Day 2: Lifestyle
TASK I: Integrated Writing
Reading:
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Many environmentalists are wary of allowing the introduction of new species into an ecosystem. Ecosystems are fragile, and invasive species can often cause many problems when they are introduced where they do not belong. In fact, when they invade a new ecosystem, they often have several harmful effects.
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For one, the introduction of new species can ruin the local ecosystem in many ways. First, it can act as a predator and eat other local species, thereby causing their extinction. Another way is that it can consume too much of a valuable local food source. This consumption can cause other animals not to be able to eat as much as they are accustomed to. The result may be a decrease in the number of native species.
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Another way that nonnative species can be harmful is by causing the people who live in that area to suffer from financial losses. An example of this is the mesquite tree in the American Southwest. It thrives in areas with little water. However, because it soaks up the water from the ground, nearby grasses do not get enough and die. This causes local ranchers to lose money since they have to pay extra for animal feed. Also, the mesquite tree regenerates easily, so farmers must pay large amounts of money to remove the trees from their land.
Kansas Texas cane toad
Transcript:
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Why don’t we discuss a few more invasive species before today’s class ends? Now, although we’ve discussed a lot of harmful invasive species, please remember that they are not always detrimental to the local ecosystem. In fact, I could name a few that have actually been, well, beneficial. Don’t believe me? Okay, listen to this.
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Everyone knows that Kansas is famous for wheat and Texas is celebrated for cows. Well, they are both, uh, invasive species. And they haven’t done any harm to the environment. For example, wheat has not caused the extinction of any local wildlife. It doesn’t use up an excessive amount of resources like some invasive species do. And cows, of course, are not predators, so no animals have been killed by them while they graze.
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Those are two examples of harmless invasive species. But how about invasive species that are, uh, beneficial? Yeah, it sometimes happens. A perfect case is that of the cane toad, which was introduced for farmers down in Florida, among other places, Cane toads devour many harmful insects, so they keep the bug population down. Also, since the toads eat so many insects, farmers don’t have use any pesticides that could be dangerous human. So, cane toads are actually helpful to many people, showing that invasive species sometimes do have benefits.
Answer:
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The reading passage and lecture both talk about invasive species. But they disagree as to the effects on their new environments. The professor believes that invasive species have no effect on their environment or are beneficial. However, the reading passage believes they are harmful.
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The lecturer first states that many invasive species, like Kansas wheat and Texas cows, do not negatively affect the environment. He claims that neither on of them has caused the extinction of any species. The reading, however, disagrees and claims that many nonnative species are predators, so they hunt some animals to extinction. Also, they sometimes eat all of an area’s food supply, which causes local animals to die of starvation.
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The professor also asserts that some invasive species can be beneficial to their new environments. He cites the example of the cane toad in Florida. He claim that cane toads insects, so they keep the bug population down and allow farmers not to use dangerous insecticides. However, the reading claims that some invasive species, like the mesquite tree, cause financial harm to farmers. The reading states that since mesquite trees kill grass, farmers must pay more for animal feed. It is also expensive to remove them from the land.
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Clearly, the two passages disagree with one another with regards to the value of invasive species.
Task1 cont.
TASK II: Independent Writing
Sample 1: In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
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In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both positive and negative consequences in equal measure.
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The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A young adult who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills; an increase in the number of such individuals can certainly be seen as a positive development. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing. This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.
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However, the personal and economic arguments given above can be considered from the opposite angle. Firstly, rather than the positive feeling of increased independence, people who live alone may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They miss out on the emotional support and daily conversation that family or flatmates can provide, and they must bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in this sense, perhaps the trend towards living alone is a negative one. Secondly, from the financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is likely to push up property prices and rents. While this may benefit some businesses, the general population, including those who live alone, will be faced with rising living costs.
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In conclusion, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.
Sample 2: The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
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It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.
