Film:Violence

Will controling the amount of violence in films and on TV reduce violent crimes?

Is the prevalence of  violence related to increasing violence in films and TV?

Can its rate be reduced by controlling level of violence in entertainment?


There is growing concern over increasing media violence nowadays.


Some people belief that violence in media can lead to real life aggressiveness.It is supported by some observations;introduction of television sets,for example,parallels with increased crime rate in North America.In order to bring down violence in community,it is sensible to regulate films and TV strictly.Although the link between brutal scenes in media and destructive behaviour is probable,there are other reasons that cause crimes.


Several factors influence the incidence of violence.
Poverty is an important variable,inequality in particular,which perpetrates crime.In addition,unemployment can also lead to violence,so is the growing gap between richest and poorest members of society.All these factors are closely interrelated and unless we address these major issues,our community will be continually facing increasing violence.








( to be continued )






















http://www.unhabitat.org/downloads/docs/5203_29231_Bk%204.pdf

Advertisements targeting Children

Some people believe that advertisements targeting children may have negative effects on them, and suggest banning such advertisements as a solution. 


To what extent do you agree or disagree?
..................................................................................................................................................................

( in other words,will ban on such ads be effective answer?If not,what else can be done? )


We all live in a commercial world and children are not immune from advertisements directed towards them.Excessive commercial pressure and its negative impact on young people is highlighted by experts and parents are naturally  concerned about the issue.In this essay,
I will discuss my view on whether banning of these ads would be effective solution or not.




Nowadays,advertisements directed to children are common place on different medias and traditional media like television programs are bombarded with adverts.Food ads,for instance,have substantial influence on children's food choice and subsequent eating behavior.Experts point out that growing epidemic of overweight and obesity is partly related to these adverts.It is obvious that we must find solution to prevent similar hazards.In addition,children become victims of adverts on new digital media,the internet, as well.

There is advertising regulation on traditional media like TV in some parts of the world,and the regulators ban commercials to young people aired on the media,which would help in reducing negative consequences in some way but not eliminate completely. Since other means of new advertisements like brand ambassador or online ads escape from these regulation,we need other solutions as well.


One other suggested approach is raising parental awareness of marketing and advertising technique.Parents can be a role model as smarter consumer.Most importantly,Schools should  inform children of consumerism and advertisements.Finally,industry should be responsible.


All in all,banning of unethical ads directed to young people could be a solution in media like TV program,it would not be practical in other marketing approaches.Teachers and parents alike should be vigilant to protect children from undesirable commercials,along with responsible practice of industry.
( 270 words )






Words:
Advertisement /adverts/promotion/to sell products/ads/commercial on TV
marketer/consumer
target/direct/entice
effect/consequences/outcome
ban/deter/discourage




what kind of adverts directed toward children do you aware of?


Food ads on televisions have influence on children's food choice


Why do industry view children as their market force?


Because of their spending power


What channels are used to reach youth?


televisions/internet


Adverts directed at youth are on internet,which are lagely unrestricted




Is  marketing practice ethical? 


Exploit/public attention




What are the negative impacts?



Should this be banned or any alternative solution?


 regulated


prohibit/limit advertising directed at children in television program


parents teach child to be smart consumer
encourage non-commercial value in kids


take action; consumers voice their  opinions about advertising

Violence in Society

There is an increase in violence in society because police officers carry guns.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include examples from your personal experience.

Notes:

in school/community/home
what are the causes at the levels of individual/family/community/society
prevent violence through strategies that are conceived and implemented in relation to these causes

GUN CONTROL: credit to http://www.essayforum.com/writing-feedback-3/essay-gun-contral-17874/

Gun use, which is strictly controlled in most countries, is definitely not a kind of normal good in our society. However, gun control in some countries is relatively looser than in others. Therefore, this is still a controversial topic around the world. From my point of view, it is sensible to enforce  gun control.

