ESSAYS

1. Nowadays age discrimination in any company has become a common trend. Do you think it is a
positive or a negative development?

EASY VERSION: LEVEL 6.5

These days it has become a growing trend to see an upsurge in age discrimination in any company. In my
opinion, this trend gives birth to greater concerns, which will be explored below.

The drawbacks of this practise are manifold. The salient one is that young people are often immature
and cannot handle too much pressure at work. Not only do they fail to cope with tremendous work
pressure, but they also fail to take appropriate decision, which can be sometimes harmful for the
company. There is no doubt that a company needs those employees who have plenty of knowledge and
experience in their own field. Needless to say, it is the senior employees who can keep the company in a
preponderant position, in terms of its productivity.

Another important aspect of age discrimination is that it will not be an easy task for employers to train
the younger employees. This will cost time and money. On the contrary, experienced employees need
no training except in modern technologies, which should not be a big concern at all. Hence, it is
apparent why many are against favouring young employees in a company.

To conclude, it is evident from the above discussion that no matter how energetic youngsters are, old
employees deserve greater attention and respect, as they are more effective for the development of any
company.

ADVANCED VERSION: LEVEL 8.5

One of the most conspicuous trends in today’s corporate world is an increased bias in favour of the
youth, thanks to their age, flexibility and adaptability to modern working environment. As such, there
are both merits and demerits to this trend, although I am of the opinion that the latter outdo the
former.
This practice is of myriad drawbacks. On the one hand, no matter how energetic and enthusiastic they
are, with insufficient knowledge and exposure about their work, young employees often find it hard to
take right decisions based on their limited experience unlike their senior counterparts. On the other, by
having these vulnerable and whimsical youths in place of the experienced staff that have a wealth of
knowledge and expertise gained in their long-haul career, a company will suffer astronomically. It hardly
needs mention that choosing young employees over experienced ones is only likely to augment
inefficiency and affect productivity.

Besides, training young employees would mean that the employers will have to spend more time,
money and resources, which can affect the generation of revenues significantly. If modern technology is
what senior employees lag behind in, they can easily overcome this shortcoming by taking relevant
training in their respective field.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that with all the skills and invaluable experience at
work, old employees are equally as effective as their younger peers, if not more. Therefore, the practice
of discriminatory policies towards a specific age group is ungrounded indeed.

2. Which one is the most significant invention in the last century? Aeroplane, antibiotics or computer?

EASY VERSION: LEVEL 6.5

There has long been much contention about whether it is computers, aeroplanes or antibiotics that is
the most important innovation of science in the last century. In my opinion, the most successful and
effective of them all is nothing but computer.

The reasons why I think computers are the best invention are manifold. The salient one is that it is
something that can be applied everywhere. For example, students can get numerous benefits in studies
and enrich their knowledge. Teachers can make lessons with the help of this technological
advancement, which not only makes learning interesting, but also keeps attention of students. In
addition to studies, computer has also made progress in the field of medicine and treatment, thus
treating patients with state-of-the-art equipment.

Another pivotal aspect of computer is that it has replaced manual system from office, library, transport,
weather forecast, scientific research and the like. Unlike in the past, when things were done manually
resulting in many mistakes, now most of the work is performed by computer. Undoubtedly, this
development has improved efficiency at work.
To conclude, it is evident from the above discussion that computer is undoubtedly the biggest wonder if
modern science for mankind.

ADVANCED VERSION: LEVEL 8.5

During the last century, the world has experienced revolutionary developments in the way people live
their lives, thanks to an array of innovations of modern science, from computing and aviation to
medicines and treatment. In my opinion, of all these wonders of science, computers are what have
played the most pivotal role in contributing to virtually every aspect of human life.

There are a myriad of arguments in favour of computers as the most significant invention. The most
conspicuous one is that by using computer, the Internet, numerous software and other such equipment,
not only can teachers make lesson plans effectively, but students can also enhance their knowledge and
broaden their horizons with much ease, convenience and efficacy. Besides, with the Internet being an
indispensable part in computer, people no longer feel detached or segregated from the ever-changing
world, irrespective of their geographical locations. Facebook, twitter are example of social networking
sites people use today in an effort to keep abreast with others, be it in their personal, social or
professional life.

Another overt facet of computer is that thanks to its performance and contribution to such sectors as
transport, health care, scientific research, weather forecast and what not, computer has greatly reduced
human involvement. Apparently, less human involvement means that the likelihood of making errors in
these crucial areas has also declined. Hence, there is no doubt that the improved efficiency, effective
management and comfortable life we enjoy today can primarily be attributed to computer, an
extraordinary innovation that any other achievement of modern science is no match for.

In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that nothing is comparable to computer.
This is because never has any single invention of science benefited mankind in so many ways as
computer has.

3. The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education. Do you agree or disagree?

EASY VERSION: Level 6.5-7

There has long been much contention about whether traditional academic learning helps one to learn
naturally or hampers one’s natural learning capabilities. I agree with the former perspective for a
number of reasons.

