Band 8 sample IELTS writing: stricter punishment and road safety.

Recent years have witnessed a worsening trend in road safety. According to statistics from the local authority, the number of traffic accidents in 2004 was 20% greater than that of the previous year. The issue is gaining more and more concern of the public, some of whom propose that stricter punishment on traffic offenders should be the only way to ensure road safety. As far as I am concerned, I hold that punishment should not be only solution to the problem.

There is certainly no denying that stricter penalties may to some extent bring down the number of accidents on motorways as a deterrent to driving offenses. Besides, the government may enjoy a greater revenue from severer fines, which can in turn be used to improve road conditions.

However, we shall never overlook the other side of the coin: punishment has its downsides. Fines, as the most common penalty for driving violations, tend to instill in people the misconception that money can pay off their guilt and resolve the problem. As a result, we can see many cases where the traffic offender commits the same or another mistake even after having been fined a lot. In spite of heavier punishment, road safety cannot be enhanced unless drivers are equipped with sufficient driving skills and knowledge. Recently there have emerged many irresponsible driving schools that have produced a host of unqualified drivers, contributing to more traffic offences. Thus tight control on driving schools and the driving testing system is needed as well to improve road safety. Furthermore, advertisements and campaigns concerned should be launched to raise the public awareness. When people are fully aware of the importance of abiding by traffic rules, accidents may hopefully be eliminated.

From the above discussion, it is clear that only stricter punishment is not enough to enhance road safety. Instead, it should go hand in hand with closer control on driving schools and the testing system as well as higher public awareness.

 

There are many different types of music in the world today, Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

The day the world was created, music was born. Nature has wonderful rhythms and sound which cannot be matched to anything in this world. The sound of recurring waves of the sea, the flow of the river, voice of the cuckoo all have been a great influence on mankind. Music has grown into human beings over years, shaped by various improvements, used to depict the mood of the person who plays it.

International music has under grown a massive reach in the last decade due to better globalization, communication and shrinking of the world. However there have been developments in traditional music which are more influenced by the culture and tradition of a country. The reach of music across borders has created a healthy environment and has provided opportunities for creativity by combining international music and traditional music.

Earlier in the 1980’s people heard romantic, soft, western music which has dramatically changed to rock music now. Hip hop music which were very popular earlier have transcended and although people love to hear them they have been out fashioned in today’s music world.

Traditional music of a country is unique for every country and it has its roots too. They depict the culture, tradition of the society. For example, in India, every occasion has a music relevant to the mood. The classical music ‘ragas’ have specific collection of notes which when sung during particular time of a day gives peace of mind to body and soul. Not to deny the fact that the traditional music have undergone changes too. There have been adaptations made from the international music. The instruments used have been very different and more advanced keeping in pace with technological advancements. Although they have been changes, the basic structure of the traditional music remains unique and unchanged.

Research shows that music can heal and cure diseases. They can soothe ones feelings and relaxes our mind. Every individual has a sense of taste for music, which is very unique. Some like jazz, rock some classical and some hip hop. Whatever it is music has been one of the major part time experiences for human beings. Music keeps everyone rejuvenated throughout his life, which proves its necessity.

Traditional music and international music are two different things altogether. It is very important for both of them to exist, more for the former, because it gives the sense of the tradition, culture and is more than just an art. In this ever-changing world it becomes imperative that our future generations get to know about the traditional music which is more native of the country. Hence I feel traditional music is more important than international music.

 

Band 9 Task 1

The graph shows changes in the gap between US energy consumption and production since 1950. It also estimates trends up to 2025. Between 1950 and 1970 both production and consumption increased from just over 30 units to about 65, and although consumption was consistently higher, the difference was marginal during this period. However, production grew only gradually over the next 30 years to reach 70 units in 2000. In contrast, growth in consumption was steeper and more fluctuating, reaching 95 units by 2000. Energy imports needed to bridge this gap therefore increased from very little in 1970 to a substantial 25 units in 2000.

Projections up to 2025 indicate that this trend is likely to continue, with the gap between production and consumption widening. By 2025 it is expected that consumption will reach 140 units, while production will reach only 90, so more than 30% of energy consumed (50 units) will have to be imported. Overall, the graph indicated that energy production in the US is not keeping up with consumption, so imports will continue to increase.