Task 2.3

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Recent figures show an increase in violent crime among youngsters under the age of 18. Some psychologists claim that the basic reason for this is that children these days are not getting the social and emotional learning they need from parents and teachers.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

            Currently, one of the topics that attracts quite a lot of people in society is an increase in juvenile delinquency. To be more specific, there have been several opinions and statements on the topic, and one typically suggests that the basic reason of juvenile crime is the lack of concern from parents and teachers. Personally, I agree that because of the following reason which I write below.

            To begin with, one of the main reasons could be that parents and teachers play an important role during adolescent phase of children. At this age, teenagers are not mature enough to identify the justice. Most of them want to prove themselves to others and without guides’ parent, they are easily involved in a gang, thus crime is unavoidable. In addition, the lack of care from parent and teacher make them hostile and cynical towards the society. When they feel look out of the place, they try more to prove the existence of them by their action.  

            On the other hand, antagonists might argue that many people who do not have many social and emotional learning from parents and teachers when they were a child still succeed today. However, I cannot agree for the following reason because the more modern life is, the more difficult children have faced. A clear example of this is the negative effect of violent movies, programs. Watching hours of murders, fights and crimes every week is to suggest to children that violence is an ordinary way of life, and that shooting and cheating are ways to succeed. 

            In conclusion, as both sides of the argument prove to have some good points, people may find it hard to determine which one they should stand for. However, from my point of view, I am quite in favor of the idea saying that if children get more the social and emotional learning from parents and teachers, they will avoid crime easily.

 Model answer:

It does seem to be true that parents find teachers have lost the authority they used to have, especially in the eyes of teenagers. They are no longer seen as models for behavior: hard work, politeness and other positive qualities are seen as old fashioned. Many young people have no respect for these qualities or the people who represent them. In fact, I think when young people today are so rebellious that it's possible that both parents and teachers are afraid to exercise their authority. However, I do not agree that this is the basic reason for the increase in teenage violence.

While I believe it is true that a lack of social and emotional learning contributes to the problem. Other factors are surely involved: economic factors, for example. If a child comes from a poor family and they live in low-quality housing in all undesirable area, this is sure to affect the child, however loving the parents are.

There is also the question of who your friends are. I believe that when you are in your teens your friends have more influence on you than your parents or teachers. At that age, you want to be part of a group, or even a gang, and this might lead to breaking the law in a number of ways.

In conclusion, while I agree that lack of social and emotional learning from parents and teachers is a factor in the growth of teenage violence, I do not believe that it is the only or main cause.

(255 words)

Task 2.2

The world is experiencing a dramatic increase in population, This is causing problems not only for poor, undeveloped countries, but also for industrialised and developing nations.

Describe some of the problems that overpopulation causes, and suggest at least one possible solution.

• You should write at least 250 words.
• You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays, an incessant rise in population is alarmed in many conferences. It cannot be denied that overpopulation causes a considerable number of problems. However, government can solve these problems by many solutions.

There are several problems that both undeveloped countries and developing nations have been suffered. Firstly, available resource will not be sufficient to meet the demand of rising population. For example, if people increase and crop production decreases, a huge of people will be hunger because of the lack of agricultural land. Secondly, health resource available with us will be lacked to cure and prevent disease. Especially when the more people are, the easier the disease spreads. Another thing should be noticed is environment issue. The increase in population will also increase the activities’ human which cause global warming and related climate change such as deforest, population …

Nevertheless, there are some solutions to the overpopulation problems. As a regard the first, government needs to promote the education about the harmful effects of overpopulation. In addition, citizens need to have much knowledge about sex education to avoid the unfortunate consequences. Furthermore, one of the best solutions is to help married coupled to understand the benefits of family planning and promote them to exercise. Lastly, government can offer a new tax law that married couples who just have one or two children will pay lowered tax than those have more than two children.

In conclusion, if population continuously rises, many bad effects will  happen. Thus, it is time to act together.    

Words: 250

  

Model answer:

In most countries of the world the population is increasing alarmingly. This is especially true in poor, undeveloped countries. Overpopulation causes a considerable number of problems.

In poor countries it is difficult to provide enough food to feed even the present number of people. In addition, education to limit the number of children per family is not always successful. Poorer countries usually have a lot of unemployment too, and an increase in population simply makes the situation worse. The environment also suffers when there are too many people living on the land.

In rich, industrialised and developing countries it is very difficult for governments to provide effective public services in overcrowded cities. Moreover, there is usually a great deal more crime, which is often due to high rates of unemployment. Further large increases in population only cause more overcrowding, unemployment and crime.

