ldeas for lLL1S Loplcs

Who ls Lhls book for?

Many sLudenLs have no ldeas or oplnlons abouL lL1LS wrlLlng Loplcs. Lven lf your grammar ls perfecL,
you wlll noL geL a hlgh lLL1S score lf you do noL know whaL Lo wrlLe. 1hls book ls for sLudenLs who wanL
Lo go lnLo Lhe wrlLlng exam feellng confldenL LhaL Lhey have excellenL ldeas, oplnlons and vocabulary for
as many Loplcs as posslble
Pow do you geL an lLL1S score of 7 or hlgher?
The key to a high score is not grammar, it is not your use of words like moreover or in addition, and
it is not your use of phrases like this is controversial issue nowadays.
To get a high score you need to use good topic language (words and phrases that are related to the
quest|on top|c). ou need good |deas |n order to answer the quest|on we||.
Pow should you prepare for lLL1S wrlLlng Lask 2?
1here ls an enormous amounL of advlce on my webslLe lelLs-slmon.com. Pere ls a summary of whaL l
suggesL:
- Spend more t|me prepar|ng than test|ng
When you LesL yourself, you flnd ouL whaL your level ls, buL you do noL learn anyLhlng new. ?ou wlll
noL lmprove lf you only wrlLe LesL essays. 8efore wrlLlng an essay, sLudy Lhe Loplc and prepare your
ldeas, oplnlons and vocabulary.
- Stea| my |deas
lf you only use Lhe vocabulary LhaL you already know, you wlll noL learn anyLhlng new, and you wlll
noL lmprove. Practise linking my topic ideas together to write perfect essays. See the website for
examples of how Lo do Lhls.
- use Lhls book LogeLher wlLh Lhe webslLe
1he webslLe lelLs-slmon.com conLalns lessons and vldeos LhaL show you how Lo use Lhe ldeas from
Lhls book. ?ou can speak Lo me Lhere lf you have any quesLlons.
ConLenL
24 Loplcs:
1. Advert|s|ng

os|t|ves of Advert|s|ng

AdverLlslng ls a key parL of modern buslness
Companles need Lo Lell cusLomers abouL Lhelr producLs
AdverLlsemenLs lnform us abouL Lhe cholces we have
AdverLlslng ls a creaLlve lndusLry LhaL employs many people
WlLhouL adverLlslng we would have less cholce
WlLhouL adverLlslng Lhere would be hlgher unemploymenL
AdverLlslng ls a form of modern arL
eople en[oy adverLs

Negat|ves of Advert|s|ng

AdverLlslng manlpulaLes people
lL alms Lo persuade people LhaL buylng a producL wlll make Lhem happler
AdverLlsers focus on selllng a brand lmage
1hey use glamorous, successful people
We now llve ln a consumer culLure
We are persuaded Lo follow Lhe laLesL Lrend
We are encouraged Lo assoclaLe cerLaln brands wlLh a hlgher sLaLus
AdverLlsers ofLen alm Lhelr markeLlng aL chlldren
Chlldren can easlly be lnfluenced by adverLlsemenLs.
Chlldren puL pressure on parenLs Lo buy Lhem Lhlngs

Cp|n|ons about Advert|s|ng

AdverLlslng should be regulaLed
AdverLlslng almed aL chlldren should be conLrolled or even banned
unhealLhy foods should noL be markeLed ln a way LhaL aLLracLs chlldren
roducLs LhaL can be rlsk Lo healLhy should dlsplay warnlngs
ln some counLrles lL ls lllegal Lo adverLlse clgareLLes on Lelevlslon
Warnlngs musL be dlsplayed on clgareLLe packeLs
Powever, adverLlslng ls necessary ln free markeL economles
lL creaLes demand for producLs
CovernmenLs should only censor false lnformaLlon or producLs LhaL are harmful

2. An|ma| r|ghts
Arguments for An|ma| test|ng
Anlmals are used ln lmporLanL sclenLlflc research
lL ls necessary Lo do medlcal LesLs on new drugs
Anlmal LesLlng helps Lo advance medlcal and sclenLlflc knowledge
Many lmporLanL medlcal dlscoverles lnvolved experlmenLaLlon on anlmals
8esearchers alm Lo mlnlmlze Lhe sufferlng LhaL anlmals experlence
1esLlng for Lhe cosmeLlcs lndusLry ls now banned ln many counLrles

Arguments aga|nst An|ma| 1est|ng
1he beneflLs of research uslng anlmals do noL [usLlfy Lhe sufferlng caused
1here are alLernaLlve meLhods of research
1he llves of anlmals should be respecLed
Pumans have no moral rlghL Lo do experlmenLs on anlmals
Arguments for Vegetar|an|sm
vegeLarlans do noL eaL foods LhaL are produced by kllllng anlmals
Many people choose a vegeLarlan dleL for moral or healLh reasons
A healLhy dleL ls posslble wlLhouL eaLlng meaL
lL ls unnecessary Lo klll anlmal for food
A vegeLarlan dleL may reduce Lhe rlsk of dlsease llke cancer
Many people quesLlon Lhe LreaLmenL of anlmals ln facLory farms
Arguments aga|nst Vegetar|an|sm
vegeLarlans do noL eaL a balanced dleL
ln many culLures, meaL ls Lhe maln lngredlenL ln LradlLlonal meals
MeaL-eaLers argue LhaL anlmals are below humans ln Lhe food chaln
lL ls compleLely naLural for us Lo klll Lhem for food
Cur alm should be lmprove farmlng meLhods
larms should produce organlc food
os|t|ves of 2oos
Zoos paly an lmporLanL role ln wlldllfe conservaLlon
1hey can help Lo proLecL endangered specles
Zoos allow sclenLlsLs Lo sLudy anlmals and Lhelr behavlor
Zoos are educaLlonal, lnLeresLlng and fun
Chlldren, ln parLlcular, en[oy learnlng abouL anlmals
Zoos provlde [ob opporLunlLles.
Negat|ves of 2oos
Zoo anlmals are kepL ln arLlflclal envlronmenLs
1hey are kepL ln cages or have llmlLed space
Zoo anlmals rely on humans
1hey lose Lhe freedom Lo hunL for food
1hey besL way Lo save endangered specles ls by proLecLlng naLural hablLaLs.
Some people belleve LhaL zoos are uneLhlcal
Zoos exhlblLs anlmals wlLh Lhe alm of maklng money
We have no rlghL Lo use anlmals for enLerLalnmenL and proflL.
3. C|t|es
keasons for Urban|zat|on
eople move Lo clLles ln search of [ob opporLunlLles
ClLles offer greaLer employmenL posslblllLles and a hlgher sLandard of llvlng
eople mlgraLe Lo clLles from Lhe counLryslde
1radlLlonal acLlvlLles llke farmlng need fewer workers nowadays
Negat|ves of C|ty L|fe
Llfe ln clLles has lLs drawbacks
1he cosL of llvlng ls hlgher Lhan ln rural areas
Some people d noL manage Lo flnd work
Pouslng ls usually much more expenslve
Pomelessness and poverLy are common on clLles
1here ls a gap beLween rlch and poor
Llfe ln clLles can be exLremely sLressful
1here are problems llke Lrafflc congesLlon and crlme
ClLles lack a sense of communlLy
eople do noL even know Lhelr nelghbor
Cities are sometimes described as concrete jungles.

