I.

Topic: Some people believe that the government should spend more money putting
in more works of art, like paintings and statues, in cities to make them better places
to live in. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some people argue that more public money should be invested in public art projects such as
paintings and statues in urban areas to enhance the quality of residents’ life. However, in my
opinion, I disagree with this view for several reasons.
On the one hand, while public art can bring cultural value, there are more efficient and
sustainable ways to make beautiful cities, especially considering the high cost of these projects.
According to a study in urban design, many architectural designs require a lot of construction
and maintenance expenses. Moreover, there are many simple and cost-effective measures such as
planting trees, improving public transport systems, and developing public parks. These initiatives
not only make cities more pleasant to live in but also give residents cleaner air, more green
spaces, and easier access to transportation, all of which improve their quality of life over time.
On the other hand, cities face many urgent problems that are more important than public art.
This is because spending on artworks brings little or even no direct benefit to citizens’ daily
lives. Therefore, governments should prioritize using public funds to improve healthcare and
education. For example, in developing countries, government budgets are often used to build or
expand schools, hospitals and affordable houses, which directly affect people’s living standards.
When people have access to better healthcare and education, they can work better and help the
country and society grow, which art cannot do.
In conclusion, although public art can make a city become a more livable place, government
spending should primarily be on essential infrastructure like hospitals, schools and housing. In
addition, the authorities can adopt more practical and alternative solutions, such as developing
green spaces and improving urban facilities, to make cities truly better places to live.
WORD COUNT: 293

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 II. TASK 1
EX1. Topic: The graph below shows the number of overseas visitors to three different areas in
a European country between 1987 and 2007. Summarise the information by selecting and
reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The line chart compares the number of visitors from another country to three different locations,
consisting of the coast, the mountains, and the lakes in a European country, from 1987 to 2007.
Overall, the number of visitors to all three areas showed an upward trend. While the lakes
attracted the most tourists for most of the period, the coast eventually became the most popular
destination by 2007.
In 1987, the coast started with around 40,000 people. This figure then decreased slightly to about
35,000 by 1992, before rising steadily in the following years to reach a peak of about 75,000
tourists. Meanwhile, the number of visitors to the lakes began with only 10,000 visitors, the
lowest among the three in 1987. After that, the figure climbed dramatically to nearly 75,000
visitors in 2002, before declining moderately to around 50,000 people by the end of the period.
At the beginning of the period, the mountains had approximately 20,000 people. By 1997, this
figure had grown slightly to about 30,000 tourists. In addition, it remained relatively stable
between 30,000 and 35,000 until 2007.

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WORD COUNT: 191

EX2.
Topic: The chart below shows the percentage of the day working adults spent doing different
activities in a particular country in 1958 and in 2008. Summarise the information by selecting
and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The two pie charts compare the proportion of time that working adults spent on activities in a
country between 1958 and 2008.
Overall, there was an upward trend in the time spent working, relaxing at home and travelling to
work, while the opposite was true for sleeping and going out.
In 1958, the percentages of time spent on working and sleeping accounted for 33% and 32 %,
respectively. These figures made up about two-thirds of the day. Then, by 2008, the amount of
time people spent working had increased sharply to around 42%, becoming the activity that took
up the most time in the day. In addition, the percentage of time spent sleeping declined
noticeably to 25%.

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In contrast, the amount of time people spent going out dropped significantly, from 19% to 6%.
Meanwhile, time spent relaxing at home increased from about 8% to 13%. Similarly, the
proportion of time spent travelling to work rose four times, from 2% to 8%, while time spent on
other activities remained unchanged at 6%.
WORD COUNT: 170

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III. Topic: Some people think the newly built houses should be the same as the old
houses in local areas. Others argue that local authorities should allow people in
build houses in their own style. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people believe that newly constructed houses should be the same as traditional ones in
the local area, while others think that local governments should permit residents to design
their homes according to their personal preferences. In this essay, I will discuss both views,
and I totally agree with the latter opinion.
On the one hand, requiring new houses to resemble old ones can help preserve local culture
and heritage. When modern buildings are constructed in the same architectural style as the
traditional ones, they maintain the region’s historical identity and aesthetic charm. For
example, in ancient towns like Hoi An and Hanoi, the preservation of traditional wooden
houses attracts tourists and contributes to cultural continuity. In addition, when houses share
a similar appearance, the whole neighbourhood looks more organized and peaceful. This
sense of harmony reflects respect for the past and strengthens the bond among community
members, who feel proud to live in a place that still carries its cultural identity.
On the other hand, allowing people to build houses in their own style offers several important
benefits. It gives homeowners the chance to express their creativity and create spaces that
truly match their needs and lifestyle. Modern designs often focus on natural light, energy
efficiency, and eco-friendly materials, which make homes more sustainable in the long run.
Besides, modern facilities such as robots, air-conditioners, and dishwashers make daily life
more convenient, especially for young families with busy schedules. Furthermore, well-
designed homes can also improve people’s mental health by offering a comfortable and
relaxing atmosphere after a long day of work.
In conclusion, while traditional designs are worth keeping, I believe people should have the
right to design their homes freely. This way, we can still respect local culture while enjoying
a modern and comfortable lifestyle.
WORD COUNT: 297

