with nickel experiencing the most
significant average monthly variation.

In the initial half of the year, the price of nickel saw increments: starting at
a modest average monthly increase of 6%, it gradually declined to 1% in
March. This downtrend continued, hitting a nadir of -3% in June. However,
the price of nickel rebounded afterward, with the percentage
change reverting to -1% in July, maintaining this level until September, and
ultimately reaching 1% in the final two months.

Comparatively, the price shifts for copper and zinc were

less pronounced. The rate of increase decreased from a peak of 2% in
January and 3% in February for copper and zinc, respectively, to troughs of -
0.5% and -1% in June. From that juncture, the former (copper)
experienced marginal increments of 1% or lower, with the exception of a
1.5% surge in December. In contrast, zinc exhibited a slightly lower value,
marked by a decline of 0.5% to 1%. Subsequently, the price of
zinc ascended consistently month after month, culminating in a peak of 2%
price fluctuation in December.

In recent times, the phenomenon of increased life expectancy has resulted

in a growing elderly population across the globe. While some argue
that this demographic shift poses challenges for governments, others
contend that there are substantial advantages to having a larger proportion
of elderly citizens in society. In this essay, I will discuss both viewpoints and
provide my own perspective on the matter.

On the one hand, those who believe that an ageing population brings about
difficulties for governments point to various potential issues. The foremost
concern is the strain on healthcare systems and pension schemes. With a
larger number of elderly individuals, the demand for medical services and
retirement benefits is likely to escalate, burdening the government’s
budget and resources. Additionally, an ageing workforce might lead to a
shortage of skilled labor in certain industries, potentially hampering
economic growth.

On the other hand, proponents of the idea that an increased number of

elderly people can be beneficial emphasize the unique contributions that
senior citizens can make to society. Elderly individuals often possess a wealth
of experience, wisdom, and expertise that can be tapped into for mentoring
younger generations and offering guidance in various fields. Moreover, an
ageing population can lead to a more harmonious society with
stronger intergenerational bonds, fostering a sense of responsibility and
care for one another. This can result in a more stable social structure,
improved mental well-being, and reduced crime rates.
In conclusion, the increasing life expectancy around the world has led to
discussions about the consequences of an ageing population. While
challenges such as increased healthcare demands and workforce imbalances
exist, the benefits of having a larger number of elderly citizens who can
contribute positively to society should not be underestimated. With effective
policies and strategies, the advantages of an ageing population can be
maximized, ultimately leading to a more inclusive, cohesive, and prosperous
society.

The line graph delineates the levels of participation in five distinct activities
at a community center in Melbourne, Australia, spanning two decades from
2000

It is evident that among the five activities, the film

club consistently attracted the highest number of participants. The
participation count for table tennis and musical
performances ascended over the period shown, while amateur dramatics
followed a reverse trajectory, and martial arts remained relatively static.

Initially, the film club’s membership totaled 65 people,

significantly exceeding the participation in the other activities. This
figure descended slightly in the ensuing decade but then recovered to the
initial level by the end of the period. Martial arts started with half
the enrollment of the film club in 2000, and this number fluctuated slightly
between 30 and 35.
The other activities experienced wider variations. Specifically, around 26
people joined amateur dramatics, ahead of table tennis with 17
members. From that point onwards, the former dropped to a low
of under 10, while the latter showed an increment, culminating in second
place with around 55 participants in 2020. The total count of musical
performances’ participants was recorded from 2005 and ultimately
escalated to about 20.

In many countries today, supermarkets offer consumers the opportunity to

purchase food items sourced from around the globe. I opine that this
development has both positive and negative implications for individuals
and economies.

On the positive side, the availability of a wide range of food products from
different countries enriches consumer choices. For example, supermarkets
in Vietnam not only feature locally-grown fruits but also
offer imported options like grapes, blueberries, and kiwis. This
variety caters to diverse tastes and dietary
preferences, enhancing the nutritional intake of consumers. Moreover,
the global availability of food stimulates consumer spending. When
consumers have access to a wide array of food products from different
countries, it creates a demand for international trade and commerce,
thereby boosting the export-import industry and contributing to economic
growth.

However, the proliferation of international food in every supermarket also

presents several drawbacks. One concern is the quality and freshness of
imported foods, which may deteriorate due to long transport distances.
This can adversely affect their taste, nutritional value, and overall
consumer satisfaction. Additionally, the increasing reliance on imported
products can diminish the market share of locally-produced goods. For
instance, when consumers prefer imported fruits and vegetables
over indigenous varieties, it reduces sales for local farmers and poses a
higher risk of unemployment within the agricultural sector.
In conclusion, while the ability to purchase globally-sourced food products
offers consumers greater variety and stimulates economic activity, it also
raises significant issues related to food quality and local
market sustainability. Therefore, I wholeheartedly believe that this
development is a double-edged sword.