miporti

Hi acar. I'm taking mine on the 20th... I wish you good luck anyway. Here are some comments: > take care to the grammar (gains, point of view, factor) > keep your sentences short and easy (e.g. this one is very complex: Some, especially old men, assume that young men cannot teach anything in contrary to those there are some informations that a young person has whether an old person has not.) > I think the length of the essay is fine. The conclusion could be a bit longer. I prefer to make a keysentence at the beginning of each paragraph. Then explaining it and make an example. This probably helps you to organize it! Cheers

169 - People listen to music for different reasons and at different times. Why is music so important to many people? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice. Music is listened all over the world. In my country, you can hear music not only at home but also in almost every office and store. A radio is turned on almost everywhere. Personally, I enjoy listening to different music styles at different situations. So I prefer to listen to classic music if I come back from a hard day at work. Twenty minutes relaxing with Strauss are enough to recover one's energy. When I get up on Sunday morning, often still a little bit tired, I like listening to Ska or Punk Rock. This brings me always in a good mood and makes me adventurous. Music is probably so popular because you just have to hear and feel, which is something everyone can. I often listening to music in foreign languages I do not understand, but this does not matter. The feeling and the mood is transferred in another sphere. On the contrary, music can also tell you serious stories if you understand the song texts. Some music bands use the music as a popular and modern way to tell their vision to people. Since we listen in our country often to English-spoken music, I assume that the song contents do not matter a lot. Another reason that music is so widely spread is also that it is available for free on the radio. Radios appliances are quite cheap so everyone can afford it. In my country, every household has a radio and so all children are used to hear music from their childhood. Music has a lot of emotional power. This makes it so fascinating to us and let us use it in so different situations. It can be used to help relax and calm down as well as to activate or to make people happy. And everyone, independent from culture and language can understand it.

35 - Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Attending a live performance (for example, a play, concert, or sporting event) is more enjoyable than watching the same event on television. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Although the atmosphere is sometimes enjoyable at a live performance, I usually prefer to watch the event on television. For me, the advantage of being part of the event confronts with several disadvantages. Watching the event on television saves me time and money. At home, the TV is 10 meters far away, but for