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1. The only way to improve safety on our roads is to give much stricter punishments
for driving offences. 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.

SAMPLE:
Nowadays, an increasing number of people are concerned about measures to ensure road
safety. However, whether imposing stricter penalties for driving offenses is the only way to
protect people is still a controversial issue. Although I agree that harsher
punishments can act as an effective way to deter people from committing road
offenses, I believe that there are better methods to protect the welfare of road users.
Firstly, it is obvious that the implementation of rules can act as a deterrent to would-be
lawbreakers. For example, in Vietnam, a motorist not wearing a helmet can be fined
with $20 to $40, and thus he will be in fear of facing further punishment and avoid
committing another offense. Furthermore, more stringent punishments for traffic crimes
can be efficient way to reduce traffic accidents. For instance, in the past, China witnessed a
significant number of annual road casualties when it had very loosely enforced
regulations. However, once harsher laws related to road safety were implemented in 2009,
there was a notable reduction in the total number of traffic accidents.
This is not to say that only by using stricter rules can we enhance the safety of our roads. It
is true that there are still other effective measures to ensure people’s safety, such
as heightening people’s awareness through the media about the consequences of
committing driving offenses, or promoting the use of public transport systems such as
buses or trains. To achieve the best results, the most e ffective method may be to combine
all the aforementioned ideas.
In conclusion, I believe that stricter punishments are not the only way to deal with
minimizing driving offenses. Measures, including raising people’s awareness and
promoting the use of public transport systems, can also contribute to maintaining road
safety.

2. The tradition of families getting together to eat meals is disappearing. What are the
reasons? What are the impacts?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
Nowadays, it seems that families tend to eat together less frequently. This essay will put
forward some explanations for this trend and an analysis of the potential impacts.
The fact that family members choose not to eat with each other can be attributable to two
reasons. Firstly, since people these days tend to have heavier workloads and more hectic
schedules than in the past, sitting down to share a meal with their family members might
not be a convenient choice. Instead, these individuals usually eat out with their friends,
colleagues or business partners near their workplace which can be more suitable for their
timetable. Secondly, the fast food culture of modern life can change people’s eating
habits because fast food can be found everywhere and is usually an inexpensive food
choice. For instance, young people in Vietnam often grab a quick meal after a busy day at
work or school, which leads them to skipping meals with their family when they go home.
The trend has both positive and negative impacts on people. In terms of the benefits,
people are able to be much more flexible with their time. They will not have to show up at
a fixed hour to have meals with their family and can eat whatever and whenever they want.
However, in terms of the negative effects, this can lead to a weaker family bond. If a
family continuously eats separately, family members may not be able to share their
thoughts, feelings with each other, and therefore may feel isolated from each other. This
will result in a lack of deep family connection.
In conclusion, the tendency of family members eating separately is mainly caused by the
difference in their schedules or the preference to eat fast food, which can have both
positive and negative impacts.

3. Organized tour to remote areas and community is increasingly popular. Is it a

positive or negative development for the local people and the environment?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
In recent years, there has been a growing tendency for tourists to travel to remote locations
and communities on organised tours. This has some positive impacts on the local people,
but I think the detrimental effects on the environment are more significant and that the
issue is more of a negative development.
The financial and socio-cultural benefits for the locals in remote areas are evident. Tourists
visiting these regions have a high demand for goods and services, and are mostly willing
to pay higher than average prices. This helps to boost local economies in remote areas and
eventually enhance living standards of the local people. Regarding the socio-cultural
aspects, Travelers from different cultures can provide ethnic people in remote areas, who
are almost completely isolated from the outside world, with a lot of experiences through
their interactions with one another, which can help these local residents to broaden
knowledge about a more civilized society.
However, the hordes of tourists to remote regions still leave severe impacts on the
environment in these areas. In fact, tourists often liter where ever they go and do not bother
to clean after themselves in areas they have visited. This may lead to such conditions as
dirty roads or clogged sewage systems in these places, which negatively and directly
affects local people’s living conditions. In terms of indirect e ffects, I believe that
the indigenous people have to sacrifice their natural resources to accommodate tourists’
insatiable demands. In several mountainous areas of Vietnam, local people cut down vast
areas of forest to make handicrafts or furniture for tourists. These acts can contribute to the
environmental deterioration in remote areas.
In conclusion, though the economy and societies in remote areas can benefit tremendously
from organised tourism, I think that the negative environmental consequences that this
situation brings are far more significant.

