Category: IELTS Academic Writing Tests

The two maps illustrate the changes in road access to the City Hospital between 2007 and 2010. Significant developments were made over the three-year period, improving both vehicle circulation and public transport facilities around the hospital.

In 2007, access to the hospital was relatively simple, with a single road, Hospital Road, connecting the hospital to City Road. The hospital had a single shared car park for both staff and public use, located to the east of Hospital Road. Six bus stops were positioned along both sides of Hospital Road.

By 2010, several modifications had been made. The bus stops were removed and replaced by a new bus station situated to the west of Hospital Road, linked by two roundabouts—one at the intersection of Hospital Road and Ring Road, and another at the junction of Hospital Road and City Road. Additionally, the car park was divided into two separate areas: a staff car park located east of Hospital Road and a larger public car park accessible via Ring Road.

These developments significantly improved traffic flow around the hospital and better accommodated public transport, providing a more efficient layout for both hospital visitors and staff.

In summary, the infrastructure surrounding the City Hospital became more organized between 2007 and 2010, with the addition of a bus station, roundabouts, and separate parking facilities for staff and the public.

Living in a country where one is required to speak a foreign language can indeed lead to various social and practical challenges. While learning a new language can offer opportunities for personal growth, it is also true that communication barriers may result in significant difficulties for those trying to integrate into a new society. I agree with this statement to a considerable extent, as language plays a fundamental role in both social interactions and daily life.

On the social side, not being proficient in the local language can hinder one’s ability to form meaningful relationships. Language is the key to understanding cultural nuances, participating in conversations, and building connections with others. Without fluency, it can be difficult to engage in social events or feel a sense of belonging within the community. For instance, a foreigner who struggles to communicate may experience feelings of isolation, which can lead to a lack of social integration and even mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.

In terms of practical problems, living in a country where you are not fluent in the language can make navigating daily tasks extremely challenging. Simple activities such as shopping, using public transportation, or seeking healthcare can become frustrating experiences due to miscommunication. For example, someone who is unable to understand medical terminology might face difficulties in conveying their symptoms to a doctor, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or improper treatment. Similarly, workplace communication can become strained, limiting job opportunities or career advancement for non-native speakers.

Despite these challenges, it is important to recognize that many people successfully overcome language barriers through education and support networks. Language classes, immersion programs, and bilingual communities can help mitigate the difficulties of living in a foreign-language environment. With time and effort, individuals can develop language skills that enable them to navigate both social and practical aspects of their new country.

In conclusion, while living in a country where a foreign language is spoken can indeed lead to serious social and practical difficulties, these challenges are not insurmountable. However, I agree that the initial obstacles can be significant and have a lasting impact on an individual’s ability to integrate into society. Therefore, support systems and language-learning opportunities are crucial in helping newcomers adapt more smoothly.

The pie charts illustrate the distribution of three unhealthy nutrients—sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar—across four typical meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) in the USA.

Overall, dinner accounts for the largest proportion of sodium (43%) and saturated fat (37%) intake, while snacks contribute the highest percentage of added sugar (42%). Breakfast, on the other hand, consistently provides the lowest percentages of all three nutrients.

Looking more closely at sodium, dinner dominates with 43%, followed by lunch at 29%. Breakfast and snacks are tied at 14%. In terms of saturated fat, dinner once again takes the lead with 37%, while lunch contributes 26%, snacks 21%, and breakfast the least at 16%.

Regarding added sugar, snacks are the main contributor at 42%, with dinner and lunch providing 23% and 19% respectively. Breakfast accounts for the smallest portion of added sugar at 16%.

In conclusion, dinner is the largest source of sodium and saturated fat, while snacks are the primary source of added sugar in the typical American diet.

In life, individuals often face challenging circumstances, whether it be dissatisfaction with their job or financial difficulties. Some argue that accepting these situations is the best approach, while others believe that striving for improvement is more beneficial. Both perspectives offer valuable insights, but one may have a more positive impact than the other.

On the one hand, there are those who feel that accepting an unfavorable situation is a practical and realistic mindset. They argue that life is filled with uncertainties, and not every situation can be changed. For example, someone who is unhappy in their job might tolerate it if they need financial stability. From this viewpoint, acceptance allows individuals to avoid the stress of constantly pursuing change, especially when circumstances are beyond their control. Moreover, this approach promotes contentment, encouraging people to appreciate what they have rather than focusing on what they lack.

