Task 2 - Academic Purposes Test 3 - Education versus Experience (Agree Disagree)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic.

Many people say that the only way to guarantee getting a good job is to complete a course of university education. Others claim that it is better to start work after school and gain experience in the world of work.

How far do you agree or disagree with the above views?

Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples based on your knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words

MODEL ESSAY:

A growing number of people are saying that getting a good job is guaranteed, only after finishing a university education course while others are claiming that, starting work after school is better since it gives an experience in the field of work. I strongly agree with the statement that, it is by far good to start work after school to attain some level of knowledge in working.

The idea that starting to work after school is better as it is key to gaining knowledge in the field of work. This is because working after school means getting an upper hand in the scope of work. Unlike undergraduates with no experience of work but only a mere theory knowledge, starting a job after school is far reasonable since most companies are interested in professionals, rather than undergraduates. Professionals really have the skills it takes to work but undergraduates only know about the work. Most often, professionals with working experience fit well in the employment world with an outstanding performance at work. For instance, an engineering company offering a good job will ask for practical competency. This is to confirm the ability of the candidate having any knowledge about engineering apart from a mere theory.

On the other hand, many people try to finish college and get a degree. This partly sounds convincing in that university education is the basis for every job, but this is not enough to get a good job or to maintain it. I believe knowledge is more powerful than any form of requirement. Taking my friend for instance, who had first class in mathematics as a requirement to teach but has no experience in teaching was rejected by the students after few months.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that although education certificate is important in all things, having a better experience together with education is the right tool to unlock a good job.

316 words

Band 7

Ruben


Reality Check!

"65% graduates in Philippines found unemployable in the careers of their choice!"

Philippines National Employability Report (Graduates) - 2017

Aspiring Minds Philippines National Employability Report – 2017 is an in-depth analysis of the job-readiness of the youth of Philippines across various industry roles. Its findings are based on the study of 60,000 students from 80+ colleges through the country.

Key insights from the report:

• 65% candidates are unemployable in the roles of their choice
• Only 14.15% graduates are employable for outbound sales and 21.90% for inbound customer service roles in the BPO sector
• Lack of adequate domain skills is the key reason for low employability in BFSI sector
• 64% of employable graduates lie beyond the Top 50 colleges in Philippines
• No gender-wise disparity observed in employability numbers

SOURCE: https://www.aspiringminds.com/research-reports/philippines-national-employability-report-graduates-2017

Task 2 - Cambridge 11 Test 1 - Spending More Money on Railways than Roads (Agree Disagree)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic.

Governments should spend more money on railways rather than roads.

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

Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples based on your knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words


MODEL ESSAY:

Technology is fast-growing and environmental issues, as well as their effect on climate change, are highly discussed around the globe. For these reasons and much more, I highly agree that governments should concentrate their finances more on constructing railways than roads for the simple reason that the former is much more environmentally and economically friendly.

To begin with, if governments invest in road construction, this will lead to increased pollution of the atmosphere. The reason is that cars and buses use fossil fuels such as petrol, benzine, gas oil, and eventually release toxic gases into the atmosphere. Trains, on the contrary, use electricity which is less harmful to the environment. Secondly, in these modern times, there is high competition in the world which requires that people move faster, get to their destinations quicker in order to gain time and money. Trains are for certain much faster and more effective than roads. For example, a traffic jam in a city will take a longer time to resolve than a railway breakdown. Finally, if governments invest more money on roads, communication will be made much easier as well as transportation in and out of cities and countries.

In my opinion, railways are more effective and more environmentally friendly than roads. It will cost less for governments to invest in railway maintenance than in road maintenance. Furthermore, railways have a capacity to cross overseas and borders which may not be very practical with roads.

In conclusion, I agree with the point of view that governments should invest much more in constructing intercity railways as they would use up less time, energy and money.

270 words

Band 8

Ya-Ngoye

Task 1 Cambridge 11 Test 1 - Percentage of Water for Different Purposes in 6 Areas of the World (Pie Charts)

You should spend about 20 minute on this task.

The charts below show the percentage of water used for different purposes in six areas of the world.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features , and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

MODEL ESSAY:

The six pie charts compare the water usage for three different purposes in six regions of the world, namely, Europe, South America, South East Asia, Central Asia, Africa, North America.

