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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Caring for children is an important thing of the society. It is suggested that all mothers and fathers should be required to take childcare training courses. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Children represent both the present and the future. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in transforming childcare into a formal subject of academic studies. Traditional childcare skills, which are passed on from one generation to another through oral and informal instruction, are not sufficient to guarantee quality care, so parents' participation in care training is advisable.

Many parents might be accustomed to the idea that childcare is all about love, but this notion is misleading. While it is easy to admit that parents are responsible to attend to children's needs, it is also important to note that children are too often insatiable. Unlike adults, they have no idea of what their behaviours lead to. For example, children are candy lovers without knowledge that candy can cause obesity and tooth damage. Parents should not respond to children's needs for candy permanently. Parents who give whatever children want, known as indulgent parents, can be blamed for their children's behaviour problems and unhealthy habits.

Childcare training teaches parents how to take a holistic approach to care for their children and prevents them from answering children's inappropriate needs
Another misconceived idea of childcare is that it is a simple process of feeding children and making them sleep regularly. Contemporary childcare is not limited to this. Equally important for this science are emotional and mental wellbeing. For example, some children's first step comes earlier than other children's which cannot be explained with simple knowledge. Childcare is a complex science that goes beyond nutrition. Whether parents have helped children improve motor skills and cognitive skills accounts for children's overall wellbeing。

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that successful childcare does not lie only in love but also in skills. Children's healthy development is measured not only by physical wellbeing but also by growth in other dimensions. With these borne in mind, parents might now be compelled to join childcare training.

Crime is a problem all over the world and there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There is no doubt that numerous problems exist in most modern cities throughout the world. Although traffic congestion, pollution and overcrowding often occur, many people believe that crime is the most serious problem in urban areas. Indeed, television and newspaper reports often tell us that crime continues to rise. However, I disagree that nothing can be done to prevent it. I believe that it is possible to tackle this serious issue in a number of ways.

One approach would be to increase the number of police. If more Police were on the streets, whether on foot or in patrol cars, criminals would be less likely to commit crimes and people would feel much safer. Having more police visible at night would be particularly beneficial.

A second possibility would be to make laws stricter and punishments more severe. This could involve increasing fines or lengthening prison sentences. If a criminal has to pay more money for doing something illegal or would face more time in prison then I believe this is likely to reduce the crime rate.

Thirdly, methods to increase security might deter potential criminals. For example, more effective alarms in houses and cars. This would reduce burglary and theft. In addition, more information about home security would also be useful. In terms of personal safety, rape alarms or even small weapons could prevent some attacks on people.

In conclusion, although crime is a major problem in most cities in the world, the situation can be addressed by adopting the methods mentioned above. In this way, the negative effects could be reduced and people living in cities would feel much safer.

Newspapers have an enormous influence in people’s opinions and ideas. Why and do you think it is positive or negative situation?

In almost every modern society, newspapers have been playing an essential role in shaping people's thoughts on a wide range of issues and are always regarded as an indispensable source of information. In my opinion, this phenomenon is both, negative as well as positive.

To begin with, all kinds of newspapers are full of information about this constantly changing world. They keep us abreast of what is happening all around us. Today, the whole planet Earth has shrunk into a small global village and it is very important to stay connected. In order to maintain their good reputation, most newspapers and magazines report actual events in a detailed way, providing not only factual information but also deep insights into complex social and political issues. In addition, their coverage and comments encourage young readers to form their own opinions on current affairs.

Not only that, newspapers also entertain us by providing us news about Hollywood, Bollywood, latest books and cartoon clippings. They are also a link between the government and the people. By writing letters to the editor, the common man can reach his voice to the higher authorities and be heard. Finally, newspapers and other media are very effective in providing justice. There is a lot of power in the pen of a journalist.

On the other hand, people should be fully aware of the downside of the journalistic dominance. More often than not, newspapers provide prejudiced and self-opinionated reports on sensitive issues, which can give rise to riots in a pluralistic (multicultural and multi-religious) society like India. On a less serious level, flooding the pages with trivial pieces of entertainment news and celebrity secrets is the usual way to sell their paper and keep people diverted from the more serious issues.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, newspapers of today are largely positive in their approach but people should also take all news with a pinch of salt and be able to judge for themselves what is right or wrong.

More and more students choose to go to another country for their higher education. Do you think the benefits outweigh the problems associated with it?

There is no doubt that going to study in a foreign country, is becoming more and more common nowadays. But while overseas study has its drawbacks, the difficulties are far outweighed by the advantages. Indeed, people who go abroad for study open themselves up to experiences that those who stay at home will never have.

The most obvious advantage to overseas university study is real-life use of a different language. While a person can study a foreign language in his or her own country, it cannot compare with constant use of the language in academic and everyday life. There is no better opportunity to improve second-language skills than living in the country in which it is spoken. Moreover, having used the language during one's studies offers a distinct advantage when one is applying for jobs back home that require the language.

On a university campus, the foreign student is not alone in having come from far away. He or she will likely encounter many others from overseas and it is possible to make friends from all around the world. This is not only exciting on a social level, but could lead to important overseas contacts in later professional life.

Finally, living and studying abroad offers one a new and different perspective of the world and, perhaps most important, of one's own country. Once beyond the initial shock of being in a new culture, the student slowly begins to get a meaningful understanding of the host society. On returning home, one inevitably sees one's own country in a new, often more appreciative, light.

In conclusion, while any anxiety about going overseas for university study is certainly understandable, it is important to remember that the benefits offered by the experience make it well worthwhile.

Some people think it is more important to spend public money on promoting healthy lifestyle in order to prevent illness than to spend it on the treatment for people who are already ill. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Of course it goes without saying that prevention is better than cure. That is why, in recent years, there has been a growing body of opinion in favour of putting more resources into promoting a healthy lifestyle. I agree that by promoting a healthy lifestyle, there will be fewer people requiring treatment and thus the amount spent on curing ill health could be reduced substantially.

As many modern diseases are a consequence of our lifestyles, one way of making savings to the health budget would be to educate people about how to prevent expensive health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. Most medical doctors today do not have the time to (nor are they paid to) teach patients how to make these changes to their lifestyle through diet or exercise. The government can take the help of pervasive media such as TV and radio to educate people.

It is understandable that when people are sick they want the best medical treatment possible, with access to the latest diagnostic equipment, expensive MRI scanners, for example. If the problem is life threatening then we demand complex operations such as open-heart surgery or organ transplants. Such procedures usually require intensive nursing care and lengthy periods of hospitalization, which are costly.

Furthermore, there are many diseases which if diagnosed early through proper screening tests can be treated very easily. For example cancer of the cervix can be diagnosed with a very simple, inexpensive outdoor test called the pap smear. If the government spends a little amount to provide such screening tests free of cast then a lot of money needed for expensive treatments could be saved later on.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that it would be definitely worthwhile to divert the health budget towards prevention of diseases. By doing so the nation would be healthier and automatically the cost of treatment would be cut down.

As global trade increases between different countries, many daily necessities are produced in other countries. Such goods are usually transported a long distance. Do the benefits of this trend outweigh its drawbacks? (2008 – same essay)

As global trade increases between different countries, many daily necessities are produced in other countries. Such goods are usually transported a long distance. Do the benefits of this trend outweigh its drawbacks? (2008 – same essay)

Globalisation has revolutionized our world in many aspects. Now, we don’t belong to a big planet Earth. We belong to a small global village. Everything is available everywhere. There are many advantages and disadvantages of transporting goods over a long distance. In my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

On the positive side, transporting goods over a long distance gives us a lot of choices. We can taste a variety of fruits and vegetables from all parts of the world. For example, about ten years ago, we hardly saw kiwi fruit which is from New Zealand. But, now it has a place on every fruit stand. Earlier, we had very few shoe brands like Bata and Carona but now the market is flooded with Reeboks, Nike, Adidas and other foreign brands.

Secondly, many people get employment in this field. Small businesses have a chance to expand globally and it increases the overall economy of the country. Finally, it helps in developing good relations between countries which helps in international co-operation and peace. If countries are dependent upon one another’s economic success then armed conflict would be less likely.

On the downside, importing goods can have a negative effect on local culture. This can be seen in countries such as Japan where imported food has become more popular than traditional, local produce, eroding people’s understanding of their own food traditions. A second major disadvantage is pollution. When goods are transported thousands of miles by road, sea and air, it increases pollution from exhaust fumes.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, importing goods has both merits and demerits but the pros outweigh the cons.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Some people believe that improve public health should increase the number of sports facilities; others believe that it has little effects and need other measures to improve it. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

The construction of new sports facilities are definitely needed in an environment where people's health is in a declining state. However, there are those who believe that the way to improving people's health should lie in other measures that governments have to come up with to get people to live more healthily. This essay shall discuss both views followed by my opinion.

In many countries around the world, sports facilities are being neglected. The existing ones being threatened with closure and in their place housing and commercial development is taking place. The lack of sports facilities has directly led to a sharp decline in the general public's involvement in sports activities. This is the major reason for ill health and excessive weight nowadays. If a wider range of sports and fitness facilities (swimming pools, basketball court and gymnasiums etc.) were available, then people would be more willing to spend time in these facilities to train their bodies and to improve their fitness, instead of living a sedentary life at home watching television, playing video games or using computers.

