Essay no.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Children should be required to help with household
tasks as soon as they are able to do so.
Nowadays there is a hot topic upon the subject of including
children more in the everyday house chores of a parent. There
has been a growing tendency of parents who choose to spoil
their kids more that necessary. I am inclined to believe that
children would actually benefit from taking part in household
tasks. There are several reason which sustain my opinion.
Firstly, one cannot deny that children have to learn from an
early age that things should not be taken for granted. Spoilling
kids excesivelly and not giving them the chance to work for
what they want can bring more harm than good. Leaving their
beds unfolded or not washing their dishes after eating are just a
couple of the most frequent examples that occour in parents
lives. Thus, most parents tend to avoid an eventual quarrel with
their kid by getting the job done by themselves. As a
consequence, children will start to expect their work done by
others. Otherwise said, making children part of household
chores would increase their responsability, eventually showing
them that this is how things work out in the real world.
Secondly, there is no argue against the fact that learning how to
manage housework is often a real blessing. Knowing how to
cook, how to iron or even how to fix certain apparels in the
house increases kids independence. There is a time when all
children leave their homes, heading to colleges or universities,
more precisely starting a life on their own. Therefore, not only
do they face several difficulties when getting to a new place,
but they also have to face them by themselves, their parents
usually being at hundreds of miles distance. Consequently,
housework should not become an impediment when planning a
new beginning. This way, children used to do complete
household chores will be more organized and will know how to
deal with all kinds of house problems that might appear.

In addition, children ought to see household chores also as a

way of earning poket money in adolescence. Most kids are
motivated to complete even more household tasks by being
given certain incentives. As a matter of fact, they become more
aware of the fact that money is won through hard work and in
life nothing comes for free.
However, a vast majority of people claims that children should
pe restrained from completing any housework during their
childhood. Some people claim that kids must have time to
study, to attend courses and to enjoy the most beautiful time of
their lives. By helping their parents wth household chores, their
studying time is usually diminished.
Summing up , I consider that there are more advantages than
disadvantages whenever children are required to complete
housework. Not only do they develop several qualities as those
mentioned, but they also get to spend more time around their
parents, taking into account our busy lives.

Integrated task 1.
In the reading passage it is stated that in 1950, the British
mathematician developed an experiment, called also the
Turning Test, which was supposed to clarify whether computers
can think or not. Thus, people who were taking part in this
experiment were put to communicate with an unknown source
from another room. These people had to decide whether the
answers received were from another person or from a robot, for
instance. If the answers were said to be given by a person or
people did not notice any differences , the computer would
eventually pass the Turning Test. This way, there have been
even organised numerous contests with a prize consisting in a
gold medal and $100.000, for the one who could have designed
such a brillinat computer. Yet, there has not been a winner.
However, the lecture challenges what the reading claims by
making several point on the validity of the Turning Test. The
professor points out that the test is actually based on behaviour
and not on the capacity of thinking. Therefore, he cites the
example of a paradox known also as the Chinese Room, which
concludes that an English-speaker can respond to Chinese
questions quite simply. The person can break the Chinese code
without any comprehension or understanding just referring to
source material. As a matter of fact, a computer could pass the
Turning Test if the computer had a complex imput based on
behaviour. Even so, the question would still remain ambigous as
the test would not prove whether a computer can think or not.

Integrated task.2
In the lecture the professor makes several points about the
effects of forest fires. The professor argues that forest fires can
do more good than harm. This is different from the reading
which states that the supression of forest fires is inevitably
needed.
Firstly, the lecturer states that forest fire are actually beneficial
to trees. He cites the example of tall, old oak trees that block
the light to get to young trees in order to allow them to grow.
This is different from the reading which claims that fire
supressions helps trees to live longer and healthier.
Secondly, another point made by the professor is that the
ground can eventually receive more nutrients if the forest fires
are not supressed. However, the reading passage claims that
the nutrients found in soil will diminish considerably due to
forest fires not being stopped. Therefore,the flora is said to be
affected considerably.
Thirdly, the professor states that the growing population of
animals such as deers does not actully bring any benefits to the
wilderness. He observes that deers often tend to eat the leaves
of oaks, not giving them the chance to grow and develop. The
reading contradicts the professors point by claiming that
through forest fires,animals are usually burned to the bone.
Thus, the number of their species reducing.
Overall, the lecture casts doubt on the points made by the
reading passage.

