You are not satisfied with the changing rooms in a sports centre that you visit. Write a letter to the manager. - What the problem is - How you feel about the problem - What steps you want the manager to take

Dear Sir,

I am a life member of your sports centre. I am writing this letter to complain about the problems all members are encountering in the changing rooms.

The bolts on the doors and windows are all broken as a result of which anyone can budge into the room while we are changing. To add to it, the curtains are so dirty that they smell. The urinals attached to the changing rooms also stink. The dust bins are also very dirty.

On behalf of all the members, I request you to look into the matter urgently. We all feel very disgusted at the services we are receiving. We have all paid a very heavy membership fees and we feel that we deserve the best.

I would suggest you to call in a plumber and a carpenter to rectify the sanitary and wooden fittings. The curtains need to be changed. Last but not least, I would urge you to make regular inspections of the changing rooms so that the staff, in charge of the mopping and cleaning, do their work properly.

Hoping for a prompt action from you regarding this matter!

Yours faithfully,
XYZ.

You are attending a part time course in a college. Due to some problem, you cannot continue your course. Write a letter to your teacher - Describe the course - Explain the problem - Explain the reason for not continuing Tell the teacher about your future plans

Dear Professor James,

I am writing to formally request to withdraw from the part time course “Introduction to Gerontology’, which I am doing in the evening batch in Khalsa College.

The reason for discontinuing the course is that my mother is not keeping very good health lately. She has recurrent attacks of asthma and cannot be left alone in such a situation. She is a known case of asthma but this time the attacks are more severe because of super added viral infection.

The course in Gerontology involves caring for the elderly. Today, we belong to an ageing society and we are part of a greying population. I would be better placed in today’s job market after doing this course. So, I would definitely like to continue this course with the next batch which begins in August.

Sir, I would be very grateful if you could get me a tuition refund so that I can apply for the next batch. I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused by this change of plan.

Thank you for your kind attention to these requests. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 9888195776.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely yours
XYZ

Write a letter to a travel agent expressing your dissatisfaction with their facilities due to a problem you had on a holiday.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to complain about the ‘Star Cruise’ I recently went on with your company. I travelled on Victoria 203 from 3rd to 17th April and I was shocked by the standard of food and accommodation offered on the cruise.

To begin with, I was disgusted by the size and condition of the cabin. It was very small and dirty unlike the ‘large deluxe cabin’ that your advertisement promises.

What is more, there was no private bathroom in the cabin. I was appalled to find that I had to share a bathroom with several other passengers, in spite of the fact that I specifically requested a private bathroom when I booked the trip.

To make matters worse, the food on board was very unsatisfactory. Although your advertisement promises a five star restaurant with gourmet food, the food was in fact of a very poor standard.

I feel, I am entitled to a full refund for the cost of the cruise and a written apology for the misinformation contained in your advertisement. I hope to hear from you regarding this matter as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully,
XYZ

You and your family have just rented an apartment and one or two problems occurred. Write a letter to the landlord. Describe the problems and tell him what you want him to do.

Dear Mr. James,

I am your new tenant from apartment number 341, Harrison Street. I moved in with my family one week ago. I am writing this letter to appraise you with some problems that we are facing in the apartment.

The taps in the bathrooms are leaking because of which my two year old daughter has slipped twice. The shower is also not working properly. The lock of the main door is also not aligned properly. We have to push the door hard to lock it.

All these problems need immediate action. As you have rented out so many apartments, you must be having a tie-up with some plumber and carpenter. You may call them directly or give me their contact numbers so that I can call them at the earliest. As you know I have signed a lease of one year with you and the rent is also on the higher side because you have included the maintenance charges in that.
Hoping for a prompt action from your side!

Yours sincerely,
Kiran

Describe a situation when something in your house broke or stopped working. Please say - What was it? - What happened when it broke/stopped working? - How did you feel about it?

In our day to day life we use many things.
Some things are of breakable materials like glass.
While using, some things break or go out of order.
Here I would like to talk about my computer monitor which I damaged accidentally while I was cleaning my room last month.
I remember, my room was in a mess and I got a scolding from my mother that day.
So, I started cleaning it reluctantly.
First I cleaned my clothes almirah and then my bed.
After that was the turn of my study table.
There were lot of things on it beside my PC.
I pushed my books to one side and the monitor fell on the floor with a thud.
My heart skipped a beat.
I immediately picked it up and fitted it.
I was relieved to see it was working.
But that relief was short lived.
I had damaged the monitor beyond repair.
The screen has started flickering and it is uncomfortable to look at it for more than five minutes at a time.
I felt very bad.
The next day I took it to a repair shop where they checked it and told me that it cannot be repaired.
My father had gifted me that PC on my birthday.
With a heavy heart I told my father that the monitor was damaged.
Fortunately my father had the bill and we were relieved to see that it was within guaranty period.
So, we took it to the store from where we had bought it and they sent it to the company for replacement.
After two weeks I got a new monitor.
But, it taught me a lesson.
Such electronic things need to be handled with care.

Write a letter to your English speaking friend who is visiting you soon and asking you what presents your family would like. Write - Who your family consists of - What kind of presents each member would like. - How you feel about your friend coming to visit

Dear Hannah,

It was a very pleasant surprise to hear from you after such a long time. My joy knew no bounds when I read that you are coming to visit me.

My parents and my younger sister too are very excited about your visit. It is very generous of you to ask what they would like as a present from you. Believe me Hannah, your presence here would be the biggest gift for them. As far as material things are concerned, nowadays everything is available in India. So, please don’t bother yourself for this.

It would be great if you send me your detailed itinerary so that I can plan the best for your holiday. You know, India has a rich historical background and I would like you to visit as much as possible. There is the Taj Mahal at Agra which is a must-see. Then the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the temples of South India, the beaches of Goa and the back-waters of Kerala are all awaiting you. Fortunately, there is a summer break going on in my college, so I shall be completely at your disposal. I am really excited about your visit. We shall have a great holiday together and also revive some of the nostalgic memories of the great time we had four years ago when we were both studying at Leeds University.

Waiting eagerly for you!

Yours lovingly,
Kiran

Today, people can work and live in anywhere they want, because of the improvement of communication technology and transport. Do advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

It is irrefutable that because of the advances in telecommunication technology and travel, today’s person can live and work in any part of the globe. The advantages of this definitely outweigh the disadvantages. In the following paragraphs I shall put forth my arguments to support my views.

There are many advantages of being able to live and work from anywhere. First of all, people have more choices of jobs because of technological advances. Not only can you work in any part of your home country, you can work for any company in any part of the world by telecommuting. Secondly, modern wireless technology has made work easier and created more time for self and family. What is more, people can lessen their work hours and still do their work more efficiently. Another advantage is that people can manage more than one work at a time. This is the need of the day as inflation is touching the sky and people need to earn more and more.