On the other hand, many people believe that it is essential to actively seek improvement in difficult situations. They argue that change is only possible when individuals take initiative. For instance, if someone is dissatisfied with their job, they could pursue further education or explore new career opportunities to improve their situation. Similarly, if a person struggles financially, they could seek additional income sources, such as freelancing or starting a side business. By striving for better conditions, individuals not only enhance their own well-being but also contribute to their personal growth. This approach fosters resilience, perseverance, and the pursuit of a better quality of life.

In my opinion, while acceptance has its place in situations that cannot be immediately changed, it is more advantageous to strive for improvement whenever possible. Settling for less can lead to long-term dissatisfaction, whereas taking action to improve one’s situation often leads to better opportunities and personal fulfillment. For example, in my own professional experience, I have witnessed colleagues leave unfulfilling jobs to pursue careers aligned with their passions, resulting in both increased job satisfaction and financial rewards.

In conclusion, although some may prefer to accept difficult situations, I believe that attempting to improve them offers greater benefits in the long run. With determination and effort, most challenges can be overcome, leading to a more fulfilling and successful life.

The bar chart illustrates the export earnings of a country across five different categories—Petroleum products, Engineered goods, Gems and jewellery, Agricultural products, and Textiles—for the years 2015 and 2016. The table below the chart provides the percentage change in export values for each category between these two years.

Overall, most categories experienced growth in export earnings from 2015 to 2016, with textiles showing the largest percentage increase, while agricultural products had the smallest growth.

Petroleum products, which accounted for the highest earnings in both years, saw a moderate increase of 3%, rising from just under $60 billion in 2015 to around $62 billion in 2016. Engineered goods also showed significant growth, with an 8.5% increase, going from about $55 billion in 2015 to over $60 billion in 2016. Gems and jewellery experienced a 5.18% rise, though their export earnings remained below $50 billion in both years.

Agricultural products, while growing slightly by 0.81%, saw export values stay relatively constant at around $30 billion. In contrast, textiles experienced the largest percentage growth (15.24%), rising from around $25 billion in 2015 to approximately $32 billion in 2016.

In summary, while all categories showed positive growth, textiles and engineered goods had the most notable increases in percentage terms, and petroleum products remained the largest contributor to export earnings.

Some people consider that the loss of individual species of plants and animals is the main environmental problem of our time. Attempts to preserve rare or dying species are carried out in zoos or other specialist plant and animal facilities, through breeding programmes, preservation orders and other forms of protection and there was genuine sadness among many when the last surviving white rhino died earlier this year.

Survival of the fittest is nature’s way of ruthlessly allowing weaker specimens to die out, although mankind has also contributed to falling animal numbers through hunting and poaching. However, whether saving individual species should be the main focus of environmental protection is debatable. Climate change and excessive use of plastic are just two other major problems that deserve our attention.

The evidence of climate change is there for us all to see: rising sea levels and associated flooding with the loss of homes at low land levels are becoming more frequent. Many countries and island communities are now calling for urgent action to delay, halt or even reverse the process, although if we believe the experts, reversal is impossible. Habitable able areas are gradually shrinking, often for some of the poorest groups of people, but seems to be little obvious action taking place. If the major contributors to climate change will not support the reduction of greenhouse gases, there is little hope for the future.

Naturalists have also begun to expose the serious problems arising from discarded plastic waste. Birds and animals can die gruesome deaths through being trapped or caught up in plastic bags or ropes, while the long process required for these plastics to decay means that they remain a threat for many years to come. Worse, there is now beginning to be evidence of sea creatures ingesting smaller globules of disintegrating plastic, which harms them and all the other creatures in their particular food chain.

The loss of particular species, both flora and fauna, is cause for regret, but I do not agree that they are the most important environmental problems these days. If climate change and damage from plastic continue, there will be less land and less food for everyone, including plants and animals.

The diagram illustrates the process of electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station, highlighting both daytime and nighttime operations.

During the day, water from a high-level reservoir flows through an open intake, driving turbines in the power station. These turbines generate electricity, which is then transmitted to the national grid via power lines. This process efficiently converts the potential energy of stored water into electrical energy.