Essay no.3
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?Playing
a game is fun only when you win.
Nowadays there is a hot topic upon the subject of games having
become a source of sadness and anger for each of us. Games
have lately appeared to have lost their main role. They seem to
have the tendency to develop into activities that no longer
provide entertainment. I am inclined to believe that games
maintain our vision towards life more optimisic , along with
more smiles on our faces.
Firstly, one cannot deny that games have been invented in
early times in order to escape from the hustle and bustle of our
everyday lives. Games are said to improve peoples moods by
making them laugh, cheer and socialise with others. Even so,
when playing a game you cannot always win. For instance,
there are chances for you to miss the lucky card, but this should
not change your perspective towards the game. You might lose,
but might also win.Consequently, we must always remember
that the main purpose of games is to produce delightment and
fun among people in a friendly environment. As
Secondly, there is no argue against the fact that games are also
a reliable source of life lessons. Not only do they teach us how
to win, but they also show us how to lose. Therefore, taking into

account that being defeated is temporary, failures are just one

step ahead to success. Even if today you lost, tomorrow you
might be the winner, so you must keep going. Knowing how to
lose is an art and games can be the best teacher if you know
how to approach a defeat. For example, a few years ago I was
playing the final of our national volleybal championship. Before
the match, our coach held a speech in which we were
encouraged and stimulated to do our best. Thus, we knew we
were better than our opponents, but we eventually lost. As a
result, through this failure we learnt that we should never
before understimate the other teams. Next year we were
national champions.
However, some might claim that games are equal to
competitions. A vast majority of people state that games help
us develop qualities such as ambition, determination or
strenght in order to always be winners. They point out that
games are staple to our development as individualities that
want to stand up and take all or nothing.
Summing up, I consider that life is a game and we should
actually spend more time thinking about this idea. Life is about
enjoying ourselves and not about hating each other every time
we lose or win. As a consequence, I believe that we ought to
watch games from a different perspective if we want to spend
happy long lives.

Essay no. 4
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is
more important for students to study history and literature than
it is for them to stucy science and mathematics.

Nowadays there is hot topic upon the subject of considering

some school subjects more important than the others. Some
people claim that history and literature are more useful in the
detriment of science and mathematics. I am inclined to believe
that all these subjects have their own significance and they all
contribute to our general knowledge.
Firstly, one cannot deny the fact that in our everyday lives we
meet elements from both science and mathematics. Our actions
and results are often determined by certain factors that are
ruled mostly not only by science, but also by mathematics. For
instance, when you go shopping , there are cases in which you
might be fooled by the shop assistant. You may receive less
exchange unless you pay enough attention to the calculations.
Therefore, science and mathematics have always been basic
notions in our lives since early times.

Secondly, there is no argue against that fact that our lives have
been dramatically improved by the development of technology
through science and mathematics. Over the past years,
technology has reached an incredible level of performance.
These would not have been possible, if science along with
mathematichs had not taken part to this durable process.
Thinking how our ancestors lives were, without electricity,
potable water or other difficulties, science and mathematics
have definitely played major roles into changing this way of
living. For example, now it takes only 2 seconds to send
important files through Yahoo, while a decade ago, people
waited day or even months to get their requested documents.
Consequently, science and mathematics have always succeded
in exceeding our expectations.
On the other hand, a vast majority of people states that history
and literature help us develop as individuals. More precisely,
these two related subjects increase our inner power. Some
people point out that our imagination is developed and as a
matter of fact we become more creative and innovative
persons. Others claim that literature helps us decrease our
stress level, thus becoming more peaceful and happier.
Moreover, it is said that history is also a helpful tool as it offers
us different perspectives. People who study history are more
likely to avoid mistakes as they are able to learn from others
past. As a consequence, history and literature have
considerably huge impacts on our lives.
Summing up, I consider that neither of these four subjects is
less important that the other. I am convinced that as long as we
can balance the time studying for each other, we can benefit
from all four of them. As a consequence, studying science and
mathematics is as important as studying history and literature.