Furthermore, the modern transportation modes like the metro and light rail have lessened the travel time and also made it more convenient for commuters. This has also decreased the need for people to live in the cities to do jobs because now it is possible to work in cities and come back to peaceful countryside in the evenings because of modern transport systems. This has decreased the overcrowding of cities which was making cities unbearable to live in.

On the downside, this is leading to a sedentary lifestyle as people don’t need to travel. Another disadvantage is that people become so dependent on technology that any network failure may lead life to come to a standstill. Nevertheless, I still believe that these minor disadvantages are of no importance if we look at the plethora of advantages this situation has to offer.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, people can live and work anywhere today and this situation is more of a boon than a bane.

Films can have effect on the children’s education and teach them many things. Do you think it is always a positive influence? Discuss.

It is irrefutable that movies can be very educative for children. However, the effect of movies is not always beneficial. In the following paragraphs, I intend to discuss the positive and negative effects of movies on children.

On the positive side, movies are enjoyable for children of all ages. They stimulate children’s emotions, imaginations and conversations. Movies also introduce children to cultures and historical events. Movies used in the classroom enhance learning. Therefore, if the movies are good they can have a very positive influence on a child’s growth.

On the downside, children are negatively affected by movies with sex, violence drug abuse and offensive language. Older children and adolescents may copy the risky things they see in movies. What is more, movies glamorize things like smoking and drinking and children are quick to pick up these traits.

Furthermore, watching too many movies can impede the development of healthy habits like playing outdoor games, reading and spending quality time with family. Children who are avid film viewers are more likely to suffer from obesity related problems throughout their lives.

I believe that as everything has its pros and cons, movies too can have both - good and bad influences. It is very important for parents to check the movie ratings before allowing their children to watch any movies. The best thing for parents could be to watch movies with their children. Watching movies together could be a very rewarding experience.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that movies can have a positive or a negative influence on children but if parents take steps in choosing their children’s movies, then the effect can be largely positive.

Competitive sports like football are considered to add a lot of value by bringing people of different states and nationalities together. Yet some people argue that these sports divide people on the basis of nationalities and age groups. What is your opinion? Write about each view and then describe your answer supporting it with relevant examples from your own experience.

It is irrefutable that competitive sports such as The Football World Cup and The Olympics are watched by millions of people worldwide. There are divided opinions on whether these games unite or divide people on the basis of age and nationalities. In the following paragraphs, I intend to discuss both views followed by my opinion.

Sports provide people with entertainment and something to get excited about and they are topics for conversation. They provide a common bond for complete strangers and a common team to cheer for. For example, Brazil has a high rate of unemployment and crime because of which Brazilians have a low self esteem. But, when the world cup starts, then the people forget all their problems. An amazing feeling of pride and patriotism comes in them and they cheer their team together.

The Olympic games are one of the best examples of how sporting events can bring people of different nations together. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans would interrupt battles to participate in games. Even India and Pakistan forget their differences on the cricket ground and the players embrace each other after every match.

On the other hand there are many examples of violence and conflicts which such games have brought about. Football hooliganism or football violence is well known to all. The 1985 European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventis in Heysel Stadium led to the death of 39 supporters. Any wrong decision by the referee can lead to violence. A lot of emotion and passion are involved and all reason and logic fly out of the window. That is why some people hold the opinion that such games divide people.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that competitive games generally bring people together. There are a few incidences when over-patriotism prevailed and people got divided but such incidents can be counted on the fingertips.

Some people think that competitive sports have a positive effect on the child’s education while others argue it is not so. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and opine.

In recent years, due to stiff competition in almost every area some people opine that competitive sports have a beneficial impact on children’s education. However, there are some who disagree with the above notion. Before presenting my view, I intend to explore both sides of the argument.

There are many advantages of competitive sports. The first and foremost advantage is that such sports prepare children for a society that thrives on competition. Competition is a normal part of human nature and a part of everyday life. Secondly, competitive sports provide challenges and help children deal with such challenges. Finally, these games teach discipline and help build character and confidence.

On the other hand opponents on competitive sports argue that these sports lead to stress which is detrimental to the mental health of children. If these games are played with a win-at-all-cost attitude then sometimes unethical means are adopted to win and this is definitely not what children should learn in schools. Competitive sports also have a toxic effect on the relation among children. Each child may regard others as a rival to his own success and it leads children to envy winners and laugh at losers.

In my opinion, competitive sports are good but over competitiveness should be discouraged. The win-at-all-cost mentality should not be there. In childhood, competition should be introduced gradually and children should build skills, participate fully and focus on playing rather than winning.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, competitive sports have more pros than cons. Students should play competitive sports because they make them adapt better to this competitive society. However, schools should take effective measures to avoid destructive competition.

People try new dangerous sports such as sky-diving or rock climbing. Should such sports be banned?

In recent years we have seen a considerable rise in dangerous or extreme sports. Although I do not support an outright ban on such sports, I do feel that the government should regulate such sports so that they are played under the supervision of adults which will minimize the risks.

It is irrefutable that dangerous or extreme sports can cause injury or even death to the individuals. However, banning such sports is not the answer. Instead, the government should ensure that the companies or centres which provide the facilities for such sports should meet the required, legal safety standards. Another argument against banning is that then people would play them in hiding and then they would be even more risky. After all we all know that forbidden fruits tempt more.

Furthermore, if government bans such sports, it could be viewed as an infringement of the rights. Those who choose to participate in these sports know the consequences. They know very well what is good or bad for them. They argue that if such sports are banned, then all those other things that are harmful for individuals should be banned like smoking, drinking and eating fast foods.

What is more, those sportsmen who excel in such sports bring name and fame to their country. They break records set by others and when they do so, the name of their country shines in the whole world.

Nevertheless, such sports should be performed after sufficient training and under supervision of adults. Dangerous sport companies should require a license for providing such training.

Road transport is taking over rail services. Discuss the positive and negative effects of this development. Is this situation true for your country?

Transport refers to the activity that facilitates movements of goods and individuals from one place to another. So, it removes the distance barrier. Roadways and railways are the two means of land transport. It is true that in many countries road transport is becoming more popular. It is both a negative as well as a positive development which I shall discuss in this essay.

There are many advantages of road transport over rail transport. To begin with, it is a relatively cheaper mode of transport than rail transport. Secondly, perishable goods can be transported at a faster speed by road carriers over a short distance. Moreover, it provides door-to-door service. So, loading and unloading is possible at any destination. Finally, it is the only mode of transport in hilly areas which are not connected by other modes of transport.

On the downside, road transport has its limitations which are indirectly the plus points of rail transport. Firstly, due to limited carrying capacity, road transport is not economical for long distances. Secondly, road transport is affected by adverse weather conditions like floods, rain, landslide etc. on the other hand rail transport is hardly affected by such situations. Finally, road transport leads to too much congestion on roads which in turn may cause accidents and increase pollution.