The benefits of academic education are manifold. The salient one is that not everyone can learn
spontaneously without any proper learning environment. There are some talented people like Einstein
or others who might not need traditional education with a fixed curriculum. However, this is not
something usual or normal. Children need to go through a certain syllabus according to their age. Not
only do the contents in the syllabus ensure the pupils learn what they need to learn at a specific age, but
they also contribute a great deal to broadening their horizons step by step. It hardly needs mention that
this pre-planned orderly system can keep learners in a preponderant position when it comes to
acquiring knowledge successfully.

Another pivotal aspect of traditional education is that the curriculum is set in such a way that by the
time they finish their academic studies, students learn a variety of subjects. They gain knowledge in such
fields as science, commerce, arts and literature. Apparently, learning a wide range of subjects will help
youths in a variety of ways, from extending their horizons to instilling essential values in them to honing
their skills in numerous fields. There is no denying that without a fixed guideline to follow; learners are
bound to go astray, ruining their promising future.

To conclude, it is evident from the above discussion that formal education does not hinder learning; it
rather ensures effective learning.

ADVANCED VERSION: Level 8.5-9

The role of conventional ways of acquiring education is widely debated, with many academics claiming
that traditional academic studies hinder one’s spontaneous learning and so prove detrimental in the
acquisition of education. However, I do not entirely accept this and I will explain why in this essay.

The arguments in favour of academic education are myriad. The most conspicuous one is that not every
learner possesses extraordinary talent as prodigies like Albert Einstein or William Shakespeare, who did
not require a proper learning environment. Instead, they enhanced their knowledge spontaneously and
did not require outside pressure or a stereotyped curriculum. However, this is something that is
applicable to a handful of pupils. In general, in order to acquire knowledge successfully, learners need a
step-by-step procedure which also varies according to their age. There is no doubt that without strict
rule setting and stringent discipline, most students will not feel any pressure to study at all. Besides,
frequent tests and exams are also essential to insure that students have learnt their lessons properly.
Needless to say, all these merits will stand learners in good stead, as far as effective learning is
concerned.

Another pivotal aspect of traditional education is that the curriculum is set in such a way that by the
time they finish their academic studies, students learn a variety of subjects. They gain knowledge in such
fields as science, commerce, arts and literature. Apparently, learning a wide range of subjects will help
youths in a variety of ways, from extending their horizons to instilling essential values in them to honing
their skills in numerous fields. There is no denying that without a fixed guideline to follow; learners are
bound to go astray, ruining their promising future.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that formal education complements learning; the
argument that claims conventional learning methods to be an interference with real learning is
ungrounded indeed.

4. The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education. Do you agree or disagree?

EASY VERSION: Level 6.5-7

There has long been much contention about whether traditional academic learning helps one to learn
naturally or hampers one’s natural learning capabilities. I agree with the former perspective for a
number of reasons.

The benefits of academic education are manifold. The salient one is that not everyone can learn
spontaneously without any proper learning environment. There are some talented people like Einstein
or others who might not need traditional education with a fixed curriculum. However, this is not
something usual or normal. Children need to go through a certain syllabus according to their age. Not
only do the contents in the syllabus ensure the pupils learn what they need to learn at a specific age, but
they also contribute a great deal to broadening their horizons step by step. It hardly needs mention that
this pre-planned orderly system can keep learners in a preponderant position when it comes to
acquiring knowledge successfully.

Another pivotal aspect of traditional education is that the curriculum is set in such a way that by the
time they finish their academic studies, students learn a variety of subjects. They gain knowledge in such
fields as science, commerce, arts and literature. Apparently, learning a wide range of subjects will help
youths in a variety of ways, from extending their horizons to instilling essential values in them to honing
their skills in numerous fields. There is no denying that without a fixed guideline to follow; learners are
bound to go astray, ruining their promising future.
To conclude, it is evident from the above discussion that formal education does not hinder learning; it
rather ensures effective learning.

ADVANCED VERSION: Level 8.5-9

The role of conventional ways of acquiring education is widely debated, with many academics claiming
that traditional academic studies hinder one’s spontaneous learning and so prove detrimental in the
acquisition of education. However, I do not entirely accept this and I will explain why in this essay.

The arguments in favour of academic education are myriad. The most conspicuous one is that not every
learner possesses extraordinary talent as prodigies like Albert Einstein or William Shakespeare, who did
not require a proper learning environment. Instead, they enhanced their knowledge spontaneously and
did not require outside pressure or a stereotyped curriculum. However, this is something that is
applicable to a handful of pupils. In general, in order to acquire knowledge successfully, learners need a
step-by-step procedure which also varies according to their age. There is no doubt that without strict
rule setting and stringent discipline, most students will not feel any pressure to study at all. Besides,
frequent tests and exams are also essential to insure that students have learnt their lessons properly.
Needless to say, all these merits will stand learners in good stead, as far as effective learning is
concerned.

Another pivotal aspect of traditional education is that the curriculum is set in such a way that by the
time they finish their academic studies, students learn a variety of subjects. They gain knowledge in such
fields as science, commerce, arts and literature. Apparently, learning a wide range of subjects will help
youths in a variety of ways, from extending their horizons to instilling essential values in them to honing
their skills in numerous fields. There is no denying that without a fixed guideline to follow; learners are
bound to go astray, ruining their promising future.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that formal education complements learning; the
argument that claims conventional learning methods to be an interference with real learning is
ungrounded indeed.