Essay. No 5
Some people choose friends who are different from themselves.
Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare
the advantages of having friends who are different from you
with advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which
kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?
Nowadays there is a hot topic upon the subject of choosing the
people who surround you, whether they are different or similar
to you. Some people want to have a mirror of themselves, while
others go for their other extreme. I am inclined to believe that
this can be inferred as a personal choice and no one can
actually say one type of friend is better than the other.
Firstly, one cannot deny that having friends who are different
form you can bring considerably benefits. Being surrounded by
a wide range of personalities can only help you improve your
level of adaptation. You become inevitably more tolerant and
you might also learn to see the good parts in each person. Not

only will start to change yourselves by pushing your boundaries,

but you will also encourage others to get out of their comfort
zones and meet people who are at the opposite pole than
themselves. For instance, a couple of years ago when I was in
an international camp, most of my colleagues remained in the
same crowd with the other kids from my school. Not likeing the
monotony, but the diversity, I joined a group scholars from New
Zeleand and as a matter of fact I had the opportunity to come
across some amazing people who are totally different from me
in terms of language, culture and many other things.
Secondly, there is no argue against the fact that having
different kinds of friends has also a great impact on your
general knowledge and your skills of socialising. Through people
who come from different environments and who have a way of
living that is not similar to yours, you can eventualy learn new
information that you would not have got from other places such
as school. Further more, you are more likely to be confronted
with all kinds of ideas and opinion that do not resemble with
yours. Thus, you must face a challenge and try to get to a
common point if you want your friendship to last.
On the other hand, a vast majority of people prefer friends who
are similar to themselves. Being close to someone who shares
the same beliefs as you do, can only make you feel more
comfortable and relaxed. You do not have to worry that you two
are not in agreement upon a certain idea, for example.
Moreover, similar friends are more likely to share even more
experiences together. They usually back up each other and
make up the best memories. Just knowing that someone else
thinks just like you tends to gives you more confidence and
trust into that person.
Summing up, I consider that we are able to choose our friends
and therefore the types of persons who surround us rest in our
own choice. Personally, I always go for friends who are unlike
me as I want to develop as an individual and intrapersonal
relationships are an important chapter in my life.

Essay no. 6
Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after
careful thought. Do you agree or disagree with the following
statement?The decision that people make quickly are always
wrong.

Nowadays there is a hot topic upon the subject of the best way
of taking a decision and thus some argue that decisions made
quickly are always wrong. While decisions can be made not only

quickly, but also after careful thought, I am inclined to believe

that hurrying does not always gives the best results. Rushing
when making a decision often comes back with negative
results.
Firstly, one cannot deny the fact that when making decisons
quickly you are alomost always lacking of information. Not
taking enough time to discover all the facets of a problem leads
to a poor perspective, thus to a decision most probably wrong.
People are not likely to balance correctly the pros and cons of
an issue if they are not completely aware of them. For instance,
last year my cousin applied to a quite large loan from a bank in
order to buy an apartment. At that time she had a stable
income, but a few month later the company where she worked
went bankrupt. She has not found another job yet, but the
monthly rate still must be paid punctually. As a consequence of
not considering the negative points of a loan, she now must
borrow money from kins if she does not want to be arrested.
Secondly, there is no argue against the fact that decisions are
controversial in terms of contexts. Our moods, thoughts and
temporary desire can inevitably influence our decisions at a
certain moment. People who are whether depressed or
extremely excited tend to make the worse decision. They
usually base their choice on a temporary feeling that might
unfortunately affect their future drastically. For example, a few
years ago when my dad closed a profitable deal with a
bussiness man, under the pressure of his incomensurable
happiness, he bought a new car. A few months later, he was
surpised to aknowledge that he had not used that car for at
least three times as the other 2 cars of our family were enough.
Not only had he spent an enormous sum of money, but he also
got into a terrible argument with my mom.
However, a vast majority of people claims that decisions are
often a matter of luck. Even if we try to take into account both
advantages and disadvantages of of a situations, our
calculations might be erradicated by misfortune. These people

point out that luck has a great percentage when it comes to

making a successful decision and not only a quickly one. From
such a different perspective, it can be inferred that the Universe
and all its mysterious resources have a huge impact on our
decisions.
Summing up, I consider that making decisons is also a subject
that takes into account all our beliefs and habits as individuals.
Therefore, I believe there is also some truth in the statement
mentioned, but I more inclined to trust the decisons made on
rigurous documentation.