A Renowned Reporter

You are a renowned news reporter and asked by your alma mater to write an article of about 250 words introducing yourself. The first paragraph should describe the best part of your job and the second paragraph should focus on the biggest challenge you have ever faced in your job.

 

     I am Chris Wong. I graduated from this school some twenty years ago. After college education, I became a news reporter and has never changed jobs ever since. The best part of my job is ample opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and report on their stories. Most of the stories are sad in that something unfortunate happened and someone was injured or even died. The other stories are often inspirational: the disadvantaged were given a helping hand or someone succeeded against all odds. I have never been tired of my job as I see it my duty to bring these stories to light in the public interest. A democratic society is characterized by press freedom and I am pleased to be able to contribute to this important cause.

 

     The biggest challenge I have ever faced in my job was when I was ten years into the job and was confronted with a dilemma where I was under tremendous pressure to disclose the identity of a news source in a controversial story. On the one hand, I had a duty to protect the identity of my informant as he had trust in me. It would be wrong of me to have reassured him of confidentiality and then failed to honor it. On the other hand, the government threatened to take me to court if I did not accede to its request for the identity. After careful consideration, I decided to stick to my principles and stood ready to defend my case in the court. Fortunately, as it turned out, I won the court case. To this date, I am still convinced that I made the right decision at that time.

A Valuable Photo

 

You have selected a photo of yours, which captured the moment you wrote on a blackboard with a chalk. Write an essay of about 250 words. The first paragraph should set the scene, e.g. when, where and why the photo was taken. The second paragraph should explain the meaning of the photo to you.

 

     The photo was taken when I was in Year 5. It shows that I was a little boy, no more than 130 cm tall and weighing nearly 30 kg. I was writing on a blackboard with a chalk in the classroom. The photo captured my back only but I recall my teacher and classmates were in the same classroom, giving me as much encouragement as possible as I was struggling to come up with the answer to a difficult math question. I did not know why the photo was taken at the time, but the photo later found its way into the school’s year book. I still keep my personal copy of the year book in my bookshelves.

 

     The photo means a lot to me even if it does not show my face. Indeed no one knows who the boy is in the photo. It often brings me fond memories of my school days, particularly of Mr. Wang, my math teacher in Year 5. I knew early in my life that math was not my strength. Up until Year 5, I failed almost every quiz, test and exam in the subject. This worried me a lot as I would not be able to go to a good high school if I did not do better in math. Therefore it came as a great relief when Mr. Wang became my math teacher. It was he who taught me how to overcome my fear of math. It was he who guided me to make steady progress. It was he who helped me excel in the subject in the final examination of Year 5. Whenever I see the photo again, I remember Mr Wang and just wish to express my gratitude to him again.

Nuclear Power

 

Do you agree that nuclear power is the best energy source? Write an essay of about 250 words. The first paragraph should set out your position with a brief mention of why you take this position. The second paragraph should provide the details of your arguments.

 

     I do not agree that nuclear power is the best energy source. It might be better than fossil fuel power production in that it does not generate greenhouse gas emissions during power production, but its radioactive waste is a huge challenge: it requires highly regulated storage and disposal in order to protect human health and the environment.

 

     It is true that generating electricity using nuclear fusion will have fewer environmental effects. For example, it does not release carbon dioxide, which is a major source of the greenhouse effect causing global warming. Nor does it release particulates, which causes global dimming around the world and breathing problems for people.  Furthermore, no sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides are released, thereby reducing the likelihood of acid rain.  That said, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the waste generated by nuclear power is highly radioactive. It cannot be discharged directly into the environment and has to be stored and disposed of in a highly regulated environment. Moreover, no people would agree to the storage of such toxic waste in their neighborhoods. Compared with nuclear power, renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, wind energy and hydro energy, stand out as the best as they generate neither greenhouse gas emissions nor radioactive waste. They might not be as reliable as nuclear power or fossil fuel power generation, but this could be addressed through technology and design, which should be relatively easier than addressing greenhouse effect and radioactive waste. They are therefore more appealing to the public.

A Letter to My Friend

Your best friend, Peter, who is studying in the United States, has written to you about his love for extreme sports such as bungee jumping, paragliding, and parachuting. You are concerned about this. Write a reply of about 250 words, explaining your concern and suggesting another activity to him.

 

Dear Peter,

       Thank you for your letter. It has been some time since you wrote and I am of course interested in how you are getting on in the United States. Everything seems fine, but I am concerned about your new interest in extreme sports. In particular you are into paragliding, which is not known for being a safe sport. I just googled and just last year, more than 500 people got injured or even died when paragliding in the United States. I know you love excitement and the feeling of being free, and no doubt the sport fits the bill for you. That said, you cannot ignore the risks associated with this sport. What if something terrible happens to you and even if you do not die a tragic death, an accident will mean a serious disruption to your studies, which I know you take very seriously as you wish to become a doctor and return to Taiwan to practice medicine.