The first factor considered is the risk of accidents with guns.Accidents cannot be completely avoided, even though only those who have gun licenses can purchase guns. For example, we hear some news from time to time that someone was hurt by accident  while hunting. So the fewer guns possessed, the fewer accidents would happen, and our surroundings would be safer with lower accident rates.

Secondly, most violent crimes are related to the abuse of guns, especially in some countries where guns are available for people. Eventually, guns will create a violent society. Take for example, in America, young adults and even juveniles can get access to guns, which leads to the tragedies of school gun shooting. What is worse, some terrorists are able to possess more advanced weapons than the police, which makes citizen live in constant danger.

Thirdly, the possession of guns can also raise the rate of suicide. In the US, firearms remain the most common method of suicide, accounting for about 50 per cent. Unfortunately, there is an increasing trend of adolescent suicides and suicides among those aged 75 and over.

In conclusion, considering the rise in accident rates, violent crime rates and suicide rates, I support that guns should be strictly limited and the government should enforce a series of laws to prevent our societies from inrceasing violence.

Film: Goverment investment

Most people watch foreign films first, before locally produced films. Why is that so?

If the government in your country decides to invest in the film industry, will you support them to do so and why?

Include your own experience in the essay.

Language:fewer the better?

Several languages die every year. Many people feel this is a positive trend and that a world with fewer languages promotes harmony and understanding between people. 


Analyze both sides of this argument and provide your opinion.




Draft

Languages extinct?

Does its extinction really promote harmony and understanding?

Is the understanding between people sole purpose of language?
What else ?

Not just an instrument of communication,

Language is an asset of civilization,
It carries Culture, Civilization, Belief and tradition!

Beauty of individual language can be found in poems literature!

Should we discard all these values in exchange of single global language for effective communication across different cultures?

• Languages extinct
• Is it positive or negative?
• effect could be culturally devastating

• globalization push toward a switch to English or  other popular language in big cities

fewer languages : 

• less diversity
• loss of unique culture
• frustration of identity being vanished

several different languages:

• need interpretation/translation
• 
  

Vocabulary:
Linguist/speaker
communities/
endangered/extinct/die out/fade
preserve


An extract from Wikipedia


Following centuries of English rule in Ireland and English imposition of the English language, an argument for de-anglicisation was delivered before the Irish National Literary Society in Dublin, 25 November 1892; 


"When we speak of 'The Necessity for De-Anglicising the Irish Nation', we mean it, not as a protest against imitating what is best in the English people, for that would be absurd, but rather to show the folly of neglecting what is Irish, and hastening to adopt, pell-mell, and indiscriminately, everything that is English, simply because it is English."

University Education:More or Less Emphasis

While many people feel that more university graduates coming out from higher education system and the university education should be emphasized less,others strongly argue that we should put more stress on tertiary education.
In my opinion,the tertiary education should be encouraged for a number of reasons.

First of all,knowledge is widely accepted as power.In a climate of increasing competition across different regions in global economy nowadays,importance of this notion is evident.In order to succeed in such competitions,knowledge and skills of workforce should be continually updated.Tertiary education is clearly fundamental to sustain this process in a society.

When we carefully look at contemporary history of developed and emerging economies,we can see clearly how commitment in higher education plays key role in economic and social development.Korean products like televisions and automobiles,for instance,have been successfully marketed in western countries.This success in Korean industries could be seen as fruits of its investment in higher education two to three decades ago.Consequent substantial number of competent graduates from universities can lead research and innovations necessary to foster economic progress.

Furthermore,higher education equips individuals with adaptability and increases their employability throughout their careers.It is also apparent that those who can adapt to changing market demand could survive, particularly in time of turbulence in major economies.

In summary,university education is essential for the growth of individual as well as society.It should also be encouraged for its role in research , innovation and adaptability in changing world.

