Essay Number 11-20

Essay Number 11
The world would be a much poorer place without colour. To what extent would you agree or disagree.
Colours are one of the greatest blessings that god has bestowed upon people in the world. Have you ever thought what it would be like to live in a world without colour. Forget everything for a moment and start using your imagination. Try to think how you would feel if people, cats, dogs, birds, butterflies and fruits had no colour at all. You would never want to live in such a world. Would you?
Colours have a crucial role in man’s communication with the outside world and in the proper functioning of his memory. Hearing or touch alone, are not enough to define objects. How can we define colourless flowers placed on a colourless table.
Human eye can recognise millions of colours. Identifying objects and our surroundings are not the only benefits of a diversity of colours. Colours also give us a lot of pleasure. The beautiful blue sky, the blood red sunset or a rainbow after a rainfall do add happiness to our lives. The colours of nature have been arranged so as to appeal to the human soul. Nowadays some prisons are painted pink and green to put prisoners in a better mood.
Colours hold a special significance in our culture also. In some parts of the world white is worn for weddings and black for funerals. In other parts white is the colour of mourning. Red is the symbol of love. Red also represents danger. Blood is red; fire engines are red and traffic signals are also red.
Colours also reflect the personality of a person. The colour of your clothes can have a considerable impact on how you are perceived. Light colour reflects a sober personality. Colours also have been used as a treatment of some mental disorders.
To put it in a nutshell, I can say that the world would definitely be a much poorer place without colour. They add life and beauty to our world.
Essay Number 12
The computers are widely used in education and some people think that teachers do not play an important role in the classroom. To what extent do you agree?
It is irrefutable that computers have become an indispensable part of education but I disagree that teachers do not play a significant role in the classroom. I believe that no amount of technology can ever replace the teacher. In the following paragraphs, I intend to support my views with my arguments.
It is an undeniable fact that teachers can never lose their importance. In learning and practice of more complex ideas, the computer is not adequate. It can tell if the answer is right or wrong but it cannot tell where the student went wrong. Tasks involving reasoning cannot be taught using computers. Moreover, teachers add their own knowledge gained through experience to that of books and other resources.
Furthermore, teachers can stimulate interest and it is an undeniable fact that interested stimulated people tend to learn more. They can keep students focused on study. A student studying by himself may get bored and stop studying. Teachers can provide a faster and simpler way to present information to the students. They can come down to the level of a student and so are definitely better than computers. What is more, teachers are role models for students. They are scholars in action. They not only teach academic subjects, but also many social skills.
On the other hand, it is also true that the use of computers in today’s classrooms is also the need of the day. Teachers should use computers to add innovation to their teaching methods. Power point presentations can make even the dull and boring subjects seem interesting. So computers and teachers should not be treated as rivals to each other. They should play a complementary role so that today’s classrooms become very interesting and our children can compete with other children of this global village.
To put it in a nutshell, I can say that, no doubt computers are being used in the classrooms but they can never replace the teacher.
Essay Number 13
Some people think that charity organizations should only offer help to people of their own country. But others believe that these organizations should give aid to people in great need wherever they live. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
“To have enough to share; to know the joy of giving; to thrill with all the sweets of life - is living”. Helping others is a very virtuous thing. Charities help in basically two ways. One is by offering support to people in their own country, and the second is by helping the needy irrespective of their country. In this essay I intend to delve into the benefits of both approaches.
There are many advantages if charities help their own country’s people. Firstly, these organisations remain directly in touch with the needy. They can see how the money or other the other resources provided by them are being used. It has been well said that charity begins at home. What is more, domestic charities target problems specific to their home country, for instance the Help Age India is an Indian charity providing help for the aged in India.
There are also many advantages if these organisations help the needy in any corner of the world. In such cases these organisations work on a larger platform and provide help for global issues. A larger platform is a must if one has a lot to offer in charity. Help activities can be better spread through a larger network. Help need not be always in the form of money. It can be in the form of services also. For example, these organisations can provide doctors and teachers who volunteer to provide medical aid and also teach in the under-developed nations.
Help in any form is good. The condition of one’s country could influence the way of helping. In a developed country, where even the poorest of the poor has the basic amenities of life, it would be better to help in any part of the world where people need help. But, in the case of a developing or underdeveloped country it would be better to help those around you.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that the purpose of charity organizations is to help people in need and it does not matter where this help goes. If people of the home country need help then it would certainly be advisable to help those around you first.
