CAMBRIDGE 19

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below gives information on the numbers of participants for different activities at one social centre in Melbourne, Australia for the period 2000 to 2020.

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

Sample Report

The line chart details participants according to activity at a social center in the Australian city of Melbourne from 2000 to 2020. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that participants for all activities increased to varying degrees except in terms of martial arts and amateur drama. Film club was by far the most popular activity throughout, though table tennis demonstrated the strongest growth.

In 2000, 64 individuals participated in film club, a figure that dipped to 60 in 2010 and then more than recovered to finish the period at 65. The trend for martial arts was similarly stable with a beginning data point of 38, a high of 39 in 2010, and a final figure of 37.

The remaining activities started the period lower with 27 participants for amateur drama, 18 for table tennis, and 0 for musical performances (unavailable at the time). Over the next 10 years, amateur dramatics commenced a decline that would end at just 5 by 2020, while table tennis underwent the inverse transformation, peaking at 52 by the same year. Musical performances were only an option starting in 2005, with participants growing and levelling off to just under 20 by the end of the period.

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

Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.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

Many argue that competing in a variety of daily environments is a positive, while others feel a focus on cooperation would be ideal. In my opinion, although competition can yield transformational results, it is more valuable to embrace cooperation as a guiding principle.

Those who argue in favor of competition contend that it serves as powerful motivation. Examples of the impact of competition exend to many segments of life, including school and work. In schools, the desire to compete can lead a student to study harder than their classmates in order to achieve better grades and secure esteem from teachers and family members. At work, competition for promotions and higher compensation packages is the entire reason that individuals work diligently in the majority of company contexts. However, at home, competition rarely has positive ramifications. Family members that are consistently competing for admiration and recoginition are likely to suffer from some degree of poor mental health.

Indeed, there is greater value in fostering a cooperative environment. When individuals work together in teams, whether it be at school, work, or in the home, they are more likely to experience high levels of motivation, and more crucially, enjoyment. Competition can serve as a catalyst for achievement but is unlikely to engender the same heights of unifying satisfaction. A standout example of this would be the dynamics present on a sports team at any level of competition. Even though the players on the team are engaged in a competition, the most memorable and lasting memories of their experiences are more likely to come from small moments of comradery shared with teammates. This is the reason that many cite times spent working in groups towards a common goal as the highlights of life.

In conclusion, although competition can encourage innovation, cooperation provides a more vital environment of mutual respect and enjoyment of life. Depending on the situation, it is therefore imperative to seek cooperative understanding.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The plans below show a harbour in 2000 and how it looks today.

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

Sample Report

The given map details Porth Harbor in the past and alterations made in the present day. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the harbor has become more accessible through additional docking options, and transitioned generally from being used for commercial fishing and some private boating to a mostly recreational waterfront area.

In the past, there was a single dock in the norther section of the harbor, just below a public beach stretching further northwards. At present, the beach remains the same but another dock serving passenger ferries has been added. Slightly south and west of the docks, there was previously a marina for private yachts, showers and toilets and a car park connected to the main road running north to south. The only change today is the marina has now been relocated to the immediate south.

In the southwestern section of the harbor, the marina (which replaced an open harbor for fishing boats) is adjacent to new showers and toilets and a pre-existing second car park linked to the main road. On the eastern peninsula, the existing lifeboat and private beach are now accompanied by cafes and shops and a smaller road leading to a new hotel to the furthest eastern point.

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

The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend.Do you agree or disagree?

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

Sample Essay

Many today make the argument that the average work week should be shortened in order to allow for longer weekends. In my opinion, though there would be potential economic drawbacks, this approach is both sensible and advisable.

Critics of reduced working days point to the repercussions for productivity. Shortening the number of workdays in a week would logically entail a decline in the amount of work a person can complete. In the majority of industries, this would result in lower sales and earnings figures. The result for the entire economy of such a drastic step could be potentially disastrous as companies would have to reduce profit forecasts and revisit investment models. In developed nations, such a sacrifice for the sake of more free time might be feasible but developing countries would certainly struggle to compete on a global scale.

Nonetheless, there are more significant advantages to a longer weekend related to quality of life. Current weekends make it challenging for individuals to enjoy enough free time to take trips, engage in long-term projects outside of work, and spend enough time with family. An additional day would allow for greater flexibility in all these respects. For instance, the average worker who is occupied at an office or company for the majority of the week, might only think of resting and relaxing on the weekend. Given an extra day on the weekend, this person might be more encouraged to take a more active role in family life or develop an interest outside of work, such as making art or playing a sport, that requires more energy and commitment.

In conclusion, despite the possible implications for productivity, a shorter working week would engender a variety of significant benefits for the average person and should therefore be considered by policymakers. In an age of increased automation, longer weekends are becoming a more realistic possibility.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows how a biofuel called ethanol is produced.