There are two main solutions to the overpopulation problem. Firstly, every woman who is pregnant, but who does not want to give birth, should be allowed by law to have an abortion. Secondly, governments must educate people to limit the size of the family. In China, couples are penalised financially if they have more than one child. This may seem cruel, but the "one-child policy" is beginning to have an effect in the world's most populous nation. Eventually, similar policies might also be necessary in other crowded nations such as India, for example.

To sum up, if the population explosion continues, many more people will die of starvation in poor countries, and life in the cities, even in affluent nations, will become increasingly difficult.

Task 1.3

The chart and graph below give information about sales and share prices for Coca-Cola.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

• You should write at least 150 words.
• You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

       

            The first pie chart shows sales data in different regions in 2000, and the second line graph illustrates the change of Coca – Cola share price from 1996 to 2001. It is clear from the chart that the majority of the bottles were sold in North America and Latin America. In addition, the coca – cola share price fluctuated over a period of five years.

            In North America and Latin America covered over half of the bottles Coca – Cola that were sold in 2000. North America comprised 30.4%, while Latin America covered about 25.7%. Together, the amount of bottles sold were the smallest, corresponding to over 1.5 billion. Asia and Europe hold 16.4% and 20.5% respectively.

            From 1996, to the first half of 1998, there was an upward trend in the Coca – Cola share price. In 1996, the share price was minimal at nearly 35$. However, after a year and a half, this figure got maximal at over 75$. After that, the share price decreased dramatically to under 50$ in 2000. Finally, the share of Coca – Cola priced approximately 53$ in 2001.  

Words: 180

           

Model answer:

The pie chart shows the worldwide distribution of sales of Coca-Cola in the year 2000 and the graph shows the change in share prices between 1996 and 2001.

In the year 2000, Coca-Cola sold a total of 17.1 billion cases of their fizzy drink product worldwide. The largest consumer was North America, where 30.4 per cent of the total volume was purchased. The second largest consumer was Latin America. Europe and Asia purchased 20.5 and 16.4 per cent of the total volume respectively, while Africa and the Middle East remained fairly small consumers at 7 per cent of the total volume of sales.

Since 1996, share prices for Coca-Cola have fluctuated. In that year, shares were valued at approximately $35. Between 1996 and 1997, however, prices rose significantly to $70 per share. They dipped a little in mid-1997 and then peaked at $80 per share in mid-98. From then until 2000 their value fell consistently but there was a slight rise in mid-2000.

Task 2.1

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

 Write about the following topic:

            As mass communication and transport continue to grow, societies are becoming more and more alike leading to a phenomenon known as globalization. Some people fear that globalization will inevitably lead to the total loss of cultural identity.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

            Some people are of the opinion that cultural identity will be lost by globalization, especially when technology and transport develop rapidly. Personally, I disagree that because of the following reasons which I write below.

            The culture is not easy to lose suddenly. The culture of the nation was born from thousands years of history, handing down from generation to generation. Thus, it is difficult to disappear when the global relationships of culture, people and economic activity increases. For example, in Vietnam, we celebrate many worlds’ festivals such as Valentine’s Day, women’s day…, but we do not forget traditional holidays, and it cannot be denied that these days are the greatest holidays.

            Opponents of the idea say that we use the same product, listen to the same music, eat the same food … the citizens will be affected much. There may be some truth in their argument; however, it is obvious that an opportunity to promote cultural identity is opening. A clear example is the strong diffusion of Korea’s culture through movies, clothes in recent years. The globalization brings us close together, giving us a change to absorb the quintessence culture of other countries, but instead of forgetting the cultural identical, we develop it further base on the cultural background which have been existed.

            In conclusion, culture is the root of each country. Thus, the total loss of cultural identity will not be occurred whether mass communication and transport grow.     

Words: 238

Model answer:

            Globalization means that in some ways people around the world are becoming more and more similar. We often eat the same food, watch the same TV programmes, listen to the same music and we wear the same clothes. Some of this at least can be blamed on the spread of multinational brands available all over the world.

            On the surface, it may appear as if the global diversity of cultural identities is being lost. If, the argument goes, people in Tokyo and London look and dress the same, then that must mean that cultural differences are disappearing. However, I would argue that this is a very narrow definition of culture and that in fact cultural differences are as present as ever.