4. It is more important to spend public money promoting a healthy lifestyle in order

to prevent illness than to spend it on the treatment of people who are already ill. To
what extent do you agree of disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
Many people say that in order to fight diseases, the government should invest more money
in encouraging a healthy lifestyle instead of spending money on the treatment of people
who are already suffering from illness. I advocate this point of view.
On one hand, I agree that a large proportion of state budget should be allocated to activities
or campaigns that promote a healthy lifestyle. This is because a lot of diseases nowadays
are actually the direct result of people’s unhealthy habits. For example, children who eat
fast food on a daily basis commonly can su ffer from a range of health issues, such as
weight problems and obesity. These diseases can be prevented if people are made more
aware of the severe consequences of an unhealthy diet. In addition, there are a number of
incurable diseases, such as HIV, AIDS and many forms of cancer. Of course, there are
drugs and treatments that can prolong the life of patents su ffering from such diseases, but
the better solution in this case is obviously trying to prevent these diseases from occurring,
instead of trying to cure them, which can often place a heavy burden on patents’
families, and on society as a whole.
On the other hand, the treatment for people who are already ill should also receive
adequate funding, due to the fact that some diseases simply cannot be prevented. People
living in many tropical or coastal regions, for example, are highly vulnerable to water-
borne diseases after a natural disaster such as a tsunami or heavy flooding. Additionally,
there are also some illnesses and disorders that are inherited. For instance, if a person
suffers from asthma, it is highly likely that his children will also contract respiratory
related diseases, regardless of their diet or lifestyle. These mentioned cases would be
almost impossible for people or the government to prevent, and therefore money needs to
be spent on the treatment of patents.
In conclusion, both promoting a healthy lifestyle and spending money on the treatment of
people who are already ill are equally important in the fight against diseases, and each
country should develop flexible plans to adapt to different situations.

5. These days people in some countries are living in a “throw-away” society which
means people use things in a short time then throw them away. Causes and problems.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
It is now common to see people purchase things, for example cell phones and clothes, and
only use them for a short period. A number of factors contribute to this throwaway culture
and this leads to a range of dire consequences, which will be outlined in the essay below.
One main reason for the modern throwaway culture is that society is greatly a ffected
by consumerism that encourages the mass production of short-lived goods and the
consumption of those goods. The market is also flooded with cheap, single-use products,
making it easier to buy things in large quantities and dispose of them even before they
become unusable. Another point to consider here is that the purpose for which we buy and
use consumer products has changed over the past decades. For example, we no longer wait
until our clothes wear out to make new purchases; instead, our decisions to buy new
clothes are heavily influenced by a number of other incentives, be it better appearances or
new fashion patterns.
This practice inflicts severe damage on the environment. Products constantly ending up in
trash bins will cause landfills to become overloaded with massive piles of garbage, only a
small proportion of which is disposed of properly to avoid harm to the environment. The
rest of the garbage, usually non-recyclable and plastic items, is either buried underground
or burnt. This can increase air and land pollution levels, and directly harm the lives of
people living in the throwaway society. Furthermore, natural resources that fuel the
manufacturing of consumer products can be depleted due to the market’s nonstop demand
for those commodities.
In conclusion, a throwaway culture which wreaks devastation on our environment and
depletes our natural resources is formed largely by modern consumerism.

6. The media should include more stories which report good news. 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.

SAMPLE:
A large number of media channels these days are too focused on negative news, probably
to increase viewership. However, many people often say that they prefer more good news
being covered in the media. I personally agree with this Idea and will explain my reasoning
in my essay below.
Bad news dominating the headlines is having an undesirable influence on society.
Psychologically, this type of news, unless managed properly, may keep readers in a state of
stress and lead them to experience trauma. Stories about ISIS slaughtering innocent
citizens for example caused massive damage to people’s mental states and instilled fear
into their minds. Also, frequent exposure to negative news can distort readers’
perception of reality. In Vietnam for example, it seems that members of the media do not
focus on keeping the public informed of current events anymore, both locally and globally.
Instead, they are trying to publish articles with the primary aim of attracting more viewers
and therefore increasing profits. This, unfortunately, shapes readers’ outlook on
society in a negative way.
On the other hand, including good news in the media may have positive e ffects on the
general public. It helps restore our faith in humanity, which inspires moral courses of
action to uphold ethical social values. Media stories of good news, as opposed to bad
news, can also have a positive psychological implication. Such stories can uplift people to
become more optimistic and generally improve both physical and mental health.
In conclusion, I believe recounting more stories of good news can positively affect the
moral behavior of a group of people and therefore should receive more attention. Although
negative news still has an important place in our life, its severity should be realized so that
readers can fully reap all the benefits that the media has to offer.