At night, the intake is closed, and the turbines operate in reverse as pumps. They move water from a low-level reservoir back to the high-level reservoir. This pumping action uses excess electricity from the grid, effectively storing energy for future use.

This cyclical process ensures a balanced and efficient energy supply, utilizing high demand periods for electricity generation and low demand periods for energy storage. The reversible turbines play a crucial role in maintaining this balance, making hydroelectric power a versatile and sustainable energy source.

Music is often seen as a universal language that can bridge cultural and generational divides. I agree with the view that music brings people of different cultures and ages together. Here are a few reasons why.

Firstly, music evokes emotions that are universally understood. A powerful symphony or a catchy pop song can move people regardless of their background. For example, Beethoven’s symphonies or modern pop hits can resonate with listeners worldwide, creating a shared emotional experience.

Secondly, music festivals and concerts are great platforms for cultural exchange. Events like Glastonbury or Coachella attract diverse audiences, allowing people to experience different musical styles and cultures. The WOMAD festival, for instance, celebrates global music and brings together artists and audiences from various backgrounds.

Moreover, music education promotes cultural awareness. By learning about different musical traditions, students can appreciate other cultures. This can help break down cultural barriers and foster respect for diversity. For example, incorporating African drumming or Indian classical music into school curriculums can expose students to new perspectives.

Additionally, music can bridge generational gaps. Songs from past decades often make comebacks, allowing older and younger generations to connect over shared musical interests. The resurgence of vinyl records, for example, has brought classic rock and jazz back into the spotlight, enabling parents and children to bond over these genres.

In conclusion, music is a powerful tool for uniting people across cultures and ages. Its ability to evoke emotions, create shared experiences, and serve as a platform for cultural exchange makes it an effective means of fostering unity and understanding. By embracing music, we can build a more inclusive and harmonious world.

Grange Park was opened in 1920, a rectangular area with access from Arnold Avenue on the north side and from Eldon Street on the south side. There was a fountain in the centre, with a stage for musicians situated centre left, a glasshouse to the right of the Eldon Street entrance and a pond for water plants in the north east corner opposite. Around the edges of the park there were rose gardens, with seats nearby for people to smell the flowers and listen to music.

The park has altered considerably since then. Now there is one large-ish rose garden, occupying the central area where the fountain stood, and with seats all around it. One of the smaller rose gardens remains on the north side of the park. The bandstand (stage for musicians) has also been replaced, by an amphitheatre for concerts and associated seating. The glasshouse has gone and in its places is a water feature; similarly, where the pond for water plants stood there is now a children’s play area with a café nearby. Access to the park is still via the two original entrances, but there is now a third entrance near the water feature from an underground car park.

Despite the apparently significant changes, the park retains the basic elements of flowers, water, seating and music, with the addition of a café and a children’s play area.

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards self-employment, with many individuals opting to work for themselves rather than for a company or organization. This trend can be attributed to several factors.

Firstly, the desire for greater autonomy and flexibility is a significant motivator. Self-employed individuals have the freedom to set their own schedules, choose their projects, and work from locations of their choice. This level of control over one’s work-life balance is particularly appealing in today’s fast-paced world, where traditional 9-to-5 jobs often leave little room for personal pursuits.

Secondly, technological advancements have made self-employment more accessible. The internet and digital tools have opened up numerous opportunities for remote work, online businesses, and freelance services. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Etsy enable individuals to reach a global market, making it easier to start and sustain a business.

However, self-employment is not without its challenges. One major disadvantage is the lack of financial stability. Unlike salaried employees, self-employed individuals do not have a guaranteed income. Their earnings can be unpredictable, fluctuating based on market demand and client availability. This financial uncertainty can be stressful and requires careful financial planning and management.

Another drawback is the absence of employee benefits. Self-employed individuals do not receive health insurance, retirement plans, or paid leave from an employer. They must bear the full cost of these benefits themselves, which can be a significant financial burden.

Moreover, self-employment often involves longer working hours and greater responsibility. Self-employed individuals must handle all aspects of their business, from marketing and client acquisition to accounting and customer service. This can lead to increased stress and burnout if not managed properly.

In conclusion, while self-employment offers the allure of independence and flexibility, it also comes with its own set of challenges, including financial instability and the lack of traditional employee benefits. Individuals considering this path must weigh these factors carefully and be prepared to navigate the complexities of running their own business.