5. Employers/Authorities of a company should take suggestions or ideas from employees in taking any
decision. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
There has long been much contention / a subject of discussion whether should take suggestions from
employees before taking any decision from the company or employers should decide things on their
own. I agree with the former aspect / perspective for a number of reasons.

Whether an organisation should involve its employees in taking decisions in numerous issues, be it big
or small, is a matter of discussion. As such, there are both merits and demerits to this idea, although I
am of the opinion that the demerits are no match for the merits.

The benefits of engaging employees in the decision making of a company are manifold. The salient one
is that thanks to the input from employers will have diverse ideas and concepts to work on. Not only can
the company come to a much wiser decision based on the data, but they can also make the staff feel
privileged by considering their opinion important. Needless to say, this idea will keep any business in a
preponderant position, in terms of increasing productivity.

Another pivotal aspect of involving the employees in the strategic planning of an organisation is that
they will not feel they are merely following orders, they will rather feel that they are an indispensable
part of the organisation, which will motivate them to put in more effort and later. Unlike, these
companies, which impose orders on their employees and so, fail to generate spontaneity among them,
companies that value their employees opinions succeed in motivating them to work spontaneously.
Apparently, the latter benefit more when it comes to productivity.

In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that the benefits of considering the
employees and suggestions offers in a company are indeed too great to ignore.

6. Formal written examination is an effective way to assess students

EASY VERSION: Level 6.5-7

There has long been much contention about whether formal written examination is an effective way to
assess students or there should be other ways to do so. I agree with the latter perspective for a number
of reasons.

The drawbacks of traditional written examination are manifold. The salient one is that to do well in
these tests, students do not need to study the whole subject properly. Only a few strategies, skills and
techniques are sufficient to do well in these exams. Sometimes, cramming can be an effective way to
score high as well. It is obvious that in these faulty tests, any medium students can be the highest scorer,
if he/she is good in memorising and test-taking skills. Therefore, alternative tests need to be introduced
to measure real progress of students.

Besides, questions in these exams are often repeated and so, anyone having access to past test papers
can memorise pre-prepared scripts and achieve good marks. Needless to say, the intellectual ability of
students is impeded as they do not need to explore things with inquisitive attitude to learning and
discovering new limits. As such, rather than focusing merely on writing, exams should entail a wide
range of question types, from oral presentation and group discussion to quizzes and assignments. This
will ensure a realistic assessment of one's progress.

In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that formal written tests do not reflect a
learner's performance aptly and precisely. What seems more efficacious and more pragmatic in this
scenario is a variety of testing systems that will not require a learner to memorise answers, but demand
thorough understanding of the subject matter.

ADVANCED VERSION: Level 8.5-9

The role of conventional written tests in gauging a student's capability is widely debated, with many
academics claiming that these tests are flawed and can hardly measure one's performance accurately
and comprehensively. In my opinion, this proposition merits serious consideration.

One of the most conspicuous drawbacks of traditional exams is that in order to attain good grades in
these stereotyped exams, students are not required to possess an in-depth knowledge in a specific
subject. This is because it is through a number of test-taking skills, strategies and techniques that even a
mediocre student can perform as well as a prodigy. There is no doubt that the core objective of
education is not to prepare learners for exams, but to instil knowledge in them in an effort to broaden
their horizons. If cramming or applying certain strategies is what learners need to master to augment
their scores, it is highly unlikely that high achievers will necessarily have greater potentials than their
low achieving peers. Hence, this faulty testing system does not help serve the purpose of education at
all.

Besides, questions in these exams are often repeated and so, anyone having access to past test papers
can memorise pre-prepared scripts and achieve good marks. Needless to say, the intellectual ability of
students is impeded as they do not need to explore things with inquisitive attitude to learning and
discovering new limits. As such, rather than focusing merely on writing, exams should entail a wide
range of question types, from oral presentation and group discussion to quizzes and assignments. This
will ensure a realistic assessment of one's progress.
In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that formal written tests do not reflect a
learner's performance aptly and precisely. What seems more efficacious and more pragmatic in this
scenario is a variety of testing systems that will not require a learner to memorise answers, but demand
thorough understanding of the subject matter.

7. Some people say that law can change human behaviour. Do you agree or disagree?

The role of laws in bringing a positive change in people's behaviour is widely debated, with many people
claiming that human behaviour is rarely affected by enforcing stringent rule-setting. However, I do not
entirely accept this and I will explain why in this essay.

One of the most conspicuous arguments in lies in the fact that rigorous rules can engender fear among
miscreants, who mostly commit crimes because of the leeway they enjoy in breaking the law. If people
are aware that their illegal or unlawful activities will result in severe punishment such as financial
penalty, jail term or even death sentence, the likelihood that they will indulge in criminal activities is
bound to decline. For instance, unlike, in impoverished nations, where there is little or no punishment
for littering or driving offences and so a deluge of such incidents occur, in affluent nations, the number
of such offences is insignificant/nominal, thanks to a wide range of strict regulations in place.

