Topic 1

Sample writing
Computers and cell phones have changed our lives. In the 1980s, email and the Internet were in their infancy, and
people still relied on telephones and the postal service for their communication needs. Cell phones were yet to be
invented, and people in many communities had no means of 91 telephone communication with the outside world.
These changes have hugely affected us, at a personal and societal level.
Improved communication has affected people at every level of their lives. Personally, it is now much easier for
families who live in different cities or even countries to keep regular contact with each other, cheaply and without
much effort. No doubt, this has contributed to people’s willingness to move from their hometown and seek
employment opportunities in far-flung places. Business opportunities have also expanded, and video conferencing,
for example, allows for cheap and efficient international meetings.
These increased opportunities for individuals have had follow-on effects on our society. Businesses have become
increasingly international, as companies are able to manage branches in different cities and even countries. This
has led to increased competition, as we become a more global marketplace. Communication has also allowed us to
learn more about other countries and cultures, and hopefully, this will result in a more tolerant and accepting world
community in the long run. However, in a strange way, this increasingly easy communication may also have led to
more isolated communities. Those who have all their social needs met online may be less likely to go out into their
neighborhoods and seek companionship with those that live around them.
In conclusion, better communication has had many benefits for both individuals and communities, but it also has
the potential to lead to increased isolation.

Topic 2
Sample writing
In recent years, advances in technology have allowed governments, the police and privately owned companies to
keep the public under constant surveillance. In many major cities and 92 towns, security cameras are recording the
movements of ordinary citizens. Whenever a cell phone is used, the call is logged, so the service provider knows
exactly when and where the user made the call. Invisible satellites orbit the Earth, watching us whether we like it or
not. Is this, however, a development we should welcome?
Certainly there are benefits. In areas where there is a high crime rate, the use of security cameras may act as a
deterrent to criminals: If they can see a camera, they may think twice about breaking into a building or stealing a
car. If a crime is carried out, then a camera may provide useful evidence. The same is true for a cell phone; the
police sometimes rely on call logs to help them trace the whereabouts of suspects or victims.
On the other hand, there are a number of concerns. In countries where human rights are ignored, the use of security
cameras or listening devices may be harmful to society. People should be able to hold meetings and express their
opinions without their privacy being invaded. There is also a very different issue we should consider. Nowadays,
many people upload personal information and photographs onto social networking sites; they often do not realize
how easy it is for other people to view this information or for the site owners to use the data or photographs for
their own financial gain.
It seems inevitable that there will be more and more ways to monitor society in the future. However, it is our
responsibility to evaluate new technology and decide whether it will do more harm than good. Surely our freedom
is more valuable than technological progress.
Topic 3
Sample writing
The rapid development of the Internet in recent years has paved the popularity of distance learning. Many people
even predict that Internet-based courses will replace traditional courses 93 one day. It is however true that besides
some advantages Internet-based courses have a number of drawbacks in comparison with University-based
courses.
Many people choose to enroll for Internet-based courses for a variety of the advantages they offer. The most
noticeable advantage is the flexibility in people’s own study time. While you are required to follow a strict
schedule in a conventional course, online courses are seen to be ideal for a flexible schedule. Indeed, people can
maintain their full-time work while they attend these courses as they can choose to study at any time and in any
place as long as they have the necessary facilities. Another advantage is that as people do not have to go to classes,
these courses are really suitable for people who live far away from University or who have some physical disability
which prevents them from moving around very frequently. One more advantage is that online courses are more
affordable than conventional courses. Distance learners do not have to pay for some expenses such as
accommodation and transportation, nor do they have to spend an enormous amount of money on expensive courses
offered on campus.
However, there are also a number of drawbacks when people register for online courses. First, far-distance learning
is not suitable for students who have trouble with time management and lack sufficient discipline. It is generally
believed that to get success in an online class, students must possess a great sense of self-discipline and
independence. They have to know how to resist a lot of temptations and get away from different kinds of
distraction around them. They must also be strongly motivated to maintain necessary concentration and interest
when acquiring knowledge and solving the problems arising during the learning process by themselves. Another
problem is that online learning depends on technology which fails sometimes. For example, servers may be down
and your connection to the internet is interrupted. Hard drives may also fail and email may get caught in spam
filters and never be delivered. All these problems may slow down or affect their learning. E learners may also lose
important information due to harmful viruses.
In short, Internet-based courses can be both advantageous by providing the learners with flexibility and more
affordable costs and disadvantageous by causing such problems as social isolation and technological failures. In
my own opinion, online courses are indispensable in modern life when people are becoming busier and modern
technological facilities can greatly assist people in almost everything they do.