Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The line graphs show the sources of local and world news in the UK over a ten year period, from 1987 to 1997.

65% of people in the UK initially received their news via television in 1987 and ten years later this percentage increased by 2. In 1989 there was a 5% drop in this source of world news while between 1990 and 1996 the percentage was stable at 70. Between 1987 and 1989, 25% of world news was obtained via newspaper. This dropped by 5% in 1997, with the lowest point being reached in 1994 at 15%. Finally, only around 9% of world news was accessed by radio between this period with the exception of 15% in 1989.

In 1987, 56% of local news was read in the newspaper at first and this fell by 16% ten years later, with an upward trend being observed in 1990 and in 1992 where access reached 50%. Television as a source of local news experienced an upward trend from 19% initially to 37% in 1997. A low point can be seen in 199 at 19%. Lastly, radio was used at a stable rate of about 12% throughout the given time to find out about local news.

Most international news in the UK was first seen on the television and about half the respondents used the newspaper for this. Very few listened to world news on the radio. The percentages were stable over 10 years. Newspapers were favoured over television for local news, but this source lost its popularity and television increased its local news viewership. Radio access remains low.

Question taken from focus on IELTS, Longman p.117

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The bar graph shows how many boys and girls were successful in their school leaving exams, for the year 1993-94.

Less than 10% of the students passed the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), while about 42% of the boys and girls passed Mathematics. 61.5% of the girls did well in English as did 44.4% of the boys. More girls (32.7%) passed French than boys (20.2%). There is a 2.3% difference in favor of the boys in Geography and an 8.6% difference in Craft, Design and Technology. A greater percentage of girls (23.4%) passed history than boys (17.9%).

To conclude English and Mathematics were the subjects passed by the greatest number of students. More girls passed English, French and History, while boys did better in Craft, Design & Technology. Few students passed the Sciences.

Question taken from Focus on IELTS, Longman p.150

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The bar chart shows the number of people employed in the tourism sector in 1989 and 1999.

In 1989 most people had work related to Accommodation (299.2 thousand workers). Slightly less were employed in Catering (283.4 thousand people) and a similar amount in the Sports Industry (284.7 thousand). The Culture Industry accounted for 82.8 thousand workers and the industry with the lowest employment figures was travel with 60.9 thousand workers.

Ten years later, employment figures went up for the Hotel, Food and Travel Industries reaching 306.0, 357.7 and 345.7 thousand respectively. About twice as many workers can be seen in the Travel Industry while the Culture Industry experiences a decline in employment figures ending with 77.4 thousand workers.

More people were employed in tourism related industries in 1999 than they were ten years earlier. While Hotels accounted for the most employees in 1989, the Food Industry employed the most workers in 1999. The Culture Industry shrunk in size.

Question taken from Focus on IELTS, Longman p.182

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The diagram show how the camera has evolved from its early beginnings in 1839 until a more recent version in 2000.

In 1839 the Daguerrotype camera was invented. This was a wooden structure in the shape of a square with a length of 36cm and a brass lens. The Kodak no. 1 came out about half a century later. It was approximately half the size of the Daguerrotype, in the shape of a square and made of metal.

The 1925 Leica 1 introduced a new design to the camera. It was 2cm shorter than its predecessor but still made of metal. This camera had an external lens and buttons on top to operate it. The 2000 digital camera became sleek, measuring 8cm in length. It was lighter, being made of plastic. In keeping with advances in technology, the added features of this camera include a zoom lens, flash, LCD screen and internet connection to transfer photos onto a computer.

In the past, cameras were bulky and heavy, using wood and metal. Modern cameras are smaller, lighter and have many more features and options for storing and viewing photos.

Question taken from Focus on IELTS, Longman p.166

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 1)

The bar charts show how far commuters travel per year using different means of transport and how long their journey takes. The data relates to several European countries.

The EU average for traveling by car per person is 10,000 kilometers with Spain and Germany having less than this figure and the United Kingdom having almost the same as the EU average. The kilometers travelled using this mode of transport in Italy, France and Denmark is 11,000, 12,000 and 13,000 per year respectively.

The EU average for public transport and bikes is about 1,200 kilometers per person yearly, with Spain and Germany being at the same level. France and the United Kingdom stand at roughly 1,000 kilometers and Italy at almost double this amount. In Denmark travel by person with these methods is much greater reaching a little more than 3,000 kilometers per year.

Commuting time in France and Denmark is at the same level as the EU average of around 39 minutes per day. Commuters in Germany and the United Kingdom travel for 45 minutes daily using all modes while Italians commute for 21 minutes.

Europeans travel the furthest by car yearly than with other means of transport and Danes travel the furthest, while Germans and the British spend the most time commuting.

Question taken from Focus on IELTS, Longman p.150

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

Advances in science and technology and other areas of society in the last 100 years have transformed the way we live as well as postponing the day we die. There is no better time to be alive than now. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

We are able to live a longer, healthier life than in the past when life expectancy was short and life was difficult. This does not however mean that life today is not without its challenges and anxieties.

Our life has been made considerable easier and more convenient at home. We have washing machines, ovens, kettles and vacuum cleaners that are efficient and save time. The same could be said in the workplace where the internet, emails and video conferencing have transformed the work environment. Similarly, medicine has advanced to the point of curing fatal diseases that used to kill thousands in the past.

Even though we are better off today in terms of comfort and ease, people are more stressed than ever before. They work longer hours, there is more competition and people struggle to keep up with the latest trends. As a result, today’s generation is prone to heart disease, cancer and obesity. In the past people lived simpler lives but the types of problems they faced were similar to those faced today.