In India, over the years, more and more inland freight traffic has been shifting from rail to road. In 1951, 88% of the country’s freight was moving on rail and 10% on road. But today, about 60% of the freight moves on road and 38% on rail.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, road transport definitely has an edge over rail transport. That is why it is becoming more popular. This situation has both pros and cons which I have explained in the above paragraphs.

Some people think if students are afraid of the teacher it is better. Others say that having a friendly relation is better. What do you think?

Young children are buildings under construction and teachers are the builders. It is a highly debatable issue whether teachers should be friendly or strict. In my opinion, extremes of both approaches are bad. I good teacher should know when to be friendly and when to be strict and also know the degree of friendliness and strictness required.

There are many advantages if teachers are strict. To begin with, discipline can only be maintained if teachers are strict. For example, if students are afraid of the teacher, they will attend classes regularly and complete their work in time. But, if the teacher is too strict, then the students may lose interest in the subject and may not come to the teacher with their problems.

On the other hand, a friendly teacher is like a good mentor with whom students can share their problems. Students also take more interest in the subject. Students bloom under the guidance of such a teacher. The disadvantage, however, is that a too friendly or partial attitude results in diversion from studies.

In my opinion, a good teacher should be like a friend, philosopher and guide for his students. But, from time to time, he should pull the reins so that the students do not go out of hand. After all, he is shaping the future of the nation. There is a well known saying in Sanskrit that ‘Acharya Devo Bhava’ which means that a teacher is like a God.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, it has to be decided by the teacher when to be friendly or strict and how much degree of friendliness or strictness is required because extremes of both approaches are detrimental for the future of a student and ultimately for the future of a nation.

Do you think children should be given freedom to do whatever they want or parents should impose restrictions on them.

Young children are beginners. They have lots to learn and one of the biggest lessons they must learn is to behave or act in a responsible manner. So, it is a debatable issue whether there should be rules on children or whether they should be given total freedom.

Firstly, restrictions create responsible and respectful children who, in turn, mature into respectful adults. They know the value of respect for others. They know the importance of relationships. They know their cultural values as well. They know their boundaries.

However, if too strict restrictions are imposed on them, they may become rebels. They may start doing just the opposite of what is told them to do. What is more, they may show abnormal behavior. They may fall into bad company or start taking drugs. Finally, imposing too strict rules destroys the individuality of children. They may withdraw into a shell and become introverts.

What is important is that parents should learn where restrictions are needed and where it is important to give room to children. Having absolutely no restrictions and letting children do whatever they feel like would be very wrong. They are not mature enough to solve all problems and they have to be taught their limits.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, parents should impose restrictions but should also know where to draw the line. They should be flexible and modify the rules according to circumstances.

Some people say that parents should control their children’s behavior from a very young age. What do you think?

I definitely agree with the view. Young children are beginners. They have lots to learn and one of the biggest lessons they must learn is to behave or act in an acceptable manner. So parents have the onus of instilling the best values in their children. They must do so from a really young age because a little late may be too late.

Firstly, restrictions create responsible and respectful children who, in turn, mature into respectful adults. They know the value of respect for others. They know the importance of relationships. They know their cultural values as well. They know their boundaries.

Moreover, children are like sponges which very easily absorb what is taught to them. If you teach them good values, they will imbibe them. If parents don’t realize their role and don’t bother much, children will learn from other sources like TV and the people around them. They learn whatever they see and observe and if no one tells them at an early age what is wrong and what is right, they may learn vulgarity and violence. Later on parents may find it impossible to make them unlearn those things.

Furthermore, if parents don’t control their child's behavior from a very young age, they may fall into bad company. They may start taking drugs under peer pressure. Once children become drug addicts, it is very difficult to bring them to normalcy once again.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, parents are responsible for bringing children into this world and it is their responsibility for instilling good behavior in them. So, the earlier they do so the better. If they keep waiting, things may go out of hand.

Should old people live with family or separately with the same aged people?

It is a highly debatable issue whether old people should live with family or old-age homes. This is a very important issue because demographic trends suggest that we are part of a graying society in which the population of the elderly is growing by leaps and bounds. I have strong arguments to suggest that they should live separately.

Aged people should live separate because this will give them a feeling of independence. Moreover, by doing so, they will command more respect in the eyes of their children. It is irrefutable that relationships become strong and meaningful when people are not under the same roof. Hence, if aged people are away from their children physically, both will be closer to each other emotionally.

What is more, the mushroom growth of old age homes is ample evidence that they are a boon for the society. They give the opportunity to the elderly to be in the comfort of people of similar age and experience. They also remain healthy with timely day-to-day activities. In such homes, the elderly also get a chance to do some social service activities which in turn help the society.

Furthermore, the culture of the old age homes tends to refine some attitudes of the aged such as short temper and negative thinking. Old age homes are also a boon for those elderly who face social isolation in their own homes where their so-called loved ones neglect them badly and have no time for them.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, the elderly should live with people of their own age group, in old age homes, where they enjoy the retired period of their life nicely, comfortably and productively.

Advertising influences people to buy things such as clothes and shoes. What are the problems caused by that? What solutions can be given.

It is irrefutable that advertising promotes consumerism. In this essay I intend to explore the problems caused by excessive consumerism and suggest some ways forward.

To begin with, advertisements can cause people to be dissatisfied with what they already have and make them want more. Being exposed again and again to products which one cannot afford leads to frustration and dissatisfaction. Furthermore, not all parents are in a position to afford the goods which the children see advertised and want to possess. This often leads to feeling of inadequacy among the less well off.

In addition to this advertisements create materialism. It is a fact that people are prepared to work longer hours and even turn to crime to buy these material goods. Last but not least, excessive consumerism leads to a throw-away culture which is detrimental to the environment.

The solutions are not simple. Advertisements cannot be banned because they are a source of valuable revenue which is used for the benefit of majority. The onus is on the people not to get carried away and buy only what they actually need. The government can, however, ban unnecessary packaging. Furthermore, educating people is a crucial tool against excessive consumerism. People could be made to understand how they are exploited by the adverts. It is also vital to teach our children financial management right from the early years. This way there will be less chance for them to be swayed by the advertisements.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, advertising does promote consumerism but people could be educated about the ill effects of excessive consumerism.

Do you agree or disagree that animals should be kept in men made cells.

I disagree that animals should be kept in men made cells. I feel that zoos are an unsuitable environment for animals and therefore should be abolished.

Firstly, zoo animals are kept in very confined area compared with their vast natural habitat. Due to this zoo animals develop unnatural habits like pacing back and forth or swaying from side to side. For example, polar bears are given about 10 metres of walking space where as in their arctic home they roam for hundreds of kilometers. Similarly, lions and tigers are confined in cages where they lack exercise and stimulation. What is more, it is very common for visitors to tease and provoke caged animals. This also leads to unnatural behavior in animals.

Secondly, the breeding programmes taken up by zoos are not very successful. For instance, the ‘Panda Breeding Programme’ has been very costly and unsuccessful. Also, zoo life does not prepare animals for the challenges of life in the wild. They are provided good food in the zoos, but if left in the jungle, they may die of starvation because they cannot hunt for themselves.

