Task 1:
- Level: Hard
- Type: Mixed charts
1. Sample:
The bar charts display the results from a 2009 survey regarding people’s automobile purchasing habits in a European country.
Overall, it can be seen that the majority of consumers tended to purchase a new car after five years or more of using their old vehicle. Meanwhile, secondhand cars were the most popular choice with regards to the type of vehicle purchased.
The first bar chart shows that appr oximately 52% of people in this particular country changed cars after 5 or more years, and roughly 37% changed cars after 3-4 years. About 5% of people changed cars every two years, 1% of people changed every year, and approximately 3% of people never changed. Furthermore, about 2% of people didn’t even own a car.
With regards to the type of vehicle purchased, approximately 68% of people chose to buy second-hand cars, while about 25% bought brand new vehicles. In addition, roughly 10% of people sometimes purchased either new or second-hand cars.
(159 words)
2. Vocabulary
- Purchasing habits(n)
- Brand new(adj)
———
Task 2:
Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment; only governments and large companies can make a difference.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Level: Medium
- Type: Opinion essay
- Topic: Environment
- Keyword: Government, large companies, environment.
1. Sample:
Environmental issues have become an increasing concern among individuals and governments in the modern world. Some people reject the role of individuals and argue that environmental protection can only be achieved by the governments and big businesses. I personally consider this to be a flawed argument, and I will explain my reasoning in the following essay.
In reality, governments and corporations take responsibility for protecting the environment. Governments could enact laws to reduce many environmental problems, while large companies are capable of investing large amounts of money in sustainable development goals. However, all the policies and campaigns will show no effect without the active cooperation of residents. In Vietnam, although the government tries to raise the public’s awareness of environmental issues and even imposes heavy fines on those who violate environmental laws, many beaches and the surrounding ecosystems have been badly polluted by the sheer number of visitors. Therefore, I believe that there needs to be more action taken from individuals in such situations.
Furthermore, all the combined actions of all people will have a profound impact on the bigger picture. Researchers found that an individual will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 1500 pounds per year if he leaves his car at home two days a week. Another prime example is in waste management processes. While residents can spend just a few minutes separating their biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, it takes days for waste recycling plants to achieve the same task.
In conclusion, I disagree with the opinion that the environmental issues can only be reduced by governments and large enterprises because individuals also need to make a significant contribution to the process of keeping the planet clean. In other words, this matter can only be dealt with by simultaneous participation of governments, companies and residents.
(297 words)
2. Vocabulary
- To take responsibility for something
- To enact laws
- To be capable of doing something
- Sustainable development goals
- The active cooperation of residents
- To raise somebody’s awareness of something
- To impose heavy fines on something
- To reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Waste management processes
- biodegradable (adj)
- To make a significant contribution to something