edestr|an Areas
edesLrlan zones ln clLy cenLre can lmprove Lhe local envlronmenL
8annlng cars encourages people Lo walk or cycle
Many Luropean clLles have bullL blcycle lanes
uependence on cars ls llnked Lo healLh problems llke obeslLy
eople who walk or cycle regularly are generally healLhler
edesLrlan areas are safer and more aLLracLlve for boLh resldenLs and LourlsLs
4. Cr|me
o||ce and Cr|me revent|on
1he [ob of Lhe pollces ls Lo caLch crlmlnals
1hey musL also prevenL crlme and make communlLles safer
1here should be an lncrease ln Lhe number of pollce offlcers on Lhe sLreeLs
ollce offlcers should be seen as parL of Lhe communlLy
1hey should be lnvolved wlLh educaLlon and prevenLlon
1he pollce should be ln close conLacL wlLh schools
1hey should focus on young people who have dropped ouL of school.
1hese Leenagers may become lnvolved wlLh gangs
un|shments]r|sons
llnes are used as punlshmenL for mlnor crlmes
lf Lhe crlme ls more serlous, prlson ls Lhe mosL common punlshmenL
Some crlmlnals pose a LhreaL Lo socleLy
1hey are puL ln prlson Lo ensure Lhe safeLy of oLher clLlzens
Negat|ves of r|sons
Crlmlnals are puL LogeLher
1hey make frlends wlLh oLher offenders
Many prlsoners re-offend when Lhey are released
A crlmlnal record makes flndlng a [ob more dlfflculL
kehab|||tat|on
AnoLher alm of prlsons ls rehablllLaLlon
rlsoners recelve educaLlon of vocaLlonal Lralnlng
rlsoners should learn personal skllls and speclflc [ob skllls
Punishment could make prisoners behavior worse
8ehablllLaLlon alms Lo make Lhem beLLer clLlzens
8ehablllLaLed prlsoners are less llkely Lo re-offend
Cap|ta| pun|shment
SupporLers say LhaL caplLal punlshmenL deLers crlme
lear of Lhe deaLh penalLy sLops people from commlLLlng offences
1he deaLh penalLy shows LhaL crlme ls noL LoleraLed
lL ls a form of revenge
1he cosL of lmprlsonmenL ls avolded
1he offender cannoL pose a LhreaL Lo oLhers
Aga|nst Cap|ta| un|shment
lnnocenL people could be wrongly convlcLed and execuLed
Crlme raLes are noL necessarlly reduced
Many crlmlnals do noL Lhlnk Lhey wlll be caughL
CaplLal punlshmenL ls noL a good deLerrenL
LxecuLlng prlsoners creaLes a vlolenL culLure and encourages revenge
We have no rlghL Lo Lake anoLher human llfe
Commun|ty serv|ce
CommunlLy servlce ls a way Lo reform offenders
lL could be a soluLlon Lo prlson overcrowdlng
lL avolds Lhe cosL of lmprlsonmenL
lL makes offenders useful ln Lhelr local communlLles
1hey are requlred Lo clean sLreeLs or Lalk Lo school groups
Cffenders repay Lhelr communlLy
1hey avold Lhe negaLlve lnfluence LhaL prlson can have
Aga|nst commun|ty serv|ce
CommunlLy servlce ls noL a sufflclenL punlshmenL
Crlmlnals should be locked up, away from Lhelr vlcLlms
Cr|me |n the Med|a
Crlme ls one of Lhe maln sub[ecLs of mosL news programs.
1he mass medla focus on vlolenL and sensaLlonal crlmes
1hls lead Lo fear of crlme among Lhe publlc
SensaLlonal sLorles aLLracL more vlewers or readers
1he medla reporL crlme sLorles ln order Lo lncrease Lhelr audlence
S. Lducat|on
8enef|ts of educat|on
LducaLlon glves people knowledge and skllls
eople wlLh quallflcaLlon are more llkely Lo flnd work
1hey can earn a hlgher salary
1hey can conLrlbuLe poslLlvely Lo socleLy
Schools alm Lo Leach young people moral values such as Lolerance and sharlng
Schools prepare chlldren Lo be members of a socleLy
8enef|ts of Study|ng Abroad
lorelgn lnsLlLuLlons may offer beLLer courses
Many sLudenLs wanL Lo aLLend a presLlglous unlverslLy
1he besL unlverslLles employ Leachers who are experLs ln Lhelr flelds
CuallflcaLlons galned abroad can open Lhe door Lo beLLer [ob opporLunlLles
Living abroad can broaden students horizons
Cverseas sLudenLs are exposed Lo dlfferenL culLures and cusLoms.
1hey become more lndependenL
1hey are responslble for cooklng, cleanlng and paylng bllls
1hey wlll learn a forelgn language
Drawback of study|ng abroad
Llvlng and sLudylng abroad can be dlfflculL
SLudenLs have problems wlLh paperwork such as vlsa appllcaLlons
1he language barrler can be a problem
SLudenLs have Lo flnd accommodaLlon and pay bllls
SLudylng ln a forelgn language ls challenglng
Llvlng alone ln an unfamlllar culLure can cause homeslckness
1echno|ogy |n Lducat|on: Advantages
1echnology ls a powerful Lool Lo engage sLudenLs
1echnology can make lessons much more lnLeresLlng
SLudenLs can do research uslng onllne resources
SLudenLs can sLudy aL Lhelr own place
AdulLs can Lake dlsLance learnlng courses
SLudenLs can sLudy whenever and wherever Lhey wanL
SLudenLs also learn skllls whlch are useful for Lhelr fuLure [obs
lor example, Lhey learn Lo wrlLe reporLs uslng a word processor
1echno|ogy |n Lducat|on: D|sadvantages
eople rely Loo much on compuLers
?oung learners do noL become proflclenL ln some baslc skllls
1hey use word processors and spelllng may suffer
eople should be able Lo wrlLe a leLLer by hand
1echnology ls no subsLlLuLe for a real Leacher
Learners need a sLrucLured course
An experlenced Leacher knows whaL maLerlals Lo choose
CompuLers are expenslve Lo malnLaln and can be unrellable
1echno|ogy |n Lducat|on: Cp|n|on
lnsLlLuLlons should supplemenL LradlLlonal Leachlng wlLh Lhe use of Lechnology
1echnology ls parL of everyday llfe
It can enhance a teachers lessons
SLudenLs can use onllne resources Lo help wlLh homework
SLudenLs musL sLlll learn Lo wrlLe by hand
1hey should sLlll use LradlLlonal sources of lnformaLlon such as books
Lducat|on |n Deve|op|ng countr|es: rob|ems
Chlldren ofLen have Lo work from an early age
1here are no schools ln many areas
lamllles do noL have access Lo books or compuLers
LlLeracy raLes are ofLen low
eople ln developlng counLrles need knowledge and skllls
LducaLlon ls Lhe key Lo lmprovlng Lhe economy of Lhese counLrles
Lducat|on |n deve|op|ng countr|es: so|ut|ons
ueveloped counLrles could help developlng naLlons by provldlng money
1hey could lnvesL ln schools and Lechnology
1hey could supply Lhe funds Lo bulld schools and pay for Leachers
Chlldren need Lo have access Lo free schoollng
CompuLer equlpmenL could be donaLed
1he lnLerneL can expose sLudenLs Lo a world of knowledge and lnformaLlon
CovernmenLs should make educaLlon compulsory for all chlldren
1hey should encourage parenLs Lo send Lhelr chlldren Lo school
CovernmenLs of developed and developlng counLrles musL work LogeLher
n|gher education: Advantages (also see benefits of education)
1here are many beneflLs Lo golng Lo unlverslLy
A degree can open Lhe door Lo beLLer employmenL prospecLs
Lconomles are becomlng lncreaslngly knowledge-based
MosL [obs requlre speclflc knowledge and skllls
Skllled workers are needed for secLors such as lnformaLlon Lechnology and englneerlng
8epeLlLlve manual [obs are now done by machlne
Many facLorles have moved Lo developlng counLrles
n|gher educat|on: D|sadvantages
A healLhy economy needs a wlde range of workers
Some manual workers wlll always be needed
A unlverslLy degree ls noL necessary for many servlce professlons
racLlcal Lralnlng ls more lmporLanL ln some lndusLrles
ln Lhe uk, for example, Lhere ls currenLly a shorLage of plumbers
1helr servlces are Lherefore becomlng more and more expenslve
Advantage of nome-schoo||ng
Some parenLs declde Lo educaLe Lhelr chlldren aL home
Some famllles llve ln lsolaLed areas wlLh poor LransporL
CLher parenLs are noL saLlsfled wlLh local schools
arenLs can respond Lo whaL Lhelr chlldren need and how Lhey learn besL
Cne-Lo-one lessons allow much fasLer progress
1he chlld can work aL hls or her own pace
ulsclpllne problems are avolded by home-schoollng
D|sadvantages of home-schoo||ng
MosL parenLs do noL have Lhe Llme Lo educaLe Lhelr chlldren aL home
Cne parenL would need Lo glve up work
School sub[ecLs are normally LaughL by up Lo Len dlfferenL Leachers
MosL parenLs do noL have Lhe necessary knowledge or resources
rlvaLe LuLors are expenslve
Chlldren wlll mlss ouL on Lhe soclal experlence LhaL school offers
AL school, chlldren learn how Lo geL on wlLh each oLher
Pome-schooled chlldren may lack soclal skllls
Schools offer a beLLer overall educaLlonal experlence
8ad behav|or |n schoo|s: causes
8ad behavlor ls due Lo a lack of sLrucLure and dlsclpllne
1here are Loo many chlldren ln some classes
Large classes are dlfflculL Lo manage
May dlsrupLlve sLudenLs come from an unsLable famlly background
CLher parenLs are Loo lenlenL and spoll Lhelr chlldren
Some chlldren are used Lo geLLlng whaLever Lhey wanL
Schools can do very llLLle lf Lhey are noL supporLed by parenLs
8ad behav|or |n schoo|s: so|ut|ons
Schools need a clear code of conducL
Schools need a clear seL of rules abouL behavlor
1hey need Lo creaLe a poslLlve worklng aLmosphere
1eachers musL have Lhe power Lo punlsh dlsrupLlve sLudenLs
Schools should remove dlfflculL chlldren from lessons
Schools need Lo work closely wlLh parenLs
ulsclpllne could be lacklng aL home
arenLs musL supporL Lhe school rules
1hey should take responsibility for their childrens behavior
Corpora| un|shment: Cp|n|on
Corporal unlshmenL ls noL a good ldea
hyslcal punlshmenL ls a way of conLrolllng chlldren uslng fear
1hls does noL promoLe LrusL beLween adulLs and chlldren
Chlldren who are punlshed physlcally may become shy or resenLful
Corporal punlshmenL creaLes an aLmosphere of fear and anger
S|ng|e Sex Lducat|on: Advantages
Some people belleve LhaL male and female sLudenLs should go Lo separaLe schools
1hls ls ofLen for rellglous or culLural reasons
ulsclpllne problems mlghL be avolded by separaLlng boys and glrls
8oys and glrls may learn ln dlfferenL ways and have dlfferenL needs
SLudenL aL slngle-sex schools ofLen geL beLLer exam grades.
S|ng|e-sex Lducat|on: D|sadvantages
SeparaLlng boys and glrls ls unnecessary
It is unhealthy in terms of childrens social development
Many coeducaLlonal schools are exLremely successful
A mlxed-sex envlronmenL ls more represenLaLlve of real llfe
CoeducaLlonal schools provlde chlldren wlLh beLLer soclal skllls for adulL llfe
Advantages of Stream|ng (group|ng ch||dren accord|ng to ab|||ty)
Some schools separaLe sLudenLs accordlng Lo Lhelr academlc ablllLy
1eachers can work aL Lhe rlghL speed for Lhelr sLudenLs
1eachers can plan more sulLable lessons
Plgh-level groups may progress fasLer
Lower level groups can beneflLs from a slower pace
Some Leachers and parenLs supporL sLreamlng for Lhese reasons
D|sadvantages of Stream|ng
Crouplng by ablllLy may have a negaLlve lmpacL on sLudenLs
Chlldren do noL wanL Lo be seen as less lnLelllgenL Lhan oLhers
Streaming could damage students self esteem
1hey may lose moLlvaLlon
SLudenLs from wealLhler famllles Lend Lo be beLLer prepared
Chlldren from poorer famllles may recelve less supporL from parenLs
Mlxed ablllLy classes encourage everyone Lo achleve Lhelr poLenLlal.
6. Lnv|ronment
G|oba| warm|ng
Cases such as carbon dloxlde Lrap heaL from Lhe sun
1hls causes global LemperaLures Lo rlse
1hls process ls known as Lhe greenhouse effecL
Puman acLlvlLy ls a ma[or facLor ln Lhe rlse of Lhe greenhouse gases
lacLorles and vehlcles produce emlsslons and exhausL fumes
Many developlng counLrles are becomlng lndusLrlallzed
1he number of cars on our sLreeLs ls growlng
Cheap alr Lravel ls allowlng more people Lo fly
Lffects of G|oba| Warm|ng
Clobal warmlng wlll have a slgnlflcanL lmpacL on our planeL
8lslng LemperaLure wlll cause melLlng of Lhe polar lce caps
Sea levels wlll rlse
We can expecL more exLreme weaLher condlLlons
lloodlng and droughLs may become more common
Impacts of humans on the env|ronment
1he lncreaslng world populaLlon ls puLLlng pressure on naLural resources
lossll fuels llke oll and gas are runnlng ouL
We are desLroylng wlldllfe hablLaLs
We have cuL down enormous areas of ralnforesL
1hls has led Lo Lhe exLlncLlon of many specles of anlmals and planLs
So|ut|ons to env|ronment prob|ems
CovernmenLs could lnLroduce laws Lo llmlL emlsslons from facLorles
1hey should lnvesL ln renewable energy from solar, wlnd or waLer power
They could impose green taxes on drlvers and alrllnes companles
CovernmenL campalgns should promoLe recycllng
naLural areas and wlld anlmals should be proLecLed
lndlvlduals should also Lry Lo be greener
We should Lake fewer fllghLs abroad for holldays
We should Lake publlc LransporL raLher Lhan drlvlng
We should choose producLs wlLh less packaglng
We should recycle as much as posslble
Waste]rubb|sh
1he amounL of wasLer we produce has lncreased
1hls problem ls a resulL of our consumer culLure
roducLs are noL made Lo lasL
lf someLhlng breaks, we Lhrow lL way and buy a new one
AdverLlsers encourage ls Lo buy Lhe newesL fashlons
ackaglng ls an lmporLanL parL of selllng
MosL foods are sold ln non-blodegradable plasLlcs packaglng
1he amounL of household wasLe ls growlng
1hls wasLe ends up ln landflll slLes
L|tter
eople do noL Lhlnk abouL Lhe consequences of dropplng rubblsh
1hey assume LhaL somebody ls pad Lo clean Lhe sLreesL
lasLlc packaglng does noL break down easlly
MosL of Lhe llLLer seen on sLreeLs ls fasL food packaglng
kecyc||ng and other so|ut|ons
Companles should make goods LhaL lasL longer
1hey should noL use so much packaglng
CovernmenLs should be sLrlcLer, abouL wasLer produced by companles
1hey should puL legal llmlLs on packaglng
Consumers should avold buylng over-packaged producLs
We should recycle and reuse useful maLerlals.
1here are collecLlon banks for glass, paper and plasLlc boLLles
Pouseholds can use several rubblsh blns Lo separaLe wasLe
8ecycllng saves energy and raw maLerlals.
Nuc|ear ower: os|t|ves
1here are several beneflLs Lo bulld more nuclear power sLaLlons
lossll fuel llke oll and gas are runnlng ouL
nuclear power ls a susLalnable energy source
lL can be used Lo produce elecLrlclLy wlLhouL wasLlng naLural resources
lL could be replace Lhe use of naLural resources llke coal, oll or gas
nuclear power sLaLlons are cleaner Lhan fossll fuel power sLaLlons
1hey could help Lo reduce carbon emlsslons LhaL cause global warmlng
1he rlsks of accldenLs are belng reduced
Nuc|ear ower: negat|ves
CpponenLs of nuclear power worry abouL Lhe safeLy of power sLaLlons
1he bulldlng of new nuclear power sLaLlons ls unpopular
nobody wanLs Lo llve near one
nuclear wasLe dlsposal ls a slgnlflcanL problem
1here ls currenLly no way Lo deconLamlnaLe radloacLlve maLerlal
eople worry LhaL LerrorlsLs could sLeal radloacLlve maLerlals
lL ls safer Lo produce energy from solar, wlnd or waLer power.
7. Iam||y
Iam||y s|ze
lamllles ln many counLrles are noL as large as Lhey used Lo be
We Lend Lo llve ln small nuclear famllles raLher Lhan large exLended famllles
arenLs Lend Lo have fewer chlldren
?oung chlldren are no longer expecLed Lo work
nowadays boLh parenLs ofLen work
lL cosLs so much Lo brlng chlldren up
lL ls more dlfflculL Lo ralse a large famlly