Another argument in favour of rule-setting can be seen in childhood, when a child learns to do things
following a proper order set either by their parents or by their teachers. By sticking to these rules and
regulations, children not only learn essential attributes like discipline and punctuality, but also excel in
academic studies. Hence, it is apparent that why human behaviour is immensely shaped by law and
order.

8. Nowadays millions of dollars are spent on space research every year. Some people argue that the
money should be spent on other essential areas such as healthcare and education. What is your
opinion?

The idea of spending astronomical sums of money on space research is widely debated, with many
people claiming that this could be better spent on such other vital sectors as healthcare, education and
the like. In my opinion, this notion merits serious consideration.

The reasons why space research deserves colossal expenditures are myriad. The primary one lies the
fact that with countless numbers of satellites out there, forecasting weather has never been as precise
and accurate as now. That scientists can predict flood, storm, tsunami and other calamities with near-
perfect precision is only due to space exploration. Besides, researches on space also mean state-of-the-
art communication system in place, without which maintaining constant contact between satellites,
space shuttles and the like would be next to impossible. There is no doubt that the way people
communicate with each other in today's fast-paced era can largely be attributed to the developments
made in space technologies. Last but not least, studies on space can pave the way to finding life in other
planets and benefiting from the natural resources out there.

However, there are some pitfalls that can easily overwhelm the potential benefits of space exploration.
The primary concern stems from the fact that space research entails colossal amounts of expenditure,
where as we have got millions of people starving all over the world. Should we not feed these
unprivileged people first before indulging in ambitious adventures in space? As such, affluent nations
are also equally responsible for shaking off the poverty of the impoverished ones, as the later have
limited budget and resources. In addition, wealthy nations can best use their resources by improving the
infrastructures in an array of sectors such as healthcare, education, transport and so on, instead of
sending robots to find water in the Mars, costing taxpayers billions of dollars. Hence, it is apparent why
many are against extravagant ventures to space.

From what has been discussed, one can observe that there are other priorities in the world at present,
from eradicating poverty to setting up new infrastructures to improving the standard of living, which
should be looked after first, before investing such mammoth sums of money on space research
programmes.

9. Some people say that increased travels between countries bring more disadvantages than
advantage. Agree or disagree?

Whether an upsurge in international travelling in recent decades has offered greater upsides than
drawbacks is a matter of discussion, with many people claiming that the demerits of this trend outweigh
its merits. However, I do not entirely accept this and I will explain why in this essay.

One of the most conspicuous aspects of increased international travels is that it will augment the
number of tourists, who will spend money on food, accommodation, shopping and other amenities.
Needless to say, the more money tourists spend, the greater revenue it will generate for the
government. Besides, an upsurge in the number of travellers would also mean an influx in the number of
foreign entrepreneurs, who can collaborate with their local counterparts in investing on a range of
projects. This will inevitably open up a wealth of employment opportunities for the unemployed, thus
contributing to economy astronomically.
Another pivotal facet of a surge in travelling Is a successful interaction of cultural values, ideologies,
languages and lifestyles. Far from giving birth to conflicts between diverse beliefs, this trend rather
renders an opportunity to learn from each other, contributing a great deal to enriching one's experience
and broadening one's horizons.

In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that despite some of its concerns, the role of
increased travels is instrumental indeed, not only in helping the local economy to thrive, but also in
providing with an exposure to diverse cultural values and ideologies

10. It is argued that university students should study a full range of subjects, instead of some specific
subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

EASY VERSION: Level 6.5-7

There has long been much contention about whether university students should study a wide range of
subjects or they should only focus on some particular subjects. In my opinion, the former perspective is
more warranted as will now be elaborated.

The benefits of studying a variety of subjects at university are manifold. The salient one is that it will
make student more qualified to deal with any situation in their job, keeping them ahead in this
competitive job market. For example, a bank clerk needs various skills in finance, accounting,
management, communication and so on. Apparently, employees who have vast knowledge in a number
of fields succeed in their career, unlike those who have little knowledge in different areas.

There, however, some arguments against the aforementioned view. Part of the problem with this idea is
that, students will not gain much knowledge about a particular subject, whereas learners of a certain
subject will do well in their own field. Hence, it is apparent why many are against teaching a whole range
of subjects at university.

In conclusion, it is evident from the above discussion that studying certain subjects at university may
have some benefits, to an extent. Nevertheless, the role different subjects’ play in helping a youth face
the challenges of this fast-paced era is immense, indeed.

ADVANCED VERSION: Level 8.5-9

The idea of teaching university students only a few subjects is widely debated, with many academics
claiming that only when the curriculum entails a large array of subjects, are youngsters likely to be well
prepared for future challenges. In my opinion, this proposition merits serious consideration.

To begin with, one of the most predominant aspects of studying a variety of subjects at university is that
it will instil in youngsters a wealth of cognisance and expertise in numerous fields. Not only will this vast
knowledge make the young more capable to cope with any challenge their work is likely to entail, but it
will also help them excel in their career, thus making them preponderant in this competitive job market.
A bank clerk, for instance, is required to possess a number of skills, from the fields of finance and
accounting to other relevant areas such as management and communication. Apparently, employees
having colossal knowledge in myriad fields are more likely to thrive and remain ahead of their
counterparts who have limited exposure in different spheres.

