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ESSAY TYPE: DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS AND

GIVE YOUR OPINION
ESSAY 1:
Some people feel that the cost of space exploration is far too high
for the benefits it brings while others argue that space programmes
should continue no matter what the cost. Discuss both sides and
give your opinion?
In recent decades, the amount of money spent on space programmes has been
increasing significantly, causing some public controversy. However, while some
people believe space exploration’s costs are too high, I side with those who believe
that these programmes are highly beneficial to humanity and, therefore, worth the
cost.

On the one hand, it could be argued that the benefits we gain from expensive space
programmes are not worth the cost. Firstly, opponents of space exploration believe it
costs their countries billions of dollars to recruit, train and pay for astronomers as
well as the research teams while there are not any clear benefits for ordinary people.
They argue that it would be more practical to spend the money on essential
sectors such as education, health care and transportation to raise the citizens’
living standards. In addition, human beings on Earth are facing severe issues,
such as famine, natural disasters, pollution or terrorism, which require
immediate action. If the money were reallocated to solve these problems, a large
number of human lives would be saved.

However, I side with those who are of the opinion that it is worth continuing space
programmes regardless of cost. One of the reasons, I would argue, is that the
advanced technology which has been developed and used in space exploration
does have practical applications in our daily lives. A great example is GPS, which
is used as the fundamental system to develop many applications in taxi and
delivery services such as Uber or Grab. Furthermore, satellites sent to the space can
observe what is happening on Earth, and therefore, can provide highly accurate
forecasts about the weather and more importantly, the potential occurrence of
natural disasters such as typhoons or devastating storms. Without these forecasts,
a considerable number of human lives would be at risk each year.

In conclusion, although money spent on expensive space programmes could have

practical uses on Earth, not only is space exploration beneficial to our daily lives, but
also helps predict and prepare for unexpected situations. Therefore, I believe it is a
wise decision to keep funding these programmes.

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ESSAY 2:
Some people feel that there should be a fixed punishment for each
type of crime. Others feel that the circumstances of an offence
should be taken into account when deciding on a punishment.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.

In recent decades, there have been many debates about how criminals should be
punished. While some prefer a fixed punishment system, I agree with those who
believe that judges should take into consideration the circumstance of every
crime before making a decision.

One the one hand, it could be argued that a set system of criminal punishment is the
preferential way of dealing with criminals. Firstly, since each type of crime has a
clear and specific punishment, the judges will find it easier to sentence the guilty
party. Therefore, the process of judgement may be less time-consuming and
more efficient. In addition to this, if the criminals know the exact punishment they
have to face in advance, they are more likely to be deterred from committing the
crime in the first place. As a result, the rate of crimes, especially serious ones, is
more likely to be reduced significantly.

However, I side with those who believe that it is better to consider the circumstances
of a crime. In my opinion, one fundamental factor is that offenders may have
different reasons for committing the same kind of crime. For example, it is possible
for two people who committed murders to have entirely different motives. While
the first one may have done this accidentally to protect their family from a serious
attacker, the other could have been trying to steal money from a bank and escape
from the police. Therefore, I believe that the punishments for these two people
should be different. Furthermore, the age and awareness of the offender is also
another critical element to be taken into account. A juvenile may not be as aware as
an adult is when committing the same crime, like stealing money. Thus, age and
financial circumstances should also be taken into consideration when passing
sentence.

In conclusion, although a fixed punishment for every type of crime would increase
the efficiency of judgement, judges should take into account the circumstances of
criminals to make more human and accurate decisions. Therefore, on balance, I
am convinced that circumstances should be considered when passing sentence on
criminals.

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ESSAY 3:
Some people think that it is good for younger people to make their
own decisions. Others feel that these decisions should be made
with the help of their parents. Discuss both sides and give your
own opinion.

Whether or not parents should allow their children to make their own decisions has
been the topic of many discussions. While supporters believe that this benefits
children to develop some significant skills, I am of the opinion that they really need
guidance from their parents.

On the one hand, it could be argued that there are valid reasons for letting young
people make their own decisions. Firstly, advocates believe that making
decisions is an essential way of learning valuable skills, such as critical thinking
or taking responsibility, both of which are fundamental later on in life. Following
what parents tell them to do may prevent children from improving these skills.
Furthermore, giving children the power to make decisions enables them to
develop their own ideas and beliefs. When parents take decisions for their children
they tend to force them to live the way they like, not the way their children want. This
can lead to problems both for the individual and for society, such as lack of
understanding between different social groups. It could be argued that giving young
people more freedom could help to resolve these issues.