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On the one hand, many of the ideas that elderly people have about life are becoming less relevant for younger people. In the past, for example, people were advised to learn a profession and find a secure job for life, but today’s workers expect much more variety and diversity from their careers. At the same time, the ‘rules’ around relationships are being eroded as young adults make their own choices about who and when to marry. But perhaps the greatest disparity between the generations can be seen in their attitudes towards gender roles. The traditional roles of men and women, as breadwinners and housewives, are no longer accepted as necessary or appropriate by most younger people.
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On the other hand, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the modern world. For example, older generations attach great importance to working hard, doing one’s best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviours can surely benefit young people as they enter today’s competitive job market. Other characteristics that are perhaps seen as traditional are politeness and good manners. In our globalised world, young adults can expect to come into contact with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more important than ever to treat others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighbourliness.
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In conclusion, although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in today’s world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.
Sample 3: A small town vs. a big city
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Where shall we live? Some may choose to live in big cities, while other like the natural and quiet surroundings in the countryside. As far as I am concerned, I would like to live in a big city because living in a big city has more advantages than living in the countryside.
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To begin with, the city is the symbol of human civilization and there are a many facilities for living, recreation and health care. Therefore, living there is more convenient than living in the countryside. For example, we can find a plenty of malls around our neighborhood, where we can buy everyday necessities at a low price. Furthermore, people concern more about their health and safety than other things in their lives. In big cities, medical facilities and emergency services are easily accessible than in the countryside. Big cities also have convenient transportation and utility systems. They also offer faster Internet connections. These all make our life easier in big cities.
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In addition, we can take part in a variety of events in big cities. Human being likes to live together and need to interact with each other. In a big city, the population density is high therefore there are always plenty of social activities, sports events and concerts. There are more recreational places in big cities, such as opera houses, movie theatres, clubs, and swimming pools. You will have many kinds of entertainment in big cities, and meet many people. In countryside, however, the life may be dull and quite, and you may only have a few neighbors. Living alone with few activities can easily cause mental diseases.
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Some may argue that the pollution in cities makes people sick. However, with automobiles and modern highways we can easily take a break to expose to fresh air in the countryside and sunshine on the beach.
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In conclusion, I strongly hold that living in big cities is much better than living in the countryside because of the advanced facilities and social activities in cities. Moreover, the autos and highways enable us to enjoy the natural and quiet surroundings in the countryside.
Lifestyle
Money Money and Society Society has become increasingly materialistic People aspire to earn more money They want a bigger house or a better car We connect wealth and material possessions with happiness and success Brands like “Armani” or ”Mercedes” are status symbols Advertising creates new desires and needs It persuades us to buy the latest styles Positives of Consumerism Consumerism creates employment It helps to reduce poverty It encourages innovation and creativity in business We live in a global economy We have a better quality of life Negatives of Consumerism Consumerist societies create more waste They use more natural resources They cause damage to the environment Consumerism creates a “throw-away” culture Advertisers tell us who we are and what we want Personality Happiness Happiness means different things to different people It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment People enjoy spending time with family and friends Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment Some people see money as a source of happiness Other people define happiness as something deeper In order to be truly happy it is necessary to live a good life We need to feel that we are doing something useful with our lives Some people get a sense of achievement from their work Others find happiness in bringing up their children Religion or a sense of purpose can also be a source of happiness Success People define success in different ways Some people get a sense of achievement from raising a family For others, success is defined by wealth or status We often think of rich and famous people as being successful in life Millionaires like Bill Gates are considered to be successful They have risen to the top in their chosen professions For some, being successful means achieving personal or professional goals They see success as the result of hard work Success in any field requires long-term planning and effort Nature or Nurture Some people believe that our personalities are determined mainly by genetics We inherit our abilities and talents from our parents