Academic Writing Band 7.0-7.5, 8.0-8.5

There is a common belief that local history is more important to children than world history.. In addition, I am strongly convinced that children would benefit the most only when the lea

ACADEMIC IELTS WRITING BANG 7.0-7.5 & 8.0:

It is more important for schoolchildren to learn about local history than world history

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Teaching history for schoolchildren has been a heated topic constantly There

is a common belief that local history is more important to children than world history However, I disagree with this belief

I believe the notion that local history is more valuable than world history

should be rejected Some people may claim that the insights into the local historical values are completely enough for one to live Their claim could be true a few decades ago when most interpersonal communications were

between people of the same race and origin However, this view is now

outdated, as the world has become globalised and international business and migrant workers have made any community a global village In this context, anunderstanding of a foreign country’s history would enable future local workers

to reinforce the relationship between them and the expatriates from that

country

In addition, I am strongly convinced that children would benefit the most only when the learning of local history is placed parallel to that of world history To understand a local historical event, children should put the regional and

sometimes even world context in that historical era into consideration For example, children should acknowledge that the event that Vietnam regained its independence after defeating the Japanese troops in Indochina in 1945 only happened after a series of relevant events in the World War II, one of which is the surrender of Japan to the Allies In this way of learning, children would understand history more deeply and thoroughly

All the existing data has provided a concrete foundation that the study of local history should always be parallel to that of world history This practice would guarantee that children learn history more comprehensively and be able to tighten the bond with migrant workers in their country.

Tourists are generally drawn to museums and historical locations when

visiting new countries However, records have shown local people’s low

attendance at these attractions Some explanations will be put forward before solutions can be drawn to tackle this problem

There are several reasons as to why tourists, instead of the local people, come to museums and historical places First, these locations can provide visitors with a comprehensive overview of the traditions in the particular

locality they are situated As a result, such destinations are generally more appealing to the newcomers than to the locals, those without the need to familiarise themselves with the traditional values of the region Moreover, because the layout of museums and historical houses is likely to remain

unchanged through years, they can be visually unattractive to the local

inhabitants, who may have been to these sites for at least once in their

younger years

Several measures can be prompted to promote locals’ attendance rate at buildings for historic relics and museums The main solution is to change the public’s perception of such places as sites for only monotonous activities Should civic events including weddings, anniversaries and concerts be

allowed to be held in these locations, they would attract substantial public attention to historical values Another resolution is that historians and

preservationists should be featured more frequently on the media, with their articles on the tremendous worth of museums and historical remains

To conclude, historical areas and museums can be uninteresting for local citizens because they can be too familiar with the culture that these places depict To better this, there should be more media coverage on historical assets, and also more open-door policies to use such locations as spots for more public-oriented activities (287 words)

Children are experiencing increased educational, social, and commercial pressure

What are the causes of this? What measurements should be taken to reduce these pressures?

In the modern world, children are seemingly overwhelmed by pressure from intensive education, socialization, and commercialization This controversial problem could be ascribed to various causes and must be addressed with a number of definite actions

The issue that children fall victim to increasing strains has become

commonplace as a consequence of several factors One of the prominent roots is the growing expectation of parents of their children In other words, children nowadays strive to perform well both academically and socially in order to please their parents Besides, heightened academic competitiveness simultaneously contributes to pressuring children It is evident that educational

requirements are becoming more challenging and learning environments are turning into academic battlefields Consequently, students have no choice but

to increasingly exert themselves to outstand their peers In addition, pervasiveand aggressive marketing practices targeting children is the major factor putting children under commercial pressure Since children play a vital role in consumption decisions, commercial brands tend to cynically exploit this target group to increase sales

Strong measurements should be applied to mitigate such an existing problem.First and foremost, parents should not strictly impose their expectations on their children In this way, children are let to learn and develop at their own pace, which makes learning as a pleasure not a pressure for children Anothereffective solution is for schools to promote constructive competitiveness and friendly learning environment Last but not least, it is suggested that educators

in collaboration with the government should create ad – free zones at school and certain public places where young people can be saved from commercial influences

All in all, in today’s society, children are under intense pressure from

educational, social and commercial perspectives It would be for the

government, educators, school, and parents to take prompt actions to tackle this problem

298 words

If people go to live in another country, they should follow the customs and traditions of the new country

Do you agree or disagree?