Working parents (also see gender top|c)
Chlldren and Lhelr parenLs seem Lo be less close nowadays
arenLs spend less Llme wlLh Lhelr chlldren
Women LradlLlonally sLayed aL home Lo cook, clean and look afLer chlldren
nowadays boLh parenLs ofLen work full Llme
Chlldren may be lefL alone, or wlLh nannles or babyslLLers
8usy parenLs have less conLacL wlLh Lhelr chlldren
Many famllles no longer eaL meals LogeLher
Chlldren spend more Llme wlLh frlends or surflng Lhe lnLerneL

Negat|ve effects on Ch||dren
1he lack of closeness ln famllles can have a negaLlve effecL on chlldren
Many parenLs have no ldea how Lhelr chlldren spend Lhelr Llme
Friends, television and the Internet become the main influence on childrens behavior
1eenagers are lnfluenced by peer pressure
Some of Lhem [oln gangs
!uvenlle dellnquency ls on Lhe lncrease
Parents should be more involved with their childrens upbringing
?oung people need poslLlve role models

D|vorce
ln Lhe pasL, dlvorce was unaccepLable
lL was consldered Lo be embarrasslng for a famlly
eople sLayed LogeLher for rellglous or famlly reasons
ulvorce ls more soclally accepLable nowadays
lL has become much more common
ulvorce can be exLremely sLressful
Lone parenLs may face flnanclal dlfflculLles
Many slngle parenLs have Lo rely on beneflLs pald by Lhe sLaLe
ulvorce can have a negaLlve effecL on chlldren
Chlldren from slngle-parenL famllles are more llkely Lo geL lower grades or drop ouL of school.
1he rlse ln dlvorce raLes may be connecLed Lo some soclal problems

Care for C|d peop|e
Carlng for elderly people was LradlLlonally Lhe responslblllLy of famllles
AdulLs had Lo look afLer Lhelr elderly parenLs
A womans job was to stay at home taking care of her family
nowadays, fewer elderly people are looked afLer by Lhelr relaLlves
8esldenLlal homes provlde care for large number of elderly people
Some famllles are unable Lo look afLer elderly relaLlves
lamllles Lend Lo be smaller Lhese days, and women ofLen have full-Llme [obs
Cares homes provlde a professlonal servlce for senlor clLlzens
nurses are beLLer Lralned Lhan famlly members

