As global trade increases between different countries, many daily necessities are produced in other countries. Such goods are usually transported a long distance. Do the benefits of this trend outweigh its drawbacks? (2008 – same essay)

As global trade increases between different countries, many daily necessities are produced in other countries. Such goods are usually transported a long distance. Do the benefits of this trend outweigh its drawbacks? Globalisation has revolutionized our world in many aspects. Now, we don’t belong to a big planet Earth. We belong to a small global village. Everything is available everywhere. There are many advantages and disadvantages of transporting goods over a long distance. In my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.  On...

Advertising encourages consumers to buy in quantity rather than promoting quality

Advertising encourages consumers to buy in quantity rather than promoting quality. To what extent do you agree or disagree?   Whether it is on TV, radio or hoardings at the side of the road, advertisements have become a part of our lives. Advertising is a powerful and persuasive medium. I agree with the former half of the given statement that adverts encourage people to buy in quantity. However, I disagree that adverts do not promote quality. I shall put forth my arguments to support my views in the following paragraphs.  On the...

Some people think the increasing business and cultural contact between countries brings many positive effects

Some people think the increasing business and cultural contact between countries brings many positive effects. Others say it causes the loss of national identities. Discuss on both sides and give your opinion.  Globalisation has resulted in more business and cultural contacts among different nations. This also means that in many ways people around the world are becoming more and more similar. This situation has both pros and cons which I shall discuss in the following paragraphs. There are many benefits of globalisation. To begin with there...

The speeding up of life in many areas such as travel and communication has negative effects on society at all levels—individual, national and global

The speeding up of life in many areas such as travel and communication has negative effects on society at all levels—individual, national and global. To what extent do you agree or disagree It is irrefutable that the IT revolution and faster means of travel have affected society at all levels. However, I disagree that all these effects are negative. The society has also benefitted enormously from this speeding up of life which in other words we can say globalization.   At the individual level, we have more choices, more opportunities...

In many countries, good schools and medical facilities are available only in cities. Some people think new teachers and doctors should work in rural areas for a few years, but others think everyone should be free to choose where they work

In many countries, good schools and medical facilities are available only in cities. Some people think new teachers and doctors should work in rural areas for a few years, but others think everyone should be free to choose where they work. Discuss and give your own opinion.  As a big gap is there between the urban and rural areas, some people opine that teachers and doctors who are fresh out of college should work in villages for a few years. However, others believe that the choice of where to work should be left on the teachers and doctors....

Some people think that using animals for experimentation purpose is cruel, but other people think that is necessary for the development of science

Some people think that using animals for experimentation purpose is cruel, but other people think that is necessary for the development of science. Discuss both views and give your opinion.   Animal experimentation has been a debated issue for many decades. Some people believe that scientists’ locking up animals in a laboratory environment is not what nature intended – and they are probably right. Others believe laboratory animals perform a great service for humankind. For many years now, scientists have been working hard to develop...

The only way to improve the safety on our own road is to have stricter punishment for driving offenders

The only way to improve the safety on our own road is to have stricter punishment for driving offenders. To what extent do you agree or disagree?  It is irrefutable that careless driving and violation of traffic rules certainly result in a large number of accidents and stricter punishments are necessary to reduce them.  However, there are also certain other measures that have equal or more effectiveness in ensuring road safety.  In the first place, there are certain accidents that occur not because of traffic violations. ...

Children who grow up in families which are short of money are better prepared with the problems of adult life than children who are brought up by wealthy parents

Children who grow up in families which are short of money are better prepared with the problems of adult life than children who are brought up by wealthy parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?  Role of family atmosphere in a child’s development is a cause of concern. However, I disagree with the notion that children of poor families are better equipped in dealing with the challenges of adult life than those of rich families. No doubt, adversity is a good teacher of life, but rich parents can also prepare their children to face...

Some people think that people moving to a new country should accept new culture in the foreign country rather than living as a separate minority group with different lifestyle

Some people think that people moving to a new country should accept new culture in the foreign country rather than living as a separate minority group with different lifestyle. Do you agree or disagree?   Today, with the passage of time each and every country is on the path of development, and with this development there is a growing trend of visiting different places in different countries. It is a highly debated issue whether immigrants should do and behave as the people of the host country or should they stick to their traditional...

Some scientists believe that studying the behaviour of 3-year-old children can tell which children would grow up to be criminals.

Some scientists believe that studying the behaviour of 3-year-old children can tell which children would grow up to be criminals. To what extent in your opinion is crime a product of human nature or is it possible to stop children from growing up to be criminals?   Some scientists are of the opinion that hereditary characteristics are responsible for the person’s temperament and hence future career. I disagree with this notion. I believe that genes do play a role but the primary determinant is nurture – education and bringing up. It is definitely...