7. Nowadays, international tourism is the biggest industry in the world.

Unfortunately, international tourism creates tension rather than understanding
between people from different cultures. To what extent do you agree or disagree with
this opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
In today’s world, international tourism is generating enormous financial wealth and has
become the primary source of income for numerous countries around the globe.
Although many people think this industry is likely to cause tension, my conviction is that
international tourism greatly facilitates understanding between people of different
cultural background.
There are indeed several instances of international travel creating social conflicts. One
recent incident happened when Logan Paul, a renowned Youtuber, visited Japan and made
fun of Japanese traditions and lifestyles. Such mockery caused tremendous public
outrage and prejudice against this young American. Another example is Chinese
tourists’ inappropriate and selfish behavior during a buffet party in a Thai tourist
destination a few years ago. Even though these examples did not speak for the rest of
American and Chinese populations, they, as a matter of fact, increased tension
between the countries involved.
That being said, in most cases, visiting a foreign country can help tourists understand more
about local customs and lifestyles. While the modern media, such as TV or newspapers,
give people some foreign culture exposure, overseas tourists tend to have more
authentic and unique experiences that lead to more profound understanding. This is
extremely important because embracing cultural differences is key to establishing and
maintaining social relationships in this day and age.
In conclusion, international tourism allows overseas visitors to experience di fferent
cultures and therefore connects everyone through mutual understanding. In my opinion, we
should not merely judge the industry based on a number of situations where conflicts
arise from misconduct of only a group of individuals.

8. Traffic and housing problems could be solved by moving large companies, factories
and their employees to the countryside. 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.

SAMPLE:
Increased traffic and lack of housing supply are major concerns in many places. By
relocating large businesses, including their factories and employees, to rural areas, these
issues can be properly addressed. I personally find this Idea justifiable; however, at the
same time, some other initiatives should be implemented if we expect to solve traffic and
housing problems effectively.
Moving businesses and their facilities to the countryside will cause urban population to
shrink substantially as successful companies, such as Apple, provide work for thousands
of people. This, as a result, will relieve pressure on urban housing supply systems.
Another apparent advantage of a decreased population is lower volumes of traffic which
help reduce traffic congestion. In Hanoi for example, most people travel to work by
private vehicles, and this leads to overcrowded roads during the rush hour. If big
companies are based in a rural area and offer accommodation to their employees near their
workplaces, this will no longer be the case.
Nonetheless, I think the mentioned problems are rather complicated and can only be solved
completely by the introduction of some other measures. One example involves the
development of road systems because narrow roads largely contribute to traffic jams in
major cities. Building wider roads and motorways will allow a greater number of vehicles,
both private and public, and therefore reduce traffic congestion. Also, residential
areas with small living spaces that can accommodate a growing population should be
established in urban centers.
In conclusion, I agree that relocating businesses to the countryside is one way to deal with
traffic and housing problems. I also believe that we need a combination of this approach
and a number of other actions, as listed above, to tackle these problems in a more
comprehensive manner.

9. Write about the following topic:

In many places, people’s lifestyles are changing rapidly, and this a ffects family
relationships. Do you think the advantages of such developments outweigh the
disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
In the present age, people have dramatically changed the way they live, which in turn
affects their family relationships. Personally, I think this tendency comes with both
positive and negative effects.
On the one hand, changing lifestyles bring about various positive impacts on family
connections. Firstly, people are paying more attention to their well-being nowadays, and
therefore family members tend to go to fitness centres together to lead healthier lifestyles.
As a result, spending time working out together will help to bridge the generation
gap and promote better communication between family members. To illustrate, when a
child takes part in some forms of sport or physical activities with their parents, they will
feel more open to share things and seek advice from them. Secondly, thanks to
developments in technology, devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptop computers
have not only become an indispensable part of our lives but have also helped to make
communicating with our friends and families much easier, particularly between those who
are separated by long distances.
On the other hand, changes in lifestyles also have their downsides when it comes to family
relationships. To begin with, the overuse of such technological devices mentioned above,
can also hurt family relationships. For example, if family members become too immersed
in using their devices for individual recreational purposes, like checking their social
media accounts or browsing their favourite websites, they may neglect their relationships
with other family members. Consequently, the amount of quality time that a family spends
together is likely to reduce, negatively impacting family relations. Furthermore, these days,
people are becoming more and more career-oriented and are subsequently losing the
balance between work and family life. In fact, it has become more common that family
members are less available at home, even outside of official working time, leading to
weakened family interactions.
In conclusion, while some changes in lifestyle are advantageous to family relationships, the
opposite is true for other changes.
10. Write about the following topic:

Large shopping malls are replacing small shops. Do you think it is a positive or
negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
In recent years, there has been an increasing number of shopping malls being built,
leading to the disappearance of small stores. In my opinion, this change brings about
both positive and negative impacts, though the impacts are more negative in the long term.
On the one hand, the boom in the number of shopping malls has offered customers a wide
range of benefits. First of all, people can now save time shopping thanks to the
availability of many types of stores located in the one complex. Shopping malls o ffer
groceries, clothing, and books, along-side food courts and entertainment facilities, all
under the one roof. This provides a lot of convenience to people who choose to shop there
instead of in separate smaller stores.
Moreover, shopping malls usually offer more discounts and promotions that customers
can benefit from, when compared to small stores. Furthermore, smaller stores cannot
usually provide customers with the added advantage of large, convenient and safe parking
facilities that most shopping malls offer. As a result, more and more people are choosing to
shop at large shopping malls, leading to a decrease in the number of people purchasing
goods from small shops.
There are, however, a number of benefits to people and communities that shopping in
smaller stores can bring. For example, locally-owned, family-run businesses are more
likely to provide friendlier and better customer service than larger shopping malls and
chain stores. In addition, more locally owned small businesses is better for local economies
and communities in the long term, by providing more employment, profits and income to
local people.
In conclusion, the proliferation of shopping malls could have positive effects on
customers but it is likely to drive small local businesses out of business, and have a
negative impact on local economies, with most profits being taken by non-local businesses.