However, the building of such facilities may become a waste of time and taxpayers' money if they are built far away from where people live or if they are too expensive to use. There are scenes of empty sports grounds in many cities because it takes too much trouble to get there, and many sports clubs are receiving fewer guests because they charge unreasonably high membership fees. In these cases, the government should be spending more on advertising healthier life style instead of just wasting money on facilities that are not going to be actively used by the people. For example, it is important for people to know that little things like jogging or taking the stairs provide as many benefits as using exercising equipment in a sports club.

As good health is a basic human need and healthy individuals lead to a healthy nation, I believe that government should do both – increase the number of sports facilities as well as take other measures to improve people’s health such as awareness campaigns through various media. The sports facilities should be easily affordable and accessible by the people.

All in all, the government should be spending more money on the campaigns of getting the people to be more involved in a healthier lifestyle and also spending some money on sports facilities that are affordable and within reach of the general public.

Some think that these environmental problems are too big for individuals to be solved, while others think that individuals cannot solve these environmental problems unless governments make some action. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

It is true that our small individual actions often seem insignificant compared to the scale and complexity of global environmental problems such as pollution, deforestation and depletion of natural resources. That is why some people hold the opinion that individual action can do nothing. Others say that individuals can do something if some action is taken by governments. This essay shall discuss both views.

Individual actions, small as they may be, can prove more effective than we realize. We can avoid driving the car, and take public transit, walk, or bicycle instead. This will reduce the use of fossil fuels and cut pollution. Saving energy at home, like turning on the air conditioner only when we have to, or turning water heater down a few degrees, is also ultimately good for the environment. It has been rightly said that – ‘Little drops of water; little grains of sand; make the mighty ocean; and the vast land’.

There are, however, obstacles that stand in the way of individual action and intervention by governments is needed. The first obstacle is the lack of professional knowledge needed to cope with serious environmental issues like soil erosion and salinity, which require a significant amount of investigation and research. Another obstacle which makes individual action almost impossible is when an environmental emergency or accident happens such as an oil spill near the border line, which would necessitate government or even international coordination.

So, in conclusion, when it comes to environmental problems, individual actions are indispensable in the problem solving process. But the most pressing and complicated problems go far beyond an individual's capability and so require the concerted effort of the government as well as the global community.

Rich countries should not employ skilled labour from poor countries, as poor countries need the workers more. Do you agree or disagree?

Rich countries depend heavily on cheap imported labour to increase their profit margin. This demand for outsourcing increased further during recession faces by USA. Although poor countries may need their skilled workers to help them develop as a nation, it is felt that overall greater benefit is seen when their skilled workers are employed by rich countries. This essay shall analyze how the employment of cheap foreign labour helps the developing countries also by giving them chances for skill development and economical growth.

Firstly, when developed countries outsource work, requiring skilled labour to developing countries, a demand is created in those poor countries which leads to the development of higher education in those poorer nations. For example, in the late twentieth century India saw a huge influx of software development work from the United States and this corresponded positively with an equal growth in the Indian tech-related education sector. This example shows that if developing countries make their skilled labour available for hire to the world, they also develop their internal infrastructure such as good educational institutes. Thus, developing countries are also benefited when an openness to foreign employment is embraced.

In addition to this, the economies of developing countries are given new avenues in which to grow when a working partnership with developed countries is established. Again, take the relationship between the United States and India as an example. Currently, English-speaking receptionists in India handle telephone support for many different American products. These employment options encourage more and more Indians to study English, which in turn creates all sorts of new opportunities for business relationships between the two countries. Thus, the idea that poor countries should close their doors to foreign interest in their skilled labour is not supported.

It has also been seen that workers from poor countries earn more from rich countries than they would from employment within their country. Most of them invest that money in their own country and this improves the overall economy of the poor countries.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that poorer countries are in most cases bettered by making their skilled labour available to developed countries. This trend is in no way detrimental to their own development.

Development in technology causes environmental problems. Some people believe the solution in these problems is everyone accepts a simpler way of life, while others say that technology can solve these problems. Discuss both view and give your own opinion.

It is irrefutable that progress in technology leads to environmental problems. Some individuals are of the opinion that if people live a simple life and do not use the things that technology has brought us then these problems can be solved whereas others opine that only technology can solve these problems. In the following paragraphs, I intend to discuss both viewpoints.

Some people say that if humans stop using technology and lead a simple way of life then only we can save the environment. They argue that it is the luxuries people use which damages the environment. If people don’t use air conditioners, automobiles and other such things that technology has brought us, then naturally there would be less pollution and natural resources like fossil fuels would be saved and all this would save the environment.

On the other hand there are people who say that technology alone could save the environment. They opine that now we have come so far ahead in technology that there is no going back. We cannot ask the people of the jet age to go back to the age of the bullock cart.

There are a lot of advances going on technology which are helping the environment a lot. One prime example is finding solutions to water problems in developing countries such as Africa. By pressurising sea water to produce vapour jets and filtering them through carbon nano tubes, we can get clean drinking water from sea water – an almost inexhaustible resource. Furthermore, Japan is working to build a working space solar power system by 2030. By drawing on the colossal energy of the sun, it could meet the entire world's electricity requirements indefinitely without nuclear or GHG emissions. If successful, the impact on the world would be monumental. It would mean energy for schools, hospitals, and homes. It would mean another industrial revolution.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, technology alone can solve the world’s environmental problems. We are finally entering an era where engineering and technology are making the world a better place. It would be highly unpractical to ask people to adopt a simpler way of life.

Some people think music plays an important role in society. Others think it is it is simply a form of entertainment. Discuss both sides of this argument and give your own opinion.

Music is a unique language which is understood by everyone on this planet. It is the soul of the universe. There are different views as to the importance of music. Some say it is purely for entertainment. Others opine that it has many other functions. In the following paragraphs, I shall put forth both sides of the argument.

There is no doubt that music is a good source of entertainment. Music helps to cheer everyone up. When people come home after a hectic days work and they need some entertainment, they play music and it calms them and they feel relaxed. Music is also played in parties and ceremonies to entertain everyone. Young people dance to the beat of music and release their pent up energy.

Music also links us to our culture and tradition. The folk songs sung by our great artists like Gurdas Mann are on everyone’s lips. His lyrics contain many things of our culture which are alive today because of these folk songs. Otherwise, under the influence of western culture people are forgetting their roots. Moreover, music is a lucrative profession these days. Our famous singers and musicians like Lata Mangeshkar and A.R.Rehman have earned millions from music and are famous in the whole world because of their musical talent.

Another role that music plays is of connecting people. When people go to a musical concert, they are with those people who share their musical tastes. Together, they feel the emotions that the music evokes. Music has always been a part of ceremonies because it has the ability to make people feel connected. To add to it, music improves concentration. Students can concentrate better if light music is played in the background because it kills the other disturbing noises.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that music is not just for entertainment. It has many roles in society such as connecting people to each other and to their culture, making them rich and famous and also relaxing them. Music is all around us. Right from the first lullaby that the mother sings to the cradle, to the dirge of the funeral pyre, music accompanies everything of life.

Rich countries often give financial aid to poor countries, but it does not solve the poverty, so rich countries should give other types of help to the poor countries rather than the financial aid. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Even though technology is developing at a fast pace and the standard of living of most individuals has gone up, billions of people still live in poverty, and in many places, the rich countries give financial aid to developing and under-developed countries. Some people consider it good. However, I beg to differ. I believe that the developed countries should give some other types of help to the poor countries and not direct financial aid.

My first argument against financial aid is that this aid may not actually reach those for whom it is meant. It may go into corrupt pockets. Secondly, it would make those people lazy as they would be getting aid without doing any work. Thirdly, the aid may be used for wrong purposes. For example, the aid may be given for development projects but it may be used to promote terrorism. Finally, if aid is given without proper research, then it may be used for projects which are not the priority of the people. For instance, the people may need health and educational institutes, whereas the aid may be used for making dams or expanding roadways.

The best way to help poor countries would be open good educational institutes, good health centres and creating job opportunities for people of the poor countries. It has been wisely said by someone that - Give a man fish to eat, and you feed him for a day.
Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. If people of the poor countries start earning well their standard would definitely become better and the whole country would become richer.

If rich countries open factories and multinational companies in poor countries it would be a win-win situation for both, as the poor would get employment and the rich would have to pay much lesser than they would have to pay in their country. So, more and more rich countries would step forward to help the poor. Direct financial aid would not bring such a situation.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, financial aid is not the best way to help poor countries. From my own perspective, the developed countries ought to assist the impoverished countries through other approaches.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Some children can learn efficiently by watching TV. Therefore, they should be encouraged to watch TV both at home and at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is irrefutable that TV is a very efficient teacher. However, I disagree that children should be motivated to watch TV both at home and at school. I shall put forth my arguments to support my views in the following paragraphs.

There is no doubt that TV can be a powerful mean of delivering information and a nice part of learning process. Being an audiovisual medium more effective result can be achieved. What is seen is retained longer in the minds of children. There are some things which can be very easily taught by visual illustrations. Even boring subjects like history can be made interesting with the help of TV.