Essay Number 14
9th October AC - IELTS essay - India
History tells that people have often thought about creating an ideal society, but most of the times fail in making this happen. What is your opinion about an ideal society? How can we create an ideal society?
If we look at history, it is clear that since time immemorial, people have always wanted to create an ideal society but have been unsuccessful. In the following essay, I intend to discuss what makes an ideal society and how we can create one.
An ideal society is a society where needs of the people regardless of their race, religion or wealth would be met. Many great thinkers, such as Plato, Thomas More and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have offered their opinions on this to the public over the years. However, these dreams failed because different people have different ideals about a perfect society. To make it happen, either the ideals of all the people have to be fulfilled, or all the people would have to have the same ones.
Imagine a society with no crime, no terrorism, no warfare, no conflicts of cultures, no racism, no gender discrimination, no poisoned tongues, no killing, no lying, no stealing, no adultery and no excuses. Such a society can never exist. It would be wrong even to think of one. A perfect society needs some kind of social inequality, or as I call it, a distinction in ability. Those in the higher strata of society would be there because of their superior abilities and have greater responsibilities and, therefore, a higher social standing. An ideal society should have some struggle. If you had no struggle in life would you be happy? No, because that takes all the fun and enjoyment out of the difficulty, the losing, the failures, and the overcoming, the victory, the success.
There are many ways in which we can make an ideal society. First of all, there must be democracy and a strong government which has the ability to rule over the country. It should try to make the citizens life better by making better social and financial conditions to live. There should be no corruption in the government. Finally, I believe, one of the most necessary things of ideal society is freedom. No people and no society are happy and ideal when they are not free. However, we must remember that – ‘One’s freedom ends there where other’s starts’. If we will feel free and do not disturb others freedom we will have ideal society. An ideal society would allow complete freedom to everybody and complete individuality.
To sum up, I pen down saying that, a perfect society is difficult to attain as everyone has different concepts of an ideal society. However, if we all respect our freedom and in doing so know our limitations, so that others can enjoy their freedom then it can be called an ideal society.
Essay Number 15
14th October essay (AC)- India
Some people believe that tourists should accept social and environmental responsibility while others believe that tourists should not accept any responsibility at all. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is irrefutable that tourism industry has become the backbone of many economies of the world. No wonder all countries are opening their doors to tourists. The negative social and environmental impacts of tourism have led many to suggest that tourists should accept responsibility for this. I definitely agree with this notion. Eco-tourism, sustainable-tourism, responsible-tourism, modern-tourism or whatever name you may like to give it, is the need of the hour. In the following paragraphs, I intend to put forth my arguments to support my view.
The most important reason why tourists should be responsible is that many tourist destinations are endangered now because of the litter and pollution spread by the tourists. For example, the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, which is a popular tourist spot, once got so badly damaged by the wrappers and plastic bottles which tourists threw that no boating could be done there and it smelled so bad that people stopped going there. It took months to get it cleaned up and restore tourism there. The local people and the governments cannot handle such situation effectively unless the tourists themselves lend a hand by being careful.
Secondly, there is over-consumption of resources by tourists such as of water and fuel and this is incompatible with sustainable development. Tourist demand for resources such as water and food may also compete with the needs of local people and may lead to injustice with the locals. For example, in Shimla, a popular hill station, tourists stay in five star accommodations and take two showers a day where as the people outside are short of drinking water. To add to it many tourism activities such as skiing, boating, motorised water-sports, and trekking represent a stress to fragile ecosystems. Who will welcome the tourists to those places if tourists don’t accept responsibility? Instead of five star accommodations, they could live with the locals and be satisfied with one shower a day.
Finally, if tourists do not respect the local people’s culture and environment, then the natives would be hostile towards them and the whole purpose of tourism would be lost. For example, in our religious places, it is customary to cover our head and take off our shoes. If tourists don’t do so they would not be welcome by our people there. So, the onus is on the tourist to know beforehand the norms of the place and fortunately nowadays, everything is available on the net or one can get all information from the tour operators.