Finally, the zoo is an unnatural environment that exposes animals to many dangers. Diseases often spread between species that would never live together naturally. For example, many Asian elephants have died in African zoos after catching herpes from African elephants.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, zoos are unnatural habitats for the wild animals and there is no justification in caging these marvelous creatures of God.

In companies, promotions to high positions should be given to employees inside the company and not to somebody outside the company or new hiring. Do you agree or disagree?

It is a highly debatable issue whether promotions should be given to employees from within or new hiring should be done. The given statement proposes to in-house hiring. It is necessary to look at the pros and cons of promoting from within the company before forming an opinion.

There are many benefits to hiring from within. To begin with, the employee is familiar with the company. No special training needs to be given. The person knows about the general working of the business. Moreover, employees feel that they will be rewarded for their extra effort and hard work. So, an employee who has been tested and excelled at a lower level can be shifted to an upper level.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of hiring from within. Sometimes, the established policy of hiring from within makes some employees feel that they are entitled to promotion just because they have spent time with the company. Secondly, this can hurt the feelings of other employees who are not promoted. They may feel that they deserved the position better.

In my opinion, a manager or business owner needs to remember that all the hiring decisions need to be made with the idea of strengthening the business. This means that sometimes a person from within can be moved up and sometimes a highly qualified person can be hired from outside.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, each promotion needs to be done on a case to case basis and at all times the HR manager needs to do what is in the best interest of the company.

Discuss your opinion on how modernism can affect our health. What can the government do to overcome such situations?

Modern life can be very taxing. Today, we live faster, work more and have less free time than ever before. In addition, our conveniences come at the expense of the purity of the environment. In this essay I intend to delve into the negative effects of modernism on our health and the steps that can be taken to overcome them.

There is an age old saying, “We are what we eat”. This holds good even today. Nowadays, good food is hard to find. Many people are eating the quickest and the cheapest foods they can find, which, unfortunately, are the least nutritious. They lead to obesity which can predispose to many diseases such as hypertension and obesity.

The second major effect of modernism is lack of exercise. Machines and the automobiles have made our lifestyle very sedentary. In addition to it, the fast paced lifestyle and the IT revolution have increased our expectations from work. Not only that, the consumerist society also makes us work more. This makes us workaholics and as a result we suffer from stress which has led many to a nervous breakdown.

Many steps can be taken to combat the negative effects of modernism. The best way to do this is to start educating people on how to live a healthier life. This has to be done on a large scale. The government can take the help of the media for this purpose. There should be a ban on the ads of fast foods. People have to be told the difference between a healthy meal and a fattening one. Secondly, exercise should be incorporated in our daily routine. For short distances, people should be encouraged to walk. This would kill two birds with one stone as people would be healthy and also pollution from vehicles would reduce. This pollution also causes health problems. Finally, government should fix working hours. This would give people more time to relax and exercise.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, modernism can affect our physical and mental health but government can take many steps to lessen these effects.

Talk about a person who speaks a different language to yours whom you have met. Please say - Where & how did you meet this person? - What was so special about this person? - What did you learn from him/her?

• I have met many foreigners in my life.
• But, most of them could speak English.
• So I had no problem in communicating with them.
• Here I am going to talk about a person who speaks only Italian
• His name is Bruno
• He is my cousin’s friend
• My cousin lives in Italy
• He was born and brought up there
• Last year he came to India to attend the wedding of my sister.
• He brought his Italian friend with him
• They stayed in our home for two weeks.
• Initially we had a lot of problem in communication.
• My cousin always had to act as interpreter.
• But Bruno was very special.
• He picked up Punjabi very fast.
• In just two days he was very easily communicating with all of us in Punjabi.
• He could make himself understood very well.
• I learnt a few words of Italian from him.
• Grazie means Thank you
• Scusi means Excuse me
• Grazie tante means Thanks a lot
• chao (ciao) means goodbye
• I also learnt that gestures can communicate a lot.
• We enjoyed a lot with him.
• He attended the whole wedding.
• Later on we took him to the Golden Temple.
• He was awestruck to see the beauty of Golden Temple.
• We also took him to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
• When he went back we all had tears in our eyes.

Some people say that subjects like arts, music, drama and creative writing are more beneficial to children and therefore they need more of these subjects to be included in the timetable. Do you agree or disagree?

Arts have little or no place in the educational curriculum so far because we have a feeling that time spent on these things is time wasted. Recent studies, however, have shown that a good curriculum that includes arts education can have multiple benefits which I shall highlight in this essay.

The most important benefit of arts in schools is that it contributes to making a well rounded student. Not only that, certain forms of arts instruction enhance and complement academic skills such as basic reading skills, language development and writing skills. So, children do well in other subjects also.

Another big advantage is that it encourages the pursuit of extra-curricular activities. Children get a chance to show their creative expression. When such hidden abilities are exposed in school time then those with exceptional talent can be encouraged to adopt it as a profession later-on in life. It is a well known fact that people in such professions are earning telephone figure salaries nowadays.

Last but not least, such subjects are stress-busters. In the highly competitive era of today, pressure of academic subjects is too high. Arts like music, drama and creative writing break the monotony of tough academic studies.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that our educational curriculum needs a serious revision and more of such subjects need to be added to the school curriculum. They complement academic study, bring out hidden talent and break the ennui of tough academic studies.

Small shops in towns and villages are closing and replaced by big stores. Explain your opinion. Do you think it is good or bad?

Commercialization has grown rapidly in the modern era. Consequently, there is a mushroom growth of big shopping malls. As every garden has weeds, this phenomenon also has its pros and cons. On the whole, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

There are many advantages of big stores. To begin with, they save our time. We do not have to waste time going from one small shop to the other. Secondly, these stores offer a huge variety of goods. For example, in some stores you can buy anything ranging from a sewing needle to a car.

Furthermore, such stores purchase items in bulk and so they can afford to sell the products at a lower price than the other small retailers and therefore the customers are benefited. To add to it, they sell mostly the branded products and so the quality is assured. Another advantage is that most of such stores accept credit cards and so you don’t have to carry heavy chunks of cash.

On the downside, such malls promote consumerism. They pull the customers through attractive displays and schemes and as a result customers end up buying more than they need. Moreover, such shops are opened with huge investments. So they can withstand adverse market conditions for a long time. Because of this the small retailers and vendors are finding it difficult to cope with them.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that big shopping malls are definitely an asset to the customer and society despite their drawbacks.

Scientists believe that computers will become more intelligent than human beings. Some people find it a positive development while others think it is negative development. Discuss both points and give your own opinion.

There are a lot of computer scientists who are convinced that when computers become many times faster than they are now, and more complex, they will be more intelligent than human beings. Some take it as a blessing where as others take it as a curse. In the following paragraphs I shall discuss both viewpoints and finally give my opinion.

