Cambridge IELTS 2 · Task 1: about 20 minutes, at least 150 words · Task 2: about 40 minutes, at least 250 words
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The first chart below shows the results of a survey which sampled a cross-section of 100,000 people asking if they travelled abroad and why they travelled for the period 1994–98. The second chart shows their destinations over the same period.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.
You should write at least 150 words.
| Category | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday | 15,246 | 14,898 | 17,896 | 19,703 | 20,700 |
| Business | 3,155 | 3,188 | 3,249 | 3,639 | 3,957 |
| Visits to friends and relatives | 2,689 | 2,628 | 2,774 | 3,051 | 3,181 |
| Other reasons | 982 | 896 | 1,030 | 1,054 | 990 |
| TOTAL | 22,072 | 21,610 | 24,949 | 27,447 | 28,828 |
| Category | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Europe | 19,371 | 18,944 | 21,877 | 23,661 | 24,519 |
| North America | 919 | 914 | 1,167 | 1,559 | 1,823 |
| Other areas | 1,782 | 1,752 | 1,905 | 2,227 | 2,486 |
| Total | 22,072 | 21,610 | 24,949 | 27,447 | 28,828 |
According to statistical information, the main reason for traveling abroad is holidays, business, and visits to friends and relatives. Indeed, there is a steady increase in the number of holiday makers; while in 1996 there were about 17,896 of the sample in 1998 there were 20,700 of them. Moreover, with the introduction of more countries within the EC market, travelling for business has also increased. Although there is not a big decrement 3,957 traveled abroad for business during 1998 compared with 3,249 in 1996. Finally, traveling abroad for visiting friends and relatives shows a steady increase over the period 1994–1998. While there were about 2,628 travelers in 1995 in 1998 the number increased to 3,181 in 1998. Consequently, there is a steady increase in three main reasons for travelling abroad; Holidays, business, or to visit relatives and friends.
In addition, there is also an increased change in the destinations which people tend to prefer for travelling. The area which appear to be more popular among travellers is Western Europe. Indeed, while in 1994 only 19,371 of the sample preferred to spend their holiday (or other reasons) in that main region, there was an increase to 24,519 in 1998. North America and other areas appeared also favourable. In 1996, there were 1,167 going to North America and 1,905 to other areas. These numbers increased to 1,823 and 2,486 accordingly. Statistical figures prove that Western Europe seems to be the most favourable place for holiday makers while North America and other areas follow behind.
Length: 252 words.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic.
Without capital punishment (the death penalty) our lives are less secure and crimes of violence increase. Capital punishment is essential to control violence in society.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
You should write at least 250 words.
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
Before talking about the essential role of death penalty, you have to think about the meaning, and the purpose, of any kind of punishment. If you consider that the purpose is to prevent the guilty from being nasty again, you can be seduced by an argumentation in favour of the suppression of capital punishment. But you have to think about another aspect of the problem: a punishment is also useful to impress people, to make them fear the law. In fact, let's take the example of a young misfit, which has grown in a violent atmosphere, influenced by older delinquents, etc. He lives in the streets, he's got no aim but to survive. This is the kind of person who could possibly kill someone for money, or even for fun. Why would he fear prison? Life would be easier for him there. In addition, in many cases, when you behave normally, you can benefit from penalty reductions. This young misfit needs to be impressed, he needs to know that the law is a frontier. When you cross it, you can lose your life. That is why capital punishment helps keeping a distance between robbery and murder. If you abolish it, you suppress the difference between these two types of crime, which are completely different.
But there is also a limit to define: even if death penalty is unavoidable, it would be a crime to apply it to inadequate cases. If there is no premeditation or past facts which can justify such a punishment, it is far too strict to apply death penalty. That is why the lawmakers have to establish precisely the context in which capital punishment can be pronounced. That is the price to pay to limit violence without using excessive violence.
Length: 293 words.
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Two Academic Writing tasks with original source figures where applicable and device-local response saving.