1. Environment and Pollution
2. Computers and the Internet
3. Languages and Cultures
4. Media and Advertising
5. Travel and Tourism
6. Work and Life
7. Education and Learning
8. Technology and Inventions
9. Government and Society
10. Others
Unit 1
Environment and Pollution
1. The unlimited use of cars may cause many problems. What are those problems? In order to
reduce the problems, should we discourage people to use cars?
Model Essay
Having a car has become an essential part of many people’s lives. It offers flexibility to
their life and work, and also provides ready access to a variety of services and leisure options,
however, a range of problems have been identified and need to be addressed.
The problems associated with frequent car use becoming increasingly familiar to the
general public. The widespread use of cars has real environmental costs. Vehicles are major
sources of urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It is reported that road traffic is the
source of one third of all harmful air pollution is the world. Car exhaust contributes to acid rain,
carbon dioxide and lead, which cause global warming and damage human health. Traffic jam is
another problem. As more and more people drive to work rather than walk, cycle or take public
transport, there are heavy traffic jams almost every day at rush hours. The most serious problem,
however, is safety. Car accidents cause huge numbers of casualties every year.
To solve these problems, some people suggest that the government should impose a strict
restriction on the use of cars, but I do not think this is the best option, because this would lead to
reduced mobility for people and a decline in the car industry. I think a better solution would be
for car manufacturers to design more environmentally friendly cars, which run solar power or
hydrogen. Also, traffic problems can be alleviated by building more underground tunnels and

energy) is a positive trend of development, and indeed their use should be encouraged further. As
the demand for energy worldwide is increasing, especially in developing countries, the strains on
the existing and already limited resources also increase. To solve this problem, we must consider
two issues: how to better use the existing, limited fossil fuel resources and how we can encourage
the use of alternative energy sources.
It is universally acknowledged that there is a limitation on the use of fossil fuels, especially
coal and oil. Some countries are rich in oil deposits like OPEC, whereas China completely
dependent on the import of resources. For all countries – resource rich versus resource poor,
alternative energy should be encouraged and utilizes to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels ads
well as to keep the global environment in balance and ‘healthy’.
The only way is to turn to other sources to get energy supply. Wind power and solar power
are at present feasible alternatives. France is one country which has the advanced technology
needed to produce extremely efficient solar panels to store energy from the sun. both kinds of
power can reduce a country’s dependence on fossil fuels. Furthermore, they do not pollute the
environment and in turn help keep the ecosystem stable.
While fossil fuel resources are diminishing, the demand for energy continues to increase
year on year. It is a positive trend to develop other alternatives to replace these traditional energy
resources. Experiences should be shared and promoted, technology shared and exchanged to limit
or even reduce the greenhouse effect. If this switch to alternative energy is encouraged early, then
we may yet avoid the pending energy crisis.
( High scoring – 314 words )
Key Vocabulary
• Alternative (adj)
Please find alternative means of transport.
We have no alternative but to do it.
• Strain (n)
You will strain your eyes by reading in such poor light.
• Universally (adv)
His actions made him universally respected.
• Deposit (n)

conservation, and many endangered species have been spared the fate of extinction. Nevertheless,
it is also a well-known fact that the pace of damage to the environment far outstrips our
conservation efforts. Unless all citizens of the world are fully aware of the gravity of the
situation, ecological degradation, which is happening in their counties, can never be halted. All
too often, we tend to expect our scientists, engineers and governments to solve the environmental
problems while, in the meantime, factories and households are dumping millions of litres of toxic
wastes into rivers, lakes and oceans. Similarly, fancy private vehicles are being crazily purchased,
emitting billions of tons of car exhaust into the atmosphere and aggravating the greenhouse
effect.
Given this argument, it is reasonable to conclude that if every member of the society is
aware of the relationships between humans and the nature and stops their destructive behavior,
the ecological strain on earth can relieved and the benefits to all nations are enormous.
( High scoring – 365 words )
Key Vocabulary
• Confront (v) đương đầu
The government found itself confronted by massive opposition.
• Agency (n) đại lý; sở, cục
You can book at your local travel agency.
• Co-ordinated (adj) hợp tác, cộng tác
Our efforts need to be further co-ordinated for higher efficiency.
• Curb (v) kiềm chế
A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation.
• Spiral (n) đường xoắn ốc
The birds circled in a slow spiral above the house.
• Awareness (n) ý thức, sự nhận thức
It is important that students develop an awareness of how the Internet can be used.
• Nurture (vt) nuôi dưỡng; khuyến khích, ủng hộ
Her teacher recognized and nurtured her musical talent form an early age.
• Realization (n) sự nhận thức
There is a growing realization that changes must be made.

