Dưới đây là tổng hợp 18 bài essays mẫu của thầy
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1. Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some hobbies are relatively easy, while others
present more of a challenge. Personally, I believe that both types of hobby can
be fun, and I therefore disagree with the statement that hobbies need to be difficult
in order to be enjoyable.
On the one hand, many people enjoy easy hobbies. One
example of an activity that is easy for most people is swimming. This hobby
requires very little equipment, it is simple to learn, and it is inexpensive. I
remember learning to swim at my local swimming pool when I was a child, and it
never felt like a demanding or challenging experience. Another hobby that I
find easy and fun is photography. In my opinion, anyone can take interesting
pictures without knowing too much about the technicalities of operating a
camera. Despite being straightforward, taking photos is a satisfying activity.
On the other hand, difficult hobbies can sometimes
be more exciting. If an activity is more challenging, we might feel a greater
sense of satisfaction when we manage to do it successfully. For example, film
editing is a hobby that requires a high level of knowledge and expertise. In my
case, it took me around two years before I became competent at this activity,
but now I enjoy it much more than I did when I started. I believe that many
hobbies give us more pleasure when we reach a higher level of performance
because the results are better and the feeling of achievement is greater.
In conclusion, simple hobbies can be fun and
relaxing, but difficult hobbies can be equally pleasurable for different
reasons.
2. Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female
students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In my opinion, men and women should have the same
educational opportunities. However, I do not agree with the idea of accepting
equal proportions of each gender in every university subject.
Having the same
number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealistic. Student
numbers on any course depend on the applications that the institution receives.
If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males and
females, it would need enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many
courses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be
practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to
attract more female applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses
if fifty percent of the places needed to go to males.
Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I
also believe that it would be unfair to base admission to
university courses on
gender. Universities should
continue to select
the best candidates for each
course according to their qualifications. In this way, both men and women have
the same opportunities, and applicants know that they will be successful if
they work hard to achieve good grades at school. If a female student is the
best candidate for a place on a course, it would be wrong to reject her in
favor of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.
In conclusion,
the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it would be
both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on gender.
3. Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural
and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
opinion?
It is sometimes argued that tourists from overseas
should be charged more than local residents to visit important sites and
monuments. I completely disagree with this idea.
The argument in favor of higher prices for foreign
tourists would be that cultural or historical attractions often depend on state
subsidies to keep them going, which means that the resident population already
pays money to these sites through the tax system. However, I believe this to be
a very shortsighted view. Foreign tourists contribute to the economy of the
host country with the money they spend on a wide range of goods and services,
including food, souvenirs, accommodation and travel. The governments and
inhabitants of every country should be happy to subsidise important tourist
sites and encourage people from the rest of the world to visit them.
If travellers realised that they would have to pay
more to visit historical and cultural attractions in a particular nation, they
would perhaps decide not to go to that country on holiday. To take the UK as an
example, the tourism industry and many related jobs rely on visitors coming to
the country to see places like Windsor Castle or Saint Paul’s Cathedral. These
two sites charge the same price regardless of nationality, and this helps to
promote the nation’s cultural heritage. If overseas tourists stopped coming due
to higher prices, there would be a risk of insufficient funding for the
maintenance of these important buildings.
In conclusion, I believe that every effort should be
made to attract tourists from overseas, and it would be counterproductive to
make them pay more than local residents.
4. We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we
should only be concerned with our own communities and countries. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people believe that we should not help people
in other countries as long as there are problems in our own society. I disagree
with this view because I believe that we should try to help as many people as
possible.
On the one hand, I accept that it is important to
help our neighbors and fellow citizens. In most communities there are people
who are impoverished or disadvantaged in some way. It is possible to find
homeless people, for example, in even the wealthiest of cities, and for those
who are concerned about this problem, there are usually opportunities to
volunteer time or give money to support these people. In the UK, people can
help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing to serving free food in a
soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and there are obvious ways
to help, I can understand why some people feel that we should prioritise local
charity.