However, I side with those who believe that parental guidance is vital. Although
some fear that this may cause the dependence of young people on their parents, the
fact is that teenagers or adolescents, regardless of their educational background,
usually lack experience. Without their parents’ assistance, it may be difficult to make
well-informed decisions. Take career choices for example, which may cost a
considerable amount of time and money in the future. Parents have real world
experience of the consequences of these decisions, and are better placed to instill
realistic expectations. In addition, parents are usually those who understand their
children the most. They have raised them, and seen their personalities, strengths
and weaknesses, and often know their children better than they themselves do.

In conclusion, although allowing young people to make their own decisions can
provide opportunities to learn some essential skills, parental assistance is highly
beneficial because of their experience. Therefore, on balance, I believe that
decisions are better taken in collaboration with parents.

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ESSAY 4:
Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at
persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is
so common that we no longer pay attention to it.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

In recent years, advertising has been heavily employed to increase market

share when competition among companies is more intense than ever. However,
while some feel that advertisements are now so commonplace that customers are
not affected by them anymore, I agree with those who believe that advertising today
is even more powerful than in the past.

On the one hand, it could be argued that adverts tend to be powerless. First of all,
supporters of this view believe that a large number of individuals have developed a
negative attitude towards advertising since they are bombarded by it every day,
such as billboards on streets or pop-up ads on the Internet. This gradually forms
an unconscious habit in them to avoid or ignore ads if they can. Furthermore, a
common belief among many people is that commercials seldom convey the truth
about products. In contrast, they generally polish the sales message to attract
and motivate consumers to purchase their products. As a result, many
consumers have a distrust on what advertisements say, and only buy an item after
examining it cautiously.

However, I side with those who believe that advertisements are still effective.
Firstly, repetition, the fundamental element for ad memorability, is maximised. I
would argue that whatever gets advertised heavily seems to get purchased the most.
For example, many customers may be eventually convinced after listening to a
constantly repeated commercial about a particular product. Consequently,
enterprises invest a considerable amount of money in advertising to improve
their brand awareness as much as possible. In addition to this, an ad’s emotional
appeal is another essential factor. Advertisers strive to make creative, unique,
and memorable ads in order to emotionally and subconsciously connect potential
consumers with the products and to encourage buying decisions. Finally,
advertising agencies can create more precisely targeted ads than ever. Savvy
marketers can analyse demographics to increase the efficiency of their
ads. Therefore, I believe that advertising today, in reality, is far more effective than at
any point in the past because of the raw data available to target potential
consumers.

To conclude, although ordinary citizens are likely to have a more unfavourable

perspective towards advertising, advertisers still manage to find potential
buyers thanks to the massive data they have. Therefore, on balance, I believe that
the power of advertising is even stronger than in the past.

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ESSAY 5:
Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such
as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it
is better to try and improve such situations.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Many people sometimes face the dilemma of situations in which they must either
accept what happens or try to make some changes. While some feel that
acceptance is the optimal approach, I agree with those who believe that we
should strive to better these situations.

On the one hand, it could be argued that people should be satisfied with what life
brings to them. Advocates of this opinion argue that change is risky and requires
massive effort. By accepting unfavourable situations, at least people may have a
better sense of security, and this, psychologically, increases their happiness
to some extent. For example, when a person tries to find another job, there is no
guarantee that the new job can offer them more satisfaction. Also, in a few serious
cases, such as wars or severe economic downturns, it could be hazardous and
virtually impossible for an individual to change the situation.

However, I side with those who believe that people should do their best to move up
in life. First, it is apparent that the advancement of human civilization has been
made by those who strongly believe that there are always ways to make their lives
better. Without this spirit, great inventions like light bulbs, electricity, computers or
the Internet could have never come to life. Furthermore, the most compelling
argument is that only by solving the existing problems, not by simply accepting
them, can people discover their abilities, improve their skills and live their lives to
the fullest. There have been instances of entrepreneurs, sports athletes or scientists
in many countries who achieved stunning success thanks to their never give up
mindset and continued effort. Therefore, I believe that in most cases, the effort to
better unfavourable situations would be rewarded.

In conclusion, although in rare cases, making changes sometimes seems quite

dangerous, in the vast majority of instances, not only does this action bring about
great success, but also helps people identify their potential and live their lives in
a more meaningful way. Therefore, on balance, I believe that striving to change
unhappy situations is a much more sensible approach.