However, there are some pitfalls that can easily overwhelm the potential benefits of studying a large
range of subjects at university. The primary concern stems from the fact that students will not attain an
in-depth knowledge on a particular stream, while learners of a certain subject will specialise in their own
field. Apparently, the likelihood of the latter's excellence in the given subjects will increase, making
them stand out. The society will also benefit from their expertise enormously.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that the benefits studying certain relevant subjects at
university offers may seem warranted, to some extent. Nevertheless, the role different subjects’ play in
making a youth consummate as well as in helping them match the needs of a fast-changing and
competitive society is instrumental indeed.

11. Today youngsters follow celebrities in sports or in entertainment. Is it good or bad?

EASY VERSION: LEVEL 6.5-7

It has long been a subject of discussion whether young people should follow celebrities, be it in sports or
in entertainment or doing so would cause greater concerns. I agree with the latter perspective for a
number of reasons.

The drawbacks of following celebrities by youngsters are manifold. The salient one is that these famous
personalities often show positive sides of their characteristics. In fact, they are involved in a race against
each other. Their main goal is to gain name, fame and money. Their appearance may look positive and
impressive, but they are unhappy in their heart. They suffer from other mental complications like
depression, frustration, loneliness and the like. Many of them are addicted to drugs and some are so
frustrated that they even commit suicide. There is no denying that no one would recommend that a
teenager should pursue an artificial life like this.

Another pivotal aspect of the life of a celebrity is that he or she rarely possesses moral and ethical
values. Instead, they are often seen abusing each other in public without considering its impact on their
young followers. Because of the widespread use of the Internet, the teenagers who are both sensitive
and vulnerable are exposed to these verbal fights. Needless to say, these immature, shallow, artificial
and greedy people cannot be the role model of youths. Teenagers should rather imitate their parents or
teachers, who possess a range of qualities such as sincerity, honesty, perseverance and the like.

To conclude, it is evident from the above discussion that the pitfalls of following celebrities by youths
are indeed too great to ignore.

ADVANCED VERSION: LEVEL 8.5-9

The role of celebrities be it in sports or in entertainment, as a role model for youngsters is widely
debated, with many people claiming that these famous personalities have hardly any elect didactic
purpose to serve. In my opinion, this notion merits serious consideration.

Following celebrities by youngsters is of myriad concerns. The most conspicuous one is that these
famous personalities often show the brighter side of their lifestyle. Most of the inner aspects of their
characteristics are hidden from the public. They are involved in a race against each other to gain name,
fame and money. Attaining worldly desires seems to be their sole objective. No matter how positive
their appearance might look, they are unhappy in their family life. They suffer from other mental
complications like depression, frustration, loneliness and the like. Out of despair, many of them resort to
drugs and some even commit suicide. There is no denying that with all these concerns, no one would
recommend that a teenager should pursue an artificial life like this.

Another overt facet of celebrities is that rarely do they possess such essential attributes as moral and
ethical values that are deemed vital in becoming a good human being. As such, they are often seen
brawling over insignificant things, verbally assaulting their counterparts and what not. Thanks to the
ubiquity of the Internet and the popularity of the social networking sites, practice youngsters who are
both immature and vulnerable are readily exposed to these altercations. Apparently, the likelihood that
these shallow, artificial and greedy people will benefit youths in shaping their beliefs and ideologies in a
positive way is bleak indeed. Teenagers should rather imitate the lifestyle of their parents or teachers,
who possess a deluge of qualities, from sincerity and honesty to perseverance and dedication. There is
no doubt that youths can benefit from these practical role models astronomically.
From what has been discussed, one can conclude that the drawbacks associated with the youth’s
imitating the lifestyle of celebrities far outweigh the upsides, if any.

The bad weather conditions allow to several cancellations

12. ESSAY: 25 JUNE 2015:

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot
learn, unlearn and relearn. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

EASY VERSION: LEVEL 7

There has long been much contention about whether one’s literacy depends on being able to read
and write or on learning and relearning without any academic qualification. I agree with the latter
perspective for a number of reasons.

The arguments in favour of my stance are manifold. The salient one is that being able to read and
write does not make one capable to learn naturally. Students today not only study to get good marks,
but also to ensure their future. In fact, the purpose of education is not just to read and write, but to
learn from one’s experience, past mistakes and the like. This is because learning is a lifelong process
where one has to make improvements throughout their life.

Besides, in this fast-paced modern era, unlike in the past, information about anything is available to
everyone because of the proliferation of the Internet. As a result, even adults deprived of the light of
education can still educate themselves by gaining knowledge about numerous things such as people,
their languages and their cultures. All of these can broaden their horizons and help them succeed in life.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that the necessity of considering learning as a
continuous process is indeed too great to ignore.

ADVANCED VERSION: LEVEL 9

The idea of determining one’s literacy based on the capability to read and write is widely debated with
many academics claiming that there are such other factors as being able to learn, unlearn and relearn
that have a greater role to play in this regard. In my opinion, this notion merits serious consideration.