11. Write about the following topic:

Some people say that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty,
while others say that economic growth is damaging the environment so it should be
stopped. 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.
SAMPLE:
Many people believe economic development is the only solution to end hunger and
poverty, while others think that economic growth should be stopped due to the harmful
effects it has on the environment. In this essay, I will examine both arguments and then
give my personal opinion.
It is true that economic growth has taken a heavy toll on the environment. Firstly,
the ever increasing demand for industrial development has led to the construction of
more factories and manufacturing facilities, which has significantly raised the volume of
atmospheric greenhouse gases, which are considered to be the main culprit behind global
warming. Furthermore, human activities, such as clearing forests for farming, are directly
responsible for the loss of natural habitats for many wild plants and
animals, pushing these species to the verge of extinction. This, together with
the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, poses serious threats to the survival
of mankind, especially with today’s rapidly increasing population.
However, trying to stop the economy from developing, due to the drawbacks, is not
a rational approach, for economic growth is still the most e ffective measure to tackle
poverty and hunger. A healthy economy will create more employment opportunities for
those who come from underprivileged backgrounds, and thus ensure stable income for
these people. Therefore, they will be able to earn enough money to cover basic living
expenses. Besides this, economic growth also has a crucial role to play in the fight
against hunger. With a more generous budget to invest in agricultural development, for
example, governments can invest in modern machinery to automate the labour-intensive
processes of growing and harvesting crops. Such a boost in productivity will increase food
production and eventually put an end to hunger.
In conclusion, it is understandable why many people believe that economic growth should
be stopped to protect our environment, however, I think the government should not rely on
such a desperate measure because the benefits brought about by economic growth, not only
in the fight against poverty and hunger, are far more significant than the drawbacks.

12. Write about the following topic:

SAMPLE:
In the modern world, it is possible to shop, work and communicate with people via
internet and live without any face-to-face contact with others. Is it a positive or
negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
With the Internet having a huge impact on our shopping, work and communication, we can
now live without any face-to-face interaction with other people. Whilst making modern
life more convenient in some ways, this situation is a negative trend in the long run.
In this day and age, we can literally stay at home and have almost anything delivered to
our homes as most consumer goods are widely available for online purchase. We also
have more opportunities in terms of employment because many applications like Skype or
Google Hangouts allow employees to work from home. Members of an organization
nowadays rely on email and other online platforms to maintain effective
communication and ensure their businesses operate smoothly. When it comes to
personal relationships, we use Facebook to connect and stay in touch with friends and
relatives. The Internet, without doubt, enhances our shopping experiences, makes our
workplaces more streamlined and efficient, and facilitates our communication with
others.
However, we are faced with a foreseeable and unfortunate consequence due to our reliance
on such technology. We are losing direct interactions that are deemed extremely important
in this technological era. Children hardly spend time talking to their parents because they
are too engrossed in media hype on Facebook. It is common to see both young and old
people with their eyes glued to their phones instead of having conversations like they did
before the advent of smart devices. This is leading us toward a society where people will
turn to favoring virtual interactions and undervaluing real life relationships.

The influence of the Internet on many aspects of our lives is remarkable. However, the
benefits it offers do not justify the fact that it is inflicting severe damage on our
relationships, which can only flourish on the basis of true communication.

13. Write about the following topic:

For schoolchildren, their teachers have more influence on their intelligence and social
development than their parents. 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.

SAMPLE:
Both teachers and parents play a significant role in a child’s upbringing. In this essay, I
will discuss why I disagree that teachers are a greater influence on the intelligence and
social development of children than their parents.
The first few years of a child’s life are spent almost entirely in the company of their
parental figures. These years are critical in the social development of a child, as they
contain their first attempts to communicate with other people in order to receive the care
and attention necessary for survival. Most school children start their education between the
ages of four to seven years. Therefore, they have already experienced a considerable
amount of parental influence before teachers are even introduced to them.
Other significant factors in the intelligence and social development of a child are the
socioeconomic circumstances that they are brought up in. The quality of a child’s social
life, schooling and health are all socioeconomic factors that heavily influence a child.
These factors are a direct consequence of the circumstances brought about by the child’s
parents. Better teachers will endow a child with greater intelligence and social skills,
however, better teachers are, on average, found at better schools. The attendance of a child
at a good school is usually the consequence of a decision made by their parents.
I believe that parents are a far greater influence on the intelligence and social development
of children than teachers because, firstly, the early developmental years of a child’s life are
almost entirely influenced by the company of their parents and, secondly, because the
socioeconomic factors of a child’s life are usually a direct consequence of the factors
which effect their parents.

