Talk IELTS

The Mekong experiences 14 things you should try for a complete summer vacation in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

continue with 'holidays'

let's continue last part about people's look

continued...

WRITING TASK 2 ESSAY: TECHNOLOGY [1]
Over-reliance on modern technology means that people are failing to learn, or are forgetting, many basic skills. People are becoming so reliant on modern technology that they are no longer able to do some things without it.
To what extent is this true?

There are many versions of answer to this topic, and this is a very good sample taken from complete IELTS.

Model essay:
Modern technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives, and has brought huge benefits. In many cases it has made certain tasks much easier. However, technology designed to simplify things can have a detrimental effect. One of the biggest drawbacks is that people have become so dependent on it that they are not acquiring some basic life skills.

Take satellite navigation systems for example. Although they are an invaluable resource for people such as taxi and lorry drivers, many people are no longer learning how to read a map. Some have become so reliant on their satellite navigation that they are even failing to observe their surroundings while driving, often with disastrous consequences. Meanwhile, other features, such as automatic parking devices, mean that some drivers are not learning, or are forgetting, how to drive properly.
This sort of criticism is not confined to vehicles. I believe that reliance on spelling and grammar checking facilities in word processing programs mean that people are no longer concerned about acquiring good writing skills. Meanwhile, language translation apps on smartphones have reduced the need to learn languages, and the increasing use of social network websites to communicate is preventing people from learning the conversation skill.
On the other hand, the benefits of modern technology more than compensate for the skills we have lost. Modern in-vehicle devices have been shown to help prevent traffic congestion and cut down on accidents. Computer spelling checks and language translation apps make communication clearer and less ambiguous, while social networks help us to stay in touch with people more easily. It could even be argued that learning how to use new technology means we are learning new skills to replace the ones we have lost.

In conclusion, there are many positive things we can say about modern technology. Having said that, however, we need to be careful that we do not become over-reliant on it. We need to treat modern technology as aid, rather than a substitute, for the skills that we have learnt.

WRITING TASK 2 ESSAY: ABOUT WAY OF LIFE [5]
Some people think that vertical city is the best, where people live and work in tall buildings. Others think that horizontal city is better, where there are few tall buildings.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model essay:
It is true that construction of high-rise buildings has become a relatively new phenomenon in many cities around the world. IN MY VIEW, these tall structures offer a variety of benefits to residents.

There are two main reasons for defending why living in a vertical city is the optimal choice. First, high-rise buildings provide a sensible answer to the problem of urban housing; for example, in Singapore and Hongkong where land is scarce and its price is astronomical, the government encounters difficulty in housing a growing population. These apartment buildings can effectively accommodate more people in the city. Second, the population density of the high-rise buildings encourages more facilities and services for residents, such as public transport and sports centers which are aimed for these communities.

On the other hand, opponents may argue that the traditional type of city is a better place to live in. Many people would prefer a traditional house with a courtyard or a garden because it allows people a sense of belonging to nature, especially the elderly. Traditional houses are usually designed with an opening space in front of the door so that people from within a community can easily communicate with their neighbours. Furthermore, it is also safer for the low-rise building occupants to live and work, compared to living in a tall apartment or an office building, in case a fire or an emergency occurs.

In conclusion, choosing an ideal place to live depends on a combination of factors, among which there is convenience and affordability. I believe high-rise buildings are a very positive solution to the prospective problems resulting from urban development.
(270 words)

LUYỆN TỪ VỰNG: VOCABULARY WORK [1]
Muốn luyện nội lực thượng thừa phải thật kiên nhẫn và ghi chép tỉ mỉ. Ai ai cũng phải trải qua giai đoạn này. Đừng nản lòng nhé.

Instruction: Tìm từ đồng nghĩa hoặc gần nghĩa với từ viết hoa. Để có đáp án, xin vui lòng gửi thư cho tôi theo địa chỉ [email protected], tôi sẽ gửi đáp án đến bạn sớm nhất có thể.