On the positive side, computer machines or robots can do lots of jobs for human beings and this saves the labour force to be engaged in other aspects. More and more automated machines have replaced human labour. Computer manages our banks and the tickets at the airport are issued by machine-robot. In addition, the robots have entered offices, departments and houses to help people to work easily and to enjoy longer leisure hours in their own homes. The computerization certainly relieves human beings from heavy labours. What is more, robotic surgery is being done to overcome the limitation of human beings such as trembling of human hands. Microscopic surgeries and eye operations can be better done with the help of robotic surgeons.

On the downside, if intelligent machine-robots replace human being’s work then this would cause many to out of work. Unemployment would further cause a lot of problems. What is more, people would rely too much on computers and become lethargic which would lead to problems such as obesity. Finally, robots may dominate our world just like what is shown in our science fiction movies of today.

I believe that computers hold much more information than the human brain possibly can, but the collective information that is found there came from large groups of human brains around the world. Without the human brains, computers wouldn't be available to gather that information. The computer only has information if a human being adds to the system. A computer can think to some extent. You can ask it questions and it will give you an automated answer. It cannot touch the human brain though. Experience is sometimes a better answer than the mechanical version of it. Human brains certainly outweigh computers because computers can't feel. Technology will never be able to create something that could surpass the incredibly complex and ever changing human.

In conclusion, Artificial Intelligence has both positive and negative effects. What we must do is make sure that the positive ones are encouraged and negative ones are eliminated as far as possible. After all it is in our hands not to become slaves of our own technology.

Advances in technology and automation have reduced the need for manual labour. Therefore working hours should be reduced. To what extent do you agree?

In many production-oriented factories, machinery has evolved to such a degree that the demand for physical labour has considerably reduced, leading to the suggestion of a reduced working week. However, there are several factors that need to be considered.

Primarily, the long-term impact of shorter working weeks needs to be considered. Although less time at work may sound appealing, the reality is that people may find that they have too much free time. Fewer working hours would presumably mean less income, so a situation arises where employees have more leisure time than their income can support. This has the potential to result in feelings of boredom, frustration or anxiety, all of which have potential side-effects for society as a whole.

Connected with this comes the social factor of self-esteem. Working less is one thing; working less because robots can complete the tasks you were assigned is another. A solution that would benefit all those concerned would be to utilise the time no longer required for manual labour for something more productive. Instead of simply reducing the working week, a combination of industry and government support could allow for employees to receive further education and training, thus giving those employed in manual labour the academic tools to find different employment. Even automated factories still require technicians, mechanics and designers to maintain and improve production.

To summarise, until such time as automation has reduced the working week for all types of employee, it would perhaps be counter-productive to reduce the hours of those involved in manual labour without providing an alternative simply because they are replaceable.

Patrick Bourne, author of IELTS High Impact and director of IELTStestONLINE:

One of the strongest points in this essay is the way that the essay has been structured using a variety of linking words and phrases. The first body paragraph opens with ‘Primarily’, and the last sentence of the paragraph begins with the reference word ‘This’. The following paragraph links with ‘Connected with this’ and uses linking words like ‘thus’.

Want to know more about using a range of linking words and phrases? Visit us at http://www.IELTStestONLINE.com and become a member of our online course!

Individuals should not be allowed to carry guns. Do you agree or disagree.

There are some who hold the opinion that gun ownership should be restricted, as it is in many countries, and that people in general should not be permitted to keep them. There are a number of reasons to agree with this point of view, as will now be discussed.

A major reason why governments should not allow people to have guns is because of the potential for accidents. In America, for example, you can legally shoot people if you find them robbing your house, but this can lead to people dying over cases of mistaken identity. In addition, there are crimes where people act rashly or in anger, so guns that were intended for defence are often used aggressively.

There is also the intentional damage caused by guns. It is statistically evident that the number of gun-related crimes is higher in countries where firearm ownership is legal. Countries like America, for example, suffer from a disproportionately high number of fatal shootings in comparison with most other countries.

Some people, however, argue that shooting is a sport, thus being prevented from owning their own firearm is both unjust d a violation of our rights. Yet this must be balanced with the overwhelming number of people who use guns for criminal purposes.

To sum up, it is clear that the proliferation of guns leads to injury and death both intentionally and unintentionally. Although there are points to support gun ownership, they are weak in comparison with the rising tide of gun crime, a situation which will only continue to worsen.

Patrick Bourne, author of IELTS High Impact and director of IELTStestONLINE:

There are a number of strengths to this essay, but perhaps the most important is that all of the arguments are logically laid out, with one point being presented in each paragraph. The topic sentence of each paragraph is clear, and each paragraph is built with an appropriate amount of development and support for a 250 word essay.

Want to know more about building the ideal paragraph? Visit us at http://www.IELTStestONLINE.com and become a member of our online course!

In many countries, children are getting fatter and less fit day by day. Why is it so and suggest solutions.

It is irrefutable that childhood obesity is a burgeoning problem these days in many parts of the world. In this essay I intend into the causes of this problem and suggest some ways forward.

The most important reason is unhealthy diet. Children are attracted to fast food which is rich in sugar and fat. They are ignorant of what constitutes a healthy diet. Parents nowadays are busy in their work and are not present to guide their children. To add to it, children are bombarded with advertisements from fast food companies.

Another important factor is that children are much less active than they used to be. In the past young people took part in activities that burned a lot of energy. However, today they spend a lot of their time indoors, sitting in front of the computers or playing video games. This sedentary life style is playing havoc with the health of young people.

There are a number of steps that need to be taken to solve this problem. The first is to educate children about nutrition. Schools should organize compulsory lessons to explain the main elements of a healthy diet and teach pupils how to prepare healthy meals. Parents should also cook healthy delicious meals at home so that children are deterred from eating fast food. Furthermore, governments should have some restrictions on the type of adverts shown in children’s programmes. Finally, children should be encouraged to take part in sports. Schools have a great role to play in this.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, childhood obesity is a serious problem and it should be tackled on a war footing otherwise the young people of today will have a very unhealthy middle and old age.

Today, majority of children are raised by their grandparents due to the fact that their parents are busy working. To what extent do you think it affects the whole family?

It is irrefutable that both parents are working nowadays and as a result children have to be raised by either maids or grandparents. Definitely, grandparents are better than any other option and this situation affects the family in both positive and negative ways which I shall highlight in this essay.

On the positive side, looking after the grandchildren keeps the grandparents energetic and vibrant. Grandparents bathe, feed and even read books to the child. This leads to a sort of symbiotic relation in which both grandparents and grandchildren are benefited. In other words we can say that it is a win-win situation for both. Grandparents don’t suffer from loneliness and depression which is very common at that age and children are also well looked after.

Moreover, such a situation encourages joint family system. Therefore, all the benefits of a joint family are there. There is security in the family as we all know that there is security in numbers. Another big advantage is that grandparents teach moral values to children. If grandparents do not look after children then parents use TVs as baby-sitters and children can become couch potatoes.