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ESSAY TYPE: TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU

AGREE/DISAGREE?
ESSAY 1:
Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can
cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Those who have to speak another language in a foreign country may face some
social and day-to-day challenges. However, I believe that most of these issues
are not so thorny and can be overcome fairly quickly.

On the one hand, I concede that the language barrier may provoke some
problems for immigrants, especially in the first few weeks. Not being able to speak
the native language can affect their ability to socialize properly or to perform
everyday activities, such as giving and taking instructions at work or going shopping.
As a result of this hampered communication, they can feel quite stressed or isolated.

However, I contend that most of these problems are not so serious and can be
resolved after a short time along with a concerted effort. One of the most significant
obstacles for individuals moving to a new country is the language barrier, which,
fortunately, can be overcome. While some people might claim that learning a new
language is a time-consuming process, I would argue that immersing in the
environment of that language is considered the best way to learn that language.
The most salient example of this is that students who study abroad can master the
native language much faster than those who learn that language in their
motherland. Consequently, the better their language skills get, the fewer difficulties
they have.

Another factor that can help immigrants keep the problems minimal is technology.
Although I acknowledge that there are cultural differences between countries,
information about them can be easily found in books and on the Internet. For
example, nowadays, advice for avoiding or solving cultural conflicts can be
quickly accessed via a laptop or a smartphone. Besides, translation applications also
can be utilized to help those who lack the language proficiency to convey a message
to others slowly, but effectively.

In conclusion, I would say that the difficulties that immigrants may encounter in a
new country are not as severe as they think and can be handled, mainly because
immigrants can learn to speak a new language faster when immersed in a native
environment along with the help of technological devices.

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ESSAY 2:
In the future, nobody will buy printed newspapers or books
because they will be able to read everything they want online
without paying.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
In the last several years, online media and digital books have become a mainstay
in society, gradually replacing physical goods. In fact, I believe that the demise of
physical media is inevitable for two reasons.

One essential factor influencing this trend is the cost. While many online media
producers offer free access to most of their content, subscription to a printed
newspaper does cost money. Some supporters may claim that this is reasonable
because traditional newspapers have greater reliability when they hire
professional journalists to write their articles. However, I would argue that most
trusted news agencies now have to publish their articles free of charge on the
Internet because the circulation of their physical newspapers has dropped
precipitously. In addition, many prestigious authors are also releasing their works
online. For example, e-books or audio versions of Harry Potter by J.K Rowling can
be easily purchased from Amazon’s platforms with just a mouse-click. Although
these writers have to sell virtual editions with lower prices than their paper
counterparts, they can reach a larger audience and increase their fame all over the
world, which used to be impossible in the old days of print publishing.

Another fundamental reason is the apparent convenience of online versions. It is true

that there is still a segment of the population willing to pay for physical editions, and
these are mainly the elderly, who are accustomed to reading physical media but
lack the basic knowledge and skills to turn to online media. However, the number of
those individuals has decreased significantly because the latest technological
devices are more modern and easier to use. As a result, even senior citizens can
learn to use them without any difficulty. In addition, a real newspaper is clearly less
practical for on-the-go reading than accessing news via a smartphone. This is an
entrenched habit for young people, and it is only a matter of time until print media
become completely obsolete.

In short, not only is reading online news and books more convenient, but also more
cost-effective than reading printed versions. Therefore, I strongly believe that there
will be a time when people no longer buy books or papers.

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ESSAY 3:

Politicians' private lives should not be published in newspaper. To

what extend do you agree or disagree?
It is argued that political leaders' personal lives should be confidential and protected
from media intrusion. I completely agree with this opinion because disclosing
private details about their lives may have a negative impact on their
health and distract their attention from the official duties that they need to
perform.

The press has a particular interest in prominent politicians' personal activities, but
this may cause health problems for them. Everyone has the right to live his or her
personal life according to their own will, and political figures are no exception.
Given that their typical jobs are already full of pressure, being constantly
interrupted by paparazzi may create more stress on these leaders, resulting in
serious health problems, such as anxiety, mental disorders, and or even dreadful
heart attacks. For example, a governor in Vietnam had a heart attack and needed
urgent treatment several months ago when he was reading fake news about his
personal affairs.