The compliance of immigrants with the customs and traditions of the

country of residence has been accepted as a spoken rule around the globe

I contend that such concession is completely necessary

Adherence to new community customs keeps migrants away from social conflicts Due to the fact that some of the socially accepted behaviors of immigrants in their home country would turn to be unpalatable in the new

one, these people may be dragged into social conflicts if they fail to respectlocal rules For instance, the habit of eating dog meat of Vietnamese or South Korea people would lead to social antagonism and even law suits if they continue to practice their habit when residing in western countries in which such an action is considered immoral and illegal.

More importantly, adaptation to local customs is the vital key for expatriates

to integrate into the local community Traditional and customary values have been long established in the lifestyles of local dwellers, and these values shape the way they judge and get along with other community

members Socially conflicting behaviors of immigrants may create prejudiceagainst them among local residents, and the continuation of those

behaviors would render migrants be treated as social outcasts Since

deeply rooted traditions are obviously unlikely to change, newcomers to thecommunity have no choice but to adhere to those customary rules in order

to secure local acceptance Efforts of acculturation of immigrants help them

to build new relations and live in harmony with local dwellers

From the above reasons, I am firmly convinced that adhering to local

customs and traditions plays an indispensable part of immigrants’

assimilation process This practice should be adopted and exercised by expatriates all around the world

286 words

The government and individuals are spending too much

money on national celebrations like New Year or festivals

Do you agree or disagree?

The issue of over-spending on celebrations has been widely recognized over the world While I consider this trend has become a phenomenon among governments and individuals, I firmly believe that such spending is justifiable.

There are certain grounds revealing the fact that both the government and citizens in several countries have been lavishing money on hosting

celebrating activities The most obvious explanation for this phenomenon isthat some governments have a tendency to spend an increasingly

significant proportion of their national budget on hosting festive activities For some countries like Vietnam and China, the steady growth in the

number of national festivals as well as their celebration scales over the pastfew years would serve as practical evidence of this trend In addition,

extensive spending of the government creates the mood and incentives for individuals to augment their personal and household expenditures on

celebrations It is understandable that the exhilarating atmosphere during festivals may trigger individuals’ willingness and excitement to spend a large amount of money to gain enjoyment

On the other hand, I contend that it is justifiable to invest a considerable amount of money in celebrations One convincing reason is that substantialbudget disbursement on national celebrating helps reinforce a nation’s awareness of their cultural and historic values For instance, well-organizedand heavily invested events celebrating the Independent Day or the

Reunification Day remind Vietnamese citizens of their glorious history and trigger their patriotism Without heavy investment, the spirit and values of important national days should have flown into oblivion In honor of nationalfestivals, individuals and their families may overspend their budgets on food and entertainments activities Such surge charge in spending is

definitely worthwhile in terms of the extreme enjoyment and pleasure they occasionally gain from celebrations

Excessive spending on national celebrations could be perceived as an ongoing trend in several countries However, I would wholeheartedly stand

by the view that such significant investment is reasonable

320 words

There is a general increase in anti-social behaviours and lack

of respect for others What are the causes and solutions?

The widespread problem of anti-social behaviours and disrespectful attitudes towards others has long been a major topic of concern in society Some of themajor culprits of this problem will be discussed before the most important solutions are drawn

Reasons for this alarming situation vary In some cases, people may hold an anti-social attitude or disrespect others because they live in an environment where violence and discrimination are the norms For example, children of sexist parents in rural families in Vietnam, irrespective of their gender, show a worrying tendency of disrespecting women In some other cases, it is the lack

of parental guidance that is to blame As modern parents are becoming

increasingly busy with their jobs, they may have the proclivity to be indifferent

to children education When there is no one to help young children distinguish between the good and the bad, ill-mannered attitudes may emerge and

develop among them without being controlled

A number of definite actions could be taken to mitigate the problem On the national level, the first obvious solution is to reduce violence and

discrimination As this would be a massive act, the all voters and legislators should be responsible Together, they could call for stricter enforcement of thelaws on violent and discriminatory acts to deter them from happening In

addition, on the nuclear-family level, parents must not underestimate the significance of their guidance for children If they notice any signs of an anti-

social or insolent manner in children, they must provide them with negative evaluations of these signs At the same time, parents could also educate their children about social manners by instilling a pro-social sense in them These actions, albeit small, could have a strong influence on children when they mature.

