Essay Questions

47.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

University lecturers are now able to put their lectures n the Internet for students to read and so the importance of attending face to face lectures have been reduced.

Do you believe the use of the Internet in formal education is a good idea?  What future effects will the intent have on academic study?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

48.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Under British and Australian laws a jury in a case has no access to information bout the defendant’s past criminal record.  This protects the person who is being accused of the crime.

Some lawyers have suggested that this should be changed and that jury should be given all the past facts before they reach their decision about the case.

Do you agree with this opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

49.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some employers reward members of staff for their exceptional contribution to company by giving them extra money.  This practice can act as an incentive for some but may also have negative impact on others.

To what extent is this style of management effective?

Are there better ways of encouraging employees to work hard?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

50.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Failure is proof that the desire wasn’t strong enough.

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

51.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

To be labelled a ‘Work of Art’, a painting, sculpture or other art forms should display certain qualities that are unique.  However, over the past century there has been a decline in the quality of prize-winning artwork and it is now possible for quite ordinary pieces of art to be labelled ‘masterpieces’ whilst true works of art pass unnoticed.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

52.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

There is an excessive number of cars on our roads today and this leads to many problem.  Individuals and governments should ensure that public transport plays a more important role in modern life in order to tackle these problems.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

53.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Academic achievement at school or university is the only true measure of a person’s intelligence.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

54.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Parents and family background have more influence than teachers on a young person’s learning an academic achievement.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

55.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Future plans to design prisons for learning and working, with bigger cells containing computers that will enable study and communication, have been criticized for trying to turn prisons into ‘holiday camps ‘ and for ‘wasting taxpayers’ money’.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

56.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In recent years many countries have become extremely concerned about the increase in crimes committed by young people.  Tough measures and strict punishments are necessary to stop youths from re-offending.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

57.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Currently there is a trend towards the use of alternative form of medicine.  However, at best these methods are ineffective, and at worst they may be dangerous.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

58.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and unacceptable in today’s society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

59.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many people judge success solely by money and material possessions.  However, success can be achieved or measured in other ways.

What are your opinions on this topic?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

60.              Question Type 1

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Millions of people in the world do not have enough to eat.

What do you think are some of the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to reduce it?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

61.              Question Type 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

People who commit serious crimes should be kept in prison for as long as possible to ensure that they cannot commit more crimes.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

62.              Question Type 3

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many people argue that exams are the best way to assess people’s competence and that no better system has yet been found.  Others say they are unfair, unhelpful and out of date.

Do you think the benefits of exams outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

63.              Question Type 4

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Choose three of the following media and say how effective you think they are as sources of news.  Which do you think is the most effective?

Radio

Television

Magazine

The internet

Newspapers

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

64.              Question Type 5

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Money is important in most people’s lives, although some people think it is more important than others.

What do you feel are the right uses of money?  What other factors are important for a good life?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

65.              Question Type 6

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people feel the private lives of politicians, film stars, sports personalities and other well-known people should remain private; others say there are good reasons why they should not.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

66.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The age at which children are allowed to work for money varies from country to country.  While some people believe it is wrong, others regard it as a valuable opportunity to gain experience of the work environment.

Discuss the arguments for and against children participating in paid work.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

67.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Violence in playgrounds is increasing.  However, it is important that parents should teach children not to hit back at bullies.

Discuss this view and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

68.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The increasing use modern drug technology encourages the treatment of symptoms instead of treating causes.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

69.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

An increasing number of people are turning to vegetarianism.  Some people believe that people are following a vegetarian diet for reason other than animal right issues.

Do you agree with this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

70.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Supermarkets should only sell food produced from within their own country rather than imports from overseas.

What are your opinions on this?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

71.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

There are serious concerns about the sale and production of genetically modified food.  Yet this is necessary if we are to meet the demands of an increasing world population.

Give your opinions on this.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

72.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Private car ownership has grown dramatically in recent years. This has led to a rise in traffic congestion.

What could governments and individuals do to reduce congestion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

73.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In come countries privately owned transport systems have a poor safety record.  Yet it is the government’s who have ultimate responsibility for public safety.

How can governments ensure that private transport companies do not neglect safety regulations?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

74.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Today’s low-cost airlines are able to offer fast and cheap travel.  However some people believe this is at a cost the planet.

Suggest ways that governments and individuals could tackle the environmental impact of low-cost fights.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

75.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that it is the duty of city authorities to provide cultural attractions such as museums and art galleries.  Others believe that this is a waste of money, and that the focus should be on providing an effective infrastructure and efficient services.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

76.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

An increasing number of products for children are advertised on television.  Such advertisements sometimes rely on ‘pester power’ to persuade parents to by the products.

Do you think children’s products should not be advertised on television?  Would this be unfair to manufacturers?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

77.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many people believe that increasing levels of violence on television and in films is having a direct result on levels of violence in society.  Others claim that violence in society is the result of more fundamental social problems such as unemployment.

How far do you think society is affected by violence in the media?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

78.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The inequality between rich and poor nations is now wider than it has ever been before.  What so you think are the main causes of this difference and what do you think can be done to reduce the gap?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

79.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The world has seen an enormous increase in flights for leisure, business and commercial purposes around the world over recent years. 

What do you think are the main advantages of and disadvantages of such flights?

Do you think flights should be taxed more?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

80.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Recent research has shown that media like the Internet and television has a greater influence over people’s lives than politicians.

Which do you consider to be greater influence?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

81.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

With recent developments in technology like e-books, some people feel that printed media like books, newspapers, and magazines will soon be thing of the past.  Others feel that these forms of media will never disappear.

What is your opinion?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

82.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

In recent times police and security forces have used considerable physical force against demonstrators for peace and environmental issues.

To what extent do you believe such force is justified?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

83.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Do you believe that it is right for a country to change its flag after citizens have fought and died under the existing flag?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.