At the same time, I believe that we have an
obligation to help those who live beyond our national borders. In some
countries the problems that people face are much more serious than those in our
own communities, and it is often even easier to help. For example, when
children are dying from curable diseases in African countries, governments and
individuals in richer countries can save lives simply by paying for vaccines
that already exist. A small donation to an international charity might have a
much greater impact than helping in our local area.
In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help
everyone, but in my opinion national boundaries should not stop us from helping
those who are in need.
5. Many people decide on a career path early in their lives and keep
to it. This, they argue, leads to a more satisfying working life. To what
extent do you agree with this view? What other things can people do in order to
have a satisfying working life?
It is true that some people know from an early age
what career they want to pursue, and they are happy to spend the rest of their
lives in the same profession. While I accept that this may suit many people, I
believe that others enjoy changing careers or seeking job satisfaction in
different ways.
On the one hand, having a defined career path can certainly
lead to a satisfying working life. Many people decide as young children what
they want to do as adults, and it gives them a great sense of satisfaction to
work towards their goals and gradually achieve them. For example, many children
dream of becoming doctors, but to realize this ambition they need to gain the
relevant qualifications and undertake years of training. In my experience, very
few people who have qualified as doctors choose to change career because they
find their work so rewarding, and because they have invested so much time and
effort to reach
their goal.
On the other hand, people find happiness in their
working lives in different ways. Firstly, not everyone dreams of doing a
particular job, and it can be equally rewarding to try a variety of
professions; starting out on a completely new career path can be a
reinvigorating experience. Secondly, some people see their jobs as simply a
means of earning money, and they are happy if their salary is high enough to
allow them to enjoy life outside work. Finally, job satisfaction is often the
result of working conditions, rather than the career itself. For example, a
positive working atmosphere, enthusiastic colleagues, and an inspirational boss
can make working life much more satisfying, regardless of the profession.
In conclusion, it can certainly be satisfying to
pursue a particular career for the whole of one’s life, but this is by no means
the only route to fulfillment.
6. Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do
unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this
would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole. Do you agree
or disagree?
Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and
this can only be beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole.
However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all teenagers to do
unpaid work.
Most young people are already under enough pressure
with their studies, without being given the added responsibility of working in
their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers
expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending
lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, we should
encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and
other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when they
finish their studies.
At the same time, I do not believe that society has
anything to gain from obliging young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would
argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a
group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only lead to
resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, and
parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children. Currently,
nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free
and help others, but in my opinion we should not make this compulsory.
7. Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new
medicines and to test the safety of other products. Some
people argue that
these experiments should
be banned because it is morally
wrong to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favor of them because of
their benefits to humanity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
It is true that medicines and other products are
routinely tested on animals before they are cleared for human use. While I tend
towards the viewpoint that animal testing is morally wrong, I would have to
support a limited amount of animal experimentation for the development of medicines.
On the one hand, there are clear ethical arguments
against animal experimentation. To use a common
example of this
practice, laboratory mice
may be given
an illness so
that the effectiveness of a new
drug can be measured. Opponents of such research argue that humans have no
right to subject animals to this kind of trauma, and that the lives of all
creatures should be respected. They believe that the benefits to humans do not
justify the suffering caused, and that scientists should use alternative
methods of research.
On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal
experimentation may not always be available. Supporters of the use of animals
in medical research believe that a certain amount of suffering on the part of
mice or rats can be justified if human lives are saved. They argue that
opponents of such research might feel differently if a member of their own
families needed a medical treatment that had been developed through the use of
animal experimentation. Personally, I agree with the banning of animal testing
for non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a necessary evil where new
drugs and medical procedures are concerned.
In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong
to ban testing on animals for vital medical research until equally effective
alternatives have been developed.
8. Some people think that governments should give financial support
to creative artists such as
painters and musicians.
Others believe that
creative artists should
be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views
and give your own opinion.