To conclude, it is clear that violence, discrimination and the indifference of parents to children education are the major catalysts for increase in anti-socialbehaviours and disrespect for others Strong measures, such as stringent law enforcement on violent and discriminatory acts, must be taken to alleviate this distressing situation (338 words)

The world natural resources are consumed at an

ever-increased rate What are the causes of this situation? What are the solutions?

The overconsumption of natural resources has evolved as a major topic of concern in recent years This alarming trend is caused by a few factors, and it must be addressed by a number of definite actions

The increasingly high level of exploitation of natural resources could be

ascribed to a number of reasons The most obvious reason is the tremendous demand for resources in developing countries, such as China and Brazil The citizens of these countries are becoming increasingly wealthy, and they may now afford a living standard that is associated with a higher level of resource consumption A clear example of this is the widespread use of cars among tens of millions of middle-income Chinese nationals, which may have

contributed substantially to the burning of oil on a global scale Besides, the over-dependence on natural resources, such as fossil fuels, is another

significant reason to consider In Vietnam, for example, the majority of

electricity is generated in thermal power stations, in which a vast amount of coal is the burnt on a daily basis.

Some measures can be taken to mitigate the problem of over-consuming Earth’s resources The most practical measure at the moment is to reduce thedemand for resources in developing countries This can be done by mass-producing energy-efficient products, such as hybrid cars, and selling these items at a low price to citizens of these nations If such a measure is

implemented, these people may still benefit from the modern living standard without over-consuming natural resources Besides, the most sustainable solution is to lower the reliance on natural resources by taking advantage of alternative sources For instance, wind and tidal power in the Netherlands, nuclear power in Japan and solar power in the United States have all proven their efficiency in energy production These forms of energy should be used in other parts of the world as well, to minimise the global dependence on fossil fuels

All the existing data provides a concrete foundation that the overexploitation ofnatural resources derives from the strong demand in developing countries andthe over-reliance on these types of resources Strong measures, such as reducing the aforementioned demand and making use of alternative energy sources, must be implemented to tackle this situation (372 words)

Whether or not someone achieves their aims is mostly by a question of luck

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The debate whether luck is the primary determinant of success in achieving targets has been heated constantly My position is that hard work and

determination are far more important than luck, while luck must not be

considered as the main precursor of the attainment of one’s goals

I advocate the notion that the role of being industrious and determined is moresignificant than luck Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors in the 20thcentury, is an excellent example of such a notion He conducted numerous experiments with the filament until the finest light bulb was produced; and his hard work, rather than luck, was acknowledged by all the human race

Another clear evidence of this notion is the case of Nguyen Ngoc Ky This disabled man could not write by hand, but he was determined enough to teachhimself to write by foot The fact that he would then became one of the

greatest teachers in the history of education in Vietnam provides a concrete foundation that even with bad luck, determination could result in goal

achievement

By contrast, I believe the saying that fortune has a major part to play is just a fallacy One clear reason is that although there may have been a number of people reaching their goals with good luck, such good luck in most cases only comes to people who have worked hard Take Mendeleev as an example As

a research chemist, he worked tirelessly for a few decades, until one day in his dream, the complete arrangement of the elements appeared The

appearance of this arrangement could be ascribed to luck, but no one could deny the extreme effort that Mendeleev had exerted Another clear reason for

my belief is that luck could only lead people to short-term achievements, and there is nothing to ascertain that it would continue to exist in the long run The over-reliance on good fortune, as a result, would prevent people from

achieving their long-term or life-long aims

In brief, I think the importance of luck in determining goal attainment is

overstated, while there are much more significant factors to consider, namely hard work and determination (359 words)