However, if TV is to be used as an educational tool then very strict monitoring would be needed as to what children watch on TV. All those talk shows and soap operas we can see every day are a complete waste of time and can even have negative effects by distracting children from their studies. Moreover, the most of so called educational programmes like National Geographic cannot replace books and academic lectures because they tend to entertain people and have not an aim to give deep and concentrated knowledge. It is highly unlikely that TV channel directors would abandon their profits and change talk shows to lectures and video lessons.

Furthermore, if children watch TV in school also then their interaction with the teacher would be limited. Teachers teach a lot of things apart from academics. They can come down to the level of the student and can also stimulate children to learn. What is more, children would read less when they learn everything from TV. Reading is an active activity as compared to TV which is a passive activity. So, it would be detrimental to the holistic development of children.

To put it in a nutshell I pen down saying that, although TV is a very good educational medium, it should be used within limits and whatever children learn from TV should also be carefully monitored by parents and teachers.

The number of cars keeps increasing, so road systems should be expanded. Some people think the government should pay for it, while others think the car owners should pay for it. What’s your opinion?

With growing incomes, it is not surprising that everyone wants to live a lavish lifestyle. Every other individual owns a car these days. That is why road systems have to be expanded. All this requires money. That is why the debate has arisen as to who should pay for this expansion. Some opine that the government should pay while others contend that the car owners should pay. I tend to agree with the latter.

To begin with, higher cost for car owners would encourage public transport use. This would definitely be better for the environment as there would be less pollution and less usage of natural resources like petrol and diesel. People would also be encouraged to do car pooling so that the added expenses are shared. Moreover, shorter journeys may be made on foot or bicycle which would lead to a healthier nation.

In addition, it would be unfair if government pays all the money out of the taxes. In this way even those people who are not using the roads for their private vehicles would also be taxed. Moreover, government has so much else on its shoulders such as basic healthcare and education which would be advantageous for all.

Admittedly, better roads means lesser congestion, lesser traffic jams and therefore lesser pollution and faster mobility which would be better for the big businesses. Therefore, this cost should be met by the big companies and not the average taxpayer.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that expanding the road system is the need of the hour and most of the cost should be met with by the car owners and big companies and some paid by the government

Friday, May 6, 2011

Some people think government should ensure the healthy lifestyle. of people, but others argue that it should be decided by individuals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

As people are moving towards modernization, they are becoming more and more aware about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I believe that the government should hold the responsibility to encourage people to enjoy healthy lifestyle. I shall put forth my arguments to support my views in the following paragraphs.

My first argument is that everyone does not have enough knowledge about health and some gullible people may just follow some advertisements or unreliable consultants who may give them inappropriate guidance. This increase the risk of unhealthy lifestyle and therefore government should formulate policies to guide citizens to establish healthy lifestyles.

Secondly, if government guides about healthy lifestyles, then more and more people would be healthy and this would indirectly make the economy flourish. With healthy body conditions, labourers work more efficiently, elderly suffer lesser diseases and children have better development. As a result, manufactures can produce more, the budget of social insurance can be cut down and healthy young generations will provide stability to the growth of economy.

Last but not least, if the onus of having a healthy lifestyle is left to the individuals, they may not follow it because of lack of time and money. So, the government should provide free gyms, parks and other infrastructure to support a healthy lifestyle, so that people are encouraged to adopt such a lifestyle.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, governments should promote healthy lifestyles both for the benefits of individuals and overall economy.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Some people think that criminals should be given longer terms in prison, so as to reduce the crime rate. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There are many different opinions on the best way to reduce crime. In my opinion, long term prison is the only answer in a very few situations, but in most cases education, vocational training and rehabilitation are better.

Long terms in prison are the only answer in case of criminals who are a risk to the society, such as murderers. They cannot be made to mix with society. There are also mentally insane people such as serial killers who should be kept away from the people. In all other cases we can do without long terms in prisons.

My first argument against longer terms in prisons is that in traditional prisons, people learn a lot about crime and so when they leave prison they will commit even more crime. In other words prisons act as universities of crime. So for petty offenders like shop-lifters and pick-pockets should be given some vocational training and education. It is a well not fact that the basic causes of crime are poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. So, if we provide education and job training then we would be removing the causes of crime. If criminals are rehabilitated by some form of employment then they would certainly not re-offend.

Furthermore, the prisons are expensive to maintain. The government can spend that money on other important matters such as education and healthcare. This would ease some burden from the government’s shoulders. The petty and minor criminals can also be employed in some community service projects after providing education and vocational training.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that we should hate the crime and not the criminal. To fight crime we should focus on the causes of crime. Education and job training help to rehabilitate the criminals. Longer terms in prison are not the answer to fight crime. Focus should be on reforming the criminals.

Nowadays, a large amount of advertising is aimed at children, so some people think there are lots of negative effects on children, and should ban it. To what extent you agree or disagree?

Nowadays, a large amount of advertising is aimed at children, so some people think there are lots of negative effects on children, and should ban it. To what extent you agree or disagree?

Advertisements are ubiquitous nowadays and especially advertising targeting children who are considered vulnerable target by companies. As a result, many parents are worried about this phenomenon. However, we cannot ban advertisements because they serve a lot of useful purposes as well.

Admittedly, in sensitive areas such as the toy industry, some censorship should be there to limit children’s access to excess advertisement. Because children under a certain age lack abilities to make wise judgment as to what they really want. They are attracted by colourful pictures on advertisement and swayed by misleading information. So they pester their parents to buy those things and this can upset the budget of many families. Even the advertisements of fast foods are bad for children. Children cannot understand that the slim-trim models advertising Mac Donalds burgers hardly ever eat such foods themselves. They are attracted to fast foods and these are very detrimental for their health.

On the other hand, advertising provides us with information on new products. If it were not for electronic and print advertising, many products would not be bought. In this way, advertising provides an important service to manufacturers and some consumers. Additionally, it fuels the advertising industry, creating jobs for thousands of people. In this respect it has the backbone of many economies of the world.
Furthermore, advertisements touch social issues. For example, when Amitabh Bachhan tells people to bring their children for pulse polio immunization, people listen. Then there are ads against female foeticide which are very informative. Advertisements also teach a lot about the country from where the ads come. This is because through satellite TV we can see ads from all over the world. When we see a Japanese advert of a lady in a kimono, we come to know about the clothes of Japan.

To put it in a nutshell I pen down saying that, it is imperative that regulations be imposed on advertisers who target children or who make false claims. However, advertisement is indispensable in this highly competitive market and produces much more positive effects than negative ones to the society as a whole. So, we should not ban advertisements.

Some people think it is better for children to begin to learn a foreign language at primary school than at secondary school. What’s your opinion? Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Language is the best means of communication. In the modern globalization era it is not enough to be able to speak one language to communicate with the outside world. I strongly support the idea that children should begin learning a foreign language at primary school than at secondary school. They faster become familiar with a strange language, improve their hearing ability to understand new words as time goes by and learn new words. In the following paragraphs I will list some reasons to support my position.

Firstly, there is no doubt that a young mind readily absorbs new information. Child psychologists often mention that the most formative years of learning happen in the first few years of life. Therefore, what children are exposed to is very often retained and remembered. In this way, a child is in a good position to learn the new information associated with a new language.

Secondly, senior students are often afraid to make mistakes when they are speaking in a new language. This fear is one of the biggest barriers for a person in their efforts to speak freely. Primary school children are not afraid of making grammatical mistakes because basically they just repeat words and sentences in the way they hear them. So, they have a better chance to get used to the right pronunciation of the language.

To sum up, I think that it is very essential for children to begin learning a foreign language in their early ages. It is brings many benefits such as great pronunciation. Also, it helps a child develop and gain more knowledge which is good for a long run.

Higher education can be funded in several ways including the following three: 1. all costs are paid by the government. 2. all costs are paid by the students. 3. all costs are paid by the student using loans from the government that must be repaid after graduation. Discuss the benefits of each option. Which is the best one?

The rising cost of higher education is a significant issue facing governments around the world. Three ways are there to fund higher education and each has its own merits. This essay shall discuss the benefits of each method and identify the best one.

To begin with, if the government pays for higher education it would contribute to a prosperous and civilized society. It is true that human resource is of great importance to every nation. Investing in higher education, therefore, helps establish high-quality labor force with great expertise in the future. Moreover, it gives students from all walks of life the equal chance to further their education.

If the student has to cover the full fees of his tuition then naturally he would be more serious in his study. The onus of getting the full value for money spent on higher education would be on the student and this would result in better graduates which would benefit the nation as a whole.

The third option in which all costs are paid by the student using loans from the government that must be repaid after graduation is the best one in my opinion because even the have-nots would get equal opportunity to get higher education and as the students would know they have to repay the loan after they have finished education, the universities would not be flooded with non serious students.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that each of the above methods has its own pros but the third method in which all costs are paid by the student using loans from the government that must be repaid after graduation is the best.

The unlimited use of cars may cause many problems. What are those problems? In order to reduce the problems, should we discourage people to use cars?