       If you still wish to have some excitement and freedom so to speak, perhaps you can consider water skiing. This sport can be as exciting as paragliding, as it is a high-speed surface water sport where you are towed at great speeds behind a powerboat. You can challenge yourself by doing tricks and turns as well. You are less likely to hurt yourself provided that you take the necessary safety precautions such as wearing a life jacket, and it is not a question of falling from a high height as in the case of paragliding. I do hope you will seriously consider this alternative.

Yours sincerely,

Ken

Electric Cars vs Petrol Cars

Electric cars are more environmentally-friendly than petrol cars, but their sales last year were less than 10% of all vehicles sold. Write an article of no fewer than 250 words. The first paragraph explains why the sales of electric vehicles are low, whereas the second paragraph sets out what can be done to encourage people to drive these vehicles.

 

The sales of electric vehicles have been low because electric vehicles are, when compared with petrol cars, new to the market. Customers know little about them. For example, they are not sure about their efficacy. How often do they break down? Is it easy to find a charging spot for them? Electricity might be cheaper than petrol, but what if their maintenance costs are taken into account? These are some obvious questions drivers have about electric cars; unless they are properly addressed, drivers are expected to be slow to replace their petrol cars with electric ones.

 

       To boost the sales of electric cars, the government should play a proactive role, given that electric cars are much more environmentally-friendly than petrol ones. A publicity campaign should be launched to address all possible questions drivers might have about electric cars. Emphasis should be placed on the reliability of technology used in electric cars, the expected savings of driving electric cars when compared with petrol ones, the convenience with which electric cars can be charged, with particular reference to a comprehensive network of charging stations, and the likely maintenance costs involved. Apart from the publicity campaign, the government should incentivize car owners. For example, a cash allowance set at a level sufficient enough for car owners to make a switch to electric cars should be seriously considered. The money involved should be seen as investment in building a sustainable future. With the publicity campaign and the financial incentive in place, drivers are expected to be convinced that electric cars are the way to go.

Debating Club

 

You would like to encourage your schoolmates to join the school's debating club. You are going to speak at the school assembly. Write the speech which should be at least 250 words long. The first paragraph should set out your purpose and the second one should explain why students should join the debating club.

Good morning, Principal, teachers and fellow schoolmates:

I am Chris Wong, President of the school’s debating club. I am delighted to have this opportunity to introduce the club to you and hope that after my introduction, you will join us in the near future.

You might be wondering why you should join the club. Let me explain. The club has been set up to promote debating among students. It is committed to providing a friendly environment in which members can learn various debating skills and put these skills to practice. Every Wednesday after school, practice sessions are organized on various current issues. Members are organized into teams debating the issues. They receive constructive advice and guidance from more senior members present. Apart from these sessions, the club run biweekly workshops focusing on specific skills. These workshops are particularly useful for those who are new to debating and benefit from a step-by-step introduction to what is involved in debating. Some workshops target more experienced members who wish to hone their skills.  Over the years, we have received consistently positive feedback from our members speaking highly of the value of debating: not only does it improve one’s language ability, but it also enhances one’s ability to think critically and articulate arguments eloquently. Our members have become accomplished debaters; they have also excelled in their academic pursuits. So if you wish to join us, please contact me or just send an email to debating@abc.sch. I look forward to welcoming you all to our club.

Thank you.

Neighborhood Changes

 

Your neighborhood has undergone significant changes over the past decade. Write an essay about these changes. The essay should be at least 250 words long. The first paragraph should describe the changes. The second one should explain what appeal to you and what does not.

     Over the past decade, my neighborhood has undergone tremendous changes. More people have moved in because of some major housing projects completed in recent years. The population has substantially increased from about 200,000 to nearly half a million. As part of the one of the housing projects, a huge commercial complex has been constructed. It boasts a variety of much-needed facilities, including shops, restaurants, cafes, cinemas and open spaces. It has become a magnet for locals, particularly on weekends when families and young people spend a whole day there. In the light of the population increase, the government has upgraded infrastructure. Roads have been widened to cater for more traffic flows, both from the housing projects and the commercial complex. An existing park has been expanded to provide more soccer fields, a brand-new stadium and an extension to an existing swimming pool.

     What appeals to me most is the commercial complex and the upgraded swimming pool. My friends and I love going to the complex whenever we have time because we can hang out there, be it going to our favorite restaurant – an Italian restaurant with mouth-watering pizzas and pasta – or going to the movies. Sometimes we go shopping there as we can easily hop from one shop to another; this saves us a lot of time and energy. The upgraded swimming pool is what I need most. I usually go there every evening for a few laps in the pool; this is the most relaxing exercise for me when the pressure from my studies can be overwhelming. Despite all the attractions, I hate the traffic congestion brought about by the commercial complex and increased population. It has taken longer to go from one place to another, particularly at rush hour when a ten-mile journey can take at least an hour.

