1It was predicted that people living in the twenty-first century would have more

free time than ever before because of improvements in technology. To what extent
has this prediction come true.
Given the unprecedented growth of advanced technology, people in today’s society
were predicted to enjoy more free time than ever before. This essay will argue that
this expectation has only come true to a certain extent because there are still a large
number of people who remain busy even in their free time regardless of
technological advancements.
On the one hand, it is undeniable that the advent of different machines and devices
has paved the way for a lifestyle that allows people to enjoy greater leisure time.
As far as home appliances are concerned, household chores no longer deprive
people of their free time because these tasks can be performed by a range of
modern equipment. Take vacuum cleaner robots as an example. These small
portable devices can sweep, vacuum, and mop the entire house automatically with
their sensors, meaning that people do not have to worry about spending time
polishing their house floors. With the assistance of advanced technology, people
can obviously have more time to rest, socialize, and enjoy their pastimes.
However, for those who are from low socioeconomic backgrounds, modern
equipment is usually deemed exorbitant, and many of them cannot afford these
devices. The result is that little difference is made to their leisure time as they still
have to do housework manually. Regarding people with generous incomes, while
they can invest in state-of-the-art machines and devices to help with work around
the house at ease, they tend to use their spare time to finish remaining work at
companies or devote it to another job. It is not uncommon for modern people to
juggle multiple jobs or carry work home, which is rooted in the fact that today’s
society has an inclination to attach paramount importance to career and wealth.
This causes people to use the time, supposed to be freed by technology, in order to
work. For these reasons, the notion that people living in the twenty-first century
would have more free time might not be true.
In conclusion, I acknowledge why there were predictions that modern people
would have more free time than ever before because of improvements in
technology. Such expectations, nonetheless, might only be true for some people
who truly enjoy their free time, whereas those who sacrifice their leisure time for
work might experience few differences in their amount of leisure time compared to
the past.
2Many people around the world use social media every day to keep in touch with
other people and get news events. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of people
around the world using such platforms to stay connected with others and updated
on current events. While social media undoubtedly offers numerous advantages in
terms of connectivity and information dissemination, this essay argues that the
risks it carries are more significant.
On the positive side, social media has revolutionized how we communicate and
connect with others. Services such as Facebook and WhatsApp allow us to easily
keep in touch with friends and family, regardless of geographic distance. These
applications have also facilitated the formation of online communities, enabling
people with shared interests or experiences to connect and support one another in a
more convenient manner than in the past. Regarding news updates, social media
has become a powerful tool for sharing information in real-time, unlike traditional
news sources like newspapers or television. By way of illustration, X, formerly
called Twitter, has a section displaying trending topics, allowing people to stay
informed and engaged with current affairs as they unfold.
Nonetheless, these advantages are minor compared to the concerning drawbacks of
social media. One major threat is the potential for social media usage to negatively
impact mental health, particularly among younger users. Communication on social
channels often involves being exposed to curated representations of others' lives,
which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and mental health issues
like depression or anxiety. Another issue to consider is that social media has been
implicated in the spread of misinformation, online harassment, cyberbullying, and
privacy concerns, posing risks to individuals' well-being, safety, and trust in
credible information sources. This is exemplified by the numerous news stories
about people engaging in antisocial behaviors after being influenced by fake news
on social networks.
In conclusion, while social media offers advantages in socializing and receiving
news, its disadvantages, including negative impacts on mental health, the spread of
misinformation, online harassment, and privacy concerns, are substantial. Given
these concerns, I believe that the disadvantages of social media usage ultimately
overshadow its advantages.
3The use of mobile phones is as antisocial as smoking. Smoking is banned in
certain places so mobile phones should be banned like smoking. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
Some people believe that smoking is akin to using mobile phones in terms of how
antisocial they are, and thus, similar to smoking, there should be a ban on the use
of these electronic devices in some places. In this essay, I will challenge the notion
that these two behaviors are alike in their antisocial implications and argue that
such a ban is not justified.