Someone has rightly said that – “The car has become an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete”. No wonder, there are increasing number of cars on the road which are creating problems such as traffic jams, air pollution and longer commuting periods. In future, this trend is likely to worsen. The solution, it would seem, is for government to encourage the use of public transport in urban areas, thus decreasing dependence on the car.

One way to stimulate public transport use is to make private car use more expensive and inconvenient. The introduction of tolls along urban motorways has been successfully employed in many cities. Other such measures are high-priced permits for parking in urban areas and the restriction of parking to a limited number of cars. Faced with high costs or no place to park, commuters would perhaps be more willing to abandon their cars in favour of buses or trains.

The governments could also encourage public transport use. The construction of free car parks at suburban train stations has proven successful in quite a number of countries. This allows commuters to drive part of the way, but take public transport into the central, most congested, urban areas. Indeed, making public transport more comfortable and convenient should work to attract more commuters and decrease traffic congestion. Public transport that is convenient and comfortable retains its passengers, much like any business that satisfies its customers. The more commuters committed to taking public transport, the less congestion on city streets.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that the increasing number of cars is creating problems like pollution, accidents and traffic congestion but steps could be taken to minimize the problems.

Some people think that studying in a college or university is the best way for students to prepare for their future career. But others think they should leave school as soon as possible to develop their career through work experience. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

It is irrefutable that most people believe that a university degree is the only way to get a good job. I believe this is true in certain areas whereas in other areas, it is not as useful.

To begin with many people have ambitions to become a qualified professional, and there is no doubt that becoming a doctor or a lawyer is only possible with a degree. Another advantage of graduating from a university is that it gives you more choices when it comes to choosing a job. Most employers will be more impressed by a candidate who has a degree than they would be by one who only has high school qualifications because it shows a certain level of intelligence and education, as well as the commitment and self-discipline that is needed in order to study a degree course for three or four years.

On the other hand there might be some benefit of starting your career early, especially if your chosen field is one which does not typically require a university education. This would apply to somebody who wants to become a car mechanic, or a fashion designer, for instance, who would not gain anything from going to university. The hands on experience you gain from your job while others are studying for a degree can give you a distinct advantage. My uncle left school at sixteen and became a wealthy and successful automobile dealer. He claims that he had learnt all he needed to know by working in his chosen field and that he could not have done any better by getting a degree.

So to conclude, it is possible to get a good job without going to university. Having said that, some professions such as the law require you to have a degree and as stated above a university degree could open more doors when looking for a job.

As we are facing more and more problems which affect the whole planet, good relationships between different countries are becoming more important than ever before. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is irrefutable that nowadays the whole world has become a global village and communication and trade between different countries is also becoming more frequent than ever before. At the same time, the whole planet is facing problems, such as environmental problem, terrorism and poverty and diseases. In my view, countries cannot solve these problems on their own and governments of different countries must cooperate to fight these problems.

To begin with, take environmental problems. It is a bitter truth that the Earth is facing the problem of global warming and if the whole world does not unite to fight this problem, then the day is not far when the whole Earth will become a boiling pot and life would not be possible here. The Kyoto protocol has been signed by many countries of the United Nations in which they have pledged not to make industries which emit more than 5.2% carbon dioxide.

Furthermore, there are problems like terrorism which are having a detrimental effect on our society. There are various global organizations which are working towards eradicating these issues but it cannot be possible without trust and harmony between different nations.

What is more, the poor countries are getting aid from developed countries to develop their infrastructure and develop themselves. In these countries many people are suffering from starvation and poverty which can harm the neighbouring richer nations and that is why all nations realise the importance of maintaining good relations.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that nowadays good relations between different countries are absolutely necessary nowadays to solve these critical issues.

Many developing countries are currently expanding their tourist industries. Why is this the case? Is it a positive development?

It is irrefutable that international tourism has taken mammoth dimensions. In fact it has become the backbone of many economies of the world. No wonder many developing countries are opening their doors to tourists. In my opinion, it is both, a positive as well as a negative development.

International tourism can have many benefits for individuals. The most important benefit is that tourism provides regular employment for many local people who might otherwise be unemployed. They can find work in restaurants or hotels, or with tourist agencies as guides or drivers, for example, and earn regular wages. This, in turn, means that they may be able to save money and improve their standard of living. The second reason is that tourists spend money in the country and this allows local businesses such as restaurants, bars and taxi companies to flourish. In turn, other businesses, food suppliers or petrol stations, for instance, may be established in order to provide services to support the companies which cater for tourists. In other words, the whole economy of the region develops.

A third reason is that in order for tourists to be able to visit remote areas, roads, airports and hotels have to be built and local people also benefit by being able to use these new facilities. Furthermore, when communications improve, it becomes possible for other industries to move into the area, bringing with them more employment opportunities and increased prosperity. A final reason why I am in favour of tourism is that visitors from outside bring fresh ideas and different ways of doing things to the local community. Consequently, local people may learn from tourists. Likewise, visitors learn about the local people and culture, and return home with a deeper understanding of the host country.

On the other hand, that there are some problems associated with international tourism. Firstly, there is the increasing crime rate. Some locals see tourists as easy prey because, not only are they in unfamiliar territory and therefore less able to take care of themselves, but also they carry visible items of wealth, such as cameras and jewellery which can be disposed of quickly for a profit. Another major problem is health. With greater mobility comes greater danger of spreading contagious diseases around the world. Also to be considered is the natural environment, which can be seriously threatened by too many visitors. Australia's Great Barrier Reef, for example, is in danger of being destroyed by tourists and there are plans to restrict visitors to some of the more delicate coral reefs. Air pollution is also caused by too many air flights.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that international tourism is both a positive as well as a negative development but advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages.

Computers are increasingly used in education. In which areas do you think are computers more important and in which areas are teachers more important?

(Essay attempted by Gagan in exam 7.5 bands)

“Yesterday’s fiction is today’s reality”. Computers have revolutionized all the aspects of human life especially education. Besides teachers, computers have also become an indispensible part of education. They both are required for the holistic development of a person. Here, I am going to discuss the roles of both.

Computers have completely modified the criteria of examinations through the introduction of online examinations, online debates and online counseling. Computers are more important in those areas in which repetition is needed. For example, in elementary maths and elementary language learning. Computer can be programmed to provide answers to an endless number of simple questions.

There are certain areas in which computers supersede teachers and vice versa. For instance - computers help us simplify the topics through the audio and visual aids like working models, videos etc. Also they can teach us for 24 hours in a day. Laptops offer a unique feature of portability and act as teachers even outside the class room. Moreover teachers focus only on academic curriculum whereas computers, through internet, develop a general awareness about the various global issues such as terrorism, drug trafficking, global warming etc and thus broaden our field of knowledge. Computers also enable us to be well within the range of any teacher around the world. Furthermore, being human beings, teachers have a limited knowledge whereas computers with a huge collection of e-books, reference books and dictionaries offer us a complete and thorough understanding of the subject.

Nevertheless, the role of teachers cannot be refuted. They are the actual scholars in action. Although computers remain in our service for 24 hours a day but the 8 hours spend with a teacher is the quality time. A computer can efficiently check the answers but the corrections can only be made by a teacher. Moreover, only a teacher can lend a practical hand to a student. For example- only a doctor can teach his students on how to perform a surgery? It cannot be taught by a computer in any way. There are other convincing evidences for teachers such as teachers help a student develop good communication skills and other social skills. The basic characters of a good human being are also inculcated by a teacher. Furthermore, a teacher also acts as the true guide, friend and philosopher. These are the teachers which encourage a student when he fails in studies.

To put in the nut-shell, I pen down concluding that, both computers and teachers are specialists in their own areas of education. They should be looked on as two angels supplementing each other for the betterment of our children.

Some people believe that some unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (e.g. working in a charity, improving the relationship of neighbourhood or teaching sports to children) To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The youth of today are generally considered to lack social knowledge and experience which are of crucial importance in their future development. To solve this problem, some people suggest that they should undertake a period of voluntary work in the local community during their high school. Personally, I think its pros far outweigh the cons.

Undoubtedly, it can be a win-win approach - that is, it will benefit both the young and the community enormously if young high school students do a certain period of unpaid work. By helping the elderly, the sick and the disabled directly or participating in charitable activities like raising funds or offering free consultation, young people will certainly gain and accumulate some valuable first-hand experience and know more about the society.

Moreover, young people with such experiences are more likely to become the most motivated ones in academic study or at work, and eventually become responsible citizens of the society. As far as the community is concerned, it will definitely become better with so many zealous young volunteers who are ready to help.

However, there may be some disadvantages if the young provide free service helping people in need. For example, it may conflict with their normal study or work if not arranged well. Then the result may be not as desirable as what is expected. But I think this sort of problem can be easily taken care of by meticulous planning by the school authorities.

To conclude, competitiveness of modern life and influence of global culture have isolated children from neighbourhood. So, such a step would be very beneficial to make today’s children feel part of the community.

Some people think that the government should decide which subjects students should study at the university, while others think that students should be allowed to apply for the subject they prefer. Discuss the two views and give your opinion.