Overall, water is mostly consumed for agricultural purposes. Central Asia leads with the highest percentage of water consumption among the six regions of the world.

Taking a closer look at the information, it can be seen that Africa with a consumption rate of 84%, followed closely by South East Asia 81% also use high amounts of water for agricultural reasons. On the contrary, in Europe only 39% of water is used for the same purpose. Similarly, North America has a lower water consumption for agricultural reasons. However, though North America and Europe do not use up much water for crop planting they do use large amounts of water for industrial reasons;48% and 53% respectively. Comparatively, Central Asia (5%) and Africa (7%) show the least water consumption for industrial use.

On the other hand, the region with the highest amount of water consumption for domestic purposes is South America. Central Asia and South Asia have the least consumption for domestic purposes. They both have a percentage use of only 7% each.

197 words

Band 9

Ya-Ngoye

Task 2 - Nature versus Nurture (Discussion)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic.

It is generally believed that some people are born with certain talents, for instance, for sports or music and others are not. However, it is sometimes claimed that any child can be taught to become a good sports person or musician. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples based on your  knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words

MODEL ESSAY:

It is widely accepted that talents are naturally born gifts that people possess like sports or music, whiles others are not as gifted. However, it is often said that any child can be nurtured to master a craft or talent such as being a good sportsperson or musician. In this essay, I would discuss both views and give my opinion.

Firstly, the talents certain people possess have immensely improved their game being in sports or music. It is true that people with innate talent can not be really compared to any person not born with it but tries to learn. Musicians like Bob Marley took the world by storm with reggae music  and his choice of words or lyrics differentiate him from all musicians. I do not think there is a song from him that does not spear the heart when people listen. His talent to make such good music is incomparable and to date his songs still remain top notch.

However, there have been circumstances where people learned to become good sports persons or musicians who have defied odds to become great. These people use hard work to beat talent. Proof of importance is between the two football giants Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. For a decade both players have won the most prestigious football award, which is the world’s best player ten times with both receiving the award five times each. As a football fanatic I witnessed the emergence of how talented Messi is and he has proved on several occasions how talented he is with the ball. Ronaldo embodies the true definition of hard work and a person who liked the sports and learned it. He has gone to- to-toe with Messi and might even surpass him.

In conclusion, I think people born with talents do the impossible with ease but people can be taught to become successful in a particular sports, music or profession.

318 words

Band 8

Nsiah

Fun Facts!

The nature versus nurture debate is about the relative influence of an individual's innate attributes as opposed to the experiences from the environment one is brought up in, in determining individual differences in physical and behavioral traits. The philosophy that humans acquire all or most of their behavioral traits from "nurture" is known as tabula rasa ("blank slate").

In recent years, both types of factors have come to be recognized as playing interacting roles in development. So several modern psychologists consider the question naive and representing an outdated state of knowledge. The famous psychologist, Donald Hebb, is said to have once answered a journalist's question of "Which, nature or nurture, contributes more to personality?" by asking in response, "Which contributes more to the area of a rectangle, its length or its width?"

SOURCE: diffen.com

Task 1 Cambridge 6 - Brick Manufacturing

You should spend about 20 minute on this task.

The diagram illustrated the process that is used to manufacture bricks for the building industry.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features , and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

MODEL ESSAY:

The diagram is outlining the process of manufacturing bricks by the building industry. Overall, there are seven stages in this process, starting from the digging of clay and ending with delivery.

At the beginning of the process, clay is dug from the ground by a huge digger. It is then put through a metal grid before being passed on a roller where it is mixed with sand and water.  After that, the clay is either passed through a wire cutter, or put in a mould to shape the bricks.

In the next stage, the shaped bricks are then placed in a drying oven for one or two days. Thereafter, they are then heated in a kiln at a moderate temperature between (200 and 900 degrees Celsius). The bricks will then be moved to the next kiln with a higher temperature ranging between (870 degrees Celsius to 1300 degrees Celsius).

At the fifth stage of the process, the bricks will be stored in a cooling chamber for two to three days. Lastly, they will be packaged and sent for delivery by a truck.

182 words

Band 8

Mercy

Fun Facts!