Others think that our education and upbringing are more important We develop according to the influences around us Our personalities and achievements depend more on nurture than nature Many people argue that we control our own destinies We can shape our own personalities By working hard we can achieve and goal that we put our minds to Many successful people are “self-made” We are not limited by our genetic characteristic or upbringing Family Family size Families in many countries are not as large as they used to be We tend to live in small nuclear families rather than large extended families Parents tend to have fewer children Young children are no longer expected to work Nowadays both parents often work It costs so much to bring children up It is more difficult to raise a large family Working parents (also see “gender” topic) Children and their parents seem to be less close nowadays Parents spend less time with their children Women traditionally stayed at home to cook, clean and look after children Nowadays both parents often work full time Children may be left alone, or with nannies or babysitters Busy parents have less contact with their children Many families no longer eat meals together Children spend more time with friends or surfing the Internet Negative effects on Children The lack of closeness in families can have a negative effect on children Many parents have no idea how their children spend their time Friends, television and the Internet become the main influence on children’s behavior Teenagers are influenced by peer pressure Some of them join gangs Juvenile delinquency is on the increase Parents should be more involved with their children’s upbringing Young people need positive role models Divorce In the past, divorce was unacceptable It was considered to be embarrassing for a family People stayed together for religious or family reasons Divorce is more socially acceptable nowadays It has become much more common Divorce can be extremely stressful Lone parents may face financial difficulties Many single parents have to rely on benefits paid by the state Divorce can have a negative effect on children Children from single-parent families are more likely to get lower grades or drop out of school. The rise in divorce rates may be connected to some social problems Care for Old people Caring for elderly people was traditionally the responsibility of families Adults had to look after their elderly parents A woman’s job was to stay at home taking care of her family Nowadays, fewer elderly people are looked after by their relatives Residential homes provide care for large number of elderly people Some families are unable to look after elderly relatives Families tend to be smaller these days, and women often have full-time jobs Cares homes provide a professional service for senior citizens Nurses are better trained than family members Care for Old people: Opinion The best form of care for the elderly depends on the family situation It depends on whether family members have the time resources We all have a responsibility towards the older people in our society Governments should invest money in facilities and training for care workers. Health Diet The human body requires a balanced diet An unhealthy diet can cause various health problems Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are on the increase Many people nowadays rely on fast food or pre-prepared meals These foods often contain too much fat, salt and sugar They are cheap to buy and very easy to prepare Many young people have grown up on a diet of convenience foods Populations in developed countries are increasingly overweight Exercise Regular exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy body Exercise burns calories and helps to build healthy bones and muscles Doctors advise exercising at least three times a week for 20 minutes Most people nowadays lead a sedentary lifestyle We tend to walk less and do desk jobs Most adults relax by watching television Children play video games rather than doing outdoor sports In the past, people were more active in their jobs and at home Government’s Role Governments have a significant role to play in reducing obesity More and more people, including young children are seriously overweight They are at risk of heart disease and diabetes This situation will increase the burden on hospitals and taxpayers Hospitals rely on the government for money and resources Governments should promote a healthy diet and regular exercise There should be more time for sports on school timetables Unhealthy junk food should be banned from school menus People need information about what foods contain Food packaging must show the food’s nutritional content The British Government recommends eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day State Health system: advantages Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident Private Healthcare: advantages State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments Patients can benefit from faster treatment Many people prefer to pay for more a personal service Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities Alternative medicine: Positives People are increasingly using alternative medicines to treat illnesses. For example, acupuncture can be used to treat backache Herbal medicines can be used to treat allergies or viruses Many patients report positive experiences with these treatments Some traditional cures have been used for hundreds of years Alternative medicine: Negatives Many alternative medicines have not been tested scientifically They may have no beneficial effect at all They may cause unknown side effects People should trust the opinions of qualified doctors An illness could get worse without treatment from a doctor Stress Modern lifestyles are increasingly stressful People work long hours with strict deadlines Our busy lifestyles mean we have less time to relax Unemployment is a major cause of stress Children may be affected by their parents’ relationship problems Tests and exams can also cause stress How to reduce stress Stress