My Favorite TV Show

 

Write an essay about your favorite TV show. The essay should be at least 250 words long. The first paragraph should introduce the TV show and what it is about. The second one should explain why it is your favorite.

     My favorite TV show is Britain’s Got Talent, which is a talent show competition on television. This show is a spin-off from America’s Got Talent, which has been successful in the United States.  Simply put, the show allows contestants of any age to audition for the show with whatever talent they have. During auditions, they need to impress a panel of three judges in order to secure a place in the later rounds of contest. The ultimate winner of the contest will win a cash prize and an opportunity to perform before the British Royal Family in the Royal Variety Show. The winners of the past seasons of the show have been musicians, singers, magicians, dancers and comedians. I was most impressed by one of the contestants, Susan Boyle, who sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables some years ago. She roses to instant fame as no one expected her, a lady from a remote Scottish village and in her fifties, to be able to sing beautifully. She later released a record-breaking album.

     The show is my favorite because the contestants always bring all sorts of talents to the show. An ordinary contestant may blow my mind when I least expect it, as in the case of Susan Boyle. This underlines the importance of never judging a book by its cover. I always enjoy watching the contestants’ performances, particularly in magic, dancing and singing. Indeed a few magicians won the contests by turning the impossible into possible and challenging our understanding of what things should be. Apart from being a good form of entertainment, the show is inspirational in that we should believe in ourselves and showcase our talents in whatever way we can and on whatever platform we have.

The Joys of Being a Teenager Growing up in Taiwan

 

You have been invited to join a panel discussion with young people from other countries. You are expected to talk about the joys of being a teenager growing up in Taiwan. Please write your speech which should be at least 250 words long. The first paragraph should be an introduction. The second one should explain the joys of being a teenager growing up in Taiwan.

I am really honored to join today’s panel discussion on the joys of being a teenager growing up in various parts of the world. I surely look forward to understanding how teenagers grow up in other countries, but I hope you are equally interested in what I am to tell you about the case in Taiwan.

The first joy that comes to my mind is definitely the fact that Taiwan is not a big country and it takes less than a day to go from north to south or vice versa, or from east to west or vice versa. For this reason, teenagers have ample opportunity to see different parts of the beautiful country or, to be specific, the beautiful island. I vividly and fondly remember many trips organized by either my school or my parents. The second joy is the delicious food. It comes in a variety of forms, but I am most attracted by night-market food. My favorites are stinky tofu, oyster omelet, and Taiwanese sausages with sticky rice. The third joy is the thriving publishing industry which publishes tons of books every year, meeting the needs of the public, not least those of teenagers. Indeed my reading habit began when I was 12 – I went to an Eslite store in Taipei and was astounded by the wide range of fantastic choices on offer. To conclude, it has been a joyful journey for teenagers to grow up in Taiwan. I am, of course, happy to answer any questions you might have.

A Letter to the Minister about Animal Mistreating

There have been recent reports of cats and dogs being mistreated. You are writing to the relevant minister, drawing his/her attention to the issue and offering your suggestions on how to address the issue. The letter should consist of three paragraphs. The first paragraph should set out the purpose of the letter. The second one should give the details of the issue. The third one should set out your suggestions on how to address the issue. The letter should be at least 250 words long.

 

Dear Minister,

 

       I write to express my concern about report reports of cats and dogs being mistreated and put forward some suggestions on how to address the issue.

 

       In recent weeks, there has been wide coverage on the plight of pets. Just last week, the public came to know the rescue of an abandoned dog which had been starved for nearly a week. The dog weighed less than half his normal body weight and had to be rushed to a vet for urgent treatment. In another incident, a boy was caught shooting at stray cats with an airgun. He had the audacity to justify his action by blaming the cats for causing nuisance in the first place.

 

       It is important that your ministry take the lead in addressing this issue. First, public education is essential. Pet owners should be taught to be responsible for the well-being of their pets. Pets are not toys; they deserve care and love from their owners, whose commitment should be lifelong and start from the moment of purchase. Under no circumstances should pets be neglected or even abandoned as they will no doubt be in distress. Your ministry can organize publicity campaigns to publicize the importance of being responsible pet owners. Second, enforcement action should be stepped up against those who mistreat pets or stray animals. To make it easier for the public to report such cases, your ministry should set up a hotline. Any cases reported should be followed up expeditiously. The levels of penalties for such offences should also be raised to underscore the fact that such mistreatment is not tolerated in our society. Third, stray animals are a public health nuisance. Whilst I do not support any action to kill them, a more responsible approach is for your ministry to put in place a program to neuter them so that their population will decrease over time. It is also important to impress upon pet owners not to abandon their pets. I am sure that with our concerted efforts to be led by your ministry, the issue will go away.