Care for C|d peop|e: Cp|n|on
1he besL form of care for Lhe elderly depends on Lhe famlly slLuaLlon
lL depends on wheLher famlly members have Lhe Llme resources
We all have a responslblllLy Lowards Lhe older people ln our socleLy
CovernmenLs should lnvesL money ln faclllLles and Lralnlng for care workers.
8. Gender
Gender and educat|on
Men and women should have access Lo Lhe same educaLlonal opporLunlLles
Males and females should be accepLed onLo courses accordlng Lo Lhelr ablllLles
lL ls wrong Lo dlscrlmlnaLe agalnsL sLudenLs because of Lhelr gender
Cender should be lrrelevanL ln educaLlon
Students achievements should depend on hard work and individual merit
ln Lhe uk, Lhere are slmllar numbers of male and female sLudenLs ln hlgher educaLlon
Gender and work
Men and women should have access Lo Lhe same professlonal opporLunlLles
8oLh man and women should be able Lo pursue a career
1hey should earn equal salarles
1hey should be employed accordlng Lo Lhelr ablllLles, quallflcaLlons and experlence
1radlLlonally women have been resLrlcLed Lo cerLaln roles
1hey were ofLen employed as secreLarles or recepLlonlsLs
nowadays, a range of occupaLlons ls avallable Lo boLh sexes
Career success depends on lndlvldual merlL

Womens and Mens roles in the Family
Some people argue LhaL a moLher should noL work
She should sLay aL home and brlng up her chlldren
1he faLher should be Lhe breadwlnner of Lhe famlly
CLhers belleve LhaL boLh parenLs should share Lhese responslblllLles
Worklng women can Lake maLernlLy leave durlng and afLer pregnancy
Many moLhers conLlnue Lo work afLer Lhls perlod
Many faLhers and moLhers share Lhelr parenLlng and domesLlc responslblllLles
1hey conLrlbuLe equally Lo chlldcare, cooklng and cleanlng
Some women many have beLLer career prospecLs Lhan Lhelr husbands.
Paternity leave and househusbands are becoming more common
1radlLlonal gender roles and gradually changlng
lamllles can dlvlde roles and responslblllLles ln Lhe mosL convenlenL way.

9. Genet|c Lng|neer|ng
os|t|ves of genet|c eng|neer|ng
CeneLlc englneerlng ls Lhe pracLlce of manlpulaLlng Lhe genes of an organlsm
lL ls used Lo produce crops LhaL are more reslsLanL Lo lnsecLs and dlseases
Some geneLlcally modlfled crops grow more qulckly
Some drugs and vacclnes are produced by geneLlc englneerlng
It may become possible to change humans genetic characteristics.
SclenLlsLs may use geneLlc englneerlng Lo cure dlseases.
lnherlLed lllnesses would no longer exlsL
Cenes could be changed before a baby ls born
lL could also be posslble Lo clone human organs
We could all have replacemenL body parL
Pumans could llve longer, healLhler llves

Negat|ves of genet|c eng|neer|ng
1here are eLhlcal concerns abouL human geneLlc englneerlng
Parents might want to choose their childrens characteristics
1hls would be unnaLural
lL would be unaccepLable ln mosL rellglons
Soldlers could be cloned from Lhe genes of Lhe sLrongesL people
Clones mlghL be used llke roboLs Lo do cerLaln [obs
Clones mlghL even be developed [usL for organ replacemenLs
SocleLy and human evoluLlon would change compleLely
CurrenLly, human geneLlc englneerlng ls prohlblLed

Genet|ca||y-Mod|f|ed (GM) foods: Advantages
larmers can produce crops LhaL grow blgger and fasLer
Some CM crops are more reslsLanL Lo dlsease or lnsecLs
1hls could be lmporLanL for food producLlon ln developlng counLrles
lasLer growlng cereals, frulL and vegeLables wlll mean more proflL
CM foods can be modlfled Lo look perfecL
1hey may be more aLLracLlve Lo cusLomers

Genet|ca||y-Mod|f|ed (GM) Ioods: D|sadvantages
1here may be rlsks lnvolved ln Lhe geneLlc englneerlng of foods.
CM crops mlghL change whole ecosysLems
lood chalns could be broken lf crops are reslsLanL Lo predaLors
Crganlc foods are produced wlLhouL chemlcals or geneLlc modlflcaLlon
Crganlc farmlng may be slower and more expenslve
Powever, Lhe envlronmenL ls noL damaged by ferLlllzers or pesLlcldes.

10. G|oba| |ssues
rob|ems |n deve|op|ng countr|es
ueveloplng counLrles face a range lf problems
SLandards of healLhcare and educaLlon are low
Llfe expecLancy ls usually lower Lhan ln developed counLrles
1here ls a lack of lnfrasLrucLure, employmenL and good quallLy houslng
Many people are forced Lo llve ln poverLy
lood, drlnklng waLer and baslc medlclnes are ln shorL supply

now to he|p deve|op|ng countr|es
1he besL form of help for developlng counLrles ls developmenL ald
8lcher naLlons can help by lnvesLlng ln long-Lerm pro[ecLs
CovernmenLs and charlLles can help by bulldlng new houses and schools
CloballzaLlon may also help developlng counLrles
MulLl-naLlonal companles can creaLlng [obs ln developlng counLrles
Cn Lhe oLher hand, many people emlgraLe Lo flnd work ln rlcher counLrles
1hey ofLen sand money back home Lo Lhelr famllles
1hls money helps Lo lmprove Lhe sLandard of llvlng ln developlng counLrles

Imm|grat|on
Some people move Lo anoLher counLrles ln search of a beLLer llfe
Many lmmlgranLs come from less developed counLrles
8lcher, lndusLrlallzed counLrles may offer opporLunlLles for employmenL
lree healLhcare and schoollng are avallable ln some developed counLrles
CLher people mlgraLe Lo a forelgn counLry Lo lmprove Lhelr academlc quallflcaLlons

os|t|ves of |mm|grat|on and Mu|t|-cu|tura| soc|et|es
lrom an economlc perspecLlve, lmmlgraLlon can be exLremely poslLlve
Many lmmlgranLs have skllls LhaL are needed ln Lhe counLry Lhey move Lo
lmmlgranLs who flnd work conLrlbuLe Lo Lhe economy of Lhelr new counLry
Many lmmlgranLs send money home Lo help famlly members
lmmlgraLlon also creaLes culLural dlverslLy
eople of many dlfferenL naLlonallLles learn Lo llve LogeLher
1hls can help people Lo become more open-mlnded and LoleranL

Negat|ves of Imm|grat|on
Some people belleve LhaL lmmlgranLs Lake [obs LhaL should go Lo local people
Some lmmlgranL workers work longer hours for less money
Companles mlghL pay lower salarles Lo lmmlgranL workers
unemploymenL raLes could rlse lf Lhere are Loo many lmmlgranLs

Cp|n|ons about Imm|grat|on
lmmlgraLlon can help Lhe economy of a counLry
lL can creaLe mulLl-culLural socleLles
Powever, lmmlgraLlon needs Lo be conLrolled
ln many counLrles, lmmlgranLs need vlsas or work permlL
CovernmenLs should sLop companles from explolLlng lmmlgranL workers
lorelgn and local workers should have Lhe rlghL Lo equal pay and condlLlons

os|t|ves of G|oba||zat|on
8uslness of becomlng lncreaslngly lnLernaLlonal
MulLl-naLlonal companles do buslness across Lhe world
Companies like MacDonalds can be seen on high streets in most cities
Coods are produced ln one counLry and sold ln many oLhers
A global economy means free Lrade beLween counLrles
1hls can sLrengLhen pollLlcal relaLlonshlps
CloballzaLlon can also creaLe opporLunlLles for employmenL
lL encourages lnvesLmenL ln less developed counLrles
lL could reduce poverLy ln Lhe developlng world

Negat|ves of G|oba||zat|on
CloballzaLlon ls noL always beneflclal Lo everyone
Companles can move Lo counLrles where labour ls cheap
1hls creaLes redundancles, or [ob losses
Lmployees cannoL be confldenL LhaL Lhey have sLable [obs
Companles someLlmes explolL Lhelr employees ln developlng counLrles
Clobal Lrade creaLes more wasLe and polluLlon

1he future of G|oba||zat|on
1here should be global regulaLlons for salarles and worklng condlLlons
CovernmenLs should lmpose laws Lo proLecL Lhe envlronmenL

11. Government and Soc|ety
What governments can do
CovernmenLs provlde publlc servlces llke healLhcare and educaLlon
1hey supporL people who are llvlng ln poverLy or unable Lo work
CovernmenLs ralse money by Laxlng worklng people
1hey can spend money on resources and campalgns
1hey can lnLroduce new laws
1hey can lmpose Laxes
They can raise peoples awareness of issues (e.g climate change/healthy eating)
They can influence peoples habits and opinions
1hey can creaLe [obs
1hey can regulaLe Lhe acLlvlLles of companles such as banks
1hey can provlde resources for schools
1hey are also responslble for Lhe securlLy and well-belng of Lhelr clLlzens
1hey conLrol armed forces and pollce forces

ub||c serv|ces
CovernmenLs pay Lhe salarles of publlc secLor workers llke pollce offlcers and Leachers
1he necessary money ls ralsed by taxing peoples income
lree educaLlon and healLhcare may be provlded by Lhe sLaLe
Some governmenLs conLrol publlc LransporL sysLems and even 1v channels
ln oLher counLrles, Lhese servlces are provlded by prlvaLe companles
Some people belleve LhaL compeLlLlon beLween prlvaLe companles ls good
lL helps Lo lmprove quallLy whlle brlnglng prlces down
CLher people Lhlnk LhaL essenLlal servlces should be free
CovernmenLs should pay for Lhem