• Exhaust (n) khí thải
The exhaust pipe shot sparks.
• Aggravate (v) làm trầm trọng thêm
Military intervention will only aggravate the conflict even further.
• Destructive (adj) có tính tàn phá/hủy diệt
Opencast coal mining is among the most environmentally destructive activities carried
out in Wales.
• Strain (n) áp lực, căng thẳng
these repayments are putting a strain on our finances.
• Enormous (adj) khổng lồ
The problems facing the President are enoumous.
4. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be
attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In order to
reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage
people to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage
the use of public transport. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Model Essay
In a world of increasing environmental awareness improved public transport represents the
way of the future. Although people do enjoy the convenience and privacy of traveling in their
own private vehicles. In my opinion they may choose public transport if it fulfills certain
conditions. These conditions fall into three broad categories: attitudinal, financial and logistical.
From an attitudinal perspective, people must first be convinced of the benefits of public
transportation. An educational or public relations campaign must be launched to sensitize those
who might have disregarded this possibility before. People should be familiarized with the
environmental, social and personal benefits for present and future generations. This is one step.
From a financial perspective, public transportation must be a clear and viable benefit to
consumers. In other words, it must be more affordable than driving to work every day. For
example, if people know that by using bus and subway, they can save enough money to take a
free holiday each year, many more individuals would be persuaded to travel in this way. This is
another critical step.

Finally, I think that now humankind faced the problem of overpopulation. The population is
dramatically rising. We need more food, shelters, clothes, construction materials and space. So,
many animals are extinguishing. So, I believe that this money could be spent on conducting a
campaign against overpopulation.
To sum up, I think that in order to make our children happy we should be more careful with
the resources that we take from the nature and if it is possible restore them.
6. One day the world’s oil and gas reserves will run out. The search for alternative energy
sources like wind power, solar power, burning waste, and water power are causing as much
environmental damage as the oil and nuclear power sources they are intended to replace.
Model Essay
The criticism that alternative energy sources such as wind power etc cause as much
environmental damage as fossil fuel has some justification. Some people, for example, are
strongly against the use of wind power. Indeed, the large wind farms in some European countries
have come in for strong criticism and not just from environmentalists. They are very ugly, even if
they are in the sea far away from the coast. Burning household waste for fuel also causes
problems, because of the harmful fumes that are the by-product of the process. So while the
amount of waste put into landfill sites is reduced thus preserving the environment, the air is being
polluted instead! However, in my opinion, such sources need to be encouraged as a means of
replacing fossil fuel as they have considerable advantages.
First of all, as the technology for using alternative sources of energy is becoming more and
more sophisticated, any harmful by-product will be minimised. Moreover, the cost of producing
the necessary equipment will decline. Take solar energy, for example. In the past, the panels that
were needed to utilise energy from the sun were huge and not very environmentally friendly.
Now, however, the same pannels are small enough not to be noticed or are made to look like say
roof tiles or normal parts of vehicles. The same will apply to wind farms as the giant turbines
become smaller and less obvious.
Energy from water also comes in for a lot of criticism. This has come about from the many
high profile dam projects around the world where huge areas have been destroyed both for people
and local flora and fauna. However, it is a safer alternative to nuclear energy and a price that has
to be paid.

This essay is exactly 250 words long. I've tried to make it as simple as possible, but it's still good
enough to get a band 9.
8. Car ownership has increased so rapidly over the past thirty years that many cities in the
world are now ‘one big traffic jam’.
How true do you think this statement is?
What measures can government take to discourage people from using their cars?
Model Essay
Most people would agree that car ownership has increased in recent years and is causing a
range of problems, particularly in built-up areas. I think there are a number of ways that
governments can aim to deal with this.
Many big cities in the world have traffic problems but these problems vary. For example, it
is reasonably easy to drive around my city after 10 am and before 5 pm. However, outside these
hours, you have to allow double the usual time to reach your destination. In some other cities,
traffic is congested at all times, and there is the continual sound of car horns as people try to get
wherever they want to go.
One of the best approaches governments can take in busy cities is to encourage the use of
public transport. This means the transport facilities have to be well run and people must be able
to afford them. Buses, trams and trains are good ways of getting around, and if they are cheap and
reliable, people will use them.
Another approach is to discourage people from actually entering the city by building car
parks and shopping centres on the outskirts. Many cities around the world do this quite
successfully and offer passengers bus transport into the centre, if they need it.
At peak travel periods. Governments can also run campaigns to encourage people to be less
dependent on their cars. Apparently, a lot of car trips involve very short journeys to, say, the
supermarket or local school. These are often unnecessary, but we automatically get in our cars
without thinking.
Clearly we all have a responsibility to look after our cities. Governments can do a lot to
improve the situation and part of what they do should involve encouraging individuals to
consider alternatives to driving.
( The official Cambridge guide – 299 words )