A brick is building material used to make walls, pavements and other elements in masonry construction. Traditionally, the term brick referred to a unit composed of clay, but it is now used to denote rectangular units made of clay-bearing soil, sand, and lime, or concrete materials. Bricks can be joined together using mortar, adhesives or by interlocking them.Bricks are produced in numerous classes, types, materials, and sizes which vary with region and time period, and are produced in bulk quantities. Two basic categories of bricks are fired and non-fired bricks.

Block is a similar term referring to a rectangular building unit composed of similar materials, but is usually larger than a brick. Lightweight bricks (also called lightweight blocks) are made from expanded clay aggregate.

Fired bricks are one of the longest-lasting and strongest building materials, sometimes referred to as artificial stone, and have been used since circa 4000 BC. Air-dried bricks, also known as mudbricks, have a history older than fired bricks, and have an additional ingredient of a mechanical binder such as straw.

Bricks are laid in courses and numerous patterns known as bonds, collectively known as brickwork, and may be laid in various kinds of mortar to hold the bricks together to make a durable structure.

SOURCE: Wikipedia

Task 1 Academic Purposes - Automatic Photo Booth

You should spend about 20 minute on this task.

The diagram below shows an automatic phone booth.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features , and make comparisons where relevant.

MODEL ESSAY:

The illustration demonstrates the process of taking a photograph in an automatic photo booth. It is a linear process which begins by preparing oneself for the photograph and ends with the production of the type of photograph desired.

It is clear that there are nine stages from the preparatory phase to the end product. It can be seen that the stages succeed each other and that each stage is important to get a good result.

Firstly, a right sitting position needs to be taken so that the eye level is adjusted to the camera accordingly. However before the flash light is activated the blind needs to be closed. It is important to wait for the single light flash which comes after 3 seconds only.

Following this stage, the right information has to be entered into the apparatus. This information should include details such as the dimension of the photos required and the colour desired. Whereas other photos could be coloured or black and white, passport photos in particular should be coloured. Subsequently, coins are inserted into the machine. Unlike the first five stages that take place inside the booth, these last five stages take place on the exterior side corner of the booth. Finally, the photos are delivered within 60 seconds in a delivery pan.

215 words
Band 8
by Ya-Ngoye

Task 1 Cambridge 14 - Average percentage of nutrients in Typical Meals in the USA

You should spend about 20 minute on this task.

The charts below show the average percentages in typical meals of three types of nutrients, all of which may be unhealthy if eaten too much.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features , and make comparisons where relevant.

MODEL ESSAY:

The pie charts illustrate the average percentage amount of sodium, saturated fat and added sugar in typical meals in America, which are not good for the health if ingested excessively.

Overall, it can be seen that dinner and snacks are the least healthy meals based on recorded amounts of sodium and saturated fat, while breakfast is healthiest.

Firstly, the consumption of sodium in dinner recorded the highest representing 43%, then followed by lunch at 29%. Snacks and breakfast recorded the lowest under sodium accounting for just 14% in both.

Moreover, the highest percentage under saturated fat was dinner with 37%, lunch with 26% and then followed by snacks with 21%.The lowest percentage in the category is breakfast representing just 16%.

Additionally, under added sugar the percentages changed with snacks leading with 42%, and then followed by 23% for dinner, while breakfast and lunch recorded the lowest with 16% and 19% respectively.

Band 7

Task 1 Cambridge 10 - Life Cycle of Salmon

Question Task:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagrams below show the life cycle of a species of large fish called the salmon.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparison where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

MODEL ESSAY:

The chart describes the stages the salmon fish goes through until it becomes an adult. Overall, there are three stages in its life process. The small fish is found in lower rivers, then it migrates into the sea after it is fully developed.

Firstly, the salmon lays eggs among minute pebbles which change into reeds after approximately five to six months, and are mostly found in very slow –paced rivers. These are usually found at the upper parts of the river. In a period of four years, the reeds are called fry and measure from 3-8cms long, and as a result get to the lower river section.

The salmon again increases in length and width to between 12 and 15cms and are referred to as ‘smolt’ at the second stage when is it ready to migrate into the sea.

Finally, the adult salmon emerges in approximately five years, would have grown to be 70-76cms long,  and with mature gills and fins to help it  survive the harsh conditions the ocean brings. Opposite genders of the mature fish meet and mate following which the female lays eggs among small pebbles and life process commences again.

Fun Facts!