University education is very much needed nowadays to compete in the global village of today. Some people are of the opinion that government should choose the disciplines that students have to study at university. Others opine that the choice of subjects should be given to the students. Both situations have their merits and demerits which I shall discuss in this essay followed by my opinion.

If the government chooses the subjects it would naturally be taking into account the job sector. There would be lesser unemployment as the government knows which sector has job vacancies and would suggest only those subjects. It has been seen that there are many job vacancies without qualified people and many qualified people without jobs. Therefore, the number of people working in various job sectors will be balanced and it would be more efficient for students to find jobs after graduating from the university. Secondly, it would help those students who find it difficult to decide what career to pursue.

On the other hand, if students choose the subject then they do well in it because it is of their interest. They excel in their field and when they enter the job market they do well in their field. Moreover, there are lesser drop-outs of universities which is common if students are forced to study what they don’t like. This also instils a sense of responsibility in the students when they make a decision about their subject because they know that their whole future rests on that decision.

Taking everything into account, I believe that it is more preferable for pupils to select their subjects in the university themselves. The government can play a role in promoting some subjects by providing funding to those who take up those subjects.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that there are merits of both situations but on the whole it would be better to leave the choice to students to select their subjects as there would be lesser drop-outs and they would excel in their field.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

One long-distance flight consumes fuel which a car uses in several years’ time, but they cause the same amount of pollution. So some people think that we should discourage non-essential flights, such as tourist travel, rather than to limit the use of cars. To what extent do you agree or disagree? (similar 2008 essay)

It is irrefutable that the fuel consumed by one long-distance flight is consumed by a car in several years’ time, and the amount of pollution it produces is also more. Therefore, some people suggest that non-essential flights, including international travel, should be discouraged. I totally disagree whit this statement. I feel that even though cars produce less pollution and use less fuel, still we should focus on limiting the number of cars. Discouraging flights would lead to many other problems.

At a time when people all over the world worry about the decreasing level of fossil fuels and global warming, it is right to take action to save the planet earth. However, to simply discourage flights is not the answer. International tourism has become the backbone of many economies of the world. Many countries are earning from tourism. Many people are employed in this industry. Many businesses like hotels and leisure centres are dependent on tourists. So, if we discourage international tourism, it would create new and even worse problems. Many businesses would go broke and many people would be without jobs.

Air flight also enables intercultural exchanges between countries. The advent of cheap air fare makes it possible for people the world over to travel regularly, regardless of the purpose of the trip. Therefore, people have the opportunities to learn from different cultures and have a better understanding of countries they used to be unfamiliar with. This, in turn, enhances cultural communications between countries.

What we should do is to limit the use of cars. The number of cars is increasing at a very fast pace. This is creating too many problems. Cars are using too much of fossil fuels; they are creating a lot of pollution; they are leading to traffic congestion on the roads and they are also causing accidents.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, traveling by air should not be discouraged. Instead, the use of cars should be limited.

Some people think that people moving to a new country should accept new culture in the foreign country rather than living as a separate minority group with different lifestyle. Do you agree or disagree?

Today, with the passage of time each and every country is on the path of development, and with this development there is a growing trend of visiting different places in different countries. It is a highly debated issue whether immigrants should do and behave as the people of the host country or should they stick to their traditional lifestyle and live as a separate minority. It is necessary to look into pros and cons of both situations before forming an opinion.

There are many benefits of adopting host countries customs. Firstly, it decreases chances of misunderstanding and embarrassment. For e.g. in the UK it is offensive to ask about pay to anyone, which is common in India. Secondly, a nation’s customs and traditions are fascinating and offer a deep insight into that country. People move to other countries to broaden their horizon. So, if immigrants copy the customs of host country, they learn more about them and that too in an interesting way. Finally, visitors establish a rapport with local people because people feel respected when their customs are understood and imitated. They become a member of the host country and so they don’t suffer any culture shock.

On the other hand there are many advantages of making a minority group. If a person is from a country with strong and old traditions, it will be difficult for him to adapt to the new customs. He can’t break the old customs such as food habits and wearing certain types of clothes. In such cases if he retains his old customs and lives with his own community as a separate minority, he won’t suffer from homesickness.

On balance, I feel that someone who is moving to another country should respect the customs, culture, traditions etc. of that country. This is necessary because a newcomer is like a guest in someone else's home. So he is expected to follow the rules of that country. However, it should not be obligatory for him to follow those customs and change himself altogether. As time passes and he gets to know the hosts better then he can decide if he wants to adopt any custom or stick to his own. After all being a cosmopolitan is the need of the hour.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, mutual understanding between both the visitor and the host is necessary to maintain harmony. A cosmopolitan society in which everyone is tolerant of each other’s customs and traditions is the need of the day. After all, today, we are part of a small global village and not a big planet Earth.

Some people think the government should pay for health care and education, but other people claim that it is the individual’s responsibility. Do you agree or disagree?

Nowadays, health care and education have become the focus of the people’s concern. It is a highly debated issue as to who should pay for these services. There are those who argue that the government should pay for them while others think the costs should be shouldered by individuals. Personally, I think that basic health care and primary education should be on the government but advanced health care and higher education should be borne by the individual.

It is irrefutable that it is the government’s responsibility to make basic health care and primary education accessible to everyone. The reason is that a nation’s prosperity very much depends on the contribution made by its well-educated citizens who are in good health. After all we all pay taxes and so we are entitled to get something back in return. Private schools and private hospitals can be available for those who want and can afford it but the free schools and free government hospitals should always be there.

On the other hand, individuals should be responsible for their advanced health care. Actually, the advanced medical and surgical treatments are very expensive. So, instead of depending on government we should take some health insurance or save in any other way with the tomorrow in mind. Higher education, too benefits the individual more than the nation. So it is quite reasonable to pay for it from one’s pocket.

There are, of course, some sections of society who cannot afford their own healthcare. The government should have some system of knowing their financial status and provide free healthcare so that nobody dies for want of treatment. As far as higher education is concerned, the government can have some system of interest free loans for the needy and meritorious students.

To sum up, basic education and primary education should be borne by the government but advanced health care and education should be paid by the individual from his pocket.

Some people think that the news media nowadays have influenced people’s lives in negative ways. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

I disagree with the given statement that media has a negative influence on our lives. In the following paragraphs, I intend to put forth my arguments in support of my views.

There are many positive effects of media. To begin with, the usefulness of the media in almost instantly providing information about events around the world is undeniable. It is because of the media that today we don’t belong to a big planet Earth; we belong to a small global village. Furthermore, media also shapes our opinions. It is a link between the government and the people. Our conceptions of our elected officials spring from television images and newspaper stories. Most of us will never meet prime ministers or presidents, but anyone who is regularly exposed to the media will know about them. When it is time to cast our vote, we will make our decision based on the media coverage of candidates.

The media are also influential in the way they facilitate the spread of culture and lifestyle. Today, the popularity of Indian culture is an example of the media's enormous impact. It is the media which highlights the good points of our own culture through programmes such as ‘India’s got Talent’. What is more, the reality shows of today have given exposure and fame to the common man with talent today. Indeed, with technological advancements such as the Internet bringing even more forms of electronic media to our homes and workplaces, it is likely the media's influence will grow even stronger. Finally, the media also helps in providing justice to the common man. Who has not heard of the Jessica murder case and the case of Nithari killings? Were it not for the media, Jessica’s parents would have never got justice.

As every rose is accompanied by thorns, the media too has its downside. The paparazzi can invade the privacy of famous people. Sometimes violence and vulgarity is shown and at times it can shape our opinion in negative ways. For that my counter argument is that once the person becomes famous then his private life becomes public and he has no right to crib about the paparazzi. People can choose what they want to see and technology has provided them the tools to block those channels which they don’t want their children to see. Finally, God has given us brains to judge what is right or wrong. The media is just doing its job by providing us with the latest information.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate by saying that the influence of media on our lives is largely positive.

The government is responsible for protecting a nation’s cultural identity. Thus, some people believe new buildings should be built in traditional styles. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Every city has its architectural character, and this architecture represents the culture of the place. However, I disagree that modern buildings should be built in traditional styles. In the following paragraphs I shall put forth my arguments to support my views.

Firstly, in most large cities, land is scarce and consequently it is very valuable. This has led to the construction of tall buildings which occupy only a small area of land while providing lots of floor space where people can live or work. We also have to meet the needs of the growing population for which tall buildings are the answer. Moreover, there is no need for deforestation to provide more land.

Secondly, modern materials are more practical. Now we use concrete and steel instead of stone, timber or brick. Because of these things buildings can be built comparatively quickly using prefabricated materials. They do not use local materials, such as stone, timber or brick, which used to give character to those buildings. Finally, changes are taking place in climate and energy sources are depleting fast. So we need energy efficient houses. Modern buildings use double glass front walls and POP( Plaster of Paris) ceilings which lessen the energy requirements. Moreover, now we need smaller houses as family structure is changing.

However, I believe that every city should preserve the already existing historic buildings which give character and identity to the city. The various forts and palaces in Rajasthan, India have been preserved and are being used to attract tourism. I agree with this kind of initiative taken by the government.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, it is the need of the day that modern buildings be built in today’s contemporary styles and to give identity to a place one or two historic buildings may be there in every city.