On the negative side, it is generally seen that grandparents are over-doting and, out of love, may pamper and spoil the grandchildren. Another disadvantage is that if there is not enough harmony between the parents and grandparents then it can lead to frustration and spoil the whole atmosphere of the house. In such cases children are the worst sufferers.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, it is very beneficial if grandparents look after their grandchildren. Grandchildren learn moral values, are looked after well and grandparents enjoy themselves and don’t suffer from loneliness and depression.

Nowadays for many people the Internet is replacing regular books. What do you think will happen in the future and what are the possible solutions?

Version 1

It is irrefutable that the Internet and the other forms of e-media have come as a threat to the physical book. My view, however, is that despite the many threats, the book will remain as strong in the future as it was in the past.

Many people fear that the book may not survive because of the many threats it has been facing. Films were an early threat because they were very effective in telling stories in a visual way. Next, there was the radio followed by the TV and finally the internet. Surely, there are enough reasons why the book ought to be dead. But, it is not just alive, it is hale and hearty.

To further strengthen my point of view, I would like to segment books in three categories. In the first category are books that deal with academic curricula of schools and colleges. Students will always need to buy these books and carry them in their bags to schools and colleges for learning.

In the second category there are all the types of general education books like dictionaries, thesauruses and the like. The use of these books may be affected slightly because of uploading some of their content on the net. Other books dealing with diverse subjects like history, geography, cookery and hobbies will hardly be affected in any way. This is evident from their robust sales at the book counters.

In the third category we have the books dealing with fiction. These are companions for the traveler as well as the home bird. Their position can hardly be affected. Added to this the book is such a practical tool; it doesn’t cost too much; it is usually small enough to carry around and it can be easily revisited.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, despite the threat of the internet, the book has maintained its place. So I feel we’ll never go without books because they have served us so well for so long.

Version 2

The Internet as the mainstream of media plays a very important role in transferring information. Some people assert that internet would take the place of books in the future. However, in my opinion, each medium has its own advantages and disadvantages. Books will always hold a place in our lives.

Admittedly, internet has made our lives very convenient. Firstly, it can transform information instantly. It can tell us what happened in the world right away with very impressive pictures. Secondly, it plays an important role in education. People can study history, culture, language and cooking skills from the internet. Even the books are now available in electronic format (e-books) and that is the reason some people find it a threat to the traditional, physical, book.

However, we should not neglect the importance of books which are very convenient to carry and easy to get. Books are available everywhere, such as in the library, in the book store, in your pocket or beside the pillow. After a day’s work we can relax in our bed or sofa by reading some book or magazine. Books are also very good travel companions.

Moreover, it is very difficult to sit for long hours glued to the monitor screen. Eye strain and back pain are also some disadvantages of the internet. With so many power cuts, as in my country, we cannot rely on the internet. Last but not least, the day is not far when all people will be able to afford the internet connection.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, despite the threat of the internet, the book has maintained its place. So I feel we’ll never go without books because they have served us so well for so long.

Young people these days tend to be less polite and respectful than in the past. Causes and solutions.

It is irrefutable that the modern generation nowadays has become less considerate and civil than in the earlier times. In this essay, I intend to explore the possible causes of this situation and suggest some ways forward.

The most important reason is the disintegration of the traditional joint family system. In today’s nuclear families, there are no grandparents to teach moral values to children. Parents are busy working and do not spend quality time with children. Consequently, children become self-centred and uncaring for the world around them.

Secondly, we are part of a consumerist society. We desire to have the latest things and to get those things we are becoming workaholics. We set goals for ourselves and work hard to achieve them. As a result politeness and respect have taken a back seat. Finally, we have the influence of the western culture. There, it is considered quite normal to argue and question the elders.

The solutions are not simple. To begin with, it is necessary to instil moral values in children at a young age. So, joint family system should be encouraged. Secondly, community welfare programmes should be part of high school curriculum. We can also take the help of media to show programmes which highlight the good points of earlier times and discourage consumerism. But, the final onus is on the people themselves. They should be willing to change.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, in the fast-paced world of today, people have changed and become selfish and self centred, but steps can be taken to re-imbibe some virtues of the olden times.

For some people shopping is not just about buying what is necessary, but a form of entertainment. Do you think it is a positive or a negative development? Give your opinion and examples from your experience.

Shopping is generally thought of in terms of fulfilling needs. Shopping is seen first as a function and secondarily as something that serves emotional and social needs. As incomes have grown, choices have exploded and free time has increased, shopping has become entertainment as much as anything else. This can be seen as both – a positive as well as a negative development. In the following paragraphs I intend to explore the pros and cons of shopping as an entertainment.

On the positive side, shopping satisfies our needs. Everyone needs the basics of life such as items of food, clothing and shelter. Apart from that, needs vary from person to person. The things which were considered the luxuries of yesteryears have become the necessities of today. For example, the mobile phone has become a must-have for even the lower income group of people. Many businesses and jobs thrive on the connectivity provided by the mobile phone and the internet.

Furthermore, shopping has given rise to the consumerist society of today. This has given employment to many. For instance, people are working in the manufacturing industries and in the retail sector also. Mega stores and malls are also having a mushroom growth. What is more, psychologists claim that the best way to cope with stress or any kind of strong and negative emotion is to hit the shops and do plenty of shopping. It is called retail therapy and, according to many, it is guaranteed to boost spirits.

On the negative side, excessive shopping makes us pile up things in the home which we don’t even need. It also leads to a throw-away society which is detrimental to the environment. To do shopping, people need a lot of money and if this money does not come by fair means people resort to unethical means of getting it which leads to violence and crime in the society.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, shopping is good as long as it is done for need, but when it is done for greed then it becomes a bane. So we should do shopping only according to our requirement and then it will be a pleasurable experience also.

FASCINATING JOB

There are many jobs which I find fascinating but the job I am going to talk about here is of an event organiser.
I came to know about this job after I saw the movie Hum Tum.
Later I came to know that such jobs are very popular nowadays even in small places such as my home town Phagwara.
People are very busy nowadays and do not have time to organise family functions such as marriage parties and anniversaries.
So, they give their budget to the event organiser and he takes over the responsibility.
Actually I am very fond of organising such functions.
Whenever there is any function in the family, I do all the planning.
I note down everything to the smallest detail and then distribute duties to the family members.
When I came to know that I can get paid for this I was very fascinated.
No special training is needed for this job.
With every event you organise, you learn something new and your confidence grows.
You need to have contacts with various people who do the catering and decorations.
You even organise the DJ and the orchestra.
The most enjoyable part of this job is that you get to attend all the parties and meet new people.

