Two - Part Questions

(Samples by Simon)

Topic 1: 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 revolutionised communication between

people, but not all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

(257 words, band9)

 Useful vocabulary:

1. Face-to-face meetings: buổi gặp mặt trực tiếp

2. A poor substitute for real friendships: sự thay thế tồi tệ cho tình bạnh thực sự

*** Bố cục:

a. Mở bài
 - General statement

- Thesis statement: trả lời cho 2 câu đề bài

b. Thân bài

- Đoạn 1: trả lời cho câu hỏi 1

- Đoạn 2: trả lời câu hỏi 2

c. Kết luận

Topic 2: The environment is becoming polluted. 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 emissions from factories and
exhaust fumes from vehicles lead to 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.

(250 words, band 9)

 Useful vocabulary:
 1. Environmental problems: vấn đề về môi trường

2. Air pollution and waste: ô nhiễm không khí và rác thải

3. Gas emissions: sự thải ra khí thải

4. Global warming: hiệu ứng nhà kính

5. Renewable energy: năng lượng có thể thay mới

6. Solar, wind or water power: năng lượng mặt trời, sức gió và sức nước

7. Public transport: phương tiện công cộng

8. Reusable bags: túi có thể tái sử dụng

Topic 3: Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced
films. Why could this be? Should governments give more financial support to local
film industries?

It is true that foreign films are more popular in many countries than domestically
produced films. There could be several reasons why this is the case, and I believe that
governments should promote local film-making by subsidising the industry.

There are various reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than
the films produced in their own countries. Firstly, the established film industries in
certain countries have huge budgets for action, special effects and to shoot scenes in
spectacular locations. Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Avatar’ or the James Bond films
are examples of such productions, and their global appeal is undeniable. Another
reason why these big-budget films are so successful is that they often star the most
famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most accomplished producers
and directors. The poor quality, low-budget filmmaking in many countries suffers in
comparison.

In my view, governments should support local film industries financially. In every

country, there may be talented amateur film-makers who just need to be given the
opportunity to prove themselves. To compete with big-budget productions from
overseas, these people need money to pay for film crews, actors and a host of other
costs related to producing high-quality films. If governments did help with these costs,
they would see an increase in employment in the film industry, income from film
sales, and perhaps even a rise in tourist numbers. New Zealand, for example, has seen
an increase in tourism related to the 'Lord of the Rings' films, which were partly
funded by government subsidies.

In conclusion, I believe that increased financial support could help to raise the quality
of locally made films and allow them to compete with the foreign productions that
currently dominate the market.
(294 words, band 9)

 Useful vocabulary:

1. Domestically produced films: phim được sản xuất trong nước

2. Local film-making: làm phim trong nước
3. Global appeal: sức hút toàn cầu
4. Amateur film-makers: các nhà làm phim nghiệp dư

Topic 4: These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while
mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a
positive or a negative development?

Introduction: There could be several reasons for this - a very positive trend.

Body 1: Trả lời câu hỏi 1: Reasons

- Various changes in our societies:

+ equal rights movements - normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue
a career
+ socially acceptable for men to stay at home and look after their children.
- The rising cost of living - both marriage partners usually need to work and save
money before starting a family => when couples have children, they may
decide who works and who stays at home depending on the personal preference
of each partner, or based on which partner earns more money.

Body 2: Trả lời câu hỏi 2: The changes described above should be seen as
progress (Positive).

- As for women: men and women have equal opportunities, and in which women
are not put under pressure to sacrifice their careers.
- As for men: fair - free to leave their jobs in order to assume childcare
responsibilities if this is what they wish to do. Couples - make their own
decisions about which parental role each partner takes, according to their
particular circumstances and needs.

 Useful vocabulary:

1. Househusband: người chồng ở nhà làm việc nhà

2. Breadwinners: trụ cột gia đình
3. Adapt to various changes: thích nghi với nhiều thay đổi
4. The rising cost of living: chi phí cho cuộc sống càng tăng
5. Assume childcare responsibilities: nhận trách nhiệm chăm sóc con cái