Cam 9 Test 2 Writing Task 1
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
The bar chart compares the duration of telephone calls made by different lines in the UK between 1995 and 2002
The local-fixed line was the most common call type in this nation over that time. The numbers of minutes of telephone calls using national and international – fixed lines and mobiles increased, but the figure for local-fixed lines rose and then fell back.
In 1995, the local-fixed line was used to make calls for more than 70 billion minutes, doubling the figure for the national and international-fixed line. At that time, the mobile phone was not a common way to make the call, with its total duration being only about 3 billion minutes.
From that year to 1999, the local-fixed line was used more frequently, with its figure reaching 90 billion minutes, but four years after that, this figure fell back to the initial point. In comparison, national and international-fixed line usage climbed gradually to 60 billion minutes, compared to a sharper growth in the duration of mobile phone calls which recorded around 45 billion minutes in 2002.
(173 words)
Cam 9 Test 2 Writing Task 2
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The revolution in education is a topic of concern because people are all aware of how much important education is to national development. There has been a suggestion to make unpaid social service mandatory for high school students to shape their character and increase the sense of belonging to a community. I disagree with this idea.
Firstly, the main responsibility of students is to focus on study. More importantly, high school students are going to sit the university entrance examination, so they are too overwhelmed with reviewing and revising for such a vital exam. At the time, forcing them to work voluntarily may distract them from the main task, and therefore either create more school pressure or worsen academic performance.
Secondly, students should be at liberty to decide whether they will do unpaid community service or not. The voluntary work should stem from their sympathy and kindness rather than obligation. For example, requiring students to teach sports for younger children is an obligatory pack will be improper, and the inhibition to do things they dislike can be reasons for some violence or attack to receivers.
Thirdly, it should be unfair in terms of financial matters. Many families have to need a loan to cover the cost of study, so it should be better if their children, after school hours, can support their parents with housework or even a part of money-earning. It is illegal to use child labor, but children at high school, who are under working age, must work without pay. To some extent, this creates a contradiction.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that high school students should not be required to do unpaid community work.
(279 words)