There are a myriad of arguments in favour of my stance. The most conspicuous one is that gaining
academic qualification does not necessarily mean that one will be able to learn naturally. Far from
learning for the sake of learning, these days students study only to acquire good marks. Not only do
students today consider education as a way of getting employment opportunities in future, but they also
acquire it to gain name and fame. However, as such, the purpose of education is not to be able to
merely read and write, but to enlighten one’s life. There is no denying that only when learners attain
knowledge through experience, past mistakes and self-analysis, can they successfully educate
themselves. Academic excellence without the ability to learn and relearn is only likely to make them
crippled, dependent and ineffective when it comes to facing the real world. This is because learning is a
lifelong process with a requirement to ameliorate one’s status in every step.

Another pivotal aspect of this argument is that in this globalised era, where information about anything
is so readily available thanks to the ubiquity of the Internet, people can learn numerous skills, enhance
their knowledge about other cultures and above all broaden their horizons. Apparently, with an open
mind, people can thrive and excel in their career unlike those who do not consider acquiring knowledge
limited to schools and colleges. A deluge of examples of this scenario can be seen both in affluent as
well as impoverished nations.

In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that the idea of defining literacy as the
capability to read and write is flawed, especially in this modern era. In my opinion, it is high time we
considered learning to be a never-ending process with constant improvements throughout life.

13. ESSAY OF THIS WEEK (11-15 MAY 2015):

Topic: The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education. Do you agree or disagree?

EASY VERSION: Level 6.5-7

There has long been much contention about whether traditional academic learning helps one to learn
naturally or hampers one’s natural learning capabilities. I agree with the former perspective for a
number of reasons.
The benefits of academic education are manifold. The salient one is that not everyone can learn
spontaneously without any proper learning environment. There are some talented people like Einstein
or others who might not need traditional education with a fixed curriculum. However, this is not
something usual or normal. Children need to go through a certain syllabus according to their age. Not
only do the contents in the syllabus ensure the pupils learn what they need to learn at a specific age, but
they also contribute a great deal to broadening their horizons step by step. It hardly needs mention that
this pre-planned orderly system can keep learners in a preponderant position when it comes to
acquiring knowledge successfully.

Another pivotal aspect of traditional education is that the curriculum is set in such a way that by the
time they finish their academic studies, students learn a variety of subjects.They gain knowledge in such
fields as science, commerce, arts and literature. Apparently, learning a wide range of subjects will help
youths in a variety of ways, from extending their horizons to instilling essential values in them to honing
their skills in numerous fields. There is no denying that without a fixed guideline to follow, learners are
bound to go astray, ruining their promising future.

To conclude, it is evident from the above discussion that formal education does not hinder learning; it
rather ensures effective learning.

ADVANCED VERSION: Level 8.5-9

The role of conventional ways of acquiring education is widely debated, with many academics claiming
that traditional academic studies hinder one’s spontaneous learning and so prove detrimental in the
acquisition of education. However, I do not entirely accept this and I will explain why in this essay.

The arguments in favour of academic education are myriad. The most conspicuous one is that not every
learner possesses extraordinary talent as prodigies like Albert Einstein or William Shakespeare, who did
not require a proper learning environment. Instead, they enhanced their knowledge spontaneously and
did not require outside pressure or a stereotyped curriculum. However, this is something that is
applicable to a handful of pupils. In general, in order to acquire knowledge successfully, learners need a
step-by-step procedure which also varies according to their age. There is no doubt that without strict
rule setting and stringent discipline, most students will not feel any pressure to study at all. Besides,
frequent tests and exams are also essential to insure that students have learnt their lessons properly.
Needless to say, all these merits will stand learners in good stead, as far as effective learning is
concerned.

Another pivotal aspect of traditional education is that the curriculum is set in such a way that by the
time they finish their academic studies, students learn a variety of subjects.They gain knowledge in such
fields as science, commerce, arts and literature. Apparently, learning a wide range of subjects will help
youths in a variety of ways, from extending their horizons to instilling essential values in them to honing
their skills in numerous fields. There is no denying that without a fixed guideline to follow, learners are
bound to go astray, ruining their promising future.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that formal education complements learning; the
argument that claims conventional learning methods to be an interference with real learning is
ungrounded indeed.

14. PARTIAL

IS SKY-DIVING OR DEEP SEA-DIVING GOOD FOR ENJOYMENT OR MORE DANGEROUS? WHAT IS YOUR
OPINION?

Whether such adventurous sports as sky-diving and deep sea-diving can be a good source of enjoyment
or they should be deemed perilous for human life is a subject of discussion. In my opinion, the latter
proposition merits serious consideration.

One of the most conspicuous drawbacks of these activities is that they are likely to pose life threatening
dangers, thanks to the nature of these sports with peril being an integral part. Although they are filled
with excitement, rapture and tremendous pleasure, they are only transient and so can’t be supported
and encouraged at the expense of one’s invaluable life, which is of immense importance as far as
contributing to the humanity is concerned. For example, mankind benefits astronomically from
prodigies, be it in the field of science, arts, music and literature. Hence, putting life into danger by
indulging in deleterious activities is of little significance.