When their personal issues are publicized, these public servants may lose
concentration on their important duties. It is because they have to spend a significant
amount of time and effort checking the information and solving related problems,
especially when some individuals try to make up fake stories about their lives for
bad purposes. This is illustrated in a recent report by The Global Economy News
which stated that nearly 60% of politicians admitted that they needed their personal
activities to be shuttered from the public eye so that they could feel safer and
focus on their jobs.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that featuring political figures' private matters in

papers should be controlled because it may have severe consequences on their
health and divert them from conducting their duties.

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ESSAY TYPE: ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES

ESSAY 1:
In some cultures, children are often told that they can achieve
anything if they try hard enough.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this
message?

In some societies, youngsters are taught that any goal is achievable with enough
hard work. However, although this philosophy can be a powerful source of
motivation for some, it may also engender serious mental issues for many
others.

On the one hand, the most significant benefit of the emphasis on effort and
achievement is that it can encourage young people to pursue their dreams. Hard
work is considered as one of the key components in making individuals’ dreams
come true and living their lives to the fullest. For example, professional footballers,
like Christiano Ronaldo, have spent many consecutive years honing their skills to
become the top athletes. Without persistence and training, they could never achieve
such enormous success. Another positive aspect of this teaching is hope. Children
from disadvantaged backgrounds might find solace in the notion that studying
hard can lead to a prosperous career. Therefore, telling children that effort leads to
reward can encourage them to work hard night and day to achieve their goals
instead of staying frustrated in their passivity.

On the other hand, this approach also has some apparent drawbacks. Firstly, it
may place a great deal of pressure on children. Being repeatedly told by adults that
hard work can guarantee success could lead to some pushing too hard to achieve
a goal. In some cases, the academic burnout might get to the point that some
teenagers even commit suicide to escape from this burden. Secondly, this teaching
can hurt the self-esteem of those with unrealistic goals. In fact, there is a more
complex interplay between the talent, effort, and luck required to produce great
achievements than merely hard work. For example, a person without musical talents
is unlikely to become a professional singer, regardless of how much concerted
effort he or she makes. Therefore, hard work is an essential ingredient but
supposing it is the sole factor for success can breed resentment and lead to
frustration.

To conclude, while teaching children that hard work ensures achievement can be
inspirational, it also possibly has negative mental impacts on those pursuing
unattainable goals. Therefore, parents and teachers should be cautious before
teaching children this philosophy.

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ESSAY 2:

In some countries, it is becoming increasingly common for people

to follow a vegetarian diet.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

The number of people turning to a vegetarian diet has recently increased. I believe
that the drawbacks of this trend do not outweigh the benefits because despite the
difficulty in getting enough nutrients, a vegetarian diet is far healthier than a diet
containing meat.

The main disadvantage that vegetarians face is finding alternative food sources to
provide them with some nutrients that are easily found in meat. Some of
these essential nutrients are vitamin D, iron, calcium and protein, and the
deficiency of these substances may lead to several health problems for
vegetarians. For example, a survey by the WHO in 2017 reported that nearly 30%
of non-meat eaters did not have a well-planned diet, which resulted in some
issues with their health. However, if vegetarians know which kinds of vegetables and
fruits can provide these nutrients, this obstacle can be overcome.

The most significant benefit of a vegetarian diet is that it is much better for health
than a meat diet. It is a fact that vegetarians have a much lower possibility of
suffering many serious health problems than their meat-eating counterparts,
such as gout, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart-related diseases. In the long
term, this can also be financially beneficial for vegetarians because they do not
have to spend as much as meat-eaters on medical care. For example, my
grandfather has been a vegetarian for over 20 years, and thanks to his well- planned
diet, which provides him with all necessary nutrients, he is healthier than most of his
friends who consume meat. Therefore, I completely believe that switching to a
vegetarian diet is undoubtedly a wise move.

In conclusion, although vegetarians may have difficulty finding alternative food

sources to provide them with essential nutrients, becoming a vegetarian is far more
beneficial because of the health advantages.

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ESSAY TYPE: TWO-PART ESSAYS

ESSAY 1:
In some countries, owning a home rather than renting one is very
important for people.
Why might this be the case?
Do you think this is a positive or negative situation?

In many nations, owning their own home plays a significant role in people’s lives.
The underlying reasons for this tendency are mainly the perception of wealth
and pride associated with buying a home as well as the financial benefits it brings
about. However, I believe that this trend has a negative impact on society.

There are a number of factors explaining why it is significant for many citizens to
purchase their own house. Firstly, having a property is considered to be a sign of
wealth and pride in many cultures. For example, many parents in Asian countries,
such as China and Vietnam, teach their children to be diligent and save money so
that they can buy a house in the future. Furthermore, homeownership also brings
various long-term financial benefits. In many cases, the amount of money used to
rent a house in many consecutive years is equal to or even more than the money
to purchase one when added up. Therefore, some individuals even apply for a
mortgage to be able to afford a house.