While it is indisputable that smoking poses severe health risks and thereby should
be restricted in public spaces to protect non-smokers from passive smoking, the
same cannot be said for mobile phone use. Unlike smoking, which directly impacts
the well-being of those nearby, mobile phones have a minimal effect on the health
of surrounding individuals. As a result, the introduction of a ban on mobile phones
in the same manner as smoking is questionable. Furthermore, it is important to
carefully consider that the implementation of a ban on phone use may necessitate a
significant allocation of resources to ensure compliance, diverting valuable funds
from other pressing priorities such as education.
To add further credence to my assertion, the proposed ban on mobile phones could
potentially yield counterproductive outcomes by negatively affecting individuals'
lives. Many rely on mobile phones as essential tools for maintaining
communication with clients or colleagues, integral to their professional
responsibilities. Disrupting this communication channel may lead to a breakdown
in their work processes. Similarly, individuals often use their mobile phones to
connect with loved ones, to find entertainment during tedious journeys, particularly
on public transport, and to serve a multitude of other purposes. Restricting this
access could diminish citizens' overall satisfaction and interfere with their personal
matters.
In conclusion, I firmly oppose the idea of banning mobile phones due to the
distinctive roles they play in our everyday lives. Also, the comparison between
smoking and mobile phone use, while drawn from concerns of antisocial behavior,
lacks a fundamental similarity in their impact on the well-being of those nearby.
4The use of social media (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) is replacing face-to-face
contact for many people in everyday life. Do the advantages of this development
outweigh the disadvantages?
The increasing prevalence of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter
has undoubtedly transformed the way people communicate and connect with
others. While some may argue that the replacement of face-to-face contact with
online interactions has its drawbacks, the advantages of this development are of
greater significance.
The virtual nature of social media can lead to a sense of isolation and superficiality
in relationships. Face-to-face contact allows for genuine emotional connections,
non-verbal cues, and deeper understanding, which are often lost in online
interactions. This can result in a decline in meaningful interpersonal relationships
and a sense of detachment from others. Nevertheless, I believe that this negative
effect can be mitigated if individuals try to strike a balance between virtual and
physical communication, which is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships,
mental well-being, and a sense of community.
If used appropriately, social media offers numerous advantages related to
connectivity and the availability of information. Firstly, it provides a means of
connecting with friends, family, and acquaintances regardless of geographical
distances. People who live far from each other can easily stay in touch, share
updates, and engage in conversations with others, fostering social connections that
may not have been feasible without such platforms. Concerning the other benefit,
social media enhances access to information and knowledge-sharing. Platforms
like Twitter serve as sources of news and real-time updates, allowing individuals to
stay informed about current events worldwide.
In conclusion, although the abuse of social media may not provide some users with
the depth and authenticity that face-to-face communication offers, these platforms
serve as a powerful tool that enriches social relationships, especially long distance
ones, and facilitates knowledge exchange. When individuals learn how to use
social media mindfully, I believe that this development is generally more
advantageous.
5Many people think modern communication technology is having some negative
effects on social relationships. Do you agree or disagree?
There is widespread concern that the prevalence of instantaneous communication
tools negatively impacts interpersonal bonds. I disagree completely with this
viewpoint because of how modern communication facilitates not just long-distance
interactions but also global social engagement.
Some worry that individuals may grow more isolated if more convenient modes of
communication, such as smartphones and social media, become the norm. They
argue that by emphasizing virtual communication over real-world encounters, these
technologies risk weakening the foundations of interpersonal bonds. This assertion,
however, is vastly inflated. Virtual communication actually strengthens
interpersonal bonds rather than weakening them. Most Facebook users, for
instance, have face-to-face conversations with friends and coworkers in addition to
exchanging messages online. Facebook's additional tools, such as instant
messaging and video chatting, do not replace face-to-face communication but
rather help us maintain relationships over great distances.