can be reduced by taking regular exercise and eating a healthy diet It is also important to get sufficient sleep and make leisure time a priority People should work less overtime and take regular holidays Schools have started to employ psychologists They can offer emotional support to students They can help students to cope with exam stress Television, Internet, Phones Positives of television Watching television is a good way to relax It is many people’s favorite way to wind down after a hard day at work Television programs can be entertaining and enjoyable Viewers have access to a huge variety of entertainment channels Television brings the best comedians, musicians and actors into our homes Programmers can also be informative and educational News coverage makes the public aware of events around the world Documentaries can make learning more interesting Negatives of Television Television is having a negative impact on society Some people link violence on television with crime rates in the real world Children copy the behaviour they see on the screen Children are less healthy because they spend less time playing Advertisers direct their marketing at children Most programs do not require much thought Watching TV is a waste of time Opinions about Television Television has many benefits However, it can be addictive Children should play outside rather than sit in front of a screen all day Behaviour shown on TV can influence people Parents should choose carefully what their children watch Children should not be exposed to violence, swearing or sexual images Advertising during children’s programs should be strictly controlled TV companies should make more positive, educational programs Positives of the Internet There are many advantages to using the Internet It gives us instant access to information on almost any subject Shops and other services are now available online People can buy goods and services from the comfort of their homes The Internet is starting to replace other forms of entertainment It has revolutionized communication We can keep in touch by email or instant messenger services Video messaging is becoming common for business meetings Negatives of the internet Many websites contain offensive content Some sites show violent or sexual images Parents find it difficult to control what their children see online They do not always know who their children are chatting to With so many websites it is difficult to search for good information Criminals increasingly use the Internet to steal people’s money Internet compared to newspaper and books Newspapers and books are now published online as well as in print We can read the news in any language from any country in the world It costs nothing to publish or access information on the Internet The Internet allows anybody to publish their own writing Newspaper articles and books are written by professionals Professionals produce better quality writing than amateur People still buy newspapers and books because they are portable People do not like reading from a screen Positives of Mobile Phones The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in today’s world Mobile phones have revolutionized the way we communicate We can stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever we are Users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take photos and listen to music Mobiles have also become fashion accessories Negatives of Mobile Phones Mobiles phones can be a problem in some public places Ringing phones cause disturbance in cinemas and school lessons Some people are not aware that others can hear their conversations Mobile phones may also interfere with electronic equipment Their waves could cause damage to our brains Mobile phones can also be a dangerous distraction Using a phone while driving reduces the driver’s concentration Mobile phones are a popular target for thieves Opinion about Mobile Phones The benefits of mobile phones outweigh the drawbacks We need to use these phones with care Tourism Positives of Tourism Tourism is a popular leisure activity People go on holiday to relax and have fun Tourists can experience different cultures They can sunbathe on beaches or go sight-seeing Travelling abroad opens our minds We can learn to speak other languages The tourist trade is vital for some economies It creates employment in services like accommodation, transport and entertainment Some areas rely on tourism for their income Tourists spend money Tourism attracts investment from multi-national companies It helps to improve the standard of living Low-cost airlines are making it cheaper to travel abroad Negative effects of tourism Tourism can have a negative effect on the natural environment The building of facilities and infrastructure can destroy the habitat of wild animals Beautiful beaches are spoilt by the building of hotels Tourism creates pollution and waste It puts pressure on local resources Local traditional and cultures may be endangered A rise in the cost of living affects local people The price of goods, services and housing may increase significantly The future of tourism Government should introduce laws to protect natural environments and local cultures Tourism should have a low impact on wildlife Renewable resources like solar or water power should be used Waste should be recycled Local businesses such as farms should be supported General ideas: a consumer society, materialistic, earn money, make money, make a profit, success, material possessions, connect wealth with happiness, status symbols, the power of advertising. Positives of consumerism: employment, income, salaries, products that we need, reduce poverty, better standard of living, quality of life, creativity and innovation, trade between countries. Negatives: create waste, use natural resources, damage to the environment, throw-away culture, people become greedy, selfish, money does not make us happy, loss of traditional values. Tags Online shopping, fast food/processed food, sedentary life style, materialistic
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