Scientists agree that people are damaging their health by eating too much junk food Some people think that the answer to this problem is to educate people Others think education will not

work

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In the modern world, there has been an accelerating trend of people eating

unhealthy food, posing a wide range of detrimental threats to their health While some people consider education as an ineffective measure to resolve the

problem, I would contend that this practice would serve as a definitely workable solution to tackle such a problem

There is a common belief that education would not be an effective method of deterring people from consuming a large amount of junk food Supporters of this view might argue that the modern living style is the root of this issue, which wouldnot be efficiently addressed by education For example, there are many

intellectual officers in favor of fast food due to its convenience and portable

manner Despite of their profound nutrition-related knowledge and awareness, these busy consumers opt for fast food for the sake of time saving Besides, there are other efficient solutions to curbing junk food consumption For instance,the government could impose higher taxation schemes on junk food By raising fast food prices, such a strict legal action could yield immediate and widespread effects on consumer behavior, thus bringing forth a quicker decline in junk food consumption compared to education

However, I would strongly endorse education as an effective key to the junk food overconsumption problem The primary reason is that an appropriate education would efficiently heighten eaters’ awareness which may act as a deterrent to people’s opting for unhealthy food For instance, once people gain insightful knowledge and awareness about life-threatening cancers and diseases caused

by overeating fast food, they would be more likely to put an end to such a harmfuleating habit Another supporting reason is that nutrition education programs, compared to other measures such as imposing higher taxes, could result in moresustainable awareness and behavior change among people from all walks of life, especially children and adolescents These beneficiaries will cultivate a life-time habit of refraining from junk food or restricting such intake

To sum up, although there are reasonable arguments against education, I firmly believe that educational measures would significantly mitigate junk food

consumption and deter the problem from being exacerbated further

(358 words)

Students today can easily access information online, so libraries are no longer necessary

Do you agree or disagree?

The debate over the necessity of libraries in modern society has been heated constantly While I concede that online platforms provide easier and more convenient access to information in several ways, I believe the libraries are indispensable

There are strong reasons why online tools are advantageous in terms of

information provision The primary reason is that Internet-based platforms anddevices empower users with immediate access to a myriad of information and data, allowing them to retrieve desired information instantly For instance, it just takes only a few seconds for an Internet user to look up particular

historical events or medical advice without spending hours finding relevant books in a library Another significant point endorsing this view is the

omnipresent access to information that not libraries but online platforms could provide Internet-connected devices could bring their owners the ultimate convenience of being able to search for and gain wanted information beyond the constraints of time and locations Such unremitting availability of

information could satisfy the quest for knowledge of any users, even those who could not afford their time to go to libraries

On the other hand, I am persuaded that libraries play in an irreplaceable role

in modern society The most significant proof of necessity is that libraries help preserve knowledge of the humankind Without libraries and their protected books, invaluable knowledge of past generations could not have been kept and transferred to the later ones In addition to their role of retaining

knowledge, libraries’ books provide people with more authenticated and

reliable information and data compared to those available on the Internet.For scholars and scientific researchers having strict demands for data accuracy, libraries and their books resume an unmatched vital role in scientific research and information retrieval Even to normal readers, libraries are considered as irreplaceable places where they could look for credible information

In conclusion, while online platforms offer convenient access to information, I

am of the opinion that libraries maintain their indispensable role in the modernworld

331 words

In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general

education across a range of subjects In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related to a particular career

Which of these two systems is more appropriate in today’s world?

