advertisements - ielts topic Question: Consumers are faced with increasing numbers of advertisements from competing companies. To what extent do you think are consumers influenced by advertisements? What measures can be taken to protect them? It is true that advertising is a key part of modern business. This essay will discuss how it affects people and how people can avoid these influences. Obviously, advertising manipulate people in several ways. First of all, the most commonly-used would be that it aims to persuade people that buying a product will make them happier. In fact, advertisers focus on selling a brand image and use glamorous, successful people. In this way, we are encouraged to associate certain brands with a higher status and to follow the latest trend. As well as that, another way could be that advertisers often aim their marketing at children, who are more easily be influenced by advertisements and can put pressure on their parents to buy them things. In my opinion, there are a number of actions can be taken to tackle these problems. To begin with, the most efficient way would be that advertisements that aim on children should be strictly regulated. For example, unhealthy food should not be marketed in a way that attracts children. On top of that, another useful method could be that people use common sense when they go shopping, and they can ask themselves whether they really need to make that purchase. Therefore, they can be more sensible and less affected by the consumer culture. In conclusion, although we are living a consumer society and advertising has become an important industry that employs many people, we still need to regulate it and make sure people, especially children not pay too much attention on these advertisements.

salary and jobs - ielts topic Question: It is sometimes said that a high salary is the most important factor in choosing a job. Do you agree? It goes without saying that salary is a significant point to consider when people choose a job because they need money to pay for the bills. While some people argue that it is the most important, I do not agree with that. The first point to consider would be that only high salary does not make sure the job is fully enjoyable. This is basically because there might be some other catches or drawbacks coming alone with a well-paid job. For example, being a doctor means you have a high salary as well as great pressures. Many doctors work long hours and have stressful schedules. In fact, some of them might be willing to consider other jobs which is more casual and has more free time if they would start over again. Another point has to take into account is that there are a number of other factors also need to be thought about. First of all, the most critical would be that you love what you are doing. In fact, some excellent artists do not mind working hard for a low salary as long as they can get addicted to making a great work. As well as that, another thing could be a good work environment. For example, if you like the people who you are working with or the atmosphere in your office is positive, you are more likely to be satisfied in your work. In conclusion, although someone thinks that money is the only consideration in find a job, I believe other points like work environment and job satisfaction are also important.

insurance letter Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to make an insurance claim for an item I lost during my trip in London last week. The item is a latest golden iPhone 6S with 3D technology, which is a birthday gift from my wife. Without a doubt, it has great sentimental value for me. Regarding how I get it lost, I believe that I must have left it on the bus when I went back to the airport. I was sleeping with my iPhone in the pocket of my jeans. When the shuffle arrived, I got up and rushed to get my luggage. Then I realized my iPhone was missing and neither the bus driver nor people who sat around me had any idea where it was. Since I have taken out comprehensive travel insurance with your company and the contract states that all lost items are covered, I would ask you to review the attachment information regarding the estimate value of the phone. I hope you process my claim as quickly as possible. Please let me know if you need further information. Yours faithfully,

Requirement letter Hi Jack, I hope you have recovered from the journey. There’s one thing I need you to do me a favor. We have a wonderful trip and I’ve taken a lot of stunning shots, but one of them has been lost and I couldn’t get it back anyhow. I hope you can send one copy to me if you have it. Specifically, it was a picture in which I was jumping up with the snow mountain and the sunset in the back. I really love that one because I look handsome in it and the view in the background is fantastic. Without it, I feel like missing a highly valued treasure. Regarding how I lost the photo, well, I think it is not my fault. It was last night when I was trying to upload it to my Facebook account, but suddenly my computer died and I couldn’t do anything about it. As a result, I lost my files in the PC. After that, I realized computers are not reliable and I should have made several backup for my important data. Anyway, I would be really grateful if you have a copy and send it to me. Look forward to hearing from you.

renting accommodation - letter Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing this letter to ask for your help in finding a accommodation for my family and me. We are coming to your country next month and live there permanently. Actually, what we are looking for is a three-bedroom apartment which is big enough for my family to stay in. Regarding to the size of my family, there are six persons – my wife and I, my parents and my two daughters, the little one is only nine-month old and the age of the other is eight years. As you may guess, I need to send my elder daughter to a local primary school, so I would be very grateful if the location of the apartment is near it, for example, less than 10 minutes’ walking distance would be better. I also very care about the education quality of the school, if it is a prestigious one, I would like to pay more. Looking forward to your reply. Regards, Peng

