Topic:

Mobile phones and the Internet have made it easier to stay in contact with
other people. However, as a lot of time is spent using telephones and
computers, there is less face-to-face contact and direct communication. Is the
growing use of communications technology a positive or a negative
development for society?

Sample essay:

It is generally accepted that communication has developed at an amazingly fast

speed in recent years. This rapid development of communications technology has
had a significant impact on society. In my opinion, there are both positive and
negative sides to this as the problem lies in the way the technology is used
rather than in the technology itself.

(It is both a positive and negative development for the society/ It is both good
and bad for the society.)

On the one hand, it is good/ a positive development for the society. Firstly,
mobile phones and emails make it possible to contact a person even when you
do not know where they are. This allows for greater flexibility in people’s lives,
which opens up opportunities for individuals and for society. Families and friends
can chat or write emails to each other anywhere on the planet at little or no cost. In
addition, a mobile phone can be used to get help immediately and save someone’s
life in an emergency.

However/ On the other hand, mobile phones and emails also have some
drawbacks (bất lợi). First, some people have become addicted to their screens.
While spending time with other people, they continually send texts on their mobile
phones or are focused on their laptop computers and so do not give their full
attention to the people around them. A text message or email is often superficial,
unlike the potentially more genuine and personal nature of face-to-face
communication. Some people may come to feel more comfortable communicating
through devices rather than by talking to a person next to them. Second, the
immediacy of this technology has increased the pace to life and invaded people’s
privacy. A quick response is expected to an email and you may never be free of the
demands of an employer, so that you may have less time to relax. Some people
may even invent multiple identities online, which can be used to deceive others.
In short, modern technology clearly brings both advantages and
disadvantages for society. It is therefore up to people to use it to their own benefit
and to help society rather than to be enslaved by technology.

Topic: Some people argue that video games are ruining our kids’ life. Others
believe that they are providing good opportunities for children to grow and
advance. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the opinions?

In recent years, playing video games is becoming a serious problem among

teenagers/children. Some people argue that video games are ruining/damaging our
kid’s life. Others believe that they are providing good opportunities for children to
grow and advance. I totally agree with the opinion that video games are ruining our
kid’s life.

Firstly, playing computer games too much can extremely harm children’s health.
Playing computer games has negative effects on their eyes and back as they have
to sit at the table for a long time and concentrate on the screen.

Secondly, they tend to lack interest in participating in outdoor activities. Some

children even skip their meals just because they do not want to stop the games or
they just have something quickly. As a result, many children become overweight
and their eyes are shortsighted. Some even have problems with their stomach.

Thirdly, concerns have been raised about the prolific use of computer games
by children, much of this related to the violence they contain. The problem is
that in many of the games children are rewarded for being more violent, and
this violence is repeated again and again. For instance, many games involve
children helping their character to kill, kick, stab and shoot. This may lead to
increased aggressive feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Moreover, Playing
games also costs a lot of time and money, some parents do not give their
children money to play games. As a result, they develop the habit of stealing,
which is very bad.

In short, I strongly believe that video games are running our kid’s life.We should
therefore make the alarm bell, point out to young people the right perception of
video games.

Topic:
If countries are serious about solving traffic problems, they should tax private
cars very heavily and use the money to provide free or very cheap rail travel.
To what extent do you agree with the above?
Outline:
Agree
1) Ease traffic congestion
 Charging heavily -> reduce driving to work
 Ex) A study: developed countries managed to reduce traffic jam
2) Tax revenue used to fund for public transport
 utilize tax money to reconstruct the railway system
 Ex) Beijing: underground railway network with the fund from car tax

ESSAY:
Over the past few years, traffic congestion in urban areas has become a broad
issue to the majority of countries all over the world. It is a common belief that the
government should impose special tariffs on private vehicles. I completely agree
with this statement. Discussions below are several reasons supporting my
perspective.
To begin with, implementing a heavy tax on private cars would ease traffic
congestion. Charging those who use their own car to travel in the city makes
them less likely to drive to work. Instead, they would opt to use the alternative
means of transportation. This is realistic as enforcing a fee is not only simple, but
it also works well. One study, for example, shows that the developed countries
managed to reduce traffic jams by introducing a congestion fee several years
ago. Under the pressure of paying a fee for using a personal car, many people
started to walk or use public transport rather than drive to work, and obviously,
fewer cars on the road reduced the bad traffic.
On top of that, the revenue from those charges can be used to fund railway
construction projects. Government would be able to utilize the tax money to
make their public transport system more convenient for citizens. In Beijing, for
instance, the city administration has constructed hundreds of kilometres of
underground railway with the fund from car tax. This metro system provides job
opportunities for the local inhabitants, but more importantly, it improves the
transportation infrastructure in urban areas and helps people safer when they
travel in the city.
To sum up, a heavy tax policy for private cars would lighten traffic in the cities
and help the countries have other financial sources to invest in cheap railway
systems. For these reasons, charging such vehicles would be beneficial to the
government and inhabitants.
TOPIC 18: You should spend about 40 minutes on this
task.
Read the following extract from a book about education.

Being able to speak a foreign language is an advantage

these days. Some people think that children should start
learning a foreign language at primary school while
others think children should begin at secondary school.

Now, write an essay to an educated reader to discuss

what ages in your opinion are more suitable to begin
learning a foreign language. Give reasons for your answer
and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be
evaluated in terms of Task Fulfilment, Organization,
Vocabulary and Grammar.

Nowadays, more and more overseas companies want to invest in

our country. Thus, speaking a foreign language is a big advantage
to get a good job. Some people believe that students should
begin studying the language of another country at the age of 6,
but others say they should do that at the age of 11. I totally agree
with the opinion that students should begin studying the language
of another country at 6 ages.

Firstly, the ages from 5 to 10 is the best time for the brain to form
thinking ability. At this time, children can speak their own mother
tongue correctly and they will remember the most and most
quickly. Thus, children can learn a foreign language in parallel
with native language without any worries. It is easy to learn a
language of another country for children while playing games,
watching videos or listening to children’s music in foreign
language. Children at this age are not afraid of mistakes, do not
worry that they will pronounce something wrong or say it wrong.
Secondly, children will have more time to improve communication
skills and more knowledge about cultures in the world. Due to
children always translate between two languages, they can
increase the ability to observe flexibly and communicate
confidently. If children study a language in another country later,
they can learn new words and speak a little harder. Because they
must face advanced knowledge and difficult exercises at
secondary school.

In conclusion, I personally believe that students start learning a

foreign language at primary school is the best time. Because
children have the ability to imitate quickly, have more time to
improve communication and they will have a big chance to get a
good job.
Bài 1. (Opinion)