248 words

3 Reasons why higher education should be encouraged:

• Continually updated Knowledge is power
• Outcome of commitment in tertiary education which is integral in research and innovation
• Adaptability and employability

Useful Vocabulary

essential/integral/fundamental/necessary

apparent/evident/clear/understandable/obvious
evolve significantly/growth potential/mainstream

Salary:Young vs Old

Employer should pay the young people the same salary as older colleagues doing the same job.


To what extent do you agree or disagree ?

Brainstorming:
Should young and old be paid similarly when both are doing the same job?

If not,why?

How do employer determine how much to pay specific employee to do a job?

In other words,what variables affect salary scale?

Do they adjust salary to reflect employee's background and experience?
Will you discredit/discount/disregard/ignore/put aside on such experience?
What if you do so?

What about the education?
If your education or quality of education match the job requirements,it will affect the pay.

What about the performance?
It is an important variable when being considered for pay increase or promotion.

Support the 3 reasons with examples,from your experience or knowledge or general idea.

• Performance/Results/Outcome
• Experience or wisdom counts.
• Quality education
• Hierarchy is traditionally accepted/Age alone shouldn't be major factor 

Vocabulary:

pay/pay roll/salary

incentives/motivation

job pattern/working hours/authority
http://www.salary.com/Articles/ArticleDetail.asp?tab=psn&cat=cat011&ser=ser031&part=par1314

School:Subjects

Sample:

Some children find some subjects like mathematics and philosophy difficult to learn in their schools.These subjects should be optional rather than compulsory.Do you agree or disagree?

University Education: Purpose

Some people think the purpose of university education is to prepare students for employment while others think it has other functions.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

School:Physical Education Program

Physical Education Program in Schools

Task 2


Most schools offer some type of physical education program to their students. Why is physical education important? Should physical education classes be required or optional?
OUTLINE:


WHY?


Physical well-being is as important as intellectual
Academic performance alone is lest likely to benefit to individual.
Unless one has physical fitness


Physical education is like the soil to grow
Professional athletes, sportsperson, defense personnel
Even an executive need physical vigor to accomplish his work


Weak body could harbor ailments
Will increase the number of absent days at work
Become less productive
Reverse is true for the healthy and strong


For these reasons, physical education is required
But should be cater to individual need


16 Sep 2009

Travel or Work before University

Travel or Work before University

TEST 2,Cambridge IELTS 5
TASK 2

In some country young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantage and disadvantage for young people who decide to do this.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Advantage:

Get through real life working environment
Explore the world, Observe different culture, help develop Vision, Mission
(Cross contextual learning)
Expand social life

Disadvantage:

Time spent
Money
Distraction from academic study

University : Entry & Gender

Gender & UNIVERSITY ENTRY

TASK 2


( Question from Cambridge IELTS 5,Test 1)


University should accept equal numbers of male and female students in each subject.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
BRAINSTORMING:


1-Why should be equal in numbers?
Could it be practical to get a uniform number of graduates, what would be the implications? Rigid application could be counterproductive.
Disproportionate numbers, so what?


2-Is there different aptitude and abilities between each sex?
There may be but need to be investigated rigorously. We know from personal experience that boys and girls are different.


What about individual preference?
She should be the one who choose what she studies.


3-Uni should not discriminate against a particular sex. It does not necessarily mean that number should be equal.


Who should decide :Uni or prospective students?Need to develop idea on the subject and make suggestion for action.


Give an opportunity to get what one wants.


September 11,2009

HEALTH CARE:Who'll pay the bills

HEALTH CARE:Who'll pay the bills

TASK 2


The costs of medical health care are increasing all the time. Governments are finding it difficult to balance the health care budget. Should citizens be totally responsible for their own health costs and takeout private health insurance, or is it better to have a comprehensive health care system which provides free health services for all?

The costs of medical health care are increasing all the time. Governments are finding it difficult to balance the health care budget. Should citizens be totally responsible for their own health costs and takeout private health insurance, or is it better to have a comprehensive health care system which provides free health services for all?