ADVERTISEMENT YOU HAVE SEEN

Advertisements are ubiquitous nowadays.
I have seen many ads in my life but the ad I am going to talk about here is of Nokia N8
I saw this ad on Star News Channel
It’s a very attractive and beautiful phone.
It has a fully touch screen interface.
It is available in black, white and silver colours.
It has a 12 megapixel camera
It is 3 G enabled
It has a qwerty key pad.
It has many other applications such as video player, MP3 player
It also has latest mobile games
It has a calculator, alarm, timer, FM radio, calendar and internet facility.
Its memory is 8 GB
It has a wi-fi facility
It has a navigation system
Priyanka Chopra is the brand ambassador for this phone.
She is the leading Bollywood star nowadays.
She is also my favourite actress.
I have seen all her movies.
She also anchored the TV show – Khatron Ke Khilari
I watched this show because of her.
She has a versatile personality.
She fits into every role.
So when she endorses a product, people really want to buy it.
After seeing this ad I really wish to buy this phone.
But it is out of the range of my pocket
I have started saving money for this.
It is for 24,000 rupees.

Many diseases are spreading such as cancers and AIDS People are going abroad for treatment Is it beneficial for them?

It is true that many diseases are spreading and many people are going to foreign countries for their treatment
They think that treatments for such diseases are possible only in other developed countries
However, I don’t think so.
I believe that India is also very advanced in such treatments now a days.
In fact people from other countries come to India for advanced treatments now.
Many times we read in the papers that people come for their surgeries to India.
The doctors in India are very strong academically.
Some hospitals in India are one of the best in the world.
The cost of treatment in India is very less as compared to anywhere else in the world.
You know madam, one of my neighbours suffered from liver cancer.
He had to get a liver transplant.
The cost of the treatment was 1 crore in Singapore.
But he got it done in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital at Delhi for only 25 lacs.
He is perfectly fine now and enjoying his life.
I feel it is better to get treatment done in one’s own country because all your nears and dears are with you.
In such times you need a lot of moral support
Not everyone can travel abroad with you
You also need follow-up check-ups.
That is also possible in your own country.

Some companies and organizations require their employees to wear uniform. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniform?

Setting a dress code in the workplace is becoming increasingly common. In the following paragraphs, I intend to delve into the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniform at work.

One of the major benefits of a dress code within the office is that it establishes an atmosphere of discipline and uniformity. It ensures that inappropriate or dirty clothing is not worn to work. It is also a social leveller. If everyone is dressed to the same standard, there will be no judgements made towards other employees on the basis of their clothes. Having a uniform also reduces employee confusion: a clear dress code means they don't have to wonder "what" to wear or whether something would be appropriate to wear to work.

A dress code is also very important in non-office environments, such as in factories, for keeping employees safe. For example, if the employees work around machinery that a tie could get caught in, ties are not appropriate. The same is true of jewellery, belts, scarves, and long hair. Therefore, a dress code keeps employees safe from injury and also allows them to look presentable if clients or visitors come on site. This dress code is also very beneficial for other places of service, such as fast food, or grocery stores. It portrays a feeling of cleanliness when you know the staff is wearing their appropriate uniform, as opposed to if they were wearing their own clothing.

Furthermore, a dress code sets the "tone" of the company. For example, a law office with all the lawyers and associates wearing suits and formal business attire is viewed as being professional and able to handle court cases. How the public perceives a company is important to the type and amount of business it does.

The disadvantages are that it can become very boring to wear the same clothes daily. Secondly, the uniform may not be very comfortable to wear. These disadvantages can, however, be lessened by giving the employees a say in the choice of uniform.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, a dress code is very essential nowadays in the workplace. The disadvantages are negligible as compared to the advantages.

Students at schools and universities learn far more from lessons with teachers than from others sources (such as the internet, television). To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is irrefutable that students can learn a lot nowadays from internet and television and these have become an indispensable part of education but I firmly believe that teachers play a more significant role in the classroom. I believe that no amount of technology can ever undermine the importance of the teacher. In the following paragraphs, I intend to support my views with my arguments.

To begin with, teachers can stimulate interest and it is an undeniable fact that interested stimulated people tend to learn more. They can keep students focused on study. A student studying by himself through internet and TV may get bored and stop studying. Teachers can provide a faster and simpler way to present information to the students. They can come down to the level of a student and so are definitely better than computers. In addition, teachers are role models for students. They are scholars in action. They not only teach academic subjects, but also many social skills.

Furthermore, there are many practical subjects which students can learn best from the teacher. For example, experiments of physics and chemistry are best learnt by the teacher guiding you at every step. What is more, teachers give assignments and regularly check them. This helps the teachers to recognise the weak points of students and guide them accordingly. All this cannot be done by the internet and TV.

On the other hand, it is also true that the internet is an ocean of knowledge. You can get information about any topic on Earth from the internet. But there is no authenticity of this information. What information to get and from where to get requires a lot of expertise. The television also has a lot of educative programmes but students still need the guidance of the teachers at all stages of learning. Teachers can make even the dull and boring subjects seem interesting. So definitely students learn more from teachers.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, no doubt TV and the Internet are very educative these days but students definitely learn more from the teacher.

Some people believe the range of technology available to individuals today is increasing the gap between poor people and rich people. Others think it is having an opposite effect. Discuss these points of view. What is your opinion?

Technology seems to promise infinite benefits for mankind. While it could be argued that the development of new technology always expands the gap between rich and poor, it is also true that the level of technology used in developing countries and low-income countries has been quicker than the developed countries over the last few years and this has helped to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. So, both views have some ground which I shall be discussing in this essay.

There are many reasons why people say that technology increases the gap between rich and poor. To begin with, new technology itself tends to be affordable by only the richer elements of society and the poorer elements are denied the opportunities that this provides, such as the ability to be able to train for better paid work. It is understandable that because of their ability to acquire new technology, the learning ability within the richer elements of society is much improved. Therefore they get better job placements and continue to grow further.

What is more, with the power that wealth and knowledge brings, richer segments are more able to exert influence over the direction of society, usually to their own benefit. The poorer segment does not have this ability, and therefore their demands and needs tend to be driven lower down the list of political priorities.

On the other hand there are reasons to hold the opposite view. While it is true that the initial level of technology in lower-income countries was much lower to begin with, there is strong evidence of catch-up between middle-income and high-income countries. Technological progress increased 40% to 60% faster in developing countries than in rich countries. Use of some new technologies, such as mobile phones, has risen quickly.

Technology has created huge opportunities for the poor where none existed previously. For example, some technologies such as communications or networking give poor people a chance to earn a better living. It is not uncommon for some people who used to live in poverty becoming millionaires or billionaires by taking advantage of the internet. This has definitely led to narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that technology can do both – widen the gap between the rich and poor as well as narrow the gap if the poor get access to it. Therefore, it is not the technology to blame for the gap; it is the access to technology which is to blame. So, we should see to it that everyone gets equal access to technology.

Some people think that paying taxes is enough to contribute to the society. Others argue that being a citizen involves more responsibilities. Discuss, what is your opinion?

A good citizen is a blessing to society. Some people opine that paying taxes is enough contribution towards the society whereas others believe that a good citizen has a lot more responsibilities than just paying taxes. I personally go with the latter view. In the following paragraphs I intend to enumerate the responsibilities of a good citizen.