Censorsh|p: Cp|n|on
CovernmenLs can censor whaL publlc sees or reads ln Lhe medla
1o a cerLaln exLenL censorshlp ls necessary
We should use censorshlp Lo proLecL chlldren from vlolenL lmages
Some compuLer games lnvolve kllllng people or commlLLlng crlmes
1he lnLerneL also needs Lo be conLrolled
Many webslLes show pornography and vlolence
1here should be age llmlLs for webslLes and compuLers games
arenLs need Lo Lake responslblllLy for checklng whaL Lhelr chlldren waLch
lL ls lmposslble for governmenLs Lo conLrol everyLhlng we see

V|deo cameras |n pub||c p|aces
1he use of CC1v ls becomlng wldespread
vldeo cameras have been lnsLalled ln many publlc places
1hey are supposed Lo proLecL us and deLer crlmlnals
Many people Lhlnk LhaL Lhls survelllance vlolaLes our prlvacy
1he auLhorlLles could bulld daLabases wlLh our plcLures and ldenLlLles
We should noL be LreaLed llke crlmlnals

Smart cards: os|t|ves
CovernmenLs wlll probably lnLroduce a dlglLal ldenLlflcaLlon card sysLem
SmarL cards wlll have beneflLs and drawbacks
1hey could help Lo reduce crlme
1hey could hold personal lnformaLlon, such as unA
ulglLal bank cards could conLaln flngerprlnL lnformaLlon
lL would be very dlfflculL for crlmlnals Lo use a sLolen card
lL would be easler for pollce Lo ldenLlfy people and caLch crlmlnals

Smart cards: Negat|ves
Many people are worrled abouL loslng Lhelr prlvacy
CovernmenLs could sLore all our personal and medlcal lnformaLlon
1hls lnformaLlon could be used by lnsurance companles
Lmployers could check our healLh records

eop|e w|th D|sab|||t|es
eople wlLh dlsablllLles should be LreaLed Lhe same as everybody else
1hey should have Lhe same rlghLs as oLher people
1hey should have access Lo Lhe same [obs as oLher clLlzens
ulscrlmlnaLlons agalnsL dlsabled people ls lllegal ln many counLrles
8amps and llfLs for wheelchalrs should be lnsLalled ln publlc bulldlngs
SupporL Leacher can be employed Lo help chlldren wlLh learnlng dlfflculLles

12. Guns and Weapons
Why guns shou|d be |ega|:
ln some counLrles, people are allowed Lo own flrearms
lndlvlduals have Lhe rlghL Lo proLecL Lhemselves
eople can use guns ln self defence
1hls deLers crlmlnals

Why gun ownersh|p shou|d be |||ega|:
1here ls a rlsk of accldenLs wlLh guns
1he number of vlolenL crlmes lncreases when guns are avallable
Crlmlnals may be armed
1he pollce Lhen need Lo use guns
Sulclde raLes have been shown Lo rlse when guns are avallable
Cuns creaLe vlolenL socleLles wlLh hlgh murder raLes

Why po||ces shou|d use guns
Many crlmlnals use weapons
1he LhreaL of a gun can deLer crlmlnals
ollce offlcers can forces a crlmlnal Lo surrender
lL ls easler Lo arresL someone and avold physlcal vlolence
1he pollce may shooL vlolenL crlmlnals ln self defence
1hey can proLecL Lhe publlc
1hey can shooL an escaplng crlmlnal who poses a serlous danger Lo Lhe publlc
Why po||ce shou|d not carry guns
1here ls a rlsk of accldenLs and mlsLakes
1he pollce mlghL shooL an unarmed crlmlnal or an lnnocenL person
AccldenLs can happen ln publlc places
1here are several alLernaLlves Lo guns (e.g Lear gas, sprays and elecLrlc shock weapons)
Cnly speclal pollce unlLs should use guns

Arm 1rade: os|t|ves
1he exporL of arms, or weapons, ls an exLremely conLroverslal lssue
CovernmenLs of rlch, lndusLrlallzed counLrles sell arms Lo each oLher
1hls lndusLry creaLes [obs and wealLh
1he Lrade of weapons may lmprove relaLlonshlps beLween governmenLs

Arms 1rade: Negat|ves
Weapons may be used ln confllcLs and wars
1he supply of arms could be responslble for deaLhs
CovernmenLs are promoLlng war ln order Lo make a proflL
8lch counLrles can lnfluence Lhe pollLlcs of oLher naLlons

Nuc|ear weapons
nuclear weapons are capable of desLroylng whole clLles
A nuclear war beLween Lwo counLrles would desLroy boLh counLrles
nuclear weapons are used as a deLerrenL
1hey prevenL wars from sLarLlng

Nuc|ear weapons: Cp|n|on
nuclear weapons should be prohlblLed
CovernmenLs should llmlL Lhe producLlon of nuclear weapons
1here ls a danger of nuclear weapons belng obLalned by LerrorlsLs
nuclear weapons cannoL be used agalnsL LerrorlsL organlzaLlons

Armed Iorces: os|t|ves
Armed forces provlde securlLy and proLecLlon
1hey deLer mlllLary aLLack by anoLher counLry
1hey can also be sued Lo malnLaln peace wlLhln counLrles
1hey can be sued Lo glve Lhe pollce exLra supporL
Soldlers are also used Lo help ln emergency slLuaLlons, such as afLer a naLural dlsasLer

Armed forces: negat|ves
Armles requlre a loL of fundlng from governmenLs
1oo much money ls spenL on weapons and mlllLary Lechnology
1hls money could be spenL on schools, hosplLals and oLher publlc servlces
13. nea|th
D|et
1he human body requlres a balanced dleL
An unhealLhy dleL can cause varlous healLh problems
CbeslLy, dlabeLes and hearL dlsease are on Lhe lncrease
Many people nowadays rely on fasL food or pre-prepared meals
1hese foods ofLen conLaln Loo much faL, salL and sugar
1hey are cheap Lo buy and very easy Lo prepare
Many young people have grown up on a dleL of convenlence foods
opulaLlons ln developed counLrles are lncreaslngly overwelghL
Lxerc|se
8egular exerclse ls essenLlal ln malnLalnlng a healLhy body
Lxerclse burns calorles and helps Lo bulld healLhy bones and muscles
uocLors advlse exerclslng aL leasL Lhree Llmes a week for 20 mlnuLes
MosL people nowadays lead a sedenLary llfesLyle
We Lend Lo walk less and do desk [obs
MosL adulLs relax by waLchlng Lelevlslon
Chlldren play vldeo games raLher Lhan dolng ouLdoor sporLs
ln Lhe pasL, people were more acLlve ln Lhelr [obs and aL home
Governments Role
CovernmenLs have a slgnlflcanL role Lo play ln reduclng obeslLy
More and more people, lncludlng young chlldren are serlously overwelghL
1hey are aL rlsk of hearL dlsease and dlabeLes
1hls slLuaLlon wlll lncrease Lhe burden on hosplLals and Laxpayers
PosplLals rely on Lhe governmenL for money and resources
CovernmenLs should promoLe a healLhy dleL and regular exerclse
1here should be more Llme for sporLs on school LlmeLables
unhealLhy [unk food should be banned from school menus
eople need lnformaLlon abouL whaL foods conLaln
Food packaging must show the foods nutritional content
1he 8rlLlsh CovernmenL recommends eaLlng flve porLlons of frulL and vegeLables per day

State nea|th system: advantages
Cood healLhcare should be avallable Lo everyone for free
SLaLe healLhcare ls pald by Lhe governmenL uslng money from Laxes
Lveryone has access Lo Lhe same quallLy of care and LreaLmenL
rlvaLe healLhcare ls unfalr because only wealLhy people can afford lL
1he naLlonal PealLh Servlce ln Lhe uk provldes free healLhcare for every resldenL

r|vate nea|thcare: advantages
SLaLe hosplLals are ofLen very large and dlfflculL Lo run
rlvaLe hosplLals have shorLer walLlng llsLs for operaLlons and appolnLmenLs
aLlenLs can beneflL from fasLer LreaLmenL
Many people prefer Lo pay for more a personal servlce
aLlenLs have Lhelr own room and more comforLable faclllLles