Responsible tourism is everyone's responsibility. The well being of the destination is not only the responsibility of the tourism sector - it is also the responsibility of the tourist. That is why it has rightly been said that – ‘ A good tourist is one who leaves behind nothing, but footprints; and takes away nothing, but photographs.
Essay Number 16
30-10-2010 India AC
Some languages are increasingly spoken in different countries, while the usage of others is rapidly declining. Is this a positive or a negative development?
Today, we do not belong to a big planet called Earth. We are part of a global village and there is more interaction among people of different parts of the globe than ever before. Therefore, some languages are being spoken more and the use of a few languages is declining. This is both – a negative as well as a positive development.
On the positive side, the increasing use of some languages is easing communication among people. For example, English is now spoken in more than 86 countries of the world and French in around 33 countries. In fact English has become the lingua franca in many parts of the world. Because of this people do not face difficulty when they travel from one country to the other. What is more, if people speak the same language then they also find it easy to do business with each other. Global trade is based on good communication. We all know that lack of communication gives rise to many misunderstandings. Businesses cannot flourish if for every small communication an interpreter is required.
Nowadays, we belong to a 24/7 society. Many multinational companies have opened in different parts of the world. The rich nations who own these MNCs provide jobs to millions of people worldwide. Naturally, a person who knows their language is better placed in these companies. The pay package is also better and chances to work abroad also go up. In a way the widespread use of a few languages also helps to decrease the gap between the rich and the poor.
On the downside, the decline in use of some languages is also something to be concerned about. It is a well known fact that language and culture are inter-related. If languages die out then culture also dies out. We all enjoy life on this planet because of its diversity. If diversity decreases, then boredom sets in and the earth becomes a dull and boring place to live in.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, the increase in use of a few languages and the decline of others is both a positive as well as a negative development. This situation is an inevitable sequel of globalization. If the governments take steps to protect the endangered languages, then the negative effects can be minimized.
Essay Number 17
23-10-2010 AC India and 30-10-2010 GT India
These days many people leave their country to work abroad and take their family with them. Do you think benefits of this outweigh disadvantages in terms of family development?
The opportunities to work abroad are more today than they have ever been in the history of mankind. The big planet Earth has become a small global village and sovereign barriers seem to have disappeared. While working in a foreign country, some individuals take their family with them. This situation has both merits as well as demerits but definitely the merits outweigh the demerits.
There are many obvious benefits of going abroad to work along with family. To begin with, individuals have more bonding with family. The family relationship would not be weakened by distance. Some couples finally end up in divorce, as one or both of them cannot endure the long-term separation. Secondly, many people feel homesick and lonely and therefore cannot adjust in the foreign country and return home thereby missing the golden opportunity of working abroad.
The most important point is that children, especially who are in young ages, need the care from both parents. Childhood is a crucial phase of life and comes only once. If children are deprived of one parents love it may have a considerable impact on their psyche. Therefore, working abroad with family can provide complete love and care to the children. On the other hand, there are some problems of working abroad with families. To begin with, living with family members abroad means more expenses. A single person can share room with someone in the initial stages but a complete family needs a proper house. What is more, all the members face stress of adaptation to alien surroundings. Parents themselves feel culture shock and therefore cannot help their children.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, there are both advantages and disadvantages in any choice of this issue. Personally, I believe that people should decide according to their specific circumstances. If there are financial constraints, then it is better to go alone initially. However, the family should be called as early as possible.
Essay Number 18
Everyone should stay in school until the age of eighteen. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In many countries, school attendance is mandatory for all children up to a specific age. In India this is 14 years of age. In the UK and many other countries it is 16, although the UK government now has plans to raise the school leaving age to 18. I agree that children should be in school till the age of 18. In the following paragraphs, I intend to put forth my arguments to support my views.
The most important reason for raising the school leaving age to 18 is that, the age of 14-18 is the most impressionable age of a child’s life. During this period of adolescence, the children undergo physical and hormonal changes because of which they are under a lot of pressure. Therefore, lengthening compulsory schooling helps protect childhood. While at school students will be protected from some of the pressures in life. They have the rest of adulthood to work, make budgets balance and make choices. Providing them with space to grow for as long as possible can make them better prepared for adult life.