In addition to addressing the issue of distance, as stated above, these technologies
also allow us to widen our social networks. Some examples of such communities
are online forums like Reddit, which bring together people with a shared interest in
the arts, history, video games, or linguistics, and photo-sharing applications like
Pinterest, which may bring together a group of individuals with similar tastes in
photography. These communities allow for in-depth conversations and debates on a
global scale, something that is difficult to do in person. Therefore, advances in
communication have not been at the expense of interpersonal connections but
rather have strengthened them.
In conclusion, I am confident that the advancements in communication technology
have made it possible for people to maintain long-distance connections and
participate in the social life on a global scale.
6Many people believe that scientific research should be carried out and controlled
by governments rather than private companies. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
Some say that government should have complete control over scientific research.
While governments must play an important role in technological advancement, I
feel that collaboration between government and private funding would be more
beneficial.
People feel that governments should oversee scientific research for a variety of
reasons. To begin, scientific study, by definition, necessitates enormous effort,
time, and money. It is thought that only the government, with the well-being of the
entire population in mind, can continually invest in these initiatives and will not
sacrifice the long-term purpose for a short-term financial benefit. Second, some
scientific endeavors, if allowed unchecked, are likely to produce social or ethical
difficulties, undermining society's value. For instance, genetic engineering
technology has sparked several debates and is presently subject to government
oversight. Finally, most science funding comes from tax income; as a result,
individuals want their tax dollars to be used under the supervision of government
officials.
Nevertheless, as long as these technological programs are driven by the
government, I believe private sector engagement will undoubtedly contribute to the
end aim. The fundamental reason is that government personnel are not
professionals in either the scientific or business sectors, but private funds are more
specialized in the implementation of scientific achievements since they are profit-
driven. With genuine economic rewards achieved by those studies, relevant
employees may be more encouraged to do more research. Furthermore,
government personnel are occasionally understaffed and inefficient. Without such
teamwork, people risk becoming overwhelmed by the volume of work and
communication.
Finally, I believe that academic studies may be carried out and marketed more
effectively with the partnership of the government and private firms, given that
officials rigorously regulate it.
7Some people believe that technology causes more problems for modern society
than it solves. Do you agree or disagree?
Many believe that modern technological development has done more harm than
good to both the individual and society as a whole. Even though I do agree that
technology has complicated human life to an unhealthy degree, turning away from
technology is quite impractical as it could improve overall public health and
education.
First and foremost, our lives have become too complex and riddled with daily
annoyances. True solitude is no longer the case for an average adult as we are now
often buried under layers of work-related email notifications or text messages.
Even in the young, there are numerous phone applications for students to receive
and turn in home assignments. Evidently, this need to stay constantly connected is
stressful and exhausting. Another point worth considering is that daily
entertainment is also linked with technological devices such as televisions,
computers, or smartphones, all of which are extremely addictive. Reports from
multiple countries have shown that there is irreversible damage to human brains
from excessive screen-time usage. It is scientifically proven that people with this
addiction experienced a decrease in grey matter volume in critical areas, a
condition similarly observed in those with a substance use disorder.
At the same time, medical and educational technologies have been providing
innumerable benefits to modern society. In fact, due to medical advances, doctors
are now able to diagnose health problems 300% more accurately than just five
decades ago. This greatly facilitates timely intervention and improves positive
outcomes. Furthermore, innovative medical products can now also replace and
sustain failing body functions, thereby supporting people in living full and active
lives. Additionally, the use of information and communication technologies plays a
crucial role in providing a more accessible learning process. In the recent Covid-19
pandemic, for instance, “learning poverty” was at an all-time high for most
underdeveloped countries. As local schools were forced to close due to the disease,
remote learning was then deployed using a combination of TV, Online, and Mobile
Platforms, which can teach thousands of students simultaneously. Commendably,
now most countries have invested in digital infrastructure, and are still utilizing
various implementations of remote learning.
In conclusion, despite its fair share of problems, technological innovations
personally are still a blessing for modern society due to the improvements it
provides in terms of healthcare and education.