The charts illustrate trends in UK travel between 1979 and 1999 and highlight the most popular destinations for UK residents in 1999.

The first chart depicts a steady increase in both the number of UK residents traveling abroad and the number of overseas residents visiting the UK. In 1979, approximately 10 million UK residents traveled overseas, while nearly 15 million foreign visitors came to the UK.

By 1999, outbound travel by UK residents surged to about 55 million, outpacing the 28 million visits to the UK by foreigners.The second chart details the preferred destinations for UK travelers in 1999. France topped the list with nearly 12 million visits, followed closely by Spain, attracting around 9 million visitors.

The USA and Greece were less popular, with roughly 4 million and 3 million visits, respectively. Turkey was the least visited, with about 2 million UK tourists.

Overall, the data reveals a significant rise in travel by UK residents compared to foreign visitors to the UK, with France and Spain being the most popular destinations in 1999.

Poor student behaviour seems to be an increasingly widespread problem and I think that modern lifestyles are probably responsible for this.

In many countries, the birth rate is decreasing so that families are smaller with fewer children. These children are often spoilt, not in terms of love and attention because working parents do not have the time for this, but in more material ways. They are allowed to have whatever they want, regardless of price, and to behave as they please. This means that the children grow up without consideration for others and without any understanding of where their standard of living comes from.

When they get to school age they have not learnt any self control or discipline. They have less respect for their teachers and refuse to obey school rules in the way that their parents did.

Teachers continually complain about this problem and measures should be taken to combat the situation. But I think the solution to the problem lies with the families, who need to be more aware of the future consequences of spoiling their children. If they could raise them to be considerate of others and to be social, responsible individuals, the whole community would benefit.

Perhaps parenting classes are needed to help them to do this, and high quality nursery schools could be established that would support families more in terms of raising the next generation. The government should fund this kind of parental
support, because this is no longer a problem for individual families, but for society as a whole.

The chart gives information about post-school qualifications in terms of the different levels of further education reached by men and women in Australia in 1999.

We can see immediately that there were substantial differences in the proportion of men and women at different levels. The biggest gender difference is at the lowest post-school level, where 90% of those who held a skilled vocational diploma were men, compared with only 10% of women. By contrast, more women held undergraduate diplomas (70%) and marginally more women reached degree level (55%).

At the higher levels of education, men with postgraduate diplomas clearly outnumbered their female counterparts (70% and 30%, respectively), and also constituted 60% of Master’s graduates.

Thus we can see that more men than women hold qualifications at the lower and higher levels of education, while more women reach undergraduate diploma level than men. The gender difference is smallest at the level of Bachelor’s degree, however.

The issue of whether creative artists should be granted unrestricted freedom to express their ideas is a topic of significant debate. I contend that while creative freedom is essential for the flourishing of arts, some level of governmental regulation is necessary to balance individual expression with broader societal concerns.

Unrestricted creative freedom is vital for the development of innovative and impactful art. Historically, many masterpieces have emerged from periods when artists were allowed to push boundaries and challenge prevailing norms. For example, the Renaissance period in Europe saw an explosion of artistic creativity partly because of the relative freedom artists had to explore new ideas and techniques. Similarly, modern music and film often thrive on the ability to explore controversial and thought-provoking themes, which can stimulate public discourse and drive social change.

Moreover, art serves as a reflection of society, capturing diverse perspectives and experiences. Limiting artistic expression can stifle cultural development and prevent society from grappling with complex issues. For instance, artists who tackle themes such as political corruption or social injustice provide a crucial critique that can lead to reform and improvement. Without the freedom to explore these themes, art becomes sterile and loses its power to inspire and challenge audiences.

However, complete freedom without any oversight can lead to the proliferation of content that is harmful or offensive. Governments have a duty to protect public order and moral standards, which sometimes necessitates regulation. For example, hate speech or content that incites violence can have detrimental effects on social cohesion and safety. In such cases, government intervention is justified to prevent harm. The challenge lies in ensuring that regulations are not used to suppress dissent or minority viewpoints but rather to maintain a balance between freedom of expression and societal well-being.

In conclusion, while creative freedom is crucial for the growth and impact of the arts, some level of government regulation is necessary to prevent potential harm and maintain social harmony. The key is to implement regulations that protect public interests without stifling artistic innovation and expression.