15. ESSAY: 16-17 JUNE 2015:

Places where one grows up play a key role in one’s success. Write about a person who got
accomplishments because of the place s/he grew up in.

EASY VERSION: LEVEL 7

Where one grows up plays a key role in one’s success. In this essay, I will explain how a person
succeeded in life because of the environment he was raised in. This person is Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

There are a variety of ways how environment contributed to Abdul Kalam’s success. The salient one is
that his parents were highly educated who provided a helpful atmosphere at home. He not only got
motivation from home, but also from society. This is because people in his society were poor and
unfortunate. So he wanted to bring a positive change in their life. Needless to say, one’s environment
can keep them in a preponderant position, in terms of pushing them to thrive for success.

Another pivotal aspect is that Abdul Kalam’s sufferings because of poverty didn’t make him weak. He
rather took them as a challenge. Unlike his other classmates, who surrendered to poverty, Abdul Kalam
always had a strong will to fight against poverty in order to become successful in life.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that the role of the environment in pushing one to
work hard and succeed is indeed too great to ignore.

ADVANCED VERSION: LEVEL 9

There is no denying that where one is raised plays an instrumental role in contributing to one’s success.
In this essay, I will elaborate the story of such a successful person whose accomplishments can largely
be attributed to the environment he was brought up in. This person is Dr A.P. J. Abdul kalam, who
became an eminent scientist as well as the president of India.

There are a myriad of ways how Abdul Kalam benefited from the atmosphere he was brought up in. The
most conspicuous one is that both his parents were highly educated with plenty of support in numerous
forms. Not only did the congenial environment at home motivate him to succeed, but the society he was
raised in also had a role to play in this regard. This is because people in his society were impoverished
and underprivileged, which encouraged him more to become something so that he could bring a
positive change in the lives of these destitute people. Needless to say, the place one grows up in can
stand one in good stead, in terms of achieving success.

Another pivotal aspect of Abdul Kalam’s life is that the suffering and hardship he went through in
childhood made him more capable to deal with the arduous and cumbersome pressures of life in future.
Unlike his other classmates, who did not take motivation from their poverty and conceded defeat, Abdul
Kalam always had a strong determination from the start to become educated, famous and contribute to
eradicating poverty from society. It is apparent how his financial insolvency has made him a warrior to
change the world.

In view of the arguments outlined above, one can observe that the impact of the ambience one grows
up in is indeed too great to ignore, as far as attaining success in life is concerned.

16. “The information revolution brought about by modern mass communications has both advantages
and disadvantages for individuals and for society.”

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

There has long been much contention about whether modern mass communications have brought only
benefits to people and society or they have brought drawbacks too. I agree with the LATTER perspective
for a number of reasons.

In recent decades, there has been a revolutionary change in the way mass communication occurs,
thanks to the advent of state-of-the-art technologies. As such, there are both merits and demerits to
this trend, which will be explored below with pertinent arguments and examples.

There are myriad benefits of this development. On the one hand, by utilising such advanced
communication tools as Facebook, Twitter and the like, the media can reach a much broader range of
consumers today as they no longer have to rely on conventional newspapers, magazines or TV. On the
other, with the propensity of the Internet and Internet enabled portable devices like notebooks and
smartphones, people can not only stay connected with friends and family, but employers can also keep
in touch with their employees even when they are on the move, thus improving productivity manifold. It
hardly needs mention that all these merits stand people in good stead, when it comes to enhancing
connectivity, efficiency and what not, both in an individual’s life and in society.

However, there are some pitfalls that can easily overwhelm the potential benefits of the free flow of
information available today. The primary one stems from the fact that the Internet is a vulnerable
source of colossal amounts of information that can be manipulated by miscreants and so people can be
misled. One’s privacy can also be compromised with little effort. Besides, the ubiquity of social media
has greatly reduced the amount of social interaction that used to be an integral part of one’s life.
Needless to say, instead of bringing them close, this has undoubtedly augmented physical distance
between people.
In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that despite some drawbacks, the upsides of
today’s information revolution are indeed too great to ignore.

17. IS SKY-DIVING OR DEEP SEA-DIVING GOOD FOR ENJOYMENT OR MORE DANGEROUS? WHAT IS YOUR
OPINION?

Whether such adventurous sports as sky-diving and deep sea-diving can be a good source of enjoyment
or they should be deemed perilous for human life is a subject of discussion. In my opinion, the latter
proposition merits serious consideration.

One of the most conspicuous drawbacks of these activities is that they are likely to pose life threatening
dangers, thanks to the nature of these sports with peril being an integral part. Although they are filled
with excitement, rapture and tremendous pleasure, they are only transient and so can’t be supported
and encouraged at the expense of one’s invaluable life, which is of immense importance as far as
contributing to the humanity is concerned. For example, mankind benefits astronomically from
prodigies, be it in the field of science, arts, music and literature. Hence, putting life into danger by
indulging in deleterious activities is of little significance.

EASY VERSION: LEVEL 7

Whether such adventurous sports as sky-diving and deep sea-diving can be a good source of enjoyment
or they should be deemed perilous for human life is a subject of discussion. In my opinion, the latter
proposition merits serious consideration.

