剑桥雅思 3

Test 2

Writing task 1

Topic request

The chart below shows the amount spent on six consumer goods in four European countries.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

 

 

Model answer

The chart shows that Britain, among the four European countries listed, has spent most heavily on the range of consumer goods included. In every case, British spending is considerably higher than that of other countries: only in the case of tennis racquets does another country, Italy, come close.

 

In contrast, Germany is generally the lowest spender. This is most evident in photographic film, where Germany spends much less than Britain. Germany only spends more than another country, France, in two cases: tennis racquets and perfumes.

 

Meanwhile, France and Italy generally maintain middle positions, averaging approximately similar spending overall. Specifically, France spends more on CDs and photographic film but less on tennis racquets than Italy does. Italy’s spending on personal stereos is only marginally greater than that of France, while spending on toys is equal between the two.

 

It is clear from the data given that there are some significant differences in spending habits within Europe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

剑桥雅思 3

Test 2

Writing task 2

Topic request

When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive.

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

 

 

Model answer

Overall, I disagree with the opinion expressed. I would like to begin by pointing out that “traditional skills and ways of life” are not automatically of one country, but of a culture or community.

 

In many ways, the history of civilization is the history of technology: from the discovery of fire to the invention of the wheel to the development of the Internet, we have been moving on from previous ways of doing things. Some technologies, such as weapons of mass destruction, are of negative impact. Others, such as medical advances, positively help people to live better or longer, and so very much help traditional ways of life. Surely, few people would seek to preserve such tradition as living in caves.

 

Interestingly, technology can positively contribute to the keeping alive of traditional skills and ways of life. For example, the populations of some islands are too small to have normal schools. Rather than breaking up families by sending children to the mainland, education authorities have been able to use the Internet to deliver schooling online. In addition, the Internet, and modern refrigeration techniques, are being used to keep alive the traditional skills of producing salmon; It can now be ordered from, and delivered to, anywhere in the world.

 

In conclusion, without suggesting that all technology is necessarily good, I think it is by on means “pointless”, in any way, to try to keep traditions alive with technology. We should not ignore technology, because it can be our friend and support our way of life.

 

 

 

 

 

剑桥雅思 3

Test 3

Writing task 1

Topic request

The chart below shows the levels of participation in education and science in developing and industrialized countries in 1980 and 1990.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.

 

 

Model answer

The data shows the differences between developing and industrialized countries’ participation in education and science.

 

In terms of the number of years of schooling received, we see that the length of time people spend at school in industrialized countries was much greater at 8.5 years in 1980, compared to 2.5years in developing countries. The gap was increased further in 1990 when the figures rose to 10.5 years and 3.5 years respectively.

 

We can see a similar pattern in the second graph, which shows that the number of people working as scientists and technicians in industrialized countries increased from 55 to 85 per 1000 people between 1980 and 1990, while the number in developing countries went from 12 to 20.

 

Finally, the figures for spending on research and development show that industrialized countries more than doubled their spending, from $200bn to $420bn, whereas developing countries actually decreased theirs from $75bn down to $25bn.

 

Overall we can see that not only are there very large differences between the two economies but that these gaps are widening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

剑桥雅思 3

Test 3

Writing task 2

Topic request

In many countries children are engaged in some kind of paid work. Some people regard this as completely wrong, while others consider it as valuable work experience, important for learning and taking responsibility.

What are your opinions on this?

 

 

Model answer

The issue of children doing paid work is a complex and sensitive one. It is difficult to say who has the right to judge whether children working is ‘wrong’ or ‘valuable’. Opinions will also differ as to ‘learning’ benefits: no doubt teachers and factory owners, for example, would have varying concerns.

 

An important consideration is the kind of work undertaken. Young children doing arduous and repetitive tasks on a factory production line, for example, are less likely to be ‘learning’ than older children helping in an old people’s home. There are health and safety issues to be considered as well. It is an unfortunate fact that many employers may prefer to use the services of children simply to save money by paying them less than adultsand it is this type of exploitation that should be discouraged.

 

However, in many countries children work because their families need the additional income, no matter how small. This was certainly the case in the past in many industrialized countries, and it is very difficult to judge that it is wrong for children today to contribute to the family income in this way.

 

Nevertheless, in better economic circumstances, few parents would choose to send their children out to full-time paid work. If learning responsibilities and work experience are considered to be important, then children can acquire these by having light, part-time jobs or even doing tasks such as helping their parents around the family home, which are unpaid, but undoubtedly of value in children’s development.