Secondary school curricula have drawn major public attention to their

spectrum of subjects While an education program containing a wide range of subjects would be beneficial to some extent, I firmly believe that a career-oriented one would be a better choice

A curriculum providing general knowledge of diverse subjects benefits

secondary students in different ways The most obvious benefit is that

students could gain the overview of a wide range of subjects, helping them grasp an overall understanding of different aspects of life and develop

essential personal skills Without the general knowledge of Math, writers, singers, and actors would find daunting difficulties in managing their family or personal finance Vice versa, economists whose expertise is in Math and Finance would fail to explain socio-economic matters if they do not have a background in social sciences Another clear benefit is that an education program with various subjects empowers students with essential orientation to

determine their career passions which seldom come into shape during their teenage years Students have the opportunities to get exposed to and

engaged in various subjects to identify their occupation fields of interest

However, I am of the opinion that a specialized training curriculum is a better choice because it would facilitate secondary students’ future career

preparation The primary reason is that such a training program allows

students to nurture in-depth knowledge and skills in the occupation that they set their heats on, paving a way for major professional advances In the

current overwhelmingly competitive labor market, having a profound insights into a particular field would endow young students with ultimate advantages over other candidates, and, hence, provide them with brighter job

opportunities Secondly, an education program with a strong focus on

profession-oriented modules can maximize students’ study efforts and

investment In the era of overloading information, concentrating on a few subjects would be the wisest learning way which could guarantee the

usefulness and fruitfulness of investment in education

In conclusion, while the option of teaching diverse subjects has its merits, I contend that specialized training system provides favorable education and optimal professional preparation for secondary students to lead successful career paths

354 words

Studies show that criminals get a low level of education Some people believe that the best way to reduce crime is educating people in

prison so they can get a job after leaving prison

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Education for offenders during imprisonment as a method to reduce the rate ofcrime has evolved as major topic of concern in today’s society While I agree that such a solution is effective to reduce crime, I am convinced that it is far from being the best method and there are many better ways of reducing

crime

I accept that education for prisoners may contribute to the reduction of the crime rate The primary reason is that such a form of education could provide offenders with the working skills that are essential when they return to the community With improved job prospects, prisoners may therefore earn a living after leaving the prison and are less likely to commit a crime again Another significant reason is that education could show the offenders that theyare still valued by society As a consequence, they may feel an enhanced sense of humanity and community, and become better citizens after their prison years These people may then inspire many other people to live withoutcrime.

However, I am firmly of the opinion that education for offenders is not the best solution to reduce crime This form of education is offered only to those who have committed a crime, and therefore has far less preventive value,

compared to other stronger solutions For example, severe punishments such

as longer imprisonment for criminals could deter criminal acts by other

members of the public who have the intention of carrying out a crime There are also other educational methods that may have a stronger and more long-lasting impact on the reduction of crime An excellent example of this is crime education at school, which helps equip students with the necessary

knowledge about crime and crime prevention This measure is undeniably a more sustainable crime-fighting solution than education for criminals

To conclude, I firmly believe that although educating prisoners is an effective way to reduce crime, it is not the best solution, as there are more preventive and sustainable measures such as crime education at school and stricter punishments for criminals

342 words

Everyone should become a vegetarian because they do not need to eat meat to have a healthy diet Do you agree or disagree?

Vegetarianism has evolved as a topic of consideration among society There exists a common belief that a vegetarian diet is an ideal and healthy eating plan for everyone However, I give my strong opposition to the

recommendation

The primary reason is that dietary meals with solely fruit and vegetables do not guarantee an optimal eating plan for people The most obvious reason for this view is that a balanced and sufficient dietary plan requires the intake of allsix nutrition elements, which a vegetarian plan might fail to accommodate Forinstance, vegetarians might not meet their intake requirements of fat, a vital element which helps cushion organs and insulate the body Another point supporting this view is that vegetarians have a tendency to lack certain

vitamins and minerals which meat-eaters rarely do Since meat is the best source of B12, a vitamin necessary to the nervous and digestive system, vegetarians are more prone to B12 deficiency

Another significant reason is that the decision to become a vegetarian should

be made with regards to individual preferences and needs, and should not be

a generic suggestion Individuals have the full right to determine their dietary plans with taking their dietary preferences in account For instance, a person having a predilection for meat and sweets should feel dissatisfied and upset if

he or she follows a meal plan with solely fruit and vegetables Furthermore, dietary choices should also be made with thorough consideration of

individuals’ specific health status Some children’s physical development has suffered rather than benefited from meat-deficient meals

In conclusion, I’m of the opinion that meat-deficient diet plan is not an optimal option for everyone, and the choice of becoming a vegetarian should live up toindividuals