People have different views about the funding of
creative artists. While some people disagree with the idea of government
support for artists, I believe that money for art projects should come from
both governments and other sources.
Some art projects definitely require help from the
state. In the UK, there are many works of art in public spaces, such as streets
or squares in city centers. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new
statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been
redeveloped recently. These artworks represent culture, heritage and history.
They serve to educate people about the city, and act as landmarks or talking
points for visitors and tourists. Governments and local councils should pay
creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their funding our
cities would be much less interesting and attractive.
On the other hand, I can understand the arguments
against government funding for art. The main reason for this view is that
governments have more important concerns. For example, state budgets need to be
spent on education, health care, infrastructure and security, among other
areas. These public services are v ital for a country to function properly,
whereas the work of creative artists, even in public places, is a luxury.
Another reason for this opinion is that artists do a job like any other
professional, and they should therefore earn their own money by selling their
work. In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on
alternative sources of financial support, but in my opinion government help is
sometimes necessary.
9. Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are
spoken by very small numbers of people. Some people say that governments should
spend public money on saving these languages, while others believe that would
be a waste of money. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
It is true that some minority languages may
disappear in the near future. Although it can be argued that governments could
save money by allowing this to happen, I believe that these languages should be
protected and preserved.
There are several reasons why saving minority
languages could be seen as a waste of money. Firstly, if a language is only
spoken by a small number of people, expensive education programs will be needed
to make sure that more people learn it, and the state will have to pay for
facilities, teachers and marketing. This money might be better spent on other
public services. Secondly, it would be much cheaper and more efficient for
countries to have just one language. Governments could cut all kinds of costs
related to communicating with each minority group.
In conclusion, it may save money in the short term
if we allow minority languages to disappear, but in the long term this would
have an extremely negative impact on our cultural heritage.
10. Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to
entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to
educate. Discuss both views and give you own opinion.
People have different views about the role and
function of museums. In my opinion, museums can and should be both entertaining
and educational.
On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role
of a museum is to entertain. Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is
to exhibit a collection of interesting objects that many people will want to
see. The average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to
too much educational content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on
enjoyment rather than learning. This type of museum is designed to be visually
spectacular , and may have interactive activities or even games as part of its
exhibitions.
On the other hand, some people argue that museums
should focus on education. The aim of any exhibition should be to teach
visitors something that they did not previously know. Usually this means that
the history behind the museum’s exhibits needs to be explained, and this can be
done in various ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their
visitors, while other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to
detailed commentary about the exhibition. In this way, museums can play an
important role in teaching people about history, culture, science and many
other aspects of life.
In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum
should be able to offer an interesting, enjoyable and educational experience so
that people can have fun and learn something at the same time.
11. There are many different types of music in the world today. Why
do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the
international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?
It is true that a rich variety of musical styles can
be found around the world. Music is a vital part of all human cultures for a
range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music is more important
than modern, international music.
Music is something that accompanies all of us
throughout our lives. As children, we are taught songs by our parents and
teachers as a means of learning language, or simply as a form of enjoyment.
Children delight in singing with others, and it would appear that the act of
singing in a group creates a connection between participants, regardless of
their age. Later in life, people’s musical preferences develop, and we come to
see our favorite songs as part of our life stories. Music both expresses and
arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot. In short, it is difficult to
imagine life without it.
In my opinion, traditional music should be valued
over the international music that has become so popular. International pop
music is often catchy and fun, but it is essentially a commercial product that
is marketed and sold by business people. Traditional music, by contrast,
expresses the culture, customs and history of a country. Traditional styles,
such as ..., connect us to the past and form part of our cultural identity. It
would be a real pity if pop music became so predominant that these national
styles disappeared.
In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human
existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance
than international music.
12. Some people believe that studying at university or college is
the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better
to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma
of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some
benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is
better to go to college or university.