The charts show how much a UK school spent on different running costs in three separate years 1981, 1991 and 2001.

In all three years, the greatest expenditure was on staff salaries. But while other workers’ salaries saw a fall from 28% in 1981 to only 15% of spending in 2001, teachers’ pay remained the biggest cost, reaching 50% of total spending in 1991 and ending at 45% in 2001.

Expenditure on resources such as books had increased to 20% by 1991 before decreasing to only 9% by the end of the period. In contrast, the cost of furniture and equipment saw an opposite trend. This cost decreased to only 5% of total expenditure in 1991 but rose dramatically in 2001 when it represented 23% of the school budget. Similarly, the cost of insurance saw a rising trend, growing from only 2% to 8% by 2001.

Overall, teachers’ salaries constituted the largest cost to the school, and while spending increased dramatically for equipment and insurance, there were corresponding drops in expenditure on things such as books and on other workers salaries.

Technology has dramatically altered how people interact and form relationships. Digital communication, such as social media and messaging apps, now enables people to maintain connections across distances effortlessly. This is beneficial for keeping in touch with family and friends worldwide, fostering relationships that might otherwise diminish due to physical separation.

Additionally, technology facilitates the creation of broader social networks. Online communities allow individuals to connect with others based on shared interests rather than just proximity. This can lead to richer relationships with like-minded people that they might not meet in their local environments.

In romantic contexts, online dating platforms like Tinder and Bumble expand opportunities for meeting potential partners. These platforms help people find compatible matches outside their usual social circles, potentially leading to more fulfilling relationships.

However, these changes come with drawbacks. Digital interactions can lead to superficial relationships, where online connections are numerous but lack depth. Social media often prioritizes quantity over quality, resulting in many “friends” but few meaningful interactions.

Moreover, the convenience of online communication can reduce face-to-face interactions, essential for developing empathy and deeper understanding. This can contribute to feelings of isolation despite having a large digital social network. Additionally, younger generations might struggle with developing interpersonal skills, as they rely more on online communication and less on in-person interactions.

Privacy concerns also arise with technology. Oversharing personal information online can lead to breaches of trust and misunderstandings that harm relationships.

In conclusion, while technology offers valuable tools for connecting people, it also poses challenges to the quality of those relationships. Balancing digital and real-world interactions is crucial to maintaining meaningful connections.

The pie chart shows that there are four main causes of farmland becoming degraded in the world today. Globally. 65% of degradation is caused by too much animal grazing and tree clearance, constituting 35% and 30% respectively. A further 28% of global degradation is due to over-cultivation of crops. Other causes account for only 7% collectively…These causes affected different regions differently in the 1990s with Europe having as much as 9.8% of degradation due to deforestation, while the impact of this on Oceania and North America was minimal, with only 1.7% and 0.2% of land affected respectively. Europe, with the highest overall percentage of land degraded (23%), also suffered from over-cultivation (7.7%) and over-grazing (5.5%).

In contrast, Oceanià had 13% of degraded farmland and this was mainly due to over-grazing (11.3%). North America had a lower proportion of degraded land at only 5%, and the main causes of this were over-cultivation (3.3%) and, to a lesser extent, over-grazing (1,5%).

Overall, it is clear that Europe suffered more from farmland degradation than the other regions, and the main causes there were deforestation and over-cultivation.

A child’s education has never been about learning information and basic skills only. It has always included teaching the next generation how to be good members of society. Therefore, this cannot be the responsibility of the parents alone.
In order to be a good member of any society the individual must respect and obey the rules of their community and share their values. Educating children to understand the need to obey rules and respect others always begins in the home and is widely thought to be the responsibility of parents. They will certainly be the first to help children learn what is important in life, how they are expected to behave and what role they will play in their world.
However, learning to understand and share the value system of a whole society cannot be achieved just in the home. Once a child goes to school, they are entering a wider community where teachers and peers will have just as much influence as their parents do at home. At school, children will experience working and living with people from a whole variety of backgrounds from the wider society. This experience should teach them how to co-operate with each other. and how to contribute to the life of their community.
But to be a valuable member of any community is not like learning a simple skill. It is something that an individual goes on learning throughout life and it is the responsibility of every member of a society to take responsibility for helping the younger generation to become active and able members of that society.