Discuss.
Advances in technology have strong impact on preventive, curative and palliative aspects of health care.This results in newer treatment options along with increasing costs and consequent funding challenge in health sector of a society. Therefore, budget issue is a pressing problem for individual as well as government in different regions. In this essay I will discuss about who should take main responsibility for medical service.


Some would argue that each individual must take care of their own health and pay for any health problem from their own pockets. This would encourage every person to be responsible. One option to take such duty is to take part in private insurance. On the other hand, private insurers could be part of profit industry. If so, each citizen spends his or her hard earned money for a basic human right, that is, appropriate free health care. Therefore, paying every penny for the total expense of individual's health service is unjust. Furthermore, this could deter poor members of a particular society to enjoy healthy lives.


Some may say that government is totally responsible to provide free universal health care for every citizen. It is reasonable for a government to provide such service as health is a basic human need. The authority could fund health budget by taxation. In addition, residents of such country will get less financial burden for their health. They are expected to lead happy and healthy lives so long as a country has the economic might to support a free health care system. However, medical procedures and treatments are increasingly advanced in recent years and become more expensive. It means public fund may not sufficient enough to support some costly medical interventions in a society. Such situation is evident in different parts of the world especially in developing regions.As a result,they will be the most vulnerable and suffer from ailments miserably.


All in all, I think citizen or government should not face the challenge of expanding medical bills separately. They need to share the responsibility. Who should take a greater share should be decided by each community.

Cultral Attractions

Recently, UK government spends substantial amount of budget to support and subsidize museums, galleries, and visual and performing arts. Some people see such expenditures as extravagant and they prefer the authority to spend more on other crucial sectors like health care and education. They suggest that payee should be the one who fancy these cultural attractions. In this essay, I discuss my opinion on who should be financially responsible for the future of arts, museums and galleries and why.

First of all, it is a conventional wisdom that public money should be well spent to benefit a society. To achieve such goal, the budget is allocated across different sectors and priority is given to important areas. For example, significant proportion of budget is spent on health care, education, scientific researches and public transportation. This is welcomed by most citizens as these things obviously have important implication on each person. On the other hand, arts and culture of a society may be seen as minority interests that belong to a particular class or small percentage of a community. Those who held such a view would express that payee should be these people who pursuit artistic attractions. Although it seems logical to spend less on culture of a nation or a region, there are other important aspects of arts and culture that could be beneficial to a community.

There are many reasons why culture is important to a particular nation or region. Firstly, pieces of music, orchestra and painting are cultural heritages and legacy from one generation to another. For example, the National Gallery in London houses the historical collection of western European painting, while encouraging access to the pictures. Great pieces like those of Leonardo Da Vinci would not be reachable to ordinary citizens without a government support for these galleries. I feel that the places could not be sustained by contribution of individual enjoying them alone. Furthermore, family and children could visit to the museums to relax their mind, stimulate creativity of the young, study history and get aspiration. This means these centres also have educational value that can not be easily learned in classrooms. Finally, these places and arts catch the tourists’ eye which promotes cultural tourism and eventual national income.Therefore,investment in them is not futile.

All in all, I think arts, museums and galleries also have public interests and value too. Thus these cultural attractions should also be supported and subsidized by a government along with other critical area like health care and education.

(09 09 09)


Similar topic from different perspective


Some say that artists (musicians, writers, painters) should be supported by the government. Others think it would be waste of money. 


Discuss both arguments and give your opinion. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


A Sample Answer:
http://www.ieltsstudy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34:art-1&catid=2:task-2&Itemid=6

CULTURAL ATTRACTION

CULTURAL ATTRACTION

Task 2:

The government spends about GBP 220 million a year supporting museums and galleries in the UK, and a similar amount subsidizing the visual and performing arts.
This is huge sum to spend on minority interests, and the money would be better spent on more important things.
It should be up to people who enjoy cultural attractions to pay for them.

What are your views?

