CAMBRIDGE 18

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information about the percentage of the population in four Asian countries living in cities from 1970 to 2020, with predictions for 2030 and 2040.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words.

Sample Report

The line graphdepicts the changing city population percentages in four Asian countries from 1970 to 2020, with projections for 2030 and 2040.

Overall, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of the population residing in cities in all four countries, and this increase is expected to continue into the future. Malaysia emerges as the frontrunner with the highest proportion of city residents compared to the others.

In 1970, around 30% of the populations of Malaysia and the Philippines lived in cities. By 2020, Malaysia had experienced substantial growth, reaching almost 80% city population, while the Philippines had fluctuated between 30% and 50%.

Thailand had nearly 20% of its population in cities in 1970, whereas Indonesia had about 15%. However, Indonesia’s city population had grown rapidly, surpassing 50% by 2020, while Thailand had reached roughly 30%.

Looking ahead, projections indicate further growth in city populations across all four countries. By 2040, it is predicted that Malaysia will have the largest percentage of city residents, nearing 85%, followed by Indonesia at around 65%. The figures for the Philippines and Thailand are predicted to be approximately 55% and 50%, respectively. (189 Words)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

• The most important aim of science should be to improve people’s lives.
• 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.
Write at least 250 words.

Sample Essay

While enhancing human well-being through science is important, I believe it should not be solely the primary goal of science. Equally important are safeguarding the environment and respecting animal rights.

Scientific progress should never be achieved by sacrificing the environment, which plays a crucial role in sustaining human life. As the world’s population increases, creating better ways to produce food, such as more efficient pesticides, becomes vital. Yet, if the focus remains solely on boosting crop yields, the pesticides developed may not only affect pests but also make the land infertile, worsening the preexisting issue of food scarcity. This highlights the importance of taking a balanced approach to scientific advancement that focuses on caring for both human lives and the health of the environment that they depend on.

Furthermore, testing drugs on animals raises serious ethical concerns. Ensuring the safety of novel medicines for human use is critical, but prioritizing human health over animal rights is morally unacceptable. Animals, much like humans, experience emotions and share the right to live freely and without unnecessary suffering. Subjecting them to prolonged captivity solely for testing can result in both physical and psychological suffering. As moral beings, we have a responsibility to treat animals compassionately and avoid such acts of brutality in the name of human betterment.

In conclusion, although improving people’s lives is important in science, I believe that it should not overshadow other critical objectives. We must also give equal priority to environmental preservation and animal welfare, striking a balance between scientific progress and ethics for a better world. (258 Words)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart below shows the number of households in the US by their annual income in 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Write at least 150 words

Sample Report

The bar chart details the total number of households in the United States categorized by average annual income from the year 2007 to 2015. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there were rising trends for all income brackets with the exception of those earning in the middle, which was stable. The greatest increase and the highest proportion by the end belonged to those earning the most.

In 2007, those with annual compensations under $25,000 numbered just over 25 million, a figure considerably higher than $50,000-$74,999 (21 million) and $75,000-99,999 (14 million) but beneath those earning $25,000-$49,999 (27 million) and over $100,000 (29 million). Four years later, there was a decline for the wealthiest homes to 26 million, the next wealthiest to 14 million and noticeable rises of around 3 million for the lower income brackets. Only the middle-income group was unchanged throughout the surveyed time period.

By 2015, the number of very wealthy households had surged to 33 million while the two lowest earning demographics fell slightly by about a million each to finish around 26 million. There was a moderate rise for the second highest earning households to end the period at precisely 15 million in total.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Sample Essay

There are differing opinions regarding whether university students should solely focus on earning a qualification or explore other subjects as well. While prioritizing qualification studies can enhance job prospects, I am of the opinion that delving into additional subjects outside of one’s field of study can pave the way for entrepreneurial endeavors.

On the one hand, some argue that devoting time exclusively to obtaining a qualification can enhance the likelihood of securing employment. A degree serves as evidence of specialized knowledge and skills, making it easier to find a job in a related industry. However, I believe that securing a job is one aspect, while excelling in it is another. Students who limit themselves to their core subjects may lack a broad perspective that can propel them to great work performance. For instance, a journalism major who also takes psychology courses may be able to better understand the motivations and behavior of their sources, resulting in more insightful and impactful reporting.

On the other hand, it can be contended that pursuing a range of subjects fosters entrepreneurship. A well-rounded understanding of various disciplines enables individuals to conceive and execute business ideas more effectively. Take Elon Musk as an example. If he had solely studied physics, he might have become an excellent engineer, but his background in economics has granted him a unique advantage in scaling his inventions and making them commercially viable. I agree with this perspective because higher education comes at a significant cost, and pursuing successful business ventures often yields a higher return on investment than traditional 9-5 employment.