• Sac fry or alevin – The life cycle of salmon begins and usually ends in the backwaters of streams and rivers. These are the salmon spawning grounds, where salmon eggs are deposited for safety in the gravel. The salmon spawning grounds are also the salmon nurseries, providing a more protected environment than the ocean usually offers. After 2 to 6 months the eggs hatch into tiny larvae called sac fry or alevin. The alevin have a sac containing the remainder of the yolk, and they stay hidden in the gravel for a few days while they feed on the yolk.

• Fry – When the sac or yolk has almost gone the baby fish must find food for themselves, so they leave the protection of the gravel and start feeding on plankton. At this point the baby salmon are called fry.

• Parr – At the end of the summer the fry develop into juvenile fish called parr. Parr feed on small invertebrates and are camouflaged with a pattern of spots and vertical bars. They remain in this stage for up to three years.

• Smolt – As they approach the time when they are ready to migrate out to the sea, the parr lose their camouflage bars and undergo a process of physiological changes that allows them to survive a shift from freshwater to saltwater. At this point the salmon are called smolt. Smolt spend time in the brackish waters of the river estuary while their body chemistry adjusts (osmoregulation) to the higher salt levels they will encounter in the ocean. Smolt also grow the silvery scales which visually confuse ocean predators.

• Post-smolt – When they have matured sufficiently in late spring and are about 15 to 20 centimetres long, the smolt swim out of the rivers and into the sea. There they spend their first year as post-smolt. Post-smolt form schools with other post-smolt and set off to find deep-sea feeding grounds. They then spend up to four more years as adult ocean salmon while their full swimming and reproductive capacity develops.

Fry and fingerling are terms that can be applied to juvenile fish of most species. But some groups of fishes have juvenile development stages particular to the group. This section details the stages and the particular names used for juvenile salmon.

SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juvenile_fish

Task 1 - Map (Town of Garlsdon and Two Possible Sites)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned for the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words

MODEL ESSAY:

The map displays Garlsdon, a town, with proposed sites for the construction of new supermarket.

Garlsdon is a locality with 65,000 habitants, mainly housing industries, residence and a traffic free Town Centre with its main transportation systems being rail and road networks. It has a country side surrounding the entire town with three main neighboring settlements. Hindon, 12 km to its north eastern part, to the south eastern side is Bransdon, 16 km away from the industrial hub and 25 km away is 29,000 populated Cransdon, which is to the south western part of Garlsdon.

The first proposed site for the erection of the shop center is to the north western part of Garlsdon, located in the country side, between Garlsdon and Hindon. The area is closer to the industrial hub of Garlsdon, in between the main road that leads from Garlsdon to Hindon and the railway which connects Hindon, Galsdon and Cransdon.

The second suggested place for the super mart building is approximately centered in Garlsdon, in between the northwards and southward residence, but mainly in center of the traffic free Town Center. This site is closer to the main roads from Garlsdon to Bransdon and Crasdon with the railway line connecting Hindon, Garlsdon and Cransdon passing just by it.

211 words

Task 1 - Line Graph (International Conferences in Three Capital Cities)

The graph shows the information about the international conferences in three capital cities in 1980 – 2010.

MODEL ESSAY:

The line graph describes the statistics about the global seminars in three principal municipalities within three decades.

Overall, it is clear that Cities A and B recorded the two highest numbers of conferences organized in the year 1980 with City C recording none in the same year. As City C saw a sudden increase in the numbers of meetings organized there throughout the 30-year period, recording the highest number of conferences at the end of the study period--the values for Cities A and B had a gradual declined, recording the least figures in 2010.

In the year 1980, City A recorded 35 meetings, the highest number at the start of study, City B following with 30 seminars while City C recording the least with no session at all. Each city saw a rise in the number of conferences organized in the year 1990, with Cities A and C recording the highest and lowest figures though the  value of City C had risen to 20. Further, City A had fallen to approximately 34 and City B, a little above 25. The year 1995 saw Cities B and C recording 25 conferences each while City A recorded 27 sessions.

Tides turned in the year 2000, with City C leading the three cities in number of conferences organized with 35 seminars, followed by cities A and B recording about 25. The trend changed five years on where City C saw a decline to approximately 32 seminars but Cities A and B equally recording just above 22 conferences. The last year reported a general drop in conferences organized in all the three principal cities, City C leading with approximately 31,  Cities B and C recording a little above and below 25 respectively.

289 words