One of the most conspicuous drawbacks of these activities is that they are likely to pose life threatening
dangers, thanks to the nature of these sports with peril being an integral part. Although they are filled
with excitement, rapture and tremendous pleasure, they are only transient and so cannot be supported
and encouraged at the expense of one’s invaluable life, which is of immense importance as far as
contributing to humanity is concerned. For example, mankind benefits from prodigies astronomically, be
it in the field of science, arts, music and literature. Hence, putting life into danger by indulging in
deleterious activities is of little significance.

Besides, injuries or death from these sports also mean that the family associated will be equally affected
as they will either have to spend astronomical sums of money for their treatment or live their lives
without the sweet presence of their beloved near and dear ones. Hence, it is apparent that unlike other
conventional sports with little danger but full of entertainment, these perilous sports give birth to a
number of concerns and so cannot be accepted as a pure source of pleasure at all.
In view of the arguments outlined above, one can conclude that the drawbacks of extreme sports are
indeed too great to ignore.

18. Places where one grows up play a key role in one’s success. Write about a person who got
accomplishments because of the place s/he grew up in.

EASY VERSION: LEVEL 7

Where one grows up plays a key role in one’s success. In this essay, I will explain how a person
succeeded in life because of the environment he was raised in. This person is Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

There are a variety of ways how environment contributed to Abdul Kalam’s success. The salient one is
that his parents were highly educated who provided a helpful atmosphere at home. He not only got
motivation from home, but also from society. This is because people in his society were poor and
unfortunate. So he wanted to bring a positive change in their life. Needless to say, one’s environment
can keep them in a preponderant position, in terms of pushing them to thrive for success.

Another pivotal aspect is that Abdul Kalam’s sufferings because of poverty didn’t make him weak. He
rather took them as a challenge. Unlike his other classmates, who surrendered to poverty, Abdul Kalam
always had a strong will to fight against poverty in order to become successful in life.

From what has been discussed, one can conclude that the role of the environment in pushing one to
work hard and succeed is indeed too great to ignore.

ADVANCED VERSION: LEVEL 9

There is no denying that where one is raised plays an instrumental role in contributing to one’s success.
In this essay, I will elaborate the story of such a successful person whose accomplishments can largely
be attributed to the environment he was brought up in. This person is Dr A.P. J. Abdul kalam, who
became an eminent scientist as well as the president of India.

There are a myriad of ways how Abdul Kalam benefited from the atmosphere he was brought up in. The
most conspicuous one is that both his parents were highly educated with plenty of support in numerous
forms. Not only did the congenial environment at home motivate him to succeed, but the society he was
raised in also had a role to play in this regard. This is because people in his society were impoverished
and underprivileged, which encouraged him more to become something so that he could bring a
positive change in the lives of these destitute people. Needless to say, the place one grows up in can
stand one in good stead, in terms of achieving success.

Another pivotal aspect of Abdul Kalam’s life is that the suffering and hardship he went through in
childhood made him more capable to deal with the arduous and cumbersome pressures of life in future.
Unlike his other classmates, who did not take motivation from their poverty and conceded defeat, Abdul
Kalam always had a strong determination from the start to become educated, famous and contribute to
eradicating poverty from society. It is apparent how his financial insolvency has made him a warrior to
change the world.

In view of the arguments outlined above, one can observe that the impact of the ambience one grows
up in is indeed too great to ignore, as far as attaining success in life is concerned.

19.Climate change is a huge concern in today’s world. Is it responsibility of an individual, company or

government to resolve it?

In the recent year, there has been a colossal upsurge in the number of environmental concerns with
climate changes being a pivotal one. Although convenient efforts from all, be it individuals, companies
or government are required to alleviate this concern. I think it is the government which has the most
important role to play in this regard

There are myriad of arguments in favour of my stance. On the one hand , by implementing stringent
rules and regulations the government can ensure that industries and factories apply environmental
friendly measures in manufacturing goods, thus contributing to graet deal of shaking pollution. On the
other, with strict penalties in place, manufacturers are more likely to take numerous measures to curb
pollution from disposing of hazardous waste appropriately and applying a range of recycling procedure
to disposing of hazardous chemical appropriately. Apparently all these merits stand the govern ment in
good stead, when it comes to shaking off this soaring concern.
Another pivotal argument is that the government, unlike the other bodies, with deluge of resources and
illegitimate power to fight off climate change, the government is the strongest of all to do everything, it
takes to address this concern such as raising awareness through a varieties of campaign how a little
change in our day-to-day life can make positive change to this end. Hence, it is apparent why instead of
others, I am focusing on the government.

In conclusion, from what has been discussed above, one can observe that the convergent efforts
reducing climate issues, from people, organizations may seem warranted, to some extent. Nevertheless,
It is the government responsibility to implement and evaluate all these growing concerns.

In conclusion, from what has been discussed above, one can observe that the convergent efforts
reducing climate issues, from people, organizations may seem warranted, to some extent. Nevertheless,
It is the government responsibility to implement and evaluate all these growing concerns.