It is irrefutable that paying all the taxes and in a timely manner is one of the major responsibilities of a citizen. It is necessary to pay taxes because the money that is paid by citizens is used for constructive purposes, like building and maintaining roads, schools, fire protection, defence services etc. The different types of taxes to be paid by citizens are income tax, excise tax, property tax, sales tax etc. Most people try to avoid taxes, but to have the freedoms that we have, we must fund our government agencies. All taxes exist to make our lives better. To enjoy our comparatively trouble free lives, we must pay taxes.

However, there are many other obligations which a good citizen must fulfil. To begin with, voting in elections is very important. When citizens fail to vote or have political opinions, they allow vested interests to have their way. Secondly, they must obey law and order. If all citizens are law abiding, then the whole nation would be a paradise on Earth.

It is also the responsibility of a good citizen to provide public service to the government. This means volunteering for various agencies and charities. Finally, it is a citizen's duty to scrutinize the government's actions and take stands when something wrong happens. When citizens get too complacent, they will not notice when their freedom is being cut down.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, a good citizen should pay taxes, exercise his voting rights, be law abiding, do voluntary work to help the government and take a stand if anything goes wrong. Blythe Danner has rightly said, “We all have an obligation as citizens of this earth to leave the world a healthier, cleaner, and better place for our children and future generations.”

Talk about a friend that you’ve met a long time ago. Please say - How did you meet? - How do you keep in touch? - Why is this person important to you?

• I had many friends in childhood, but the friend I am going to talk about here is Sukhninder.
• I met him when I was in the 4th class, in the Government Primary school where I studied.
• When we were in 6th he and his family moved to America.
• Now we are in touch through e-mail.
• Occasionally he calls me.
• Sometimes we video-chat through Skype software.
• We share our nostalgic memories of the past days with each other.
• He is very important to me because we are bosom friends and we share all our joys and sorrows with each other.
• I like him because he is an honest and straightforward person.
• He had a very helping mentality.
• Whenever I was in trouble he used to come and help me.
• He tried to understand me.
• He never fought with me.
• In class I was weak at maths and he used to help me.
• I had a very bad handwriting and he helped me to improve my handwriting also.
• He is a very loving, caring and affectionate person.
• So he became a very intimate friend.
• When he was here he was very skinny.
• But now, he has grown very tall and handsome.
• He has done his graduation in computer animation
• He made an animation of me and it was so funny that I remembered his naughty pranks of childhood.

Mothers generally stay home to take care of their children after pregnancy. Do you support the opinion that these mothers should be compensated by the government?

I definitely agree with the notion that mothers, who stay at home to look after their children after pregnancy should be compensated by the government. In the following paragraphs I intend to put forth my arguments to support my views.

My major argument is that the future of the world rests largely in the hands of the generation we are rearing. Once a child is born, it becomes national property. Mothers are the front line child care providers and therefore, if they are supported by the government they can do their job better. This help can be in the form of a paid maternity leave. In most Indian homes the mother’s salary is necessary to support the family. So, if the mother does not get a paid maternity leave, then she has to go back to job earlier and this affects the childcare. Nurseries fail to provide the one-to-one interaction children need.

Secondly, a woman has to go with very stressful time physically, emotionally, and financially during pregnancy period. There is extra financial burden related to her prenatal care, preparing for a new baby, and then the care of the baby. Therefore, government help can ease their burden and they can look after their babies nicely. Finally, if women are supported by the government, they can look after their health. Health as such involves several factors. It is not simply being free from diseases. So, proper education, enough employment opportunities, food security and affordable medical care are some of the contributory factors that the government can provide to make women healthy. Needless to say, there should be enough provision for all these in a society that expects to be healthy today and tomorrow. It is well known that women play the most crucial role in managing the health of the family. And healthy families contribute greatly to social welfare.

The opponents, however, claim that it is a personal choice to have a baby. So, why should there be government support for women who stay at home to look after their children? They have a point, but I still feel that women need the aid considering the physical, emotional, and financial stress they face.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, women should be supported by the government after delivery to look after the baby and themselves. This can contribute a lot to social welfare.

Everyone should stay in school until the age of eighteen. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In many countries, school attendance is mandatory for all children up to a specific age. In India this is 14 years of age. In the UK and many other countries it is 16, although the UK government now has plans to raise the school leaving age to 18. I agree that children should be in school till the age of 18. In the following paragraphs, I intend to put forth my arguments to support my views.

The most important reason for raising the school leaving age to 18 is that, the age of 14-18 is the most impressionable age of a child’s life. During this period of adolescence, the children undergo physical and hormonal changes because of which they are under a lot of pressure. Therefore, lengthening compulsory schooling helps protect childhood. While at school students will be protected from some of the pressures in life. They have the rest of adulthood to work, make budgets balance and make choices. Providing them with space to grow for as long as possible can make them better prepared for adult life.

Secondly, more education provides the opportunity to acquire more skills and therefore more options. It has been shown many times that those with more education find it easier to find work and that they are more likely to find that work satisfying. What is more, raising the school-leaving age is a crucial investment in society's future. Doing so increases the economic potential of the future workforce, and so will bring increased tax revenues in the long term.

However, the opponents claim that extending the period of compulsory education requires a huge investment in teachers, books and new school buildings which would be very expensive. They also say that many families need their children to make an economic contribution to the family income and working early can help these families to survive. Finally, just being in school does not guarantee that a student is learning. Unwilling students become disruptive and damage the education of others in their class.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, as every garden has weeds, similarly compulsory schooling also has some drawbacks. However, these drawbacks are nothing as compared to the vast benefits this approach would bring and the cost needed to implement would be negligible if compared to the huge economic potential of the future workforce. Therefore, I believe that everyone should stay in school until the age of eighteen.

IELTS Graphs -

Talk about a useful application of computer that you had a personal experience with, please say: - How did you do this? - Was it difficult for you? - Has anyone helped you?

·        Computers are very important part of our life.

·        They are a source of information.

·        I have used many computer applications in my life.

·        Here I am going to talk about Microsoft Word

·        It is a part of MS office

·        In fact it is the most useful application of MS office.

·        It is also very easy and convenient to use.

·        I remember, when I was in school, I had to make an assignment on Global warming.

·        I first got the material from the library.

·        Then I had to type it.

·        I went to my school computer lab.

·        My teacher helped me in organising the material.

·        It was quite difficult for me because I had never before used the computer for making an assignment.

·        I had to type the written matter.

·        I also had to scan and copy the pictures.

·        I found it very interesting.

·        This application is very nice because I could check my spellings and grammar also.

·        When I had typed everything, my teacher helped me in organising the whole assignment.

·        Then I took a print out.

·        I remember, I got A+ grade in the assignment.

·        Then I pestered my parents to buy me a computer.

·        Now I find using the MS word very easy.

·        I have also learnt many new features of this application.