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 IV. Topic: Some people believe that women should play an equal role as men in a
country’s police force or military force, while others think women are not suitable
for these kind of jobs.
Some people think that females should have the same opportunities as males in attending the
police force or military force, while others argue that these professions are not suitable for
women. This essay will discuss both views, and I totally agree with the former view.
On the one hand, women are often criticized because they must spend a significant time pregnant
and taking care of the baby. Unlike men, women usually need a lot of time to focus on their
pregnancy and maternity. Additionally, following this period, they spend months caring for their
child, which prevents them from returning to work. According to studies, a lot of women find it
challenging to balance their duties at the office and home, which can lead to mental health
problems such as stress and pressure. This is also the reason why their productivity at work is
reduced.
On the other hand, women can also perform as well as men, and sometimes their productivity is
even higher. Firstly, women have communication skills, so they can become effective
negotiators. For instance, Nguyen Thi Binh was the first woman to negotiate in Vietnam, by self-
belief, intelligence, and communication skills, she has succeeded. Secondly, women can usually
possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail, making them suitable for
administrative and strategic roles within the police force or military force.
In conclusion, although women need time off for having babies and taking care of them, they can
still work the same as men in the police force or the military force. Women are flexible and have
skills like communication, negotiation and administration.
WORD COUNT: 265

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 V. TASK 1. The diagram shows how rainwater is collected for the use of drinking
water in an Australian town. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting
the main features of the graph and make comparisons where relevant.

The diagram illustrates how rainwater is gathered to manufacture potable water in an Australian
town.
Overall, the process consists of five main stages, starting with the collection of rainwater from
household rooftops and ending with the transfer of clean water to residential areas.
At the first step, rainwater is collected from the rooftops of houses, and it flows through into
underground pipes, which are designed to lead water into the filter system. Then, the water flows
into a filtering unit, where solid impurities such as dust, leaves, and debris are removed. Once the
water has passed through this filtration system, it is transferred to a large storage tank.
In the next stage, the water is delivered to a treatment facility. In this step, various chemicals are
added to remove harmful bacteria and contaminants, and ensure that water can meet safety
standards. After being combined with chemicals, the now-purified water is pumped through a
network of pipes back to residential areas. Finally, the treated water is delivered directly to
households, where it is used in daily life.
Word count: 176

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Task 1. The plans below show how the ground of a particular building has changed over time.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features.

The plans illustrate how the ground of a particular building has changed between 1958 and the
present day.

Overall, the building changed significantly from 1958 to the present, starting with an office and
ending with a flower shop, with most of the original rooms being removed or replaced.

From 1958 to 1984, the building was constructed as an office. During this period, the office
included several rooms such as a meeting room, a manager’s office, a secretary’s office, and an
assistant’s office on the left side, and a kitchen and a reception area were located on the right.
Additionally, a toilet and reception area were near the entrance.

Between 1985 and 2000, the building was converted into an apartment. The previous office,
which included the meeting room, the assistant’s office and the secretary’s office was removed.
Instead, a living room and a bathroom were created on the left side. In opposite, the kitchen
remained unchanged, and two bedrooms were added.

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From 2001 to the present, the building has been used as a flower shop. The living spaces were
replaced with shop areas. And the left side now includes a gift cards, a large flower area and a
play area. On the right side, there is a kitchen, an office and another flower section.

Word count: 214

VI. Topic: Some people think that politicians have the greatest influence on the world,
while others believe that scientists are more influential. Discuss both side of views
and give your opinion.
Some people believe that politicians play the most critical role in the world, while others
maintain that scientists have a greater impact. This essay will discuss both views, and I
totally agree with the former.
On the one hand, scientists play an important role in shaping nations. Firstly, their inventions
can affect every aspect of life. For example, scientists created vaccines during the COVD-19
pandemic, which saved millions of lives. Secondly, researchers expand human knowledge.
They study various fields, including chemistry, physics, and natural phenomena. Besides,
their discoveries of several new animal and plant species help people comprehend evolution,
ecosystems, and the delicate balance of nature. Moreover, this research also helps people
understand why humans should protect the environment. These achievements can also
improve people’s living standards.
On the other hand, politicians have a more profound influence (exert influence) on the world.
To begin with, they introduce laws that directly affect citizens. Additionally, their
negotiations on international agreements can determine whether a nation’s economy succeeds
or fails. For instance, in 2025, over 100 countries chose Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, as the
venue for discussions on international agreements about cybercrime. The purpose of the
agreement is to reduce the rate of cybercrimes, protect personal information, and promote the
digital economy. Furthermore, politicians have the power to improve the national economy.
They can use public funds to invest in education and scientific research, which develops the
national economy.
In conclusion, scientists contribute to human development through the creation of vaccines
and the discovery of new species. However, I still believe that politicians have the greatest

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influence on the world since they make laws and negotiate international agreements that
directly affect residents.
WORD COUNT: 280

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