Helpful_Hints_for_IELTS

Appendix 6

/et MODEL ANSWERS

ACADEMIC MODULE - WRITING TEST THREE

The model answers below are given as examples only. This standard of written English can only be achieved with much practice.

Taskl

According to the bar chart, students from four European countries (Sweden, Spain, France and Germany) and one Middle Eastern country (Syria) are taking Graphic Design at the college. Some students are enrolled in the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) core option; the others are taking Photography.

Overall, Sweden has the largest number of enrolled students (17) and Syria the smallest (5). France and Spain both have 12 students; Germany has 11. It is noticeable that France and Germany have similar profiles.

Students from all five countries are enrolled in CAD, but more males are taking this option than females (21 and 9 respectively). For each nationality the males taking CAD outnumber the females, except in the case of the Syrians with 3 females to only 1 male. Sweden has the most students studying CAD (9); Spain is next with 7, while France has 6. Germany and Syria have 4 CAD students each.

As for the photography option, more females than males are enrolled from every country except Syria. In fact, no female Syrian students are taking Photographic Design. Only 1 male from each country is enrolled in Photography, except for 2 males from Spain.

(192 words)

Task 2

Youth drug abuse is a serious problem nowadays in many cultures. Not only is illegal drug use on the rise, but children as young as 10 years old are experimenting with alcohol and tobacco. The reasons for this behaviour are unclear, but certain sociologists blame the examples set by their elders.

Parents who drink and smoke to excess are, in effect, telling their children that it is acceptable to abuse their bodies with drugs. Consequently, children may have a similar view towards illegal drugs, even if their parents are against their use. In addition, drug use shown on television and in films can only confuse children who are also taught at school that drug abuse is wrong.

The pressure on young people to perform well at school in order to compete forjobs is a possible cause of the problem. Many believe they cannot live up to their parents' expectations, and feel a sense of hopelessness. Also, the widespread availability of drugs means teenagers are faced with the temptation to experiment. Drugs are used as a means of expressing dissatisfaction with the pressures they face in society.

The effects ofdrug abuse are well known. Many young people's talents are wasted, and addiction to hard drugs can cost a user his or her life. Furthermore, those who drink and drive may be involved in fatal road accidents. The cost to society is great, and enormous amounts of money are spent on convicting drug dealers and on education programmes.

To conclude, I recommend that the only sensible way to solve this problem is to educate young people about the dangers of drug use, and to take steps to reduce the pressure of competition placed upon them.

(283 words)

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Appendix 6

MODEL ANSWERS

ACADEMIC MODULE - WRITING TEST FOUR

The model answers below are given as examples only. This standard of written English can only be achieved with much practice.

Task 1

The graph shows the four quarters of the 2000 financial year and the monthly profit of Acme Sports Cars and Branson Motors for 12 months. The former was making almost twice the profit at the beginning than at the end of the financial year. There was a three-fold increase in the latter's monthly profit over the same period.

During the first quarter, Acme Sports Cars' monthly profit decreased slightly from £70,000 to £60,000, but rose sharply to £80,000 by the end ofJune. Branson Motors' monthly profit, however, doubled from £20,000 to £40,000.

Due to the introduction of a luxury goods tax, Acme Sports Cars' monthly profit fell dramatically during the second quarter from £80,000 to only £10,000, whereas that of Branson Motors continued to rise, peaking at just over £60,000 by the end of September.

In the third quarter, Acme Sports Cars' monthly profit increased steadily to £20,000 and remained stable, while Branson Motors' monthly profits fluctuated between just over £60,000 and £40,000. At the beginning of the last quarter, a boost in the economy meant the monthly profit of both Acme Sports Cars and Branson Motors gradually increased to £40,000 and £60,000 respectively by the financial year's end.

(200 words)

Task 2

These days, many people are afraid ofnuclear technology because ofthe dangers associated with its use. In my opinion, although it is true that nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat to life, the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes also carries some serious risks.

Nuclear power stations provide an important source of cheap power for many industrialised nations and some developing countries. However, there is always the danger of radiation leaking from these plants. Even though safety precautions are taken, there have been numerous disasters such as the explosion of a nuclear plant in Russia not long ago.

Nuclear technology is even used to help cure some diseases such as cancer. Radiation can be applied to the body to burn away cancerous cells. This is, however, a dangerous procedure, and the application of radiation is almost always painful and not always successful.

The most worrying aspect ofnuclear technology, though, is its use for military purposes. Enough atomic bombs have already been built to completely destroy the planet, and the real danger is that one day some country will start a war with these weapons. Too many countries now have the technology required to make such bombs, and there is currently much debate about how to control the situation.

In conclusion, nuclear technology certainly has positive uses, but is, nonetheless, dangerous. However, it would have been better if it had never been used to create nuclear weapons. If life on Earth is to continue, all the nuclear nations of the world should agree to disarm as soon as possible.

(261 words)

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