Words:
Government/authority/people/individual/payee
Spend/subsidize/pay/public fund/budget/taxpayer money/expenditures/resources
Interest/advantage/legacy/historical/cultural/aesthetic value/educational/aspiration
Important/crucial/central/critical/key/considerable/priority
Enjoy/consume/watch/go to/relax/like/love
Centres/Hall of fame/collections/exhibition/paintings/playwright/poet

Opinion/View:
Important things/health/education/scientific research/transportation
Benefits: help maintain and propagate cultural values/heritage and legacy/indirect income from cultural tourism/help creative/to relax/recreational/leisure pursuits/subjects/ study
Drawbacks: suffer other sectors/extravagant spending/inappropriate use

Paragraph plan:
Intro/against/for/conclusion

Check:
Collocation/phrasal verbs/links/correction/allotted time

Leisure Time

Leisure Time

Page 52
Focus on IELTS
Sue O'Connell 2002
5th impression


Do young people today make good use of their leisure times?
Or do they spend too much time on playing video games and watching television,instead of taking part in more productive activities?

Leisure time can be well spent in many different ways.One popular option among the young is playing video games and watching television.While other activities like sports,social gathering and reading are available to them,many people feel that they spend too much time on these indoor games and screens and prefer them to be more active.In this essay,I will discuss my view on the issue to get positive results out of free time.


Nowadays, younger generation has greater choices of leisure facilities than previous one. Among such facilities are television and video games. Some social experts and families are concerned about health of teenage overindulge on these activities. This is supported by some reports that sitting too long in front of television could lead to problems of eyes and back. On the other hand, some medical experts believe that some video games can improve the dexterity of the player and this could help his or her future career like operating doctor or pilot. In addition, watching television keeps young audience inform about what happens around locally as well as globally. That would enhance teenagers' inquisitive mind and encourage them to keep eyes on challenging local and international issues. While such benefit is welcomed, there also are dangers of exposing them to violence, crimes and explicit scenes on some television series which can have negative impact on younger personalities.


Alternatively, there are many activities which have positive results in term of social, physical and educational values. For example, walking, jogging and trekking in a recreational park improve the physical strength and give an opportunity to observe nature and environment. Furthermore, spending time with family, relatives and friends outdoor enriches their social lives. As a result, they would be more interactive and responsible socially. Finally, one could simply be entertained by reading at home or playing some music.


In conclusion, how much time should we spend on each activity during extra time is debatable. Each has its own merit so long as individual does not involve excessively. In my opinion, young and adult alike should choose sensibly on type of activity and time spent to get most benefits out of their free time.

Technological Developments: Early vs Recent

Early technological developments helped ordinary people and changed their lives more than recent developments.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

EARLY vs RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS

Technological developments evolve from earlier ones to recent inventions.From the introduction of electricity,combustion engine and telephone to jet engine and the internet,people lives have been changed tremendously.In my opinion,both early and recent developments in technology have significant impact upon us.

It is an obvious fact that earlier inventions have changed our lives significantly. Since the invention and later ubiquitous availability of electricity,for instance,people enjoy using it regardless of social status.Almost every households use not only electric lights but different electrical equipment to fulfil varying needs at home as well as outdoor.Moreover,earlier communication device like telephone has changed the way ordinary people and privileged ones communicate.Furthermore,invention of combustion engine fundamentally transformed the mode we travel.

Similarly, recent developments also have its own virtues and substantial influence.Personal computer and the internet, for examples, fundamentally change the way we get information,communicate and entertain ourselves or doing business.Likewise,with the development of the jet engine,air travel become much easier and faster.

Obviously,these developments change people lives including ordinary folks,not just in the past but in the present and the foreseeable future as well.On closer look, recent developments utilize earlier ones,thereby creating new inventions.In case of personal computer and the internet,it is obvious that they would not have come into existence without electricity being developed before .

All in all, people lives have been improved significantly as a result of both early and recent developments.

(252 words)

Notes:

Developments:Electricity,Telephone,Combustion Engines

Jet Engine and the Internet.

How can you gauge the magnitude of change?