Pressure on the school and university students is increasing and students are pushed to hard work when they are young. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

It is irrefutable that the burden on school and university pupils is burgeoning and they have to work very hard at a young age. This situation has both positive and negative effects. A balance needs to be created in which parents and teachers have a big role. In the following paragraphs, I shall discuss the issue in depth.

Pressure on students is increasing because of many reasons. Firstly, today we belong to a highly competitive era. Students need to get good scores to get into a good college. To add to it, higher education is very costly and students need to do part time work to fund their education. What is more, sometimes parents push children to adopt those subjects in which the child has no aptitude. This also creates tension on the mind of the students.

This is a positive development because the habit of working hard right from early years makes them realise the dignity of labour and they are better placed in life later on. Secondly, they do not indulge in any violence and crime and drugs. This is because they don’t have time for such activities. Finally, if they work hard in early years they will develop a sound career and will have a happy and contented later life.

It is a negative development because it leads to stress and strain. Sometimes, students cannot strike a balance between work and leisure which may result in boredom. Secondly, when students face failures or can’t cope with the pressures they can have suicidal tendencies. Students also face stress if they are forced to choose a course against their wishes.

On balance, I believe that being pushed to hard work is a positive development. However, parents and teachers need to do proper counselling and guide them properly. Aptitude of the student needs to be given consideration. Alternate career choices should be explained to both parents and children

Many students have to study subjects which they do not like. Some people think this is a complete waste of time. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

In today's competitive world, a broad knowledge is needed to succeed in any field. Therefore, I disagree that it is a waste of time if students study subjects which are not of their interest.

Let us first examine the reasons why some people hold the opinion that students should not have to study all the subjects and should be allowed to choose the sub¬jects they want to study. They opine that in this case the students will probably be more enthusiastic about their study. In addition, if students are forced to study all subjects, they can easily lose in-terest in education. What is more, if all subjects are compulsory for studying, students will not have enough time to learn all of them properly therefore they will be constantly under a lot of pressure.

However, I believe all subjects are of great importance and for the holistic development of the students they need to study all subjects equally at school level. Later on, during admission to the colleges, students can select the subjects of their choice and can explore them further. At that age they are mature enough to decide their subjects for themselves. At school level the student may not know what his real interests are.

Furthermore, nowadays, the job market is very demanding and the recruiters select students who are skilled in various fields. Having the basic knowledge of varied subjects during school time definitely widens the horizons for the students. To add to it, it is a well known fact that most subjects are related to each other in some way or the other. For example, a basic knowledge of mathematics is needed to excel in computer languages. Finally, I believe that it is up to the teachers to develop interest of the students in any subject. For instance, during my school days, my history teacher was so good that a boring subject like history was the favourite subject of the whole class.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, students should learn all subjects at school level as they are not mature enough to know their real interests at school level and a broad knowledge is also needed for their holistic development.

Describe what type of books you prefer the most (Novels, Sports, Travel Books)? Please say: Why do you like this particular genre? - When did you first discover it?

I am fond of reading books.
I read novels, magazines and story books.
My favourite genre of books is novels.
I like novels because they relax me and entertain me.
They have interesting stories which are fictional and I like to read such books.
I generally read Punjabi novels
My favourite authors are Amrita Pritam and Nanak Singh
I liked the novel Pinjar written by Amrita Pritam
Literally, pinjar means skeleton
It is based on the plight of women during the days of partition
I also liked Pavitar Paapi written by Nanak Singh
It means the innocent sinner
Both these novels have been converted to movies and have been great hits I discovered my love for novels when I was in 10th class. My friend gifted me the novel by Nanak Singh on my birthday
I don't get much time to read novels these days because I am preparing to go abroad for my higher studies
Whenever I start reading a novel then I forget everything else and I repent later on
So, nowadays I just flick through the pages of some magazines in my free time

Describe your ideal house. Please say - Where do you want the house to be? - What should it look like? - How many people should it accommodate?

My ideal house would be in the suburbs of my home town.
It would be far away from the noise and pollution of the city
But at the same time it should be near enough to enjoy all facilities that cities provide.
So, in a way it would be midway between the rural and urban setting.
It would look very beautiful.
It would not be very big. It would be easily manageable. I mean the constructed area would just enough for a small family.
If my family grows then I would add rooms on the first floor. So, it would be able to accommodate as many family members as choose to live with me.
I would like to keep it spic and span. If it is very big, I would not be able to do so.
I would have a lawn in the front which would always be full of greenery and colourful flowers.
I would also love to have a kitchen garden in the backyard where I would grow seasonal vegetables and a lemon and papaya tree.
The kitchen would have all modern fittings and gadgets which make cooking easy.
The living room would have a big TV which I would like to watch with my family.
I do not believe in having TVs in the bedrooms because it makes people isolated.
Last but not least, my ideal house would be very welcoming and full of warmth.
Everybody would feel welcome there.
I would love to live in perfect harmony with my family members.

Talk about the climate in your country, you should say: - How hot or cold is the climate? - How much rain do you get?

• Climate refers to the long term atmospheric condition.
• Indian weather and climate conditions are very diverse and can reach extremes.
• The climate of India is essentially a temperate one.
• India lies to the north of Equator, so the southern part of India is usually much warmer than the rest of India.
• Also, water bodies lie on three sides thus giving some parts a coastal climate.
• The weather of India changes every now and then thus giving the people the much-needed relief from the extreme weather conditions.
• We have four seasons based on the climate.
• Summer, winter, autumn and spring
• The duration of summer in India is from April to September.
• It is very hot in the summer months.
• We have the monsoons during summer which last from July to August.
• We have rains in the monsoon season which brings some relief from the extreme heat of summers.
• The winters in India can get really chilly.
• It becomes bone chilling during the months of November to February.
• The northern part of India experiences harsh weather conditions
• The hilly areas experience sub-zero temperature conditions.
• Spring lasts from end of February to beginning of April. It is very pleasant in the spring season.
• It marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer
• Autumn lasts from the end of September to the beginning of November.
• It marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter
• The trees shed their leaves in autumn.
• My favourite season is winter

Famous person not from your country

• I know of many famous personalities, but here I would like to talk about Barack Obama
• Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States.
• He is the first African American to hold the office.
• He is about 49 years old.
• He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States.
• His father Barack Obama, Sr., is from Kenya and his mother is from Kansas.
• He is married to Michelle Obama and has two daughters Malia and Sasha.
• Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School.
• Obama's presidential campaign began in February 2007.
• He won his party's nomination, against Hillary Clinton.
• In the 2008 general election, he defeated Republican nominee John McCain
• and was inaugurated as president on January 20, 2009.
• Obama is also the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
• He has respect for variety of cultures.

A change in my life I would like to make

• I would like to make my lifestyle more healthy
• The most important change is that I would like to incorporate exercise in my daily routine.
• I think exercising keeps us fit and healthy
• It also helps us to relax after a hectic day
• I want to make this change immediately
• All I do these days is work, study, eat and sleep.
• I think if I start exercising now, it will also help me in my old age
• Exercise also helps us in preventing some diseases
• For instance – hypertension, diabetes, obesity and osteo arthritis
• Also along with this, I want to get better diet which has more fruits and vegetables and less junk food
• A healthy mind resides in a healthy body
• So to have a healthy mind I need to be physically fit

Describe a story that is famous in your country. You should say: - what the story is, - where and when you heard about it, - how people in your country know about this story. - explain why you and your country like this story.

• There are a number of stories that are popular in my country
• Like the thirsty crow, the greedy dog, unity is strength and so on
• Here I would like to talk about a story which is very popular in not just my country but in the whole world.
• It is the story of a thirsty crow
• I heard it so many times from my grandmother in my childhood.
• It was also there in my KG book
• People in my country know about this story through the elderly at home and through school books
• Everyone likes this story because it teaches moral values of life in a simple and interesting way
• Now I would like to tell the story
• Once upon a time there was a crow.
• The crow was very intelligent.
• One day it became very thirsty.
• It wanted to quench its thirst.
• It looked for water everywhere.
• But nowhere could it find the water.
• Then it found a pitcher with a little water at the bottom.
• The crow could not reach the water.
• It pondered and immediately hit upon an idea.
• It gathered pebbles and dropped them in the pitcher.
• The water level rose.
• It drank the water and quenched its thirst.
• The moral of the story is that at the time of adversity you’ve to use your wits.

Something old which you or your family have kept

• There are many old things in my family which belong to my parents and great grand parents
• There are some old brass utensils and trunks and some articles of furniture like an old round wooden table, a chair and so on
• But here I would like to talk about an article which once belonged to my great great grandmother.
• It is a beautiful set of gold jewellery
• It is a family heritage
• It has been handed down from generation to generation in my family
• It is a gold necklace with matching earrings
• My mother wears it on special family occasions
• Otherwise my father keeps it in a bank locker
• It is studded with rubies and emeralds
• I like the set so much that I asked my mother to give it to me on my wedding but she replied that it has to remain in the family so she will pass it to her daughter in law
• You know, ma’am, the gold is so pure that it still shines like new
• And the design is evergreen
• It goes with all types of dresses
• Whenever my mother wears it she gets a lot of compliments
• So, you see ma’am this gold set is one thing which has been the pride of our family for years.