The option to start work straight after school is
attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money
as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be
able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career,
young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may
progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and
learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to
promotions and a successful career.
On the other hand, I believe that it is more
beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly, academic
qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible
to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a
result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities,
and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications.
Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there
are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do
not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to
compete.
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that
students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue
their studies beyond school level.
13. Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has
changed because of technology. In what ways has technology affected the types
of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative
development?
It is true that new technologies have had an
influence on communication between people. Technology has affected
relationships in various ways, and in my opinion there are both positive and
negative effects.
Technology has had an impact on relationships in
business, education and social life. Firstly, telephones and the Internet allow
business people in different countries to interact without ever meeting each
other. Secondly, services
like Skype create
new possibilities for
relationships between students and teachers. For example, a student can
now take video lessons with a teacher in a different city or country. Finally,
many people use social networks, like Facebook, to make new friends
and find people
who share common
interests, and they
interact through their computers rather than face to face.
On the one hand, these developments can be extremely
positive. Cooperation between people in different countries was much more
difficult when communication was limited to written letters or telegrams.
Nowadays, interactions by email, phone or video are almost as good as
face-to-face meetings, and many of us benefit from these interactions, either
in work or social contexts. On the other hand, the availability of new
communication technologies can also
have the result of isolating
people and discouraging real interaction. For example, many young people choose
to make friends online rather than mixing with their peers in the real world,
and these virtual relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.
In conclusion, technology has certainly
revolutionized communication between people, but not all of the outcomes of
this revolution have been positive.
14. Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a
useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having
an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the
drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?
Many people, and children in particular, enjoy
playing computer games. While I accept that these games can sometimes have a
positive effect on the user, I believe that they are more likely to have a
harmful impact.
On the one hand, video games can be both
entertaining and educational. Users, or gamers, are transported into virtual
worlds which are often more exciting and engaging than real-life pastimes. From
an educational perspective, these games encourage imagination and creativity,
as well as concentration, logical thinking and problem solving, all of which
are useful skills outside the gaming context. Furthermore, it has been shown
that computer simulation games can improve users’ motor skills and help to
prepare them for real-world tasks, such as flying a plane.
However, I would argue that these benefits are
outweighed by the drawbacks. Gaming can be highly addictive because users are
constantly given scores, new targets and frequent rewards to keep them playing.
Many children now spend hours each day trying to progress through the levels of
a game or to get a higher score than their friends. This type of addiction can
have effects ranging from lack of sleep to problems at school, when homework is
sacrificed for a few more hours on the computer or console. The rise in obesity
in recent years has also been linked in part to the sedentary lifestyle and
lack of exercise that often accompany gaming addiction.
In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential
dangers of video games are more significant than the possible benefits.
15. In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing.
What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some
measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.
It is true that people in industrialized nations can
expect to live longer than ever before. Although there will undoubtedly be some
negative consequences of this trend, societies can take steps to mitigate these
potential problems.
As people live longer and the populations of
developed countries grow older, several related problems can be anticipated.
The main issue is that there will obviously be more people of retirement age
who will be eligible to receive a pension. The proportion of younger, working
adults will be smaller, and governments will therefore receive less money in
taxes in relation to the size of the population. In other words, an ageing
population will mean a greater tax burden for working adults. Further pressures
will include a rise in the demand for health care, and the fact young adults
will increasingly have to look after their elderly relatives.
There are several actions that governments could
take to solve the problems described above. Firstly, a simple solution would be
to increase the retirement age for working adults, perhaps from
65 to 70. Nowadays, people of this age tend to be
healthy enough to continue a productive working life. A second measure would be
for governments to encourage immigration in order to increase the number of
working adults who pay taxes. Finally, money from national budgets will need to
be taken from other areas and spent on vital health care, accommodation and
transport facilities for the rising numbers of older citizens.
In conclusion, various measures can be taken to
tackle the problems that are certain to arise as the populations of countries
grow older.
16. Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the
environment. What can governments do to address these problems? What can
individual people do?
Humans are responsible for a variety of
environmental problems, but we can also take steps to reduce the damage that we
are causing to the planet. This essay will discuss environmental problems and
the measures that governments and individuals can take to address these
problems. Two of the biggest threats to the environment are air pollution and
waste. Gas emissions from factories and exhaust fumes from vehicles lead to
global warming, which may have a devastating effect on the planet in the
future. As the human population increases, we are also producing ever greater
quantities of waste, which contaminates the earth and pollutes rivers and
oceans. Governments could certainly make more effort to reduce air pollution. They
could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories or to force companies to
use renewable energy from solar, wind or water power. They could also impose
‘green taxes’ on drivers and airline companies. In this way, people would be encouraged
to use public transport and to take fewer flights abroad, therefore
reducing emissions.
Individuals should also take responsibility for the
impact they have on the environment. They can take public transport rather than
driving, choose products with less packaging, and recycle as much as possible.
Most supermarkets now provide reusable bags for shoppers as well as ‘banks’ for
recycling glass, plastic and paper in their car parks. By reusing and
recycling, we can help to reduce waste.
In conclusion, both national governments and
individuals must play their part in looking after the environment.
17. Economic progress is often used to measure a country's success.
However, some people believe that other factors are more important. What other
factors should also be considered when measuring a country’s success? Do you
think one factor is more important than others?
The relative success of different countries is
usually defined in economic terms. There are several other factors, apart from
the economy, that could be used to assess a country, and in my opinion
education is the most important of all.
Standards of education, health and individual human
rights should certainly be considered when measuring a country’s status. A good
education system is vital for the development of any nation, with schools,
colleges and universities bearing the responsibility for the quality of future
generations of workers. Health care provision is also an indicator of the
standard of living within a country, and this can be measured by looking at
average life expectancy rates or availability of medical services. Finally,
human rights and levels of equality could be taken into account. For example, a
country in which women do not have the same opportunities as men might be
considered less successful than a country with better gender equality.
In my view, a country’s education system should be
seen as the most important indicator of its success and level of development.
This is because educ action has a considerable effect on the other two factors
mentioned above. It affects people’s health in the sense that doctors and
nurses need to be trained, and scientists need to be educated to the highest
levels before they can carry out medical research. It also affects the economy
in the sense that a well-educated workforce will allow a variety of companies
and industries to flourish, leading to trade with other countries, and
increased wealth.
In conclusion, nations can be assessed and compared
in a variety of ways, but I would argue that the standard of a country's
education system is the best measure of its success.
18. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the
relationship between equality and personal achievement. Some people believe
that individuals can achieve more in egalitarian societies. Others
believe that high
levels of personal
achievement are possible only if individuals are free to
succeed or fail according to their individual merits. What is your view of the
relationship between equality and personal success?
In my opinion, an egalitarian society is one in
which everyone has the same rights and the same opportunities. I completely
agree that people can achieve more in this kind of society.
Education is an important factor with regard to
personal success in life. I believe that all children should have access to
free schooling, and higher education should be either free or affordable for
all those who chose to
pursue a university
degree. In a
society without free
schooling or affordable higher
education, only children and young adults from wealthier families would have
access to the best learning opportunities, and they would therefore be better
prepared for the job market. This kind of inequality would ensure the success
of some but harm the prospects of others.
I would argue that equal rights and opportunities
are not in conflict with people’s freedom to succeed or fail. In other words,
equality does not mean that people lose their motivation to succeed, or that
they are not allowed to fail. On the contrary, I believe that most people would
feel more motivated to work hard and reach their potential if they thought that
they lived in a fair society. Those who did not make the same effort would know
that they had wasted their opportunity. Inequality, on the other hand, would be
more likely to demotivate people because they would know that the odds of
success were stacked in favor of those from privileged backgrounds.
In conclusion, it seems to me that there is a
positive relationship between equality and personal success.
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