In my opinion it is up to each individual to enjoy their short time on earth as best as they can irrespective of which time period they are born into. Medicine and technology have lifted some of our concerns but our modern lifestyle has introduced new sets of problems. Technology has alienated humans depriving them of vital social interaction. One has to wonder if all these advances have actually improved our quality of life, or if they have made things worse for us.

Question taken from Focus on IELTS, Longman p.134

Academic Writing - Model Answer (Task 2)

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

Museums, art galleries, visual and performing arts are an important aspect of our lives.  Art is a form of expression which each individual has an opportunity to be involved in. These art forms promote culture, history, traditions, make people aware of important social issues and are a source of entertainment.

Without government funding and support many young, struggling, talented artists would not be able to exhibit their work. Artists focus their talents on their art work and pay little attention to financial matters, relying on support and promotion from the government. In addition, it is not fair to say that art lovers do not pay for enjoying art. There is an entrance fee to museums and art galleries that host contemporary exhibitions and the government is able to cover costs in this way. Sadly, when there is an economic crisis, the arts are the first to receive a haircut.

Priority is usually given to areas of national and majority interest when the government is deciding its budget. The economy, growth, unemployment, health and education are usually at the top of the spending list. These issues are important and the government should prioritize when it comes to providing basic needs for its citizens. Without work, health and an education, people would have no interest in art.

Although the government does appear to be over-spending on the arts, I do believe there is a necessity to support expression. Art is for all people and not only a minority interest. Individuals do pay admission fees which could help the government balance their expenses.

Question taken from Focus on IELTS, Longman p.69

Travel – Vietnam

We would like to thank our Vietnamese students who visit this blog daily for their on-going support. Our Facebook page contains photos I took while visiting Vietnam showing all the major attractions. For those who have not had the opportunity to travel to this wonderful country, you might like to read a little more about it.

Hanoi, meaning ‘within a river bed’ is the capital of Vietnam and it is a charming, historic city. The Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) and the Sunbeam Bridge lie at the centre of the city. The park around the lake is used by locals for exercising and relaxing. The Old Quarter can be found north of the lake and consists of 36 bustling narrow streets each selling a particular item e.g. there is a street that sells only shoes. The houses in this area are called tube houses as the front where the shop is located is narrow but the sides are long. Other buildings are influenced by French architecture (balconies, columns, shutters etc.) and can be seen south of the lake in the French Quarter. The neo-Gothic Saint Joseph’s Cathedral with its stained-glass windows lies to the west of the lake. To view Ho Chi Minh’s body, visitors have to stand in line to enter the Mausoleum leaving their possessions at the office. In front of the Mausoleum is Ba Dinh Square where Ho read out the Vietnamese Declaration of Independence in 1945. Close by is the One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049 in the shape of a lotus and it stands in the centre of a water-lily pond. The Ho Chi Minh Museum, housed in a large and modern building, traces Ho’s life from his early days until his victory over south Vietnam and his death. Finally, the Temple of Literature is a large temple complex where Confucian classics were taught and food was distributed to the poor. Passing the difficult doctoral exams (which took 35 days) meant that a student became a Mandarin and has his name recorded on a stone block.  In the evening there are water puppet theatre performances that tell the origins of the Vietnamese people.

 

There are many agencies in Hanoi selling tours to Halong Bay (meaning ‘descending dragon’), which is 110 km east of Hanoi and is about a 4-hour drive. The bay consists of many islands, caves and beaches. Tourists can visit Hang Hanh cave which is 2 km long and consists of stalagmites and stalactites in various shapes.

 

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam is located in the south. This is an energetic city with traffic, modern shops, bars and restaurants. It is also a commercial and industrial centre. Lam Son Square can be found at the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. Around the square visitors can see the Rex hotel, French-era Opera House, City Hall and a statue of Bac Ho with a child. The red-brick Notre Dame Cathedral can be found in Paris Square and the General Post Office with old wall maps is across the road. Ben Thanh Market is a large, covered market near a chaotic roundabout. It continues as a night market outside. You can find clothes, souvenirs, food, household goods etc. Reunification Hall has been preserved as it was found in 1975 and is still in use today. It consists of various meeting rooms with furniture and in the basement there are operations rooms, military maps, radios etc. The courtyard of the War Remnants Museum consists of tanks, planes, helicopters and planes while the inside covers the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese perspective and the after-effects of Agent Orange. Chinatown is in District 5, southwest of the city centre. The inhabitants are mainly Vietnamese of Chinese origin. This area is busy with traders selling their wares and has many temples and assembly halls. A boat trip down the Saigon River allows visitors to see how the city has developed from a wilderness of forest and swamps into an urban sprawl.

 

The Cu Chi Tunnels are 40km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. These tunnels, which were built in 1948 by the Viet Minh, were later expanded by the Viet Cong to include hospitals, schools, kitchens and sleeping quarters. The Ho Chi Minh Trail consisting of an underground network of over 200km is a symbol of the will power and architectural creativity of the Vietnamese and shows how the Viet Cong were able to defeat the USA with their sophisticated weapons. Ecological warfare was used in the district as chemicals were sprayed in search for the tunnels and then the area was heavily bombed.

 

There are plenty of markets and food stalls that sell fresh and delicious Vietnamese food, many of which cater to vegetarians as well. Some of the ingredients that can be found in Vietnamese food are mushrooms, chilies, coriander, lemongrass, star anise, tamarind, Vietnamese mint, tapioca pearls, rice vinegar, fish sauce, dried shrimp paste, palm sugar, rice paper, glutinous rice and noodles.