8Nowadays people depend on technology for leisure activities. Is this a positive or
negative development?
Technological advancement has encouraged the proliferation of ample high-tech
means of recreation. From my perspective, although some regarded this
phenomenon as positive, I deemed it more detrimental.
It goes without saying that the application of technology in pastime activities is
favourable in terms of its diverse categories of entertainment and widespread
accessibility. Obviously, nowadays, people have a variety of choices regarding the
preferred means of entertainment, ranging from films, games or performances.
Thus, this diversification would definitely enrich people's mental and spiritual
lives. Moreover, due to their availability, the widespread accessibility of
technological leisure activities has been enhanced. For example, people owing
digital devices such as smartphones can access both online and offline games at
ease within their convenience.
However, I opine that the dependence on technology for free time amusement is
more disadvantageous due to its adverse impacts on health as well as on intimate
relationships in a community. Regarding the former, it is true that recreational
activities based on technology mostly require people to sit for long periods of time,
which promotes a sedentary lifestyle. As a consequence, the number of individuals
suffering from eye strain or obesity has increased significantly. Concerning the
second drawback, the high level of participation in technological entertainment
poses the risk of reducing the quality of face-to-face interaction, thereby damaging
the strong bond among people including friends and family.
In conclusion, the increasing reliance on technology for recreation is beneficial in
terms of its variety as well as accessibility. However, I take the view that related
health issues and potential of harming interpersonal relationships are worth more
concern.
1Internet access helps young people and workers achieve their education and work
goals more easily than before. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Whether the internet has helped youngsters and workers to fulfill their educational
and occupational aims easier than before has become a topic of discussion. In my
opinion, I firmly advocate for this idea as the internet has brought many positives
to both the young and laborers.
To begin with, students can benefit from the internet when it comes to searching
for information and storing data. In former times, looking for information can be
laborious as one must take ample time leafing through the pages and traveling to
public libraries. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, any kind of knowledge is
available within just a click of a mouse. Furthermore, students these days can save
their assignments on the internet, making it more convenient to share with their
classmates for peer review sessions or with their teachers. An example of this is
Google Classroom, which can act as a virtual classroom where students can submit
assignments and converse with their professors.
Moreover, the internet has facilitated smoother communication for workingmen,
thus improving their work efficiency. Traditionally, to be employed meant working
at an office, yet the internet has allowed workers to converse with their colleagues
anywhere and anytime through video conferencing softwares like Zoom and
Google Meet. This development means that crises at work can be solved in a
timely manner, even though the one in charge may not be present. To illustrate,
during the Covid-19 pandemic, online working platforms and video conferencing
apps have created a culture of working from home, which has ensured businesses
to operate while keeping the employees safe from risk of infection.
To conclude, the internet has an irreplaceable position in both the young
generation’s education and a person’s professional life. This is due to its ability to
provide information quickly and useful tools for conversation.
2Some scientists believe that in the future computers will be more intelligent than
human beings. While some see this as a positive development others worry about
the negative consequences. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
With the advance of technology, especially in the artificial intelligence (AI) field,
many people are concerned about computers being smarter than humans. However,
I think there are many benefits to our lives when that happens.
Of course, there are legitimate reasons why people have concerns about this
development. The first concern is that AI will one day control the human species.
This concern, although sounding like it is straight from sci-fi movies, is reasonable.
This dystopia happens when computers can teach themselves and develop into a
supercomputer, making humans its servants. Another concern is more realistic,
saying that computers will take over human’s jobs. When computers are capable of
accurately completing mundane tasks, they are capable of replacing human
workers. As a result, many people will find themselves unemployed when this
happens.
However, there are various benefits that intelligent computers bring to humans.