14. Write about the following topic:

There are more workers to work from home and more students to study from home.
This is because computer technology is more accessible and cheaper. Do you think it
is a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
In this day and age, with cheaper and more accessible computer technology, many people
are opting to work and study from home. In my opinion, this is a positive development due
to several reasons.
To begin with, there are a huge number of benefits for both workers and students choosing
this method of work and study. Firstly, people do not need to spend time travelling to
school or their workplace as they can now easily access the internet at home to complete
their work. As a result, people can not only save time but also minimize the risks and
costs of using transport on a daily basis to commute. On top of that, working from home
gives people a chance to manage their work and leisure time more e ffectively. For
instance, while people are required to sit in front of a computer and crunch
numbers every day from nine to five, people who work from home can easily manage
their schedule better to suit their needs in order to complete their work in a better state of
mind.
In addition to benefits that remote work and study brings to individuals, this trend also
brings about positive outcomes for schools and businesses. In fact, schools and businesses
could save a lot of money that would otherwise be allocated to the construction and
maintenance of buildings and facilities. Instead, that money could be invested in
enhancing other things, such as updating study programs, or other facilities that allow staff
and students to work more effectively, and help to build up the reputation of those
institutes as well.
In conclusion, I hold a firm belief that working and studying from home is an
advantageous trend as it generates many merits for all sides involved.

15. Write about the following topic:

Some people think that it is more effective for students to study in a group while
others believe that it is better for them to study alone. Discuss both views and give
your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
People have different views about whether students should work collaboratively with each
other or whether they should study on their own. In my opinion, each studying method has
its own advantages, and therefore, choosing which method to employ depends on the
student.
On the one hand, studying in a group can bring students many benefits. Firstly, if students
study with others, when a question regarding the subject they are learning arises, they can
discuss that question and have it fully and immediately answered, which can
greatly facilitate their learning process. Secondly, students can have further discussions
over the issue raised in their textbook or by their instructor if they study in a group. For
example, a group of law students can discuss whether the practice of abortion is a violation
of human rights or not. Each student will have a chance to listen to the views of others with
regard to the problem, present their own Ideas and discuss those Ideas with other students.
Thanks to this, all students will have a more thorough insight into the issue.
On the other hand, studying alone also proves to be e ffective for many students. Some
students prefer to study alone in a quiet environment in order to be able to better
concentrate on studying and prevent themselves from being disturbed by others. There are
also other students who study more effectively if they are alone because this allows them
to work at their own pace. For example, when studying independently, a student can spend
more time researching a topic that he or she is interested in or does not adequately
understand. This is nearly impossible if that student studies in a group where members
have to stick to the group’s studying schedule.
In conclusion, studying in a group or studying alone can be equally advantageous to
students. Students should adopt the studying method which they consider to be more
effective and suitable for them.
16. Write about the following topic:

Nowadays, most people try to balance between work and other part of lives.
Unfortunately, not many achieve this balance. What are the problems of this? Suggest
some solutions to solve the problem?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
Nowadays, most people fail to achieve the Ideal work life balance. This essay will
discuss some effects and also suggests ways to address this problem
This issue is often associated with some unwanted consequences. Firstly, having
an unhealthy work life balance can have a negative effect on people’s health since these
individuals tend to sacrifice their daily physical activities and recreational activities to
work. This in the long term will lead to an increased level of stress and stress-related
illness. Secondly, work-life imbalance can also give rise to growing problems with
parenting. The materialistic society of today drives many parents to becoming
workaholics, which lead them to spending less time taking care of their children.
Without adequate supervision from parents, children can easily go on the wrong track.
Therefore, some practical solutions are suggested to mitigate the problem. One viable step
is that people need to consider and see what makes them happy and then set priorities in
life. When they come home from work, they must learn to switch the office button o ff. By
doing so, they will have more time to enjoy leisure activities and refresh themselves.
Furthermore, people should plan a flexible schedule for their life. For example, some days,
they might focus more on work, while others might have more time and energy to pursue
their hobbies or relax with their loved ones. This will enable them to enjoy every part of
their life.
In conclusion, work life imbalance can lead to some harmful impacts on people’s health
and family, and some steps should be taken into account to mitigate this problem.