Secondly, more education provides the opportunity to acquire more skills and therefore more options. It has been shown many times that those with more education find it easier to find work and that they are more likely to find that work satisfying. What is more, raising the school-leaving age is a crucial investment in society's future. Doing so increases the economic potential of the future workforce, and so will bring increased tax revenues in the long term.
However, the opponents claim that extending the period of compulsory education requires a huge investment in teachers, books and new school buildings which would be very expensive. They also say that many families need their children to make an economic contribution to the family income and working early can help these families to survive. Finally, just being in school does not guarantee that a student is learning. Unwilling students become disruptive and damage the education of others in their class.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, as every garden has weeds, similarly compulsory schooling also has some drawbacks. However, these drawbacks are nothing as compared to the vast benefits this approach would bring and the cost needed to implement would be negligible if compared to the huge economic potential of the future workforce. Therefore, I believe that everyone should stay in school until the age of eighteen.
Essay Number 19
Mothers generally stay home to take care of their children after pregnancy. Do you support the opinion that these mothers should be compensated by the government?
I definitely agree with the notion that mothers, who stay at home to look after their children after pregnancy should be compensated by the government. In the following paragraphs I intend to put forth my arguments to support my views.
My major argument is that the future of the world rests largely in the hands of the generation we are rearing. Once a child is born, it becomes national property. Mothers are the front line child care providers and therefore, if they are supported by the government they can do their job better. This help can be in the form of a paid maternity leave. In most Indian homes the mother’s salary is necessary to support the family. So, if the mother does not get a paid maternity leave, then she has to go back to job earlier and this affects the childcare. Nurseries fail to provide the one-to-one interaction children need.
Secondly, a woman has to go with very stressful time physically, emotionally, and financially during pregnancy period. There is extra financial burden related to her prenatal care, preparing for a new baby, and then the care of the baby. Therefore, government help can ease their burden and they can look after their babies nicely. Finally, if women are supported by the government, they can look after their health. Health as such involves several factors. It is not simply being free from diseases. So, proper education, enough employment opportunities, food security and affordable medical care are some of the contributory factors that the government can provide to make women healthy. Needless to say, there should be enough provision for all these in a society that expects to be healthy today and tomorrow. It is well known that women play the most crucial role in managing the health of the family. And healthy families contribute greatly to social welfare.
The opponents, however, claim that it is a personal choice to have a baby. So, why should there be government support for women who stay at home to look after their children? They have a point, but I still feel that women need the aid considering the physical, emotional, and financial stress they face.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, women should be supported by the government after delivery to look after the baby and themselves. This can contribute a lot to social welfare.
Essay Number 20
Some people think that paying taxes is enough to contribute to the society. Others argue that being a citizen involves more responsibilities. Discuss, what is your opinion?
A good citizen is a blessing to society. Some people opine that paying taxes is enough contribution towards the society whereas others believe that a good citizen has a lot more responsibilities than just paying taxes. I personally go with the latter view. In the following paragraphs I intend to enumerate the responsibilities of a good citizen.
It is irrefutable that paying all the taxes and in a timely manner is one of the major responsibilities of a citizen. It is necessary to pay taxes because the money that is paid by citizens is used for constructive purposes, like building and maintaining roads, schools, fire protection, defence services etc. The different types of taxes to be paid by citizens are income tax, excise tax, property tax, sales tax etc. Most people try to avoid taxes, but to have the freedoms that we have, we must fund our government agencies. All taxes exist to make our lives better. To enjoy our comparatively trouble free lives, we must pay taxes.
However, there are many other obligations which a good citizen must fulfil. To begin with, voting in elections is very important. When citizens fail to vote or have political opinions, they allow vested interests to have their way. Secondly, they must obey law and order. If all citizens are law abiding, then the whole nation would be a paradise on Earth.
It is also the responsibility of a good citizen to provide public service to the government. This means volunteering for various agencies and charities. Finally, it is a citizen's duty to scrutinize the government's actions and take stands when something wrong happens. When citizens get too complacent, they will not notice when their freedom is being cut down. To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, a good citizen should pay taxes, exercise his voting rights, be law abiding, do voluntary work to help the government and take a stand if anything goes wrong. Blythe Danner has rightly said, “We all have an obligation as citizens of this earth to leave the world a healthier, cleaner, and better place for our children and future generations.”