The first advantage is that computers utilize resources better than humans do. They
complete tasks faster, more efficiently, and have less demand than humans. For
example, computers do not need to be paid, be fed, or be accommodated in
housing. As a result, using computers as labor will save on resources that can be
allocated to human development. The second advantage is that AI brings
convenience to humans. The age of AI means less physical labor and more
accessible information to other people. For example, humans can see
improvements in health since they do not have to work as hard as before. Some
applications of AI can even help humans to make better decisions as a result of
multiple algorithms. This application can save humans from the tiring process of
checking out the pros and cons of a decision.
In conclusion, there are both positives and negatives to developing computers that
are as intelligent as humans. However, I think that the positives outweigh the
negatives in terms of resource utilization and providing convenience.
3More and more people no longer read newspapers or watch TV programmes to
get their news and instead read online. Is this a positive or negative development?
Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, more people are receiving news
through online mediums instead of traditional means, such as newspapers and TV
programs. Despite some of the drawbacks, I still think this is a positive
development.
There are some reasons why I think this generally is a positive trend. Firstly,
switching from newspapers to an online medium means doing the environment a
favor. For example, if a person consumes even one newspaper per day, in total, it is
still hundreds of pages of print a week. Reading newspapers would mean cutting
down multiple trees and producing ink frequently just for one person's
consumption. Secondly, receiving news through websites or online channels gives
you more control as to what content you want to view. For example, if you only
rely on one TV program for your daily dose of information, you will miss out on
the news not covered for that channel, such as international or entertainment news.
However, despite these benefits, there are still some considerations to be made
when switching to an online news outlet. The first thing is that reading news online
can be very distracting due to readers having complete control of the content that
he or she reads. For example, many people go online just for a casual read but then
find themselves deeply engaged in a discussion thread, thus wasting their time.
Secondly, news on the Internet is unedited, which means that the sources of this
type of information can be unverifiable. Many have fallen victim to fake news
posted on the Internet.
In conclusion, saving the environment and being in control of your content are the
two main benefits of the development. However, proper censorship and
advertisement control should be in use for the Internet news outlet.
4Many people put their personal information online (address, telephone number,
and so on) for purposes such as signing up for social networks or online banking.
Is this a positive or negative development?
With the advancement of technology, more people are opening accounts for social
media and online banking purposes. This has led to the question of whether it is
beneficial to put personal information online. I think that, despite the convenience
it brings, people should not put their personal information online.
On the one hand, I can understand why people would put their personal
information online. Firstly, it makes signing up for accounts much more convenient
for users. For example, in the past, to open up a stock account, people would have
to go to a stock company and complete lots of paperwork. By providing personal
information online, people save time doing these registrations. Another benefit is
that this makes signing in to these accounts easier for users. Instead of choosing
security questions and remembering the answer for them like in the past,
nowadays, users only need to provide their phone number or email address to get
verified. This feature is useful when someone is trying to sign in to a bank account
during an emergency.
On the other hand, there are multiple problems with readily providing one’s
personal information online. The first one is that, by doing so, the user will become
a target for not just material but also identity thefts. Social media accounts are
prone to be hacked. Once the thief acquires the person’s address, they can easily
break into that person's house, especially with other information already posted on
social media, like vacation plans. Even worse, they can impersonate the user to
claim insurance. On a less serious note, when users give out their information to
the social media company or the bank, there is still a slight chance that these
companies will sell it to telesales people. There have been reports that some social
media platforms, such as Tiktok, collect and sell user's personal information.
In conclusion, although providing personal information makes registration
convenient for people, it has to be done carefully since currently, it still does more
harm than good.
5Computers today can quickly and accurately translate languages, therefore, it is a
waste of time to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
With the advancement of technology, many people postulate that since computers
are so good at translating languages, people should not learn foreign languages
anymore. However, I strongly disagree with this statement due to various reasons.
The first reason is that computers cannot help people entirely, especially when they
are communicating verbally. In a fast-paced conversation involving multiple
technical jargon, computers can have difficulties translating that in time for
speakers. That is why in international conferences, such as the United Nations
summit, there are interpreters for every single representative. These interpreters are
there instead of computers because they have background knowledge of the topics
discussed and generally have a higher accuracy when the conversation is fast-
paced and delivered in a heavy accent.