Describe an important conversation you had, you should say: - what it was about, - whom you had it with, - why it was important.

• I’ve had many conversations in life
• Some were on phone and some were face-to-face
• Here I’m going to talk about a conversation which I had with my friend kulwinder last month
• In those days he had come from Australia on holiday
• He came to visit me and we chatted with each other for two hours
• This conversation was important for me because it brought a turning point in my life
• I asked him about his studies in Australia
• He told me that the quality of education is very good there
• I asked him about the problems he faced there
• He told me that initially he faced some food problems, but now he is comfortable there
• I asked him how he managed his finances
• He told me that most of the students earn by doing part time jobs
• He too did a job at a restaurant and managed his fees and living expenses
• He painted a rosy picture of Australia in front of me
• I too was motivated to study there
• As you know madam, that IELTS is a pre-requisite to study abroad
• So, here I am in front of you , taking the IELTS
• My friend has offered to help me if I go there
• He will also help me in finding a good part-time job

Talk about a story which is popular in your country When did it happen and why, Why is it popular, How do you feel about it?

• As we flip through the pages of a newspaper every morning, we come across many true stories.
• There are many true stories associated with history also.
• Same is with my country.
• Today I am going to talk about a real story of freedom of India which was told by my grandfather to me when I was a child.
• It started almost 300 years ago when the British came to India for business purposes.
• They become so successful with their anti Indian policies that they started to rule the country.
• The Indians were made to work like slaves and had to pay more taxes.
• They assassinated many innocent people.
• Many massacres like Jallianwala bagh took place in the whole nation.
• Finally, the Indians rose against all this.
• Many revolutionary organizations were developed by the youth and on the other side, Mahatma Gandhi was supporting the non- violence and was doing processions against the British government.
• Many people were killed during the processions and many were arrested or sentenced to death.
• But with their great efforts finally India got freedom on 15th Aug 1947.
• This story is still popular in my country because this story is related to our country's past and to future.
• Today we are proud of our martyrs who did not care about their lives for the sake of their country.
• Now we are living in an independent country.
• This is only because of them.
• The freedom we enjoy today is because of the sacrifices of martyrs like Bhagat Singh, Tilak and so many more.
• Today I can say that I am proud to be an Indian.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Important cue cards for IELTS speaking


Topics for IELTS Speaking -

Monday, February 14, 2011

Some sports are extremely dangerous but many people still like them very much. Why do people take part in dangerous sports? Give some suggestions on how to deal with these dangers.

In recent years we have seen a considerable rise in dangerous or extreme sports. This essay shall discuss some of the main reasons why people engage in such sports and suggest ways in which some risks involved in such sports can be reduced.

The main reason why people go for dangerous sports is that they get the thrill out of them. They like taking risks. They like to challenge their abilities and potentials. They feel a sense of satisfaction when they come face to face with fears while bungee jumping, rock climbing and so on. In addition, going through a dangerous experience gives them courage and confidence to face the hurdles of their daily life.

Another reason for pursuing such sports is that there is a lot of fame and money involved in them. They get attention by doing stunts on motorcycles and jumping from tall buildings. They make headlines in newspapers and TV News Channels. They feel great when their name comes in the Guinness Book of World Records. Once they get famous they get a lot of money also. For instance, many businesses hire them to endorse their products. They also get jobs on the basis of such skills.

Many steps can be taken to reduce the risks are that involved. Firstly, these sports should be done under strict supervision. All safety precautions should be taken. Such sports should be performed after sufficient training and under supervision of adults. Sport companies which cater to such sports should require a license for providing such training. Some people suggest banning some sports. However, I do not believe that banning is a good solution. We all know that forbidden fruits taste sweeter and people will do such sports in hiding which would increase the risks involved.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, people do such sports for fun, for money and for fame. However, such sports should be performed after sufficient training from licensed companies and under some supervision.

Some people say that parents have the most important role in a child’s development. However, others argue that other things like television or friends have the most significant influence. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Human development is a complex interplay of many factors. Some individuals are of the opinion that parents have the most significant role in a child’s development whereas others opine that friends and other environmental factors such as TV have a more important role. It is necessary to look at both arguments before forming an opinion.

Parents have direct interactions with the children. They provide a sense of identification to the child. These have their greatest effect on intellectual development and character traits. They also play a very important role in the socializing process of the child. Right from the bed time stories to the behavioral habits parents play a very important role in making a child a responsible citizen. They know their child’s temperament better than anyone else. They can provide critical input better than anyone else. That is why it is believed by some that parents have the strongest role in a child’s development.

Friends, on the other hand, are important in order to help children grow emotionally and socially. Children find out who they are by comparing themselves to others. They learn about attitude, character and personality. Building good relationships boosts a child’s self esteem and they find comfort in those friendships when things get tough such as losing a pet or facing family problems. Therefore, friendships are essential to assure children develop a healthy psyche. When kids are surrounded by friends or have one close friend, they have better self esteem, feel a sense of well being and experience fewer social problems.

Television is also one of the most prevalent media influences in kids' lives. How much impact TV has on children depends on many factors: how much they watch, their age and personality, whether they watch alone or with adults, and whether their parents talk with them about what they see on TV.

In my opinion, we cannot generalize as to what has more significance. In the early years family generally has more impact but in adolescence peers and TV may impact more. It appears that the power of the peer group becomes more important when the family relationships are not close or supportive. For example, if the parents work extra jobs and are largely unavailable, their children may turn to their peer group for emotional support.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that behavior is affected by a complex interaction of many different factors such as parents, peers and environment. All these are inextricably linked in the development of children. There is individual variation and therefore it is difficult to generalize which factor plays the most significant role.

When families have a meal together it is considered social activity. Do you think eating together is important to people in your country?

It is irrefutable that eating together is a social activity. Sharing dinner together gives everyone a sense of identity. It can help ease day-to-day conflicts, as well as establish traditions and memories that can last a lifetime.

The first and foremost advantage of eating together is that it creates a sense of belonging. Conversations during the meal provide opportunities for the family to bond and learn from one another. It’s a chance to share information and news of the day, as well as give extra attention to your children and teens. Family meals foster warmth, security and love, as well as feelings of belonging. It can be a unifying experience for all.

Secondly, family mealtime is the perfect opportunity to teach appropriate table manners, etiquette, and social skills. Parents can be perfect role models in this and children learn by following them. What is more, meals prepared and eaten at home are usually more nutritious and healthy. They contain more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products along with additional nutrients such as fiber, calcium, vitamins A and C, and folate.

Furthermore, research shows that frequent family dinners (five or more a week), are associated with lower rates of smoking, drinking, and illegal drug use in pre-teens and teenagers when compared to families that eat together two or fewer times per week. To add to it, children do better in school when they eat more meals with their parents and family.

In my country most people do value shared mealtime. However, the fast paced life and influence of the global culture is taking some away from this custom. Fortunately, some recent studies have shown that even in the developed countries people are realizing the importance of family meals and are downshifting. It is indeed time to bring the "family" back to the dinner table.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that eating together is definitely an important social activity. That it why it has been said that, ‘The family that eats together stays together’.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Talk about a person who is very successful in his/her life. Please say - Who is that person? - How do you know him/her? - Why do you like that person?

Well, ma’am success is a very relative term.
Everyone has different views about success.
For some people success means having a lot of money.
For others, it may mean having name, fame and power.
Here I would like to talk about a person who is neither rich nor famous.
Yet, he is very successful in my eyes.
I am going to talk about my father.
His name is ……………..
He is in his late forties.
He is not very tall but very handsome.
He is a self made man.
He set up a small business of spare parts without putting in much money and by his sheer hard work he has made it grow.
He is admired by all in my neighbourhood and in our family.
He tries to help everyone who comes to him for help and advice.
He has a good rapport with all near and distant relatives.
Because of him, there is perfect harmony among all our family members.
When I see others admire him, I feel proud to be his son/daughter.
He has instilled good values in us, his children
He is not just my father, he is my friend, philosopher and guide.
Whenever I have any problem, he listens to me patiently and then suggests some solution.
I like him because I feel I can depend on him always.
He is my role model.
I just love my father.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Do you agree or that improvements in technology reduce the role of Olympic Games.

Olympic Games are the world's most important international athletic competition. They bring together thousands of the finest athletes to compete against one another in a variety of individual and team sports. Although technology is having an impact on the Olympics in a profound way I disagree that it is reducing the role of Olympic Games. I believe that technology allows us to more fully appreciate everything about the competition and the athletes who commit their lives to fulfill their dreams.

To begin with, winning an Olympic event is the highest honour people can achieve even in the modern times. Unknown athletes get the chance to attain national, and in particular cases, international fame. Secondly, Olympic Games are the best medium of cultural exchange even today. Different people of different countries, religions, cultures etc get together at Olympics and the participants get a chance to know about other cultures. The Games also constitute a major opportunity for the host city and country to showcase themselves to the world.