17. Write about the following topic:

Competitiveness is a positive quality for people in most societies. How does

competitiveness affect individuals? Is it a positive or negative trend?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
People tend to be more competitive in modern society. In my view, being competitive has
a major influence on many aspects of a person’s life, which can be considered both
beneficial and harmful in certain situations.
A highly competitive person is often considered to be conceited and self-absorbed. Their
relationships with the people around them, especially relatives or romantic partners,
usually suffer as they are unwilling to compromise when a conflict occurs. Additionally,
an intense level of competition in a company caused by highly competitive
employees can create an unhealthy work environment. This type of environment does
not promote productivity, but makes some workers feel uncomfortable working together
and may bring them closer to leaving the organization in search of a better workplace.
However, being competitive can be a positive attribute in many other instances.
Competitive people always strive to be better than other people, and they
usually persevere until they achieve their goals. For example, a sense of
rivalry can boost a student’s study performance and encourage them to work harder.
People with a competitive personality are also resilient and unlikely to give up when
faced with setbacks. Furthermore, many competitive people are often competing against
themselves and always putting themselves in a state of constant learning so they
can achieve better results.
In conclusion, being competitive may sabotage a person’s relationships with the people
around them and negatively affect the workplace. However, being competitive can
motivate people to work hard to reach their desired goals. I think a person should find a
balance and avoid being too competitive, otherwise the consequences can be severe.

18. Write about the following topic:

Cycling is a healthier and more environmentally friendly form of transport.

Nevertheless, cycling is getting less popular. What are the reasons of this trend? What
can be done to make cycling more popular?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
People these days do not choose cycling to travel even though cycling is one of the few
forms of transport that does not damage the environment. In this essay, I will examine a
number of reasons why cycling is becoming less popular and suggest several ways to
encourage people to cycle.
One main explanation for people losing interest in cycling is due to the need for a more
efficient mode of travel. Given the fact that people do not want to spend too much time and
effort while commuting, motor vehicles tend to be a more suitable and preferred choice.
Another reason is that the majority of people are becoming less environmentally
conscious and more concerned about their own interests. Many people, although fully
aware of how beneficial cycling is to the environment, still choose to use other means of
transport that are harmful to the surroundings but more convenient for their lives.
The authorities can attempt to promote the use of bicycles through a number of measures.
Firstly, city councils can provide more cycling lanes throughout towns and cities so it will
be safer and more convenient to travel by bicycle. In Amsterdam, for example, there is
more space for cycling than for cars, which leads to a large proportion of the city’s
population using bicycles as their main form of travel. Furthermore, levying higher taxes
on other types of vehicles, together with raising social awareness of environmental
protection, may help increase the likelihood of people turning to cycling.
In conclusion, most people tend to use motor vehicles instead of bicycles owing to the
demand for efficient travel and the lack of environmental consciousness. The government
is largely responsible for increasing the use of bicycles through the construction of more
cycling zones and the imposition of heavier taxes on other forms of transport.

19. Write about the following topic:

Some universities offer online courses as an alternative to classes delivered on

campus. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
In many universities, distance learning through an online platform is provided for students
as an option to replace traditional classrooms. In my view, although such a development
could be detrimental in a number of ways, overall, I believe it to be an essential step
forward.
On the one hand, this method of remote learning, without the need for regular face-to-face
contact with teachers in a classroom, is negative for two reasons. Firstly, students who
study online do not develop comprehensively in the way that other students who attend
classes at school do. During online courses, it is difficult for students to make friends or
attempt to compete with their peers. This is often linked to the fact that those learners seem
to undervalue the significance of interaction and rivalry with classmates in an
educational environment, which are actually regarded as great stimuli for scholastic
success. Secondly, participants of online learning programs have a tendency to
procrastinate more and poorly allocate an appropriate amount of time to complete
assignments. This form of studying requires tremendous self-discipline as well as
excellent organization and time management skills as students usually struggle with
balancing their coursework with other priorities, and quickly become unmotivated without
direct guidance from instructors.
On the other hand, online learning is proving to be a great alternative, although traditional
universities are still widely considered as the best way to acquire knowledge and a
qualification. Access to all resources within a traditional course is offered, which
empowers learners to freely choose from a wide range of different subjects, from science
to economics. Furthermore, lower costs and the widespread presence of the
Internet allow unlimited numbers of participants, regardless of not only their financial
background but also current living location. For example, Coursera is a website that offers
a variety of courses at reasonable prices and presents valid certification for participants
upon completion of each course.
In conclusion, though there are some drawbacks to studying via online courses, I do
believe that this method is a revolutionary step in contemporary tertiary education systems.

20. Write about the following topic:

Scientists predict in the near future cars will be driven by computers, not people.
Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
Travelling has been greatly facilitated by a number of technological advances in recent
years, and ultimately, cars will be operated completely by computers in years to come. In
my view, this can have both positive and negative consequences on society.
One of the main disadvantages of autonomous cars is that it will have an undesirable
influence on employment rates of commercial drivers. There is little doubt that these
people will be forced out of work when autonomous cars become the favored preference.
This also leads to a more pressing concern about the associated consequences when
unemployment rates proliferate, one of which is the increasing social burden placed
upon the government. Considering the unprecedentedly fast development of car
technology in recent years, such a scenario is likely to occur in the foreseeable future.
However, we should consider these disadvantages as inevitable factors that accompany a
handful of more significant benefits. For one, autonomous vehicles can
accurately navigate their way with less chance of making errors in judgment like
human drivers do, hence, increasing the safety of passengers. It is true that the majority of
traffic accidents come from situations where speed or alcohol is involved, which would not
be the case if cars are operated by computers. Furthermore, such technology will inspire a
new generation of mechanics and engineers, in turn, leading to more inventions that will
make human life easier and more comfortable.
In conclusion, the predicted appearance of driverless cars will severely impact employment
in the transportation industry and result in large social burdens upon the government.
Nevertheless, I do think that those negative consequences are the prices we can accept in
order to enhance road safety and nurture a new era or engineering.
22. Write about the following topic:

Students leave high school without learning the way how to manage their money.
What are the reasons and solutions of this issue?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
There is a common problem among high school graduates these days where students are
leaving school without any knowledge or skill in personal money management. This
essay will outline a number of reasons for this trend and a number of possible solutions to
help tackle the issue.
Firstly, one of the main causes of this problem is that the majority of high school students
live with their parents and are completely financially dependent upon them. Most
students do not need to work to earn money while at high school, as their parents pay for
all their needs, and therefore do not gain any understanding about the realities of earning
and saving money. Usually, the only money that students receive is from their parents and
this is typically in the form of pocket-money, which is given with the intent of it being
spent. Therefore, young people only really learn how to spend money, and not how to earn,
save or manage it wisely.
However, there are a number of viable solutions to help students deal with this problem.
Firstly, basic money management skills could be included as a compulsory subject for
students in their high school years, which would help equip them with the knowledge
and skills to manage their own personal finances when they leave school, move out of
home and enter employment. The second possible step that could be taken to help curb
this problem is through education at home. Parents need to take responsibility to make sure
that their children are adequately educated in such matters to ensure their children maintain
a successful and independent financial situation after graduating and leaving home.
In conclusion, although money management is a problem for a lot of school leavers, there
are a number of viable solutions to counteract this problem.

23. Write about the following topic:

The news media have become too much influence in people lives today and this is a
negative development. 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.

SAMPLE:
The news media have long been a great part of our lives. In my opinion, contrary to its
original objective of ‘spreading factual news to people’, the media nowadays do more
harm than good.
Television and the press, whether conventional or online-based, have influenced virtually
every aspect of our lives. Pop fans rely on tabloids to keep themselves informed of their
idols’ lives. Those who are more concerned with global affairs say that the tensions
between Israel and Palestine could not reach them without the assistance of the news
media. Indeed, the media have become our extended eyes and ears, and it is not an
overstatement to say that a day without reading a paper or surfing the internet and we
would be completely ignorant of what’s happening in the surrounding world.
Sadly, such great influences have gradually driven our society in a negative way. Firstly,
the media submerge our society in a horrendous, ever-changing whirlwind of terror
and anxiety. Too much news coverage of terrorism, war, killings and racism can be found
on every news site on the internet, and its impact is so strong that it causes great distress
to citizens and can incite violence among many individuals. Furthermore, our perceptions
and perspectives are likely to be manipulated by the news media, for they are our only
source of information. Indeed, we form our opinions about a particular event based on
what we gather from media reports, regardless of the degree of authenticity. Distorted
news leads to distorted minds, social unrest, unjust judgment and global conflicts; which
all take their roots from distorted news.
In conclusion, I believe that the news media has a direct influence on our minds and lives,
and it appears to be detrimental to our way of thinking. Therefore, people need to make
good judgments over what they read in their daily newspaper.

24. Write about the following topic:

The users of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, are replacing face-to-face
contact in this century. Do you think the advantages of this way outweigh the
disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
It is claimed that modern technological tools for communication, including social media,
are gradually replacing direct contact among people. From my perspective, the drawbacks
of this trend totally overshadow its merits.
To begin with, it is true that the emergence of social networking websites and applications
such as Facebook have revolutionized the way people contact one another. To be more
specific, nowadays, regardless of geographical distance, people from most places on the
planet can send messages or make use of video calls to keep in touch with their loved ones,
eliminating the need for people to gather in one place for face-to-face conversations. In
terms of business, thanks to the invention of online-based communication tools, including
Facebook and Viber, people working in enterprises can conduct their meetings via the
internet, also eliminating the need for people to be in the one place to conduct a meeting.
As a result, face-to-face conversations are gradually being replaced by virtual
communication exchanges.
However, the aforementioned merits are totally eclipsed by the potential negative
drawbacks of this trend. Firstly, in this technological era, with the development of online
communication tools, it can be seen that many people are substituting their real-life
relations with digital communication. In fact, a large number of young people nowadays
tend to prefer making friends via means of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to
gathering at a real place. In the long term, this would gradually alienate people from
communities, which could even lead to social isolation and a lack of many interpersonal
skills. Secondly, literacy skills of many people could also be negatively affected due to the
lack of social interaction and ways to transmit formal messages. It is true that most
individuals, especially teenagers, often use informal language with several emoticons when
communicating on social networking. Consequently, their ability to read and write in
situations that require formality is greatly reduced.
In conclusion, although social media has brought some benefits for society, the drawbacks
of overusing such advanced technology to replace real-life communication is much more
significant.