Many people say that we have developed into a “throw-away” culture, because we are filling up our environment with so many plastic bags and rubbish that we cannot fully dispose of

Many people say that we have developed into a “throw-away” culture, because we are filling up our environment with so many plastic bags and rubbish that we cannot fully dispose of. To what extent do you agree with this opinion and what measures can you recommend reducing this problem?    Environmentalists today are campaigning for "reduce, recycle and re-use" in a bid to save the world, but we as a nation, have adopted "replace" as our mantra. This and many other factors are leading to a throwaway society. In this essay, I shall discuss...

The detailed description about crime will affect the people and cause many social problems

The detailed description about crime will affect the people and cause many social problems. Some people say that the media should be strictly controlled. Do you agree or disagree?    Nowadays, we are surrounded by a variety of media like the Internet, newspaper and TV, which are very informative, and in doing so give a detailed description of crime. This causes many problems in society and therefore some people opine that there should be censorship of media. I feel that the media should be very judicious in selecting what to report and...

Many employees may work at home with the modern technology

Many employees may work at home with the modern technology. Some people claim that it can benefit only the workers, not the employers. Do you agree or disagree?    Working from home with the help of telephone lines, or, in other words, telecommuting has become very popular especially where internet connections are fast and reliable. I, disagree with the given statement that it can benefit only the employees and not the employers. Telecommuting is a win-win situation for both employers and employees. There are many advantages of telecommuting...

Some people think the government should pay for health care and education, but other people claim that it is the individual’s responsibility

Some people think the government should pay for health care and education, but other people claim that it is the individual’s responsibility. Do you agree or disagree? Nowadays, health care and education have become the focus of the people’s concern. It is a highly debated issue as to who should pay for these services. There are those who argue that the government should pay for them while others think the costs should be shouldered by individuals. Personally, I think that basic health care and primary education should be on the government but...

Some people think that the news media nowadays have influenced people’s lives in negative ways

Some people think that the news media nowadays have influenced people’s lives in negative ways. To what extent do you agree or disagree?   I disagree with the given statement that media has a negative influence on our lives. In the following paragraphs, I intend to put forth my arguments in support of my views. There are many positive effects of media. To begin with, the usefulness of the media in almost instantly providing information about events around the world is undeniable. It is because of the media that today we don’t belong to...

Sending criminals to prison is not the best method of dealing with them. Education and job training are better ways to help them

Sending criminals to prison is not the best method of dealing with them. Education and job training are better ways to help them. Do you agree or disagree?   There are many different opinions on the best way to reduce crime. The traditional solution is to punish the criminals by putting them in prison. Some hold the view that education and job training are the long term solutions to cut crime. In my opinion, prison is the only answer in a few situations, but in most cases education, vocational training and rehabilitation are better. Prison...

The government is responsible for protecting a nation’s cultural identity.

The government is responsible for protecting a nation’s cultural identity. Thus, some people believe new buildings should be built in traditional styles. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?    Every city has its architectural character, and this architecture represents the culture of the place. However, I disagree that modern buildings should be built in traditional styles. In the following paragraphs I shall put forth my arguments to support my views. Firstly, in most large cities, land is scarce and consequently...

Nowadays, some universities offer graduate students skills that assist to find employment, but some people believe the main function of a university should be to access knowledge for its sake

Nowadays, some universities offer graduate students skills that assist to find employment, but some people believe the main function of a university should be to access knowledge for its sake. What’s your opinion?    As university education is the last stage before the starting of career, many people believe that it prepares students for employment only, but the fact is that it serves a lot many purposes. In this essay I shall discuss the various functions of a university. Universities provide specialised education in fields such as...

Many people are optimistic of the 21st century and see it as an opportunity to make positive changes to the world

Many people are optimistic of the 21st century and see it as an opportunity to make positive changes to the world To what extent do you share their optimism? What changes would you like to see in the new century? Change is but natural. Everything undergoes a sea of changes over a period. Many changes are expected in the 21st century. I am an optimistic person and I believe there will be many beneficial changes which I would like to see in the 21st century.   To begin with many positive changes are expected in the medical field. Our researchers...

Some school leavers travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to the university. What are the advantages and disadvantages.

Some school leavers travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to the university. What are the advantages and disadvantages.   A gap year is a year after high school when a student takes time to explore his or her interests, which usually entails some type of travelling or working. After the gap year is over, the student begins his or her career. It has both pros and cons which I shall discuss in this essay. There are many benefits of taking a year off. Firstly, the student can explore his interests before deciding on...