In conclusion, while academic qualifications may enhance job prospects, I believe it is more important to explore diverse subjects, which has the added benefit of inspiring entrepreneurial ventures. (289 Words)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant Write at least 150 words

Sample Report

The diagram illustrates the transformation of a public library’s floor plan over the course of two decades.

Overall, the library has undergone significant changes to create a more child-friendly environment and incorporate modern technology. Upon entering, the central area, previously occupied by seating, now functions as an open passage. To the left of the entrance, the former reading room for newspapers and magazines has been replaced by a dedicated computer room. On the right side, a café has taken the place of the previous enquiry desk.

Continuing past the café, the section that once housed adult non-fiction books has been changed into an information desk area with self-service machines. To the left of this area, the space that used to contain adult fiction books now accommodates all reference books. The adult fiction collection has been relocated, sharing space with the information desk area.

Walking up to the end of the passage, on the left is a spacious room allocated for children’s fiction books and storytelling events, accompanied by sofas. This particular space was previously a small storage area for CDs, movies, and computer games. On the right side, a lecture room has replaced the former location of children’s books. (199 Words)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

In many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Sample Essay

In many countries, the population of the countryside is dwindling as rural residents leave for cities. I believe this should be seen as a negative trend because it not only hurts rural businesses but also creates challenges for maintaining essential services for rural communities.

A shrinking population in the countryside can have detrimental effects on local businesses. With fewer residents, there is reduced demand for goods and services, leading to a downturn in local businesses and bringing inconvenience to the daily lives of the local community. For example, in the United States, low sales volumes caused by the decline in population in some rural areas made it financially unsustainable for Walmart to continue operating stores there. The closures of the Walmart stores meant that local residents lost a convenient and affordable shopping option that provided a range of products under one roof. Consequently, they had to travel long distances to access similar goods, which created hardships for those without reliable transportation.

Furthermore, a declining rural population poses challenges in sustaining essential local services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure in the area. Consider rural schools. As the population dwindles, they may struggle to maintain sufficient enrollment. This, in turn, creates financial challenges for the schools and makes it difficult for them to retain qualified teachers and offer a diverse range of educational programs. This situation exacerbates the educational disparity between students in rural areas and their counterparts in cities.

In conclusion, the decreasing rural population is a negative development that poses challenges for rural businesses and the provision of essential local services. Efforts should be made to address this issue and find ways to revitalize rural communities, ensuring their sustainable growth and well-being. (283 Words)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows the average monthly change in the prices of three metals during 2014.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Sample Report

The line graph depicts the average monthly price fluctuations of three metals during 2014, compared to the preceding months.

Overall, prices for all three metals increased throughout most months of the year, with nickel showing the greatest price changes compared to the other two.

Nickel prices experienced the most significant fluctuations in January and February, rising by 6% and 4%, respectively. The following three months also saw growth in nickel prices, ranging from 0.5% to 1%. After a drop of 1% to 3% from June to October, they began to climb again, increasing by 1% in November and December.

Zinc prices, like nickel, declined only from June to October, by no more than 1%. However, the most substantial zinc price hikes occurred in February, March, and December, rising by 3%, 2%, and 2%, respectively.

On the other hand, copper prices remained relatively stable compared to the other two metals. They showed an increase of no greater than 2% throughout the year, except for a minor fall of around 0.5% from May to June. (176 Words)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

In many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. Some people say an ageing population creates problems for governments. Other people think there are benefits if society has more elderly people. To what extent do the advantages of having an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Sample Essay

In many countries, the elderly population is growing at an unprecedented rate, presenting both challenges and opportunities for governments. Although older generations can promote workplace diversity, they create an enormous burden on healthcare systems, which, in my opinion, far outweighs any possible advantage.

On the positive side, older individuals can bring valuable contributions to the workforce, particularly in terms of diversity. Their wealth of experience and unique perspectives can enhance innovation and problem-solving within organizations. It is not uncommon to see seasoned professionals occupying top positions in renowned companies such as Apple and Google. However, it is important to note that this only applies to a small fraction of the workforce. In many cases, elderly workers may struggle to match the productivity levels of their younger counterparts. Challenges such as meeting deadlines or responding swiftly to emerging issues can diminish the added value they bring to the team.

Conversely, an aging population places significant strain on healthcare systems. As individuals age, they are more prone to develop age-related health conditions, necessitating increased medical attention, long-term care, and assistance with chronic ailments. The mounting demand for healthcare can be seen as a major disadvantage to society because it potentially divert resources away from other crucial sectors like business subsidies, education, and infrastructure. Consequently, the overall quality of life in a country may decline due to the overwhelmed healthcare system.

In conclusion, while older individuals can foster workplace diversity, I believe that the burden they place on healthcare systems greatly outweighs this advantage because the need to allocate substantial funds to meet the growing healthcare demands of an aging population can have detrimental effects on other vital areas of society. (278 Words)