WRITING TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task
Write about the following topic:
Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age. Some think they should begin at least 7 years old.
Discuss both 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.
WRITING TASK 1
The given maps illustrate a number of changes taking place in a city between 1950 and present day.
Overall, the most significant modification after nearly 70 years is the expansion of residential area. In addition, the river and the airport witness no changes in their position.
It can be noticed that the population of the city now is ten times higher than that in 1950, which is also directly proportional to the size of residential area after 70 years. Besides, the business district in the middle of the city has been expanded to the South. At present, a new lake along the river has also appeared.
A new small bridge has been erected in the East of the river, which was opposite the construction of a dam. Although the airport witnesses no changes in the position, its size has been increased nearly three-fold. To the South of the river, the government building has been reduced in size, and a bigger one has been built in the bottom of the city.
(170 words – Band 8.0)
WRITING TASK 2
People have different views about whether children should start their formal education as early as possible or delay it until they are at least 7 years old. Personally, I believe an early commencement of study would be far more beneficial than a later start.
Firstly, starting school at a young age would generate a number of positive outcomes. Undeniably, the younger an individual is, the easier it is for them to acquire new knowledge and information. As a result, these children would have a head start over their peers pursuing higher education. Besides this, they would have opportunities to figure out their natural talents. Most Vietnamese
children, for example, are sent to kindergarten at the age of 3 or 4 to learn some basic skills such as addition and subtraction. After a couple of months, those showing potential will be cared for by teachers with an aim to train them to become specialized students in the future.
However, several individuals advocate a later start to formal schooling due to a number of reasons. It is believed that commencing school at a later age will offer kids more time to learn many things via their parents at home. As a result, these children will become more mature and integrate more easily into the educational environment in the upcoming years. In addition, it might also be more beneficial for children to have a childhood in which they can cultivate their own skills and interests through normal activities at home.
To conclude, despite being safe with their parents at home, children would have fewer chances to engage in extracurricular activities which would equip them with vital soft skills including teamwork and communication skills. Not to mention, while not at school, many children tend to lead an unhealthy lifestyle as their free time is devoted to online games, which gradually isolate them from society. Therefore, I believe that it would be well-advised that parents send their children to school at an early age.
(329 words – Band 8.0)