Work/ life balance Many people want to have a successful career and a happy family life both. What problems are involved in combining a career and family life? How to overcome such problems? It is true that more people nowadays are aware of the importance of achieving a balance between work time and family time. This essay will discuss the obstacles stopping people to do get this and how to overcome them. Obviously, there are a number of hazards with regard to this issue. First of all, the most evident would be that the stressful working schedule. This is basically because that under the environment of fierce competition, people are forced to work long hours with strict deadlines. Therefore, they live under great pressure and do not have time to spend with their family. As well as that, a secondary issue could be that the cost of living is increasingly high. This can be explained by that both parents tend to work full-time to earn enough money to pay the bills. Whereas in the past, women traditionally stayed at home to look after their children and did domestic works. As a result, children may be left alone, or with nannies or babysitters and many families no longer eat meals together. In my opinion, there are several actions that could be taken. To begin with, the most efficient way would be that people could work from home. This is because nowadays technology allows people to do this. Specifically, workers can communicate via email, online networks and video conferencing. In this way, people can have more freedom and companies can save money and time. On top of that, another kind of solution is that people need to take regular holidays. The explanation for this is that they can have more time to enjoy life and get together with friends and family members. As a result, job satisfaction will be raised by a good work/life balance and happy, healthy workers could be more productive. In conclusion, although there are several problems with keeping a work/life balance, companies can take a few steps to tackle them. They should make sure their workers have a happy and healthy life.

The Internet Recently, more and more people use the Internet to get information and buy goods. What do you think about the advantages and disadvantages of this phenomenon? It is true that the Internet has been increasingly widely-used in the present day, especially for shopping and searching information. This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this trend. Some people believe that the Internet has a number of obvious merits. First of all, the most evident would be that it has revolutionized the way of communication. In fact, we can keep in touch by email or instant messenger services anytime we want. This has greatly improved efficiency at work and strengthens our relationship with families and friends. As well as that, another positive feature would be that it gives us instant access to information on almost any subjects. For example, we can watch favorite movies online and buy goods and service from the comfort of our home. Therefore, life has become more flexible and convenient. However, on the other hand, others may argue that the Internet also have several shortcomings. To begin with, the most apparent would be many websites contain offensive content. For instance, some sites show violent or sexual images and this without a doubt leaves negative effect on our children. On top of that, another weak point could be that it can serve as a distraction and withdraw people from their work or study. Actually, more people, especially children, nowadays get addicted in surfing the Internet and lose their motivation to continue working hard in the real world. In conclusion, although the Internet has been beneficial in many ways, it also brings several problems. We should regulate the use of the Internet, particularly for the youngsters and not focus too much on the virtual world.

Stress Nowadays, many people have to work longer time, and they feel more stressed than before. What are the reasons? What can the employers do to make the workers' life easier? It is true that modern lifestyles are extremely stressful. This essay will discuss the possible motives surrounding this and try to give some suggestions for companies and institutions. There are several factors involved in this trend. First of all, the chief cause would potentially be that people are living in fierce competition in the present day. In fact, in order not to lose their jobs, they have to work long hours with strict deadlines and have less time to relax and unwind. Therefore, unemployment has become the major cause of pressure. On top of that, a secondary incentive could be that the cost of living in cities is increasingly high, especially the price of housing. This means both parents have to work full-time to pay mortgage, bills and tuition for their children and they do not have money to travel on vacation and escape from daily routine life. In my opinion, there are a number of measures employers can take. To begin with, the most efficient way could be to allow staff to take regular holiday. It goes without a doubt that this would help to alleviate the pressure they have. As well as that, another way would be to employ some psychologists, who can offer emotional support to employees and help them to cope with stress from working. Additionally, workers can be given flexible timetables or even be allowed to work from home. Because in this way, they can spare time with domestic works and pay more attention to their family. In conclusion, although there are many sources of pressure for workers in modern society, companies can take many actions to solve this problem and make sure their staffs have a healthy and happy life.

Historical building - ielts topic Nowadays many old cities are rebuilt and redesigned in order to make them look modern. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this practice. It is true that with the development of industrialization, many cities have been under construction and building skyscrapers. This essay will discuss whether or not it is a positive trend. Some people argue that there are a number of obvious benefits. First of all, the most evident would be that modern buildings can be designed to be more environmentally friendly. For example, rain water and waste water can be recycled and used to flush toilets and modern insulation can make house more energy-efficient. Therefore, they should use less energy and produce less waste. As well as that, a secondary favorable aspect could be that new buildings tend to be more comfortable. For instance, modern glass architectures are usually more spacious and take advantage of natural light. As a result, it is more likely that people prefer living and working in a new building. However, on the other side, others believe that there are several clear drawbacks as well. To begin with, the most apparent would be that historic buildings are part of a country’s heritage. In fact, they give character to cities and attract tourists. Without them, we would never know how people lived in the past. On top of that, a subsequent weak point could be that old buildings are often considered to be works of art. Take Egypt as an example, we identify countries by architectural symbols like the pyramids. Therefore, governments should spend money on looking after historic buildings. In conclusion, although modern architectures have many benefits, we should protected old ones and new buildings should be designed to complement them.