Task 1:
The chart below show the number of magazines sold per person in five countries in 2000 and 2010, with projected sales for 2020.
- Level: Medium
- Type: Bar chart
1. Sample:
The bar chart compares five different countries in terms of the number of magazines sold per individual in two years 2000 and 2010, with projections for 2020.
It is clear that while the number of magazines sold in country D increases, the opposite is true for the other countries. Additionally, the figure for country B is largest,
as opposed to the lowest figure which can be seen in country E.
In 2000, a resident in country B sold nearly 50 magazines, while just under 50 units and 40 units were sold by an individual in country A and C respectively. In contrast, there were nearly 20 magazines sold by country D, compared to only approximately 6 by country E. In 2010, the quantities of magazines sold in country A, B and C fell slightly, whereas the other countries saw the opposite trends in their figures.
In 2020, it is predicted that the number of magazines sold in country B, country C and country E decrease minimally by around 1 each, while that of country D rises by similar number. Meanwhile, there was a considerable fall to under 40 in the figure for country A.
(193 words)
2. Vocabulary
- Per person = per individual (n)
- A resident (n)
- As opposed to (n)
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Task 2:
Traffic and housing problems could be solved by moving large companies, factories and their employees to the countryside. Do you agree or disagree?
- Level: Medium
- Type: Opinion essays
- Topic: Government and Society
- Keyword: Traffic and housing p lems; moving large companies, factories… to the countryside.
1. Sample:
Increased traffic and lack of housing supply are major concerns in many places. By relocating large businesses, including their factories and employees, to rural areas, these issues can be properly addressed. I personally find this Idea justifiable; however, at the same time, some other initiatives should be implemented if we expect to solve traffic and housing problems effectively.
Moving businesses and their facilities to the countryside will cause urban population to shrink substantially as successful companies, such as Apple, provide work for thousands of people. This, as a result, will relieve pressure on urban housing supply systems. Another apparent advantage of a decreased population is lower volumes of traffic which help reduce traffic congestion. In Hanoi for example, most people travel to work by private vehicles, and this leads to overcrowded roads during the rush hour. If big companies are based in a rural area and offer accommodation to their employees near their workplaces, this will no longer be the case.
Nonetheless, I think the mentioned problems are rather complicated and can only be solved completely by the introduction of some other measures. One example involves the development of road systems because narrow roads largely contribute to traffic jams in major cities. Building wider roads and motorways will allow a greater number of vehicles, both private and public, and therefore reduce traffic congestion. Also, residential areas with small living spaces that can accommodate a growing population should be established in urban centers.
In conclusion, I agree that relocating businesses to the countryside is one way to deal with traffic and housing problems. I also believe that we need a combination of this approach and a number of other actions, as listed above, to tackle these problems in a more comprehensive manner.
(291 words)
2. Vocabulary
- Cause urban population to shrink
- Relieve pressure on urban housing supply systems
- Reduce traffic congestion
- Overcrowded roads during the rush hour
- The development of road systems
- Traffic jams
- Residential areas
- Accommodate a growing population