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

Sample Report

The process details the method through which the biofuel ethanol is manufactured. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the process is a mixture of natural and man-made and there are three main stages. Initially, there is harvesting of the raw sources, followed by a stage of breaking down and processing the constituent elements of ethanol, and lastly the distribution of ethanol for various purposes which in turn produce CO2 to restart the process.

First, energy in the form of sunlight and carbon dioxide in plants and trees is harvested by machines. This harvest then enters a pre-processing stage which breaks larger stalks and matter down into cellulose. The cellulose is next processed chemically in order to extract sugars.

The final stages of the process involve adding microbes to the sugar to produce ethanol. The finished product is then used by cars, trucks, and airplanes. These modes of transport themselves create carbon dioxide and contribute to the cyclical production system.

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

It is important for everyone, including young people, to save money for their future.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

Undue emphasis on saving prioritizes satisfaction in a possible future over enjoyment of the present moment. In most countries, individuals begin to save and plan for retirement as young adults. This approach means that by the time they have enough time to enjoy themselves, they are likely older, unhealthy, and less capable of living an active life. A person who saves for a comfortable retirement by abstaining from travel, going out with friends regularly, and spending on luxuries might discover later in life that a sizeable savings account is no substitute for a full life. However, this assumes an extreme approach to saving that is rare for the vast majority of people who can typically balance basic fiscal responsibility with freer spending habits.

Moreover, saving money allows individuals of all ages to safeguard the flexibility to pursue a variety of passions in life. Those who have not inherited generational wealth and do not commit themselves to saving, will almost undoubtedly have to work long hours for many years. Yet, if a worker slowly accumulates savings then that allows them to make investments and generate passive income streams. These alternative ways of earning money can give them options in life. They might decide to quit or work fewer hours and pursue a passion project. They might also be more inclined to be entrepreneurial or adventurous in their choice of vocation. All these options lead to a richer and more varied life that contrasts markedly with working diligently towards retirement.

In conclusion, despite the possible risks of fixating on savings to the detriment of quality of life, there is value in saving wisely for all individuals. These savings will likely vary in size depending on the needs and circumstances of each person.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The charts below give information on the location and types of dance classes young people in a town in Australia are currently attending.

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

Sample Report

The pie chart and bar chart detail information concerning dance classes currently being attended by young people in an Australian town. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the vast majority of classes are hosted in private studios, followed by school halls, community halls, and, most distantly, college studios. For very young children,  ballet and tap dancing are more popular, while the preferred option for older students is modern dance.

Regarding the location of dance classes in the town, private studios account for 48% of the total, precisely double the figure for after-school school halls (24%). Community and other halls trail this data point slightly at 18% and the least common venue is college-based studios at just 10%.

Concerning the varieties of dance classes popular with different age demographics,  ballet is most notable with over 600 students under age 11, and only 300 students aged 11 to 16. The age disparity narrows for tap classes with 410 older students and 440 younger ones. Modern dance displays the opposite trend to ballet with far more older students (520) relative to their younger counterparts (300).

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

In many countries nowadays, consumers can go to a supermarket and buy food produced all over the world. Do you think this is a positive or 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 recent years, food imported from various parts of the world in supermarkets has become prevalent. While some view this trend as positive, I would argue that the repercussions for local producers are a negative overall.

One compelling argument in favor of the availability of globally sourced food in supermarkets is the increased variety it offers consumers. In the distant past, shoppers were limited to consuming locally grown produce, which could result in a monotonous diet lacking diversity. Nowadays, however, supermarkets provide an extensive range of fruits, vegetables, spices, and other food products from different corners of the globe. This enables consumers to explore new flavors and experience diverse culinary traditions, enriching their gastronomic experiences. For instance, in most supermarkets, one can find exotic fruits such as dragon fruit from Vietnam, mangoes from India, and avocados from Mexico. By having access to such diverse options, consumers can broaden their palate and enjoy a more varied and exciting diet.

On the other hand, the easy availability of food produced globally is detrimental for local farmers. When consumers prefer imported goods over locally grown products, it can lead to a decline in demand for local agricultural produce. Local farmers may then face financial difficulties and struggle to sustain their livelihoods. For example, in a study conducted in the United Kingdom, it was found that the demand for imported strawberries during winter had a negative impact on local strawberry farmers. Due to the availability of strawberries from warmer climates, consumers were less inclined to purchase locally grown strawberries, leading to a decline in sales for local producers. This situation not only affected the farmers’ income but also disrupted the local economy in a variety of subtle ways.

In conclusion, although the availability of food produced worldwide in supermarkets offers consumers a wider variety of food choices and experiences, the challenges to local farmers are more significant. Policymakers should promote local farming operations rather than encouraging the imported food industry.