A|ternat|ve med|c|ne: os|t|ves
eople are lncreaslngly uslng alLernaLlve medlclnes Lo LreaL lllnesses.
lor example, acupuncLure can be used Lo LreaL backache
Perbal medlclnes can be used Lo LreaL allergles or vlruses
Many paLlenLs reporL poslLlve experlences wlLh Lhese LreaLmenLs
Some LradlLlonal cures have been used for hundreds of years

A|ternat|ve med|c|ne: Negat|ves
Many alLernaLlve medlclnes have noL been LesLed sclenLlflcally
1hey may have no beneflclal effecL aL all
1hey may cause unknown slde effecLs
eople should LrusL Lhe oplnlons of quallfled docLors
An lllness could geL worse wlLhouL LreaLmenL from a docLor
Stress
Modern llfesLyles are lncreaslngly sLressful
eople work long hours wlLh sLrlcL deadllnes
Cur busy llfesLyles mean we have less Llme Lo relax
unemploymenL ls a ma[or cause of sLress
Children may be affected by their parents relationship problems
1esLs and exams can also cause sLress

now to reduce stress
SLress can be reduced by Laklng regular exerclse and eaLlng a healLhy dleL
lL ls also lmporLanL Lo geL sufflclenL sleep and make lelsure Llme a prlorlLy
eople should work less overLlme and Lake regular holldays
Schools have sLarLed Lo employ psychologlsLs
1hey can offer emoLlonal supporL Lo sLudenLs
1hey can help sLudenLs Lo cope wlLh exam sLress

14. nous|ng and Arch|tecture
State]counc|| hous|ng
ln some counLrles Lhe governmenL provldes sLaLe or councll houslng
1hls helps people who cannoL afford Lo buy Lhelr own house
lL can be argued LhaL sLaLe houslng creaLes dependence on Lhe governmenL
eople should be rely on Lhe governmenL Lo look afLer Lhem
eople have no lncenLlve Lo earn money and buy Lhelr own home
Councll properLles are ofLen made wlLh cheap, poor-quallLy maLerlals.

C|d 8u||d|ngs
Historic buildings are part of a countrys heritage
1hey should be proLecLed
Cld bulldlngs are ofLen consldered Lo be works or arL
1hey glve characLer Lo clLles and aLLracL LourlsLs
1hey show us how people llved ln Lhe pasL
We ldenLlfy counLrles by archlLecLural symbols llke Lhe pyramlds ln LgypL
CovernmenLs should spend money on looklng afLer hlsLorlc bulldlngs
1hey need regular repalrs and malnLenance
new bulldlngs should be deslgned Lo complemenL Lhem

Modern]green bu||d|ngs
Modern bulldlngs should be deslgned Lo be envlronmenLally frlendly
1hey should use less energy and produce less wasLe
Modern lnsulaLlon can make houses more energy-efflclenL
Solar and wlnd power can be used Lo generaLe elecLrlclLy
8alnwaLer and wasLe waLer can be recycled and used Lo flush LolleLs.
Modern glass bulldlngs Lake advanLage lf naLural llghL

1S. Language
Lng||sh as an |nternat|ona| |anguage
Lngllsh ls wldely used around Lhe world
lL ls becomlng a global second language
lL ls Lhe domlnanL language of Lechnology, sclence and lnLernaLlonal buslness
lnLernaLlonal buslness meeLlngs are regularly held ln Lngllsh
1he mosL lmporLanL LexLbooks and [ournals are publlshed ln Lngllsh
1he ablllLy Lo speak Lngllsh ls a necessary sklll ln Lhe modern world

Negat|ve of Lng||sh as an Internat|ona| Language
lf one language ls domlnanL, oLher languages may dlsappear
1he domlnanL language brlngs lLs own culLure
Amerlcan culLure has become popular around Lhe world
CLher culLures may be damaged
As an alLernaLlve Lo Lngllsh, a new global language could be lnvenLed
lL would have no naLlonallLy or culLure aLLached Lo lL
1hls could help Lo promoLe lnLernaLlonal peace and undersLandlng
LsperanLo ls an example of a language LhaL was lnvenLed wlLh Lhls alm

16. Money
Money and Soc|ety
SocleLy has become lncreaslngly maLerlallsLlc
eople asplre Lo earn more money
1hey wanL a blgger house or a beLLer car
We connecL wealLh and maLerlal possesslons wlLh happlness and success
Brands like Armani or Mercedes are status symbols
AdverLlslng creaLes new deslres and needs
lL persuades us Lo buy Lhe laLesL sLyles

os|t|ves of Consumer|sm
Consumerlsm creaLes employmenL
lL helps Lo reduce poverLy
lL encourages lnnovaLlon and creaLlvlLy ln buslness
We llve ln a global economy
We have a beLLer quallLy of llfe

Negat|ves of Consumer|sm
ConsumerlsL socleLles creaLe more wasLe
1hey use more naLural resources
1hey cause damage Lo Lhe envlronmenL
Consumerism creates a throw-away culture
AdverLlsers Lell us who we are and whaL we wanL
WealLh does noL lead Lo happlness
MaLerlallsm causes greed and crlme
We should reLurn Lo LradlLlonal values llke sharlng

17. ersona||ty
napp|ness
Papplness means dlfferenL Lhlngs Lo dlfferenL people
lL can be descrlbed as a feellng of pleasure or en[oymenL
eople en[oy spendlng Llme wlLh famlly and frlends
Pobbles, sporLs and games can be a source of fun and en[oymenL
Some people see money as a source of happlness
CLher people deflne happlness as someLhlng deeper
ln order Lo be Lruly happy lL ls necessary Lo llve a good llfe
We need Lo feel LhaL we are dolng someLhlng useful wlLh our llves
Some people geL a sense of achlevemenL from Lhelr work
CLhers flnd happlness ln brlnglng up Lhelr chlldren
8ellglon or a sense of purpose can also be a source of happlness

Success
eople deflne success ln dlfferenL ways
Some people geL a sense of achlevemenL from ralslng a famlly
lor oLhers, success ls deflned by wealLh or sLaLus
We ofLen Lhlnk of rlch and famous people as belng successful ln llfe
Mllllonalres llke 8lll CaLes are consldered Lo be successful
1hey have rlsen Lo Lhe Lop ln Lhelr chosen professlons
lor some, belng successful means achlevlng personal or professlonal goals
1hey see success as Lhe resulL of hard work
Success ln any fleld requlres long-Lerm plannlng and efforL

Nature or Nurture
Some people belleve LhaL our personallLles are deLermlned malnly by geneLlcs
We lnherlL our ablllLles and LalenLs from our parenLs
CLhers Lhlnk LhaL our educaLlon and upbrlnglng are more lmporLanL
We develop accordlng Lo Lhe lnfluences around us
Cur personallLles and achlevemenLs depend more on nurLure Lhan naLure
Many people argue LhaL we conLrol our own desLlnles
We can shape our own personallLles
8y worklng hard we can achleve and goal LhaL we puL our mlnds Lo
Many successful people are self-made
We are noL llmlLed by our geneLlc characLerlsLlc or upbrlnglng

18. Sport and Le|sure
Arguments aga|nst rofess|ona|]compet|t|ve sport
SporL has become a buslness
rofesslonal sporL encourages people Lo compeLe for money
Many sporLs sLars are only concerned abouL money and fame
Some aLhleLes Lake drugs ln order Lo wln aL any cosL
CompeLlLors are ofLen selflsh and rude
1hey are noL good role models for chlldren
All sporLs should be amaLeur
SporLs should be lelsure acLlvlLles raLher Lhan [obs
eople should do sporLlng acLlvlLles for en[oymenL and healLh reasons
1aklng parL ls more lmporLanL Lhan wlnnlng

Arguments for rofess|ona| sport
rofesslonal sporLs are Lhe same as any oLher buslness
Many people are employed ln Lhe sporLs lndusLry
eople should be able Lo use Lhelr LalenLs Lo earn a salary
SporLs sLars enLerLaln mllllons of people
Money ls necessary Lo lmprove faclllLles and Lraln aLhleLes
1he level of professlonal sporL ls much hlgher Lhan LhaL of amaLeur sporL

Arguments for Compet|t|ve sport
CompeLlLlon ls a naLural lnsLlncL ln humans
ln dally llfe we compeLe Lo geL [obs or Lhe hlghesL grades
SporLs are a safe form of compeLlLlon
CompeLlLlon ls healLhy because lL pushes us Lo glve our besL
CompeLlLors and fans can release energy and aggresslon
SupporLers of Leams feel a sense of belonglng Lo a communlLy

Cp|n|on: profess|ona| sport sa|ar|es are too h|gh
SporLs professlonals earn Loo much money
1hey do noL provlde a vlLal servlce
looLball players, for example, earn enormous salarles by slmply klcklng a ball
We could all llve happlly wlLhouL professlonal fooLball
Llfe would be dlfflculL wlLhouL docLors, englneers and oLher vlLal professlonals.
SocleLy does noL seem Lo value Lhese professlons as hlghly as professlonal sporL
SporLs salarles should be compaLlble wlLh Lhe wages mosL people earn

Cp|n|on: profess|ona| sport sa|ar|es are fa|r
lL ls falr LhaL Lhe besL professlonal earn a loL of money
SporL ls a mulLl-mllllon-pound lndusLry
1here ls a large audlence of sporLs fans
SporLs on Lelevlslon aLLracL many vlewers
SporLs sLars have dedlcaLed hours of pracLlce Lo developlng Lhelr flLness and skllls
Cnly Lhe mosL LalenLed among Lhem wlll reach Lhe Lop
A sporLs career many only lasL 10 years
SporLs fans are wllllng Lo pay Lo supporL Lhelr Leams

Sports and o||t|cs
Some people Lhlnk LhaL sporL and pollLlcs should remaln separaLe
CovernmenLs are lnvolved ln Lhe hosLlng of sporLlng evenLs such as Lhe Clymplcs.
1hese evenLs aLLracL lnvesLmenL and creaLe [obs.
1he Clymplc Cames are an adverLlsemenL for Lhe hosL naLlon
1hey aLLracL huge numbers of vlslLors and sporLs fans
WealLhy counLrles Lend Lo hold Lhese evenLs
ueveloplng counLrles should be glven Lhe chance Lo become hosLs

19. 1e|ev|s|on, Internet, hones
os|t|ves of te|ev|s|on
WaLchlng Lelevlslon ls a good way Lo relax
It is many peoples favorite way to wind down after a hard day at work
1elevlslon programs can be enLerLalnlng and en[oyable
vlewers have access Lo a huge varleLy of enLerLalnmenL channels
1elevlslon brlngs Lhe besL comedlans, muslclans and acLors lnLo our homes
rogrammers can also be lnformaLlve and educaLlonal
news coverage makes Lhe publlc aware of evenLs around Lhe world
uocumenLarles can make learnlng more lnLeresLlng

Negat|ves of 1e|ev|s|on
1elevlslon ls havlng a negaLlve lmpacL on socleLy
Some people llnk vlolence on Lelevlslon wlLh crlme raLes ln Lhe real world
Chlldren copy Lhe behavlor Lhey see on Lhe screen
Chlldren are less healLhy because Lhey spend less Llme palylng
AdverLlsers dlrecL Lhelr markeLlng aL chlldren
MosL programs do noL requlre much LhoughL
WaLchlng 1v ls a wasLe of Llme

Cp|n|ons about 1e|ev|s|on
1elevlslon has many beneflLs
Powever, lL can be addlcLlve
Chlldren should play ouLslde raLher Lhan slL ln fronL of a screen all day
8ehavlour shown on 1v can lnfluence people
arenLs should choose carefully whaL Lhelr chlldren waLch
Chlldren should noL be exposed Lo vlolence, swearlng or sexual lmages
Advertising during childrens programs should be strictly controlled
1v companles should make more poslLlve, educaLlonal programs

os|t|ves of the Internet
1here are many advanLages Lo uslng Lhe lnLerneL
lL glves us lnsLanL access Lo lnformaLlon on almosL any sub[ecL
Shops and oLher servlces are now avallable onllne
eople can buy goods and servlces from Lhe comforL of Lhelr homes
1he lnLerneL ls sLarLlng Lo replace oLher forms of enLerLalnmenL
lL has revoluLlonlzed communlcaLlon
We can keep ln Louch by emall or lnsLanL messenger servlces
vldeo messaglng ls becomlng common for buslness meeLlngs

Negat|ves of the |nternet
Many webslLes conLaln offenslve conLenL
Some slLes show vlolenL or sexual lmages
arenLs flnd lL dlfflculL Lo conLrol whaL Lhelr chlldren see onllne
1hey do noL always know who Lhelr chlldren are chaLLlng Lo
WlLh so many webslLes lL ls dlfflculL Lo search for good lnformaLlon
Crlmlnals lncreaslngly use Lhe lnLerneL Lo steal peoples money

Internet compared to newspaper and books
newspapers and books are now publlshed onllne as well as ln prlnL
We can read Lhe news ln any language from any counLry ln Lhe world
lL cosLs noLhlng Lo publlsh or access lnformaLlon on Lhe lnLerneL
1he lnLerneL allows anybody Lo publlsh Lhelr own wrlLlng
newspaper arLlcles and books are wrlLLen by professlonals
rofesslonals produce beLLer quallLy wrlLlng Lhan amaLeur
eople sLlll buy newspapers and books because Lhey are porLable
eople do noL llke readlng from a screen

os|t|ves of Mob||e hones
The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in todays world
Moblle phones have revoluLlonlzed Lhe way we communlcaLe
We can sLay ln Louch wlLh famlly, frlends and colleagues wherever we are
users can send LexL messages, surf Lhe lnLerneL, Lake phoLos and llsLen Lo muslc
Moblles have also become fashlon accessorles

Negat|ves of Mob||e hones
Moblles phones can be a problem ln some publlc places
8lnglng phones cause dlsLurbance ln clnemas and school lessons
Some people are noL aware LhaL oLhers can hear Lhelr conversaLlons
Moblle phones may also lnLerfere wlLh elecLronlc equlpmenL
1helr waves could cause damage Lo our bralns
Moblle phones can also be a dangerous dlsLracLlon
Using a phone while driving reduces the drivers concenLraLlon
Moblle phones are a popular LargeL for Lhleves

Cp|n|on about Mob||e hones
1he beneflLs of moblle phones ouLwelgh Lhe drawbacks
We need Lo use Lhese phones wlLh care

20. 1our|sm
os|t|ves of 1our|sm
1ourlsm ls a popular lelsure acLlvlLy
eople go on hollday Lo relax and have fun
1ourlsLs can experlence dlfferenL culLures
1hey can sunbaLhe on beaches or go slghL-seelng
1ravelllng abroad opens our mlnds
We can learn Lo speak oLher languages
1he LourlsL Lrade ls vlLal for some economles
lL creaLes employmenL ln servlces llke accommodaLlon, LransporL and enLerLalnmenL
Some areas rely on Lourlsm for Lhelr lncome
1ourlsLs spend money
1ourlsm aLLracLs lnvesLmenL from mulLl-naLlonal companles
lL helps Lo lmprove Lhe sLandard of llvlng
Low-cosL alrllnes are maklng lL cheaper Lo Lravel abroad

Negat|ve effects of tour|sm
1ourlsm can have a negaLlve effecL on Lhe naLural envlronmenL
1he bulldlng of faclllLles and lnfrasLrucLure can desLroy Lhe hablLaL of wlld anlmals
8eauLlful beaches are spollL by Lhe bulldlng of hoLels
1ourlsm creaLes polluLlon and wasLe
lL puLs pressure on local resources
Local LradlLlonal and culLures may be endangered
A rlse ln Lhe cosL of llvlng affecLs local people
1he prlce of goods, servlces and houslng may lncrease slgnlflcanLly

1he future of tour|sm
CovernmenL should lnLroduce laws Lo proLecL naLural envlronmenLs and local culLures
1ourlsm should have a low lmpacL on wlldllfe
8enewable resources llke solar or waLer power should be used
WasLe should be recycled
Local buslnesses such as farms should be supporLed

21. 1rad|t|ona| vs Modern
Los|ng trad|t|ona| sk|||s
8ecause of lndusLrlallzaLlon and global Lrade, many LradlLlons have dlsappeared
Clobal adverLlslng encourages everyone Lo buy Lhe same producLs
MosL producLs are now made ln facLorles
Machlnery has replaced skllled human labour
lacLory work ls borlng and leaves people feellng unfulfllled
Coods are produced very qulckly and ln large numbers
roducLs are cheaper, whlch means LhaL more people can buy Lhem
Lxamp|es
CloLhes are mass produced ln sLandard slzes
eople wear slmllar cloLhes, raLher Lhan LradlLlonal cosLumes
!eans and 1-shlrL are now worn LhroughouL Lhe world
PlsLorlc bulldlngs Look skllled crafLsmen years Lo bulld
Modern concreLe, sLeel and glass bulldlngs are bullL ln only weeks or monLhs
1here are fewer people who can creaLe hand-made goods

1rad|t|ona| customs
1radlLlonal cusLoms are sLlll lmporLanL durlng weddlngs and rellglous fesLlvals
eople wear LradlLlonal cosLumers and eaL speclal foods
lL ls lmporLanL Lo malnLaln our dlfferenL culLural ldenLlLles
We should celebraLe fesLlvals, Leach LradlLlonal skllls and proLecL hlsLorlc places

22. 1ransport
1raff|c prob|ems
1rafflc congesLlon ls caused by commuLers Lravelllng Lo work
MosL people llve ln Lhe suburbs ouLslde clLy cenLre
CommuLers Lend Lo Lravel aL Lhe same Llme of day
1hey Lend Lo Lravel alone
Cars and road space are noL used efflclenLly
1hls causes Lrafflc [ams durlng Lhe rush hour