The second reason is that, even with future advances in technology, computers will
never be able to deliver emotions and humor to users. For example, puns are
unique to the language that they are spoken and cannot be translated without
having to explain extensively. Another point to consider is words with
connotations. For example, the slight difference between “thrifty” and “stingy” can
sometimes be ignored by machines as they often go for the nearest synonyms.
In conclusion, although technology has aided in translation by much, it can never
replace multilingual speakers. I strongly disagree that learning foreign languages is
a waste of time because certain things cannot be translated.
6Computer games are very popular for all ages and nationalities. Parents think
this has little educational value and it will be harmful for children. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?
It is a common fact that computer games are a ubiquitous part of most teens’ lives.
However, most parents think this is harmful because they have little educational
value. I strongly disagree with this idea and think that computer games are
generally beneficial for teenagers.
Despite my view, I can understand why many parents have these concerns. Firstly,
spending too much time playing computer games causes various health problems.
For example, staring at a screen for extended periods leads to eyestrain and
headaches, or even playing video games too late at night can disrupt players'
circadian rhythm. Secondly, there is no doubt that video games are addictive. There
have been multiple cases where students dropped out of school, cut ties with
friends and families, or even resort to crimes to continue to play games. As a result,
parents should oversee their children’s relationship with gaming to intervene when
needed.
However, I do think that playing video games will do more good than harm for
teenagers, especially with moderation. The first benefit is that teenagers can
enhance multiple skills through computer games, such as better hand-eye
coordination, problem-solving skills, or even communication skills. These skills
are hard to train in any other way aside from gaming. The second benefit is that
playing video games is a great way for gamers to discover whether or not they
want to pursue a career in game design. Teenagers can become interested in writing
the storyline, designing the costume, or tweaking the graphics when playing
games.
In conclusion, although there are some drawbacks of playing video games
excessively, I think that video games are a great way to train multiple skills at once
while serving as a way for people to explore their interests in game design. I
strongly disagree with the statement that games are detrimental to players.
7Internet technology means people do not need to travel to foreign countries to
understand how others live. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
With the prevalence of the Internet, many people think that people do not need to
travel to other countries to understand life there. I neither fully agree nor disagree
with this opinion.
Why I partially agree with this statement is because people can watch
documentaries online to understand how life is in foreign countries. These
documentaries are often accurate and delivered with great quality, helping the
audience understand the foreign cultures better. For example, Netflix recently has
released a popular series depicting street food worldwide. Moreover, this option is
suitable for those who have yet to be capable of international flights or people who
only want a slight experience of multiple countries. For example, if a student is
writing a paper on the difference between Asian cultures, he or she has to research
online instead of traveling to said countries.
However, I partially disagree with the statement because mere research on the
Internet cannot replace the traveling experience. Firstly, many features are
exaggerated on camera for attention, whether that exaggeration is on the positive or
negative side. For example, many foreigners usually film themselves eating bizarre
foods from that country, leading viewers to misinterpret that most local people eat
that way daily. Secondly, the Internet is full of unverifiable information, so
information from Youtube channels or blogs might not be adequate to build a deep
understanding of other cultures.
In conclusion, I do agree that using the Internet to learn about life in foreign
countries instead of traveling is a feasible option for those who cannot afford the
travel or do not have enough time. However, I do not think that the Internet can
entirely replace going to other countries to experience their lives.
8Some old people today struggle with the use of modern technologies such as
smartphones and computers. What is the cause of this? What are some possible
solutions?
As technology continues to advance rapidly, many elderly people are finding it
difficult to catch up. In my opinion, this is a result of a lack of exposure to
electronic devices and education on the theory behind new technologies, which can
both be remedied by free workshops for older people.
Firstly, it might be the case that elderly people do not have a need for electronic
devices. Since they have lived most of their lives using older technologies, they
might still resort to less advanced ways of doing things in order to get by. As a
result, elderly people might be less exposed to incrementally more advanced
technology every year, as opposed to age groups such as Gen Z, who have grown
up alongside the outburst of new devices and the internet.