Although the technological realities of the modern times have brought many changes in the Olympic Games of today, they have not reduced the importance of the Olympic Games. Technology plays a part in every aspect of these games, from the first torch relay hand-off to the closing ceremonies. Athletes and trainers use technology in preparing for the games to optimize their training. Sports equipment manufacturers use design technology to build improved apparatus, gear and more that will enable their clients to deliver a high level performance. Broadcasters use technology to better inform viewers of all aspects of the events. As a consequence, more and more people are exposed to these games.

People who opine that technology has reduced the role of Olympic Games say so because the ugly claws of commercialism have crept into this field also. As a result, the Olympics has shifted away from pure amateurism to professionalism. The win-at-all-cost attitude has come up and many use unethical means to win. They also say that only the rich can afford technology to boost their performance and this creates a gap between the rich and poor. I still believe that without inherent ability no amount of technology can make anybody a winner or loser.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, technology has brought colossal changes in The Olympic Games of today but in no way have they decreased the role of Olympic Games.

Friday, January 28, 2011

You invited your family to have a special celebrate dinner in a well-known restaurant, but you are unsatisfied with the meal. You are writing to make a complaint. In your letter, you have to say: What the situation is; What the problem is; What you want them to do.

Dear Sir,

On October 20th, I took my family members to your restaurant to celebrate my mother’s birthday. My friend recommended your restaurant as he is your regular customer. However, my experience has not been so good.

My first complaint is that your servings are too small and not at all value-for-money. We ordered your giant burgers thinking that one would be enough for each of us. But your giant burger turned out to be just the regular size that we get elsewhere. Then, when we asked for extra sauces, your waiters told us that we would have to pay extra. They were quite discourteous also.

I think that it would be a good idea to either change the amount of food you serve or reduce the cost of the meals because at the moment I think your prices are too high for the amount of food you serve. The extra sauces also should be free with the food ordered. It would also be a good idea to teach some basic manners to your waiters.

I would like to be your regular customer for the quality of food you offer. So, if you look into the other things it would be very nice of you.

Yours faithfully,
Kiran Makkar

Write a letter to the landlord and complain about the repair work. In your letter, you should include: The details of last repair What the problem is Give suggestions to landlord on how to repair it

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am your tenant from apartment number 11102, Bissonnet Street. I am writing to complain about the repair work you did on my kitchen cupboards. Most of the work you did was satisfactory but, unfortunately there are some problems that require immediate attention from you.

As you are well aware, you had to get the kitchen cupboards repaired and re-installed. Most of the cupboards have been well installed but the one just next to the cooking range is not well fitted. There is a problem with its doors. They are not closing properly. As a result they keep opening and can cause injury.

I request you to get the work properly finished. My parents are coming to stay with me for a month and I don’t want any injury to happen to them. I therefore urge you to get this problem fixed within this week. You may call me at 9888195776 to confirm the day.

I look forward for a prompt action from you regarding this matter.

Yours sincerely,
Kiran Makkar

Monday, January 24, 2011

IELTS letters Index


IELTS letters index -

Friday, January 21, 2011

Describe a project or a piece of work you did together with someone, please say - who it was, - what you have done, -why you have chosen this person.

During school time I made a lot of projects for every subject.
Most of the projects were supposed to be done by the individual student.
But, I remember, once there was a science exhibition.
It was conducted by the local Lions Club
Every school had to send a team of students who had to make a model or a chart
I was chosen from my school.
I had to choose a partner for myself
I chose my friend Gurpreet
Together we had to make a model on any topic related to the environment.
We made a diagram on a chart paper depicting the causes and effects of Global Warming.
I remember we were all very enthusiastic about the project.
Both of us contributed whole heartedly in the making of this chart.
I did the drawing on the chart.
The most important part was the presentation of the topic in front of the judges.
Gurpreet has very good oratorical skills.
Actually it was because of her that we got the first prize.
Actually I chose Gurpreet because of her excellent communication skills.
We were very happy when we won the trophy for our school.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Describe a small company in your hometown that you think is successful, please say - Why you think it is successful, - How you know it, - What they produce, - Explain how you think it became successful.

I belong to Phagwara.
It is the hub of small scale industry
There are three big mills in my home town – the JCT mill, the sugar mill and the starch mill.
But here I am going to talk about a small company which is very successful.
It is Akal industries
It is on the GT Road
I have heard about it from my friend’s brother who works there.
They say that among the small scale industries, it is at number one
They produce parts for automobiles.
The employer employee relation is very good.
They have very good facilities for workers, such as canteen and transport facility.
About 100 people work there.
It is run by two brothers.
One looks after the manufacturing and the other looks after the sales.
They have very good quality control
That is why they export their products to many parts of the world such as Canada, USA and France.
They take part in exhibitions also in many parts of the world.
They are successful because of their sheer hard work.
My friend’s brother tells me that they are very punctual and if any worker is absent, they themselves take his seat so that the work does not suffer
They are perfect role models for their employees
They are very down-to-earth.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Talk about a child

• There are many children in my family and neighbourhood. I like all of them because I love little children.
• The child I am going to talk about here is Jasleen.
• She is my niece – my sister’s daughter.
• She is only three years old but she is very talkative.
• She is very pretty and has curly jet black hair.
• She has a very cute dimple on her right cheek and when she smiles then the dimple becomes even more prominent.
• She is the apple of everyone’s eyes
• Whenever I go to their house, she clings to me and cries a lot when I leave her.
• I have a special bonding with her.
• I give her a chocolate every time I go and if I forget she gives me a hell of a time.
• I have to go to the market immediately to buy her one.
• She is very naughty.
• She knows how to twist everyone around her little fingers.
• She likes to wear frilly frocks and when my sister buys jeans for her she refuses to wear them.
• She doesn’t like to drink milk so she keeps spilling it when no one is watching her.
• She likes to play with Barbie dolls and she has a collection of more than 10 Barbie dolls.
• My sister keeps stitching clothes for her dolls.
• When she was born, my sister’s in-laws were a bit unhappy because they wanted a grandson but now they simply adore her.
• So, Jasleen is my favourite child.

A person with whom you would like to travel With whom Why Where

• I am very fond of travelling.
• I have travelled a lot with family and relatives.
• I have been to Shimla, Delhi and Chandigarh with them.
• Here I would like to talk about a friend with whom I would really like to travel.
• He is my best friend Rahul.
• He is of my age and a very nice person
• He also has travelled a lot with his family.
• I would like to go to Shimla with him.
• We can do a lot together at Shimla.
• We can do skating, and hiking at Shimla
• He is very sporty fit and he encourages me also to go to gym regularly.
• When I went to Shimla with my parents, I wanted to do horse riding and skating but they were not interested and so I also could not do all that alone.
• With Rahul I know I will enjoy much more.
• I plan to go in winters because in winters we can also enjoy the snowfall.
• I have seen children playing with snow in the movies and making snowmen, and I would also love to make a snowman with my friend.
• Another reason why I would like to go with him is that he can drive very nicely in Hilly areas and also knows how to drive on snow.
• Actually, his relatives live in Shimla and he has visited them many times during his vacations.
• He also has a very good sense of humour and I know I can never get bored with him.
• So, I would like to go with Rahul to Shimla.

Talk about your Childhood room Where in your house was that room Why you liked it

• Childhood room plays a very important role in everyone’s life.
• I have very fond memories of my childhood room.
• I shared my room with my sister.
• Our room was next to our parent’s room on the back side of our house.
• We had all facilities in our room
• We had a study table on which we used to study.
• We also had a music system in our room.
• We both loved to listen to music.
• There were two almirahs for clothes.
• I remember my sister and I used to fight over small things in the room.
• She was very messy and I was very organized.
• So whenever she used to spoil the room’s décor (setting), I used to shout at her.
• I remember we had an attached bathroom.
• She always used to leave it wet after taking a bath.
• I used to hand her the wiper to dry it.
• She used to sulk, but I made her do it.
• Our parents were very strict about our bed time.
• My mother used to check our room to see if the lights were off.
• After she would leave we used to get up again.
• When it came to cheating our parents we used to be together.
• Childhood is a very nice time.
• Now I have a separate room of my own.
• But, I still remember my childhood room.
• If I get a chance, I would really love to have that room and time back.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A news story that made you happy

I daily read the news on paper and watch news channels like Aaj Tak and Star News.
Many news stories are very interesting and I feel happy after seeing them
Here I would like to talk about the news story of America’s President Obama’s visit to India.
He came with his wife Michelle in the first week of November 2010.
Both of them made a place in the hearts of many Indians.
What made me most happy was Michelle Obama’s mingling with the children of various social backgrounds.
She even danced with the little children.
I was very happy to see how she was picking up the steps of Indian folk dances very nicely.
She seemed to be enjoying herself thoroughly.
She also did a lot of shopping from Indian stores.
President Obama met various politicians.
He came to strengthen ties between USA and India
India’s economy too is coming up very fast and it really felt good to know that superpowers like America also need to shake hands with growing economies like India.
Barack Obama also answered many questions of college students.
His way of answering was very diplomatic.
The way he was dodging questions he did not want to answer was very hilarious.
Finally I would like to say that his visit was a win-win situation for both India and USA.
Deals worth 10 billion dollars were signed in those three days.

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