 

Yours faithfully,

Chris Wong

Residential Development

 

A private developer has identified a site in your neighborhood for a major residential development. You strongly believe that the site should be used for open space and recreation. Please write a letter to the government planning authorities expressing your views. The letter should consist of three paragraphs. The first paragraph states the purpose of your letter. The second paragraph sets out your position on the project with reasons. The third paragraph should focus on the alternative use of the site. The letter should at least be 250 words long 

 

Dear Sir,

 

      I write to object to the proposed major residential development in my neighborhood and would be grateful if you would abandon the project in the public interest.

 

      The project involves the construction of six apartment blocks with a total number of about 2,000 apartments and associated facilities such as a shopping mall and a huge car park. The development is planned to be located on a vacant site which has been reserved for years for open space and recreation. I am concerned about the visual impact of the buildings in question and the additional traffic expected to be generated from the development. Our neighborhood, famous for its low-density housing, is not suitable for this type of development. The roads in the neighborhood are narrow and can be congested during rush hour. They can hardly accommodate the expected additional traffic.

 

      From the locals’ perspective, the site in question is more suitable for open space and recreation, as reflected by its town planning zoning. We have been calling on the government since 2010 to build a park there because the neighborhood is short of recreational facilities and the proposed park will significantly address the shortfall. Instead of proceeding with the residential development, the government should indeed accord priority to the construction of a park, which will no doubt be welcomed by the locals and in the best interests of the public. I therefore would like to ask the government to abandon the housing project.

 

      I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

 

Yours faithfully,

George

The Characters between Men and Women

 

Some people think that women are generally more peaceful than men as their characters are naturally more nurturing than aggressive. In the first paragraph, please state the current situation you have observed from your reality. In the second paragraph, share your opinion about what extent do you agree or disagree this?

 

     I have been studying in a co-educational school for the past years. Nearly two-thirds of my classmates are girls. They care for others and stand ready to help others. On a number of occasions, I was in desperate need of help and all my female classmates lent me a helping hand, be it snacks, study notes, or simply time to listen me out. There are no bounds to their generosity. I still remember vividly how my best friend, Mary, spent an entire Saturday afternoon explaining all the difficult concepts of trigonometry before an examination the following Monday. I was overjoyed when I knew I had passed the examination with flying colors. On the contrary, most of my male classmates are aggressive in nature. They do not necessarily mean bad for me, but there is this desire of theirs to outperform others. This is well shown in their tendency to care for themselves rather than others and to think twice before helping others.

 

     I therefore agree to a large extent that women are generally more peaceful than men as their characters are naturally more nurturing than aggressive. This might be attributed to their DNA and, if not, to their upbringing when parents tend to take more care of daughters than sons. It is common for parents to keep an eye on their daughters whilst letting sons go free outside. Over time, girls have picked up this nurturing trait from their parents and shown it well in their behavior. Another possible reason for women to be generally more peaceful is that they are under less pressure to succeed. Unlike men, they are content with who they are and are less likely to measure their success in terms of career achievements or social status.

A Letter to My Best Friend

Your best friend would like to quit college to pursue a singing or acting career. Write him/her an email (of about 250 words). In the first paragraph, you should state how you have become aware of his/her idea and understood the reasoning behind it. Your second paragraph should explain your stance with reasons.

 

Dear Chris,

 

        How’s life treating you? It has been some time since we last met up. When I saw Peter yesterday after a soccer game, he mentioned that you are seriously thinking about quitting medical school to pursue a singing career. It seems that you are under tremendous pressure at your studies and would desperately like a break. And you are hugely attracted to the idea of becoming a singer as you have a good voice and a flair for performance. Indeed you are prepared to give up your studies for this aspiration.

 

        No doubt you are musically talented. I have heard you sing and I must say I do enjoy your singing. However, it takes a lot of effort to become a singer. There have been much-publicized stories of people as talented as you are failing to make the grade and having to cope with the overwhelming disappointment of a failed journey in singing. It would be prudent for you to consider how you can really embark on a singing career, particularly how to transition from one step to another. This is particularly essential as you are already in your twenties, which can be a late start for a new singer. Any misstep can have disastrous consequences. I was also wondering if your interest in a singing career might be a means to stay away from your medical studies. If so, I suggest you think twice before deciding to quit medical school. After all, you have invested a lot in this, starting from high school when you put in extraordinary efforts to get good grades for admission to the best medical school in the country. You have always wanted to become a doctor and help the disadvantaged in society. It would be a pity if you changed course now. If you wanna a chat, I will be there.

 

Yours truly,

David