Thus, I believe that since a lack of awareness about both the purpose and ins and
outs of new technology, government programs in the form of classes and
workshops could be used to help familiarise old people with these technologies.
This might be able to take the form of theory classes as well as hand on
engagement with devices. This has been tried and tested in many countries such as
the UK, and have shown great success at improving elderly technological literacy.
In conclusion, I have highlighted the reason why many older people have failed to
keep up with changing machines, and why an information campaign in the form of
workshops and classes could be the solution.
9Some people believe that having access to the internet is necessary to live a full
life today. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
With the prevalence of the Internet today, many people think that it is virtually
impossible to live in the current society without wi-fi access. I strongly agree with
this statement.
The first reason why I strongly support this belief is that the Internet is crucial for
any job. Regardless of one's career or studies, one eventually has to utilize the
Internet. For example, not just office workers and college students, but even heavy
labor jobs, like drivers, use ride-hailing apps and navigation services daily, both
products of the Internet. Another reason why the Internet is important to one’s
career and studies is that one uses it to apply for jobs and schools. For example,
students nowadays find resources to practice for entrance exams online, while the
unemployed use the Internet to find job postings and design their resumes.
The second reason why I think the Internet is vital for one’s survival is that it is
now an indispensable means to keep up with society and loved ones. Because
many people nowadays do not live close to their parents or, in some cases, with
their best friends, they can use social media or free virtual calls to connect with
their loved ones. Old means of long-distance communications are now replaced by
faster alternatives that are products of the Internet. Social media also provides
people with the news that traditional outlets, like TV broadcastings and
newspapers, cannot. For example, the Vietnamese government even has its own
Facebook page to communicate urgent notice. Also, social media offers a comment
section that traditional media outlets do not.
In conclusion, I strongly support the idea that an individual has to rely on the
Internet to live in today’s society. This is because the Internet is both crucial for
their education and career path and it provides a means to communicate with
society and loved ones.
1Many people think technological devices such as smart phones, tablets and
mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
As technological devices are getting more inseparable from modern life, many
people argue that they are doing more harm than good. I strongly disagree with this
statement, believing that smartphones and tablets offer undeniable benefits if used
in moderation.
The first reason why I disagree with the statement is the educational opportunities
offered by these devices. Smartphones can help educate people from all age ranges,
from kids to middle-aged adults, and backgrounds. Scientific and psychology
Youtube channels, such as Vsauce or Veritaserum, provide information on various
topics, often supported by experts from prestigious universities. Language apps,
such as Duolingo, Memrise, or Google Translate, aid tremendously in mastering a
language. The Amazon Kindle tablet has now become the new means to read books
without having to physically own one or borrowing from a library.
The second reason why I think technological devices are extremely beneficial is
that they have become tools for people to make their living. Transportation
services, like ride-hailing apps or delivery services, have now relied heavily on
smartphones’ apps, like Grab or Baemin. Many freelancers also use tablets to
design logos, posters, or even decorative stickers to make a living. Reporters now
utilize the recording feature offered on all smartphones to aid in their interviews.
Individuals can also invest money in not just stock but also in smartphone apps,
like Finhay. Influencers are also making a living from filming short videos on
smartphones, then use them to upload to social media.
In conclusion, I think the development of technological devices like smartphones
and tablets is essential for modern life as they provide educational benefits.
Moreover, they are tools for individuals nowadays to make money. I strongly
disagree with the statement that they do more harm than good.
2Nowadays more tasks at home and work are being performed by robots. Is this a
negative or positive development?
With the advancement of technology, humans use robots more than ever, both at
home and work. Although some challenges need to be addressed, I think this
development is mostly beneficial.
There are various benefits to having robots helping out with chores and
professional tasks. The first advantage is that now people will have more time to
spend on other aspects of life. For example, mothers no longer have to spend time
cooking and cleaning, so they can take better care of their children and themselves.