Reinforce (v) củng cố
Success in the talks will reinforce his reputation as an international statesman.
Evaluate (vt) đánh giá
Our research attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of the different drugs.
Indicate (v) biểu thị = show
The article claims that an increase in crime indicates decline in moral standards.
Variable (n) biến số
With so many variables, it is difficult to calculate the cost.
2. The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books, and they shouldn’t waste their
limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer
software, videos and DVDs.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Model Essay
In a traditional sense, libraries are places with a large collection of books. However,
the digital age has given today’s libraries new means of storing and retrieving
information on media other than the printed pages. CD-ROMs, videos and DVDs are
widely used in public libraries, and they serve both the libraries and the readers.
Opponents of a high-tech library would argue that multimedia facilities are expensive.
This may be true to some extent because a DVD player is often more expensive than a
bookshelf. However, with immense storage capacity, these new high-tech media can
actually save the most valuable resource – space. A computer disc 12cm in diameter
can store a whole Encyclopaedia Britannica which, in printed volumes, would occupy
a complete shelf section.
Furthermore, magnetic and digital media can store information much longer than
traditional means. It takes great care to protect books from moisture, fire or human
damage, and a book in a library serves readers for only a few hundred years. But
digital files, easily duplicated and restored, can perhaps last forever.
Finally, visiting a library with multiple media access is much more interesting. Multi-
media resources offer readers a dynamic combination of images, sounds and videos. A
reader can actually hear Martin Luther King crying out “I have a dream”, or roam

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Model Essay
The ways in which children today study, both at home and at school, are radically different
from any previous generation, and the increased availability and relatively low price of
modern technology have been instrumental in this change. However, I feel that while modern
technologies, such as computers and the Internet, are important in assisting a child’s learning,
this learning should be guided and directed by the experience of teachers.
There is no denying the fact that computers and the Internet are popularly used in the field of
education; they can present knowledge in a vivid and novel way. The computer and the
Internet can also enable students in enhancing their general understanding of how to solve
difficulties in study as well as giving them vital skills in readiness for later life. However, the
problems are: the information that the computer can show has to be pre-programmed and
needs constant updating, for example Encyclopaedia’s on DVD-ROM; and contrary to popular
belief, the Internet may not be a reliable source for knowledge, since there is often conflicting
information available when taken from different sources.
A traditional and long-established practice is for children to study and gain knowledge at
school, learning skills in various ways taught by traditional methods. A school is a place where
students gather to be educated and learn from each other as well as formal educators. At
school, student’s development is orchestrated stage by state, step by step by experienced
teachers, and their acquisition of knowledge is guided and backed up in a systematic way.
I do not believe that it will help students to learn effectively and in long-term manner to
overemphasizing the use of computers and the Internet. Rather, I feel that modern technologies
can complement more traditional teaching and learning methods, without being
(High – Scoring – 305 words)
Key Vocabulary
Radically (adv)
There is only a formal resemblance between the two systems; they are in fact radically
different.
Instrumental (adj)
I was instrumental in catching the criminal.

trong bài văn mẫu của đề thi tháng 11 năm 2005, người ta cũng thường dùng cấu trúc
xuất hiện trong bài văn mẫu này:
There is no denying the fact that…
Cấu trúc vừa nêu thường xuất hiện trong câu trọng tâm của đoạn văn và được dùng để
mở đầu đoạn văn, tiếp theo, người viết sẽ trình bày quan điểm của bản thân để phản
bác quan điểm đã nêu trước đó. Dưới đây là đoạn văn sử dụng cấu trúc trên để diễn đạt
sự nhượng bộ.
There is no denying the fact that even individuals should take the responsibility to help
solve the environmental problems. The government, however, is more likely to take the
leading position in directing the whole society to care about the environment.
4. What disadvantages will people meet if they cannot use computers? What
should our government do? (Version 86)