            Cultural Identity is built on far more than just the films we watch or the jeans we wear. The foundation of cultural identity is shared values. When you look in detail at different cultures, you realize that the things that are important to one culture can be very different from the things valued by another culture.

            Take my own culture, India, as an example and compare it to a very different culture, Japan. Although I have never visited Japan personally, I believe that it is a culture which places a lot of value on hard work and that people often work very long hours. The Indian people, in contrast, greatly value their leisure time and strive to spend as much lime with their family as they possibly can. Even if we consume the same products, I would argue that there are still some very deep-rooted differences.

Task 1.2

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

            The chart below shows the number of men and women in further education in Britain in three periods and whether they were studying fulltime or part-time.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

             The bar charts compare the number of British females and males in further education in three periods. It can be seen from the charts that the number of females and males who had been full – time education was higher than who had part – time education.

            In 1970-1971, around 1000 males studied full - time, compare to 700 females studied. However, after that, the number of females who studying full – time rose considerably and was higher than that of males. This figure for the period 1990/91 increased to just over 1100 people. In contrast to female, the number of males was smaller by approximately 300 people. Otherwise, a rise in the figure for males and females who had part – time education can be observable at the same periods. In 1970 – 1971, there were nearly 100 males in British, while only 30 females. Nevertheless, the number of females studying part - time grew quickly and finally, this figure was equal to the number of males..   

            In conclusion, there was a steady increased in the number of female who had education, whether part – time or full – time education through three periods in British.

Words: 190    

Model answer 1:

            This is a bar chart of the number of men and women in further education in Britain in three periods. In 1970, most of men were studying part-time but from 1980, studying part-time as decreased and studying full-time was increased and in 1990, it was twice as many students as in 1970. On the other hand, women studying full-time were increased and not only full-time, part-time also were increased. In 1990, studying full-time was three times as many students as in 1970. If compare Men and Women, as you see, in 1970, Men were studying more than women full-time or part-time but it changed from 1980 and then, in 1990, Women were studying part-time more than Men and studying full-time was same number.

            It shows you women has a high education now.

(132 words)

EXAMINER’S EXPLANATION

Band 5

 “The length of the answer is just acceptable. There is a good attempt to describe the overall trends but the content would have been greatly improved if the candidate had included some reference to the figures given on the graph. Without these, the reader is lacking some important information. The answer is quite difficult to follow and there are some punctuation errors that cause confusion. The structures are fairly simple and efforts to produce more complex sentences are not successful.”

Model answer 2:

            According to this graph, the number of men and women in farther education in Britain shows that following pattern.

            In the case of male, the number of male has declined slightly from about 100 thousands in 1970/71 to about 850 thousands in 1990/91. However, this figure rose back to about 850 thousands in 1990/91 from about 820 thousands in 1980/81. The proportion of full-time education has declined during this period. However, the proportion of part-time education has increased dramatically.

            On the one hand, in the case of female, the number of both full-time education and part-time education has increased during the period.From about 700 thousands in 1970/71, these figures rose to about 820 thousands in 1980/81, to about 1100 thousands in 1990/91. In terms of full-time education, this figure rose by about 260 to about 900 in 1990/91.

            On the other hand, with respect to part-time education, this figure rose dramatically between 1980/81 and 1970/71. However this figure rose slightly between 1980/81 and 1990/91.

 (165 words)

EXAMINER’S EXPLANATION

Band 6

“The candidate has made a good attempt to describe the graphs looking at global trends and more detailed figures. There is, however, some information missing and the information is inaccurate in minor areas. The answer flows quite smoothly although connectives are overused or inappropriate, and some of the points do not link up well. The grammatical accuracy is quite good and the language used to describe the trends is well-handled. However, there are problems with expression and the appropriate choice of words and whilst there is good structural control, the complexity and variation in the sentences are limited.”

Model answer:

            The bar chart shows the number of people in Britain who took a further education in both a full-time and part-time. Over three decades, in general, there was an increase in the number of women following full-time and part-time of further education and in the number of men continuing full-time education.

            As can be seen in the chart, in the first decade, the number of women is lower than the number of men for the two types of education, but in the last decade, the number of women is higher than that of men especially for the part-time education. The number of men studying the part-time education tends decrease from about 1 million in the first period to over 800 thousand. The other interesting figure is that the number of women studying full-time education rose sharply from under 100 thousands in 1970/1971 to just under 200 thousands in 1980/1981, then the increase was stable.

            In a nutshell, the growth of the number of women who took further education is higher than that of men.

Words: 160

Band: 7

IELTS Task 1 Writing band descriptors