On the whole, I believe that this tendency influences our society negatively in some
aspects. On the individual level, while some may think that this motivates many
individuals to work harder, I would argue that it creates a considerable burden on
them, both financially and mentally. As a result, they might live under enormous
pressure or even go bankrupt because of weak budget management. On the
macro level, the larger the number of people who desire to purchase a home is, the
more expensive these properties become. Consequently, it may increase the
difficulty in buying one and create a variety of housing problems for the
government.

In conclusion, not only is the desire of homeownership in some countries

associated with the cultural factor, but it also results from many perceived financial
advantages in the long run. As a consequence, it possibly leads to putting
financial and mental pressure on the buyer and results in higher prices of houses
and apartments in general.

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ESSAY 2:
Nowadays many people choose to be self-employed, rather than to
work for a company or organisation.
Why might this be the case?
What could be the disadvantages of being self-employed?

In recent years, many individuals have decided to work for themselves instead of
being employed by others. Although some may find running their own business
motivating and beneficial, this also has some downsides.

There are a number of factors contributing to the trend of self-employment. Firstly,

there are more incentives and encouragement for people to become
entrepreneurs. Specialist publications, TV shows and business support services
about start-ups are widespread, making doing business more approachable and
convenient than before. For example, several successful candidates in a TV show
called Shark Tank, who presented their ideas and attracted investment from the
judges, have inspired other businesspeople. Another fundamental reason is that
becoming self-employed can be beneficial in the long term. Not only can it bring
financial benefits but also a sense of achievement and freedom that they cannot
enjoy if working for others.

However, this choice of career is not without its drawbacks. One of the most
significant disadvantages is the risk of bankruptcy. This is because it requires
practical knowledge and skills to operate a business, which many entrepreneurs
sometimes underestimate, leading to their failure. It is said that a majority of
companies go bankrupt within the first few years mainly because the owners lack the
necessary knowledge and experience. Another negative impact is that work/life
balance is easily susceptible to the disturbances of self-employment. Many
young start-ups allocate most of their time and effort to their business, which may
cause them some serious physical and mental health problems such as strokes
or lowering the quality of their relationships.

In conclusion, the tendency to be self-employed is due to the motivation and benefits

that it may provide. However, anyone wishing to follow this path needs to be aware
of the expertise that it requires and the influence it has on their work/life balance.

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ESSAY TYPE: CAUSE/PROBLEM/SOLUTION

ESSAY 1:
In many parts of the world, people now often throw things away
when they are broken and buy new ones. Whereas, in the past,
things were repaired and used again.
Why do you think this is the case?
What problems may it lead to?

In many countries, people are increasingly falling into the pattern of purchasing
new products instead of fixing broken ones. This phenomenon is the result
of consumerism and the change in the purpose of shopping, and it can lead to a
range of severe consequences.

The first factor laying the foundation for this throwaway culture is the fact that we
are living in a society that encourages mass production and consumption.
Consequently, cheap, short-lived products are flooding the market and making it
more convenient and cost-effective to replace things than ever before. Another
significant reason for this trend is that many people now consider shopping a way
to show off their social status and wealth. Aggressive advertising has instilled
a misconception in many individuals that the possession of cutting-edge
devices or products of internationally well-known brands will help them gain the
respect and admiration of others. A good illustration of this is that today some
people have no hesitation in spending thousands of dollars buying the latest iPhone
model, even though their current phones are still in good condition.

The first negative effect that followers of this trend may shoulder is the financial
burden. This is because they need to find different ways to satisfy their desire for
shopping, meaning that they have to work harder and have more stress. Even
worse, if they cannot manage their budget skilfully, they are likely to get stuck in
a cycle of debt. However, the most devastating impact stemming
from throwaway culture is on the environment. First, mass production comes with a
constantly increasing demand for materials, resulting in the depletion of natural
resources. Moreover, the amount of rubbish in the world has been increasing
markedly in recent years, leading to the pollution of rivers, oceans and the soil as
can be seen in many parts of the world.

In conclusion, our throwaway society is the result of excessive shopping and the shift
in the social role of shopping which has relegated the older repair culture to the
dustbins of history. Not only does it place more financial pressure on
shopaholics, but it also has detrimental impacts on the environment.

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