Another advantage is that by utilizing robots, humankind can achieve more
remarkable feats in science and technology. Because robots complete repetitive
tasks quicker and more accurately, incorporating robots into the workforce will
result in higher productivity. As a result, clothing, pre-packaged food, or
technological devices will be available to humans at a cheaper cost.
Nevertheless, the massive use of robots will guarantee serious consequences. The
most obvious one is a global loss of jobs, as robots are taking away positions
occupied by humans. For example, with the automation of production lines, many
factory workers will find themselves without a job and any qualifications or skills
to apply for another. As a result, governments will face a wave of unemployment,
potentially leading to financial crises. Another consequence is that the dependency
on robots will cause a lack of survival skills. For example, if robots do all the
chores for people, future generations will lack necessary skills like cooking, doing
laundry, or cleaning houses. This lack of skills means humans in the future will
become less self-sufficient, which can be dangerous.
In conclusion, although I have to admit that heavy dependence on robots has
certain serious implications, moderate use of robots to help with chores and
repetitive tasks at work generally is beneficial. This is a positive development.
3Some believe that advances in technology are increasing the gap between rich
and poor while others think the opposite is happening. Discuss both sides and give
your own opinion.
Some people argue that in modern society, technological advancements are
increasing the gap between the wealthy and the poor while others believe that
technology is decreasing the gap between them. In my opinion, while certain
innovations are inaccessible to the poor because of their high cost, certain
technologies are available to all people in society and help reduce the gap between
the rich and the poor.
Some inventions and discoveries decreased the gap between people of different
income levels. This is because they are accessible to all people due to their
availability at cheaper rates. For example, internet technology is available to
almost all sections of society. It is affordable to all people, and certain places such
as railway stations, bus stations, and airports are WiFi hotspots where the internet
is freely available. Online shopping facilities, e-learning opportunities and social
networking sites are available to both affluent and poor people in society and they
decrease the gap between the rich and the poor.
However, certain advancements in technology are not affordable for the poorer
sections of society. In fact, new drugs, diagnostic procedures, and even modern
medicines are very costly. Therefore, only rich people can access these treatments
and improve their health by spending only a small portion of their income. For
example, affluent people who developed cancer took treatment with a special kind
of protein which was very expensive but had fewer side effects compared to
conventional chemotherapy. Poor people, on the other hand, have to spend all of
their money for conventional treatments and yet there is no guarantee that their
condition will improve.
In conclusion, certain innovations in technology bridge the gap between the rich
and the poor while certain developments make society more polarized.
4Maintaining public libraries is a waste of money since computer technology can
replace their functions. Do you agree or disagree?
Some people opine that people can do away with traditional libraries because
technology has given us the facility of virtual or online libraries. Although
technology has reduced our need to go to the libraries, traditional libraries can
never become redundant and maintaining them is not a waste of money.
On the one hand, it can be a waste of money to keep libraries open. The advent of
new technologies like computers and the Internet has transformed traditional
libraries from venues containing a large number of printed documents into
paperless libraries containing only digitized documents. This has led to the creation
of virtual libraries in which the user has access to information at any time and
anywhere in the world by using the modern tools of communications, such as
computers and Internet facilities. Therefore, it is unnecessary to spend money on
traditional libraries because fewer and fewer users use them.
However, libraries still play an important role these days. Firstly, a person goes to a
library not only to search and get information from books but also to sit and study
there. The peaceful and scholarly ambiance of the library helps one to concentrate
more on one's work and study. Secondly, virtual libraries can be accessed only by
those who are computer literate. For elderly or disadvantaged individuals who
rarely have a chance to be exposed to cutting-edge technologies like computers or
smartphones, it is much more challenging to access information online than going
to a traditional library.
In conclusion, advancement should be welcomed in every field but the importance
of the libraries for their fundamental role cannot be put aside, and funding them is
not wasting financial resources.