Task 1:

Bài 1:

The bar chart compares the total number of minutes of telephone calls in the UK,
in terms of three different categories in the period of 1995 and 2002.

Overall, the minutes of telephone calls in the UK increased for three categories.
Also, local –fixed line remained the highest figure throughout the period.

In 1995, people made over 70 billion of minutes calling through local-fixed line. It
then reached its peak at about 90 billion in the period of 1998 and 1999. The figure
decreased gradually to finish at the same number of the starting point in 2002.

About 38 billion of minutes of telephone calls were made through national and
international – fixed line, much higher than by mobiles, only 2 billion in 1995.
However, both figures rose sharply, about 60 billion for national and international
– fixed line and 45 billion for mobiles in 2002.

Bài 2:

The three charts compare the percentages of yearly expenditure on five different
categories by a particular UK school in 1981, 1991 and 2001.

Overall, spending on salaries was the highest among these figures shown. Also,
while the proportion of expenditure on resources decreased, other figures
increased.

In 1991, teachers’ salaries accounted for 40% of the total spending, compared with
28% for other workers’ salaries. 10 years later, a half of spending was for teacher’s
salaries, while the proportion of other workers’ salaries was 22%. The figure for
teachers’ salaries and other workers’ salaries then decreased, at 45% and 15%,
respectively, in 2001.

The percentages of resources (such as books) and furniture and equipment were
the same, at 15%, much higher than 2% for insurance in 1981. The figures of
resources and furniture and equipment then fell, at 20% and 5%, respectively, in
1991. However, in 2001, while the proportion of furniture and equipment rose
slightly to 23% and 8% for insurance, the figure for resources decreased to only
9%.

Bài 3:

The table compares the average distance in miles travelled annually per person in
terms of several modes in England in 1985 and 2000.

Overall, the number of average distance of all modes increased. Also, while other
figures rose, the figures for walking, bicycle and local bus decreased.

In 1985, a person travelled about 4740 miles in average, the number then increased
sharply to 6475 miles in 2000. To be specific, each person in average travelled
3199 miles by car in 1985, the figure increased to 4806 miles in 2000. The figure
for train also rose, from 289 miles in 1985 to 366 miles in 2000. Individual
travelled average 54 miles by long distance bus and 13 miles by taxi in 1985, these
numbers increased sharply in 2000, at 124 and 42, respectively.

However, the figures for local bus and walking decreased, from 429 for local bus
and 255 for walking in 1985, they then fell significantly, to 274 and 237,
respectively, in 2000. The number of distance travelled by bicycle witnessed the
same trend, decreased from 51 miles in 1985 to only 41 miles in 2000, whereas the
figure for other modes increased by over 100 in 2000, from the figure of 450 miles
in 1985.

Bài 4:
The diagram illustrates the processes of producing electricity using a geothermal
power plant.

Overall, there are five stages shown, starting with pumping down cold water into
the geothermal zone and ending with distribution of electricity from a generator.

First, a certain amount of cold water is pumped down 4.5km from the ground
through the injection well. Next, cold water is injected into geothermal zone,
where hot rocks heat the water up. Then, hot water is pumped up through the
production well to the surface and into the condenser.

In the fourth stage, hot water is condensed by a condenser. The steam that releases
from the condenser passes into a turbine. The power of the steam makes the
turbine spin. This process provides power for a generator, which produces
electricity. Electricity is ready to be used and then is transferred to where needed.
Bài 5:

The two maps illustrate the significant changes before and after the construction of
several tourist facilities in an island.

Overall, the accommodation and other facilities for tourists were built and a pier
was constructed to permit access to the island by boat.

It is noticeable that there were only green zones and a beach in the west of the
island. After construction, two separate residential areas were built, along with
some footpaths which lead to the accommodation. In the middle of the island, a
reception area was constructed, surrounded by a vehicle track which linked to a
restaurant in the north.

The vehicle track also connected the reception area to a pier, where boats can
easily come into and leave the island. People built a footpath, leading to a
swimming place near the beach in the north west of the island.
Task 2:

Bài 1:

Some people say young people playing electronic and computer games learn
useful skills but some people say young people are wasting their time. Discuss
and give opinion.

It is true that some people consider playing computer games gives youngsters huge
benefits. While no body can deny some advantages of playing these games, I
believe that the youth are wasting their valuable time.

On the one hand, computer-based games can be educational. First, such games
create a virtual environment where there are various beautiful, attractive and
interactive animations. They are in some ways more exciting and engaging than
real-life pastimes. Secondly, playing electronic games can develop imagination
and creativity, as well as concentration, critical thinking and problem solving,
which are likely to be useful outside the gaming context. Finally, some games
enable young people to learn new things without effort, such as learning English
through some online games.

On the other hand, there are numerous drawbacks of playing electronic games
need to take into consideration. One major reason is that these games are highly
addicted, because they continuously give scores, new targets and frequent rewards.
As a result, adolescents will try their best to get progress through the levels of a
game or to get higher scores than their friends, which can lead to the sacrifice of
study to spend time playing games. Another reason is that, too much time looking
at the screen will be harmful to their health, such as eyestrain or headache.

In conclusion, although playing electronic games can be beneficial for young

people, I strongly believe its drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
 Bài 2:

Nowadays, as current trend continues, there will be more and more serious traffic and
pollution issues. Some people suggest that the price of petrol should be risen to tackle
these problems. While there are strong arguments for this point of view, I believe
solving these issues needs more practical solutions.

On the one hand, rising the price of petrol can be beneficial in some ways. The major
reason is that, petrol is one of the most harmful pollutants for the nature, which can
cause environmental degradation. By increasing its price, more people will use public
transport such as bus or electric vehicles, instead of their private cars to travel. It will
not only solve the traffic congestion, but also reduce the amount of CO2 emission into
the environment, which certainly improve the quality of the air.

On the other hand, there are many other solutions should be taken into consideration.
First, the government authorities should allocate their budget to invest in renewable
energies, which are considered to be more environmentally-friendly than petrol.
Moreover, heavy taxes should be raised on private modes of transport, such as
motorbikes or cars, so that people will use bus more often. For example, in Korea, the
taxes on car are very high; therefore, only rich people can have cars, other people
choose bus instead, which are available 24/24. This creative solution not only tackle
the problem of traffic jam in rush hours, but also raise the public health, as people
have to walk to the bus station.

In conclusion, although increasing the price of petrol can be advantageous, I strongly

argue for other suitable solutions to deal with traffic and pollution problems.