Task 1
The pictures show the changes of a park from 1980 to the present day.
Sample Answer
The maps show changes in the layout of a park between 1980 and the present.
In general, the park is now more accessible and has several new facilities to serve different recreational demands of the public.
In 1980, there was one pathway running through the park from the west gate to the south gate. A number of trees were located in the north east, and flowers were planted along the south wall. There was also a pond with several benches around it situated on the eastern side of the park.
Between 1980 and now, the path was removed and replaced with a new path which leads to all four sides of the park, and essentially divides it into four different areas. In the south western corner, the pond and benches are still intact, but the flowers in that area have been replaced with bushes. A new picnic area with tables and a barbecue grill has been set up in the north eastern corner, while the southeastern corner is now a dedicated playing field.
Task 2
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are the main source for many countries. However, some nations are using alternative energy such as solar power and wind power. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Sample Answer:
Although fossil fuels still remain the most important energy sources in many places, some countries are now already using alternative sources like solar or wind power. In my opinion, it can be difficult for a country to move towards using alternative energy at first, but this development brings about several benefits in the long run.
On the one hand, the change towards using alternative types of energy would probably put a heavy financial burden on the government and companies as they will have to invest millions of dollars in purchasing and developing new equipment and facilities for harnessing solar, wind or hydro-electric power. For example, the average cost of installing a wind turbine for generating electricity is about $3 million, and an average country would require a wind farm with hundreds of turbines to supply power to all companies and households. In addition, the production cost of large solar panels is still very high, which is why many countries, especially those with a poor economy, are still unable to use this power source.
However, I still believe that shifting towards using alternative energy is a worthwhile investment due to the great benefits it brings. Firstly, fossil fuels are the main cause of air pollution nowadays since petroleum-powered vehicles and factories are releasing tremendous amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere every day. Therefore, replacing coal and petroleum with wind or solar power will help to reduce the level of emissions in the atmosphere and improve air quality. Secondly, fossil fuels, like natural gas or oil, are finite resources and will soon be depleted, which will potentially threaten the economy if there are no alternative sources. This fact emphasizes the need to develop renewable energy to gradually replace traditional sources when fossil fuels run out.
In conclusion, I hold the view that despite the high initial cost of new equipment and facilities, the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is still necessary for the long-term development of the planet.