25. Write about the following topic:

People in many countries are spending less time with their family. What are the
reasons, and effects of this?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

SAMPLE:
In many parts of the world nowadays, family members are spending less time together. My
essay will outline a number of reasons for this trend and a number of its associated effects.
One of the main reasons is that adults are too occupied with their work and social
relationships. In countries like Japan where people spend the major proportion of their life
working, many adults tend to stay at work until late evening and hardly have enough time
to have dinner or to watch TV with other family members. Meanwhile, young children in
this day and age are under great pressure from study; and children typically in Asian
countries usually spend 10 hours a day and 6 days a week at school, not to mention extra
classes in the evening. The amount of everyday homework those children have to do is
also excessive, and therefore they cannot think of anything else, let alone spending time
with their parents.
There are several impacts from this trend, and they all tend to be detrimental. Firstly,
young children who do not have time with their siblings or parents are often more
vulnerable to social pressures, such as bullying, because they do not receive enough
affection and encouragement from their family. In reality, those children may grow up
with low self-esteem and sometimes depression. Secondly, family relationships will
greatly suffer because it will become more difficult to bridge the generation gap between
parents and children without family bonding time. This usually leads to conflicts and
unhappiness.
In conclusion, people are having less and less time with family largely due to work and
study pressures, and the impacts of this on both individuals and families are severe.
26. Write about the following topic:

People think that children nowadays have more freedom. 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.

SAMPLE:
It is generally believed that children nowadays are granted more freedom than those in the
past. While I think, to a certain extent, they do have the freedom to do some things that
their parents and grandparents were probably not allowed to do in the past, I do believe
they are in fact being put in a different cage that only exists in modern society.
Indeed, children nowadays have fewer boundaries in several aspects of their lives which
were once considered inappropriate. Compared to 30 years ago when kids who dyed their
hair were considered rebellious, school children nowadays are able to attend school with
whatever hair color they choose, since most modern schools have relaxed their rules
regarding students’ appearance. Furthermore, some parents who are less strict with the
way they raise their children even go so far as to let their kids decide almost everything
affecting their lives, from what to eat for breakfast to which secondary school they will
study at. Therefore, it is not an overstatement to say that children in this day and age are
technically treated like adults, given the amount of leeway they are granted.
However, the 21st century has established other confinements that restrict children’s
freedoms. Firstly, the fear of insecure surroundings has made parents hesitant to let their
children out of their sight or control. Playing football with the neighborhood kids is no
longer a beautiful image in parents’ eyes since they have become too concerned with the
possibility of their children being kidnapped or murdered, and therefore, many parents
arrive at the conclusion that it is better to have their children by their protective side.
Secondly, children these days tend to confine themselves to the virtual worlds of computer
games and social networking sites. They voluntarily narrow their worlds to a handful of
platforms, like Instagram, Facebook and online games, with their lives centered
around updating their status, posting selfies and being involved in online virtual warfare,
and as a result, they are becoming enslaved to such platforms.
In conclusion, children these days are indeed free of some restrictions, however have to
deal with other issues related to modern times. Good parenting should aim to give children
both extended freedom and, at the same time, protect them from other potential hazards
that lurk in our modern day societies.

27. Today many teenagers rely greatly on technology when learning.

Is this a positive or negative development?

28. Some argue that schools should prioritize life skills such as working in teams and
solving problems instead of traditional academics.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

29. Some people argue that parents should have a strong influence on their children’s
choice of subjects and schools to learn. Others believe that young people should make
these decisions independently.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

30. Caring for children is probably the most important job in any society. Because of this,
all mothers and fathers should be required to take a course that prepares them to be good
parents.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

31. Some feel that tourism endangers culture while others feel it is beneficial.
DIscuss both sides and give your own opinion.

32. Today, many people do not know their neighbors.

Why is this?
What can be done about this?

33. Some people believe that young people should choose the jobs that they want, but other
people think they should be more realistic and think more about their future.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

34. Some people think technology development decreases crime, while others believe it
actually encourages crime.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

35. Sports play a significant role in promoting physical and mental well-being.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
36. Some people feel that the private lives of celebrities should not be openly shared by the
media.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

37. Eco-tourism often involves visiting remote and fragile ecosystems, which raises
concerns about the impact on local cultures and indigenous communities.
What problems can this cause?
How can these problems be resolved?

38. Everybody should donate a fixed amount of their income to support charity.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

39. Nowadays, there is more and more competition for getting into university.
Is this a positive or negative development?

40. Financial education should be included as a mandatory subject in schools to prepare

students for managing money effectively.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

41. In many societies, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable living and reducing
environmental impact.
What are the challenges of adopting a sustainable lifestyle?
What practical actions can individuals take to contribute to sustainability?