1. Oil is one of the PRINCIPAL sources of energy.
A) most expensive B) most important C) most difficult D) most popular

2. No one can SURVIVE for very long without water.
A) reproduce B) prosper C) transcend D) exist

3. The assignment was to write a SYNOPSIS of our favourite novel.
A) evaluation B) summary C) critique D) dramatization

4. It's FUTILE to go shopping when you don't have any money.
A) useless B) brilliant C) idiotic D) challenging

5. The actress had to raise her voice in order to be AUDIBLE in the balcony.
A) musical B) dramatic C) heard D) appreciated

6. Dictators never TOLERATE opposition of any kind.
A) understand B) permit C) justify D) execute

7. Earthquakes occur FREQUENTLY in parts of California.
A) instantly B) annually C) spontaneously D) often

8. Martin Luther King fought to put an end to racial SEGREGATION in the United States.
A) integration B) education C) separation D) torture

9. The number of ILLITERATES in this country continues to rise.
A) People who can't read and write B) people without children C) people who participate in sports D) people who purchase more than they can afford

10. Since his wound was SUPERFICIAL, only a BandAid was required.
A) frivolous B) on the surface C) deep D) supercilious

11. The main road will be closed until the BLIZZARD ends.
A) snowstorm B) hurricane C) tornado D) thunderstorm

12. Tennis wear has become a very LUCRATIVE business for both manufacturers and tennis stars.
A) illegal B) circumstantial C) expansive D) profitable

13. A familiar ADAGE says that the early bird gets the worm.
A) proverb B) lady C) gentleman D) book

14. At every faculty meeting, Dr. Betty Smith always manages to PUT HER FOOT IN HER MOUTH
A) trip over her big feet B) say the wrong thing C) move rapidly D) fall asleep.

WRITING TASK 2 ESSAY: ABOUT WAY OF LIFE [4]
Many children these days have an unhealthy lifestyle. Both schools and parents are responsible for solving this problem.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this claim?

First, you should think about the topic and read this model answer.

Nowadays, children have more opportunities to LEAD a healthy lifestyle than in the past because of the hygienic surroundings available to people. However, higher living standard does not mean healthier life, which is evident in children spending long hours in front of television or computers and take no exercise or eat a balanced diet.

Both parents and schools can join their hands to REMEDY this situation. Parents, by parental supervision, should limit the time their children spend sitting down and should encourage them to take more physical exercise while schools should include more hours for physical activities in the timetables as a part of compulsory physical education at school. As far as diet is concerned, both parents and schools should provide children with a wide range of foods which allow a greater quantity of vegetables and fruit and only a small amount of fat. Sticking to a balanced diet, children would develop responsible eating habits and this helps them to grow up into healthy adults.

On the other hand, IT IS ADVISABLE for governments and health authorities to get involved in teaching people how to shape a healthy lifestyle for their children. This is a completely realistic initiative, for modern technologies make it possible for us to broadcast programmes about healthy diet on television or on the Internet, or to give online courses to young couples on how to raise their children to be physically fit.

In conclusion, my opinion is that governments can encourage and offer help by giving information to people. However, IT IS UNDENIABLE THAT the VERY responsibility lies with the people who are in regular contact with them, in other words, their parents and school teachers.
(280 words)

VẤN ĐỀ TỪ VỰNG: CÔNG TỬ BẠC LIÊU
Hôm qua lớp speaking các em SV có hỏi chữ 'công tử Bạc Liêu' để đưa vào phần tourist attractions in the Mekong Delta, vậy đó là 'Prince of Bac Lieu' nhé. VD: nhà công tử Bạc Liêu = Prince of Bac Lieu House.

Bài viết sau đây giúp em mở rộng vốn từ về nhà giàu miền tây nam bộ. Enjoy it.

http://www.talkvietnam.com/2008/07/wealthy-people-in-love/

Wealthy people in love Hearing what Khanh told me, I laughed and remembered that newspapers once mentioned Ba Huy's aircraft was the first privately-owned airplane in Indochina.