1raff|c so|ut|ons
ln order Lo reduce Lrafflc we should change our worklng hablLs
1he lnLerneL can now be used Lo connecL people
More people could work from home
MeeLlngs can be held as vldeo conferences
Workers could be glven flexlble LlmeLables
AnoLher soluLlon would be Lo Lax drlvers
Workers should share Lhelr cars and Lravel LogeLher
ln London, for example, Lhere ls a congesLlon charge
1hls helps Lo ralse money for beLLer publlc LransporL
ubllc LransporL needs Lo be rellable and efflclenL

os|t|ves of ub||c transport
We need Lo reduce our dependence on cars
arklng a car can be exLremely dlfflculL ln blg clLles
Well-deslgned LransporL sysLems are comforLable and convenlenL
Modern publlc LransporL can be fasL and cheap
ubllc LransporL can help Lo reduce polluLlon ln clLles
lnvesLmenL ln buses and Lralns wlll ease Lrafflc congesLlon
8uses can be glven speclal lands Lo avold Lrafflc

Negat|ves of pub||c transport
ubllc LransporL lf ofLen slow and unrellable
MeLro sysLems and Lralns are ofLen dlrLy and crowded
People feel like sardines in a can
Cars are much more comforLable

koad safety
urlvlng whlle Llred or drunk ls exLremely dangerous
Moblle phones can be a dangerous dlsLracLlon for drlvers
They draw the drivers attention away from the road
1he use of phones whlle drlvlng has been banned ln many counLrles
unlshmenLs are becomlng sLrlcLer
1elevlslon campalgns are used Lo remlnd people Lo drlve safely
Speed cameras have become more common
Speed bumps are anoLher form of Lrafflc calmlng
Many sLreeLs are deslgned wlLh Lhe alm of slowlng Lrafflc down

23. Water
Importance of c|ean water
WaLer ls as necessary naLural resource
Pumans need access Lo clean, safe drlnklng waLer ln order Lo llve
oor waLer quallLy ls a ma[or cause of dlsease and deaLh ln some counLrles
WaLer usually needs Lo be LreaLed before we can drlnk lL
ueveloplng counLrles ofLen lack Lhe means Lo LreaL and supply waLer Lo clLlzens
ueveloped counLrles Lend Lo have much beLLer sanlLaLlon
ClLlzens have access Lo clean Lap waLer
urlnklng waLer ls noL conLamlnaLed by sewage or wasLe waLer
1he supply of clean waLer would lmprove publlc healLh ln many developlng counLrles

Water supp|y
urban llfe would be lmposslble wlLhouL waLer supply sysLems
1hese sysLems are masslve englneerlng pro[ecLs
Many professlonals are lnvolved ln Lhelr plannlng, consLrucLlon and malnLenance
1he supply and dlsLrlbuLlon of waLer are ma[or concerns
WaLer ls becomlng scarce ln some counLrles
Areas LhaL suffer droughLs ofLen need Lo lmporL waLer
As populaLlons grow, Lhere ls more pressure on waLer supplles
1hls could lead Lo a waLer crlsls

Water and po||t|cs
1he supply of waLer ls also an lmporLanL pollLlcal lssue
Puge amounL of waLer are needed for agrlculLure and lndusLry
1he lrrlgaLlon of crops accounLs for a large proporLlons of waLer use
A waLer crlsls could lead Lo pollLlcal confllcLs or even wars

Argument: water shou|d be free
Some people belleve LhaL waLer should be free for everyone
CovernmenLs should supply waLer Lo all homes aL no cosL
rlvaLe companles should noL be allowed Lo proflL from Lhls naLural resource
Money from Laxes can be used Lo pay for waLer supply sysLems

Argument: water shou|d not be free
lf waLer ls free, people Lake lL for granLed
1hey do noL Lhlnk abouL how much waLer Lhey wasLe
1hey leave Laps runnlng whlle washlng or brushlng Lhelr LeeLh
lf we have Lo pay for waLer, we wlll use lL more responslbly
WaLer supply sysLems are exLremely expenslve
lnvesLmenL ls needed Lo malnLaln and lmprove Lhem
rlvaLe companles may provlde a beLLer servlce Lhan governmenLs
lf Lhey provlde an efflclenL servlce, Lhey wlll make more money
1hey wlll repalr leaks Lo avold loslng money

8ott|ed Water: Cp|n|ons
Some people carry boLLles of waLer wherever Lhey go
lor example, Lhey Lake boLLles of waLer Lo work or Lo Lhe gym
1hey belleve LhaL boLLled waLer ls healLhler Lhan Lap waLer
1hey also argue LhaL lL LasLes beLLer
Powever, oLher people belleve LhaL we should consume less boLLled waLer
lasLlc waLer boLLles add Lo llLLer and wasLe problems
Companles should noL be able Lo make a proflL from waLer
lL ls uneLhlcal Lo make money by selllng packaged waLer
1here ls no dlfference ln quallLy beLween boLLled and Lap waLer

24. Work
1he benef|ts of stay|ng |n the same [ob for ||fe
Lmployees have a sLable career wlLh one employer
1hey have a good penslon and healLh lnsurance
1helr salarles gradually lncrease
1hey may be promoLed wlLhln Lhe organlzaLlon
1hey demonsLraLe loyalLy
Lxperlenced sLaff can be LrusLed wlLh more responslblllLy
1hey become parL of a Leam
1here ls a clearly deflned paLh for developmenL

1he benef|ts of not stay|ng |n the same [ob
eople ofLen change [obs ln order Lo furLher Lhelr career
AnoLher company may offer a promoLlon or a hlgher salary
eople who change [obs can galn experlence
1hey can learn dlfferenL skllls
Changlng [obs ls lnLeresLlng and challenglng
eople can reLraln ln a dlfferenL occupaLlon
ln a fasL-changlng world workers need Lo be flexlble
eople need Lo develop a range of experlence and skllls

Se|f-emp|oyment
nowadays, lL ls easy Lo seL up a company
1he lnLerneL provldes a global markeLplace
Self-employmenL offers greaLer freedom Lhan worklng for a company
Powever, Lhere are rlsks Lo sLarLlng a new buslness
Self-employed people may face flnanclal dlfflculLles
Many buslnesses fall Lo make a proflL
1here ls less sLablllLy ln self-employmenL
1here are no beneflLs llke penslons, slck pay and hollday pay
Self-employmenL lnvolved hard work, long hours and LoLal responslblllLy

Unemp|oyment
unemploymenL ls a blg problem for lndlvlduals, communlLles and socleLy
Some people are unable Lo flnd a [ob
1hey may noL have Lhe sufflclenL level of educaLlon or quallflcaLlons
1hey may flnd Lhemselves homeless
unemploymenL causes frusLraLlon and sLress
!obless people may become lnvolved ln crlme as a means Lo geL money
1he unemployed need careers advlce
CovernmenLs need Lo provlde vocaLlonal courses and reLralnlng

Unemp|oyment benef|ts: pos|t|ves
Some governmenLs pay unemploymenL beneflLs ln order Lo help [obless people
unemployed people need flnanclal supporL unLll Lhey flnd a new [ob
8y clalmlng beneflLs Lhey can conLlnue Lo pay for Lhelr homes
1he beneflLs sysLem helps Lo reduce poverLy, homelessness and crlme

Unemp|oyment benef|ts: negat|ves
Some people clalm beneflLs raLher Lhan worklng
1hey become dependenL on Lhe governmenL
1hey are noL moLlvaLed Lo flnd a [ob
1he beneflLs sysLem ls a burden on Laxpayers
All clLlzens should work Lo earn a llvlng and supporL Lhemselves
Receiving benefits affects peoples self esteem

Work]L|fe 8a|ance
lL ls lmporLanL Lo achleve a balance beLween work Llme and lelsure or famlly Llme
1oo much work can resulL ln sLress and poor healLh
workaholics may neglect their families and friends
eople need Lo Lake regular holldays
Companles should be expecL employees Lo work overLlme
nowadays, many people work parL-Llme or have flexlble worklng hours
1echnology allow people Lo work from home
Many companles provlde chlldcare faclllLles
A good work/ llfe balance can ralse [ob saLlsfacLlon
Pappy, healLhy workers are more producLlve

1echno|ogy and work
lnLerneL, fax and moblle phone Lechnologles have revoluLlonlzed worklng llfe
Workers can communlcaLe vla emall, onllne neLworks and vldeo conferenclng
1echnology can connecL workers ln dlfferenL counLrles
lL glves people more freedom
lL can also save Llme and money
Some people belleve LhaL offlces could dlsappear ln Lhe fuLure
vlrLual onllne offlces may replace Lhem

Ch||d |abour
ln some counLrles, chlldren are explolLed
1hey do repeLlLlve [obs for very low pay
Chlldren are ofLen used ln agrlculLure and facLory work
1he employmenL of chlldren ls prohlblLed ln oLher counLrles
Many people Lhlnk LhaL chlldren should be free Lo en[oy Lhelr chlldhood
CovernmenLs should make educaLlon a prlorlLy
1hey should bulld new schools
1hey should supply Lhe resources Lo educaLe chlldren
Chlldren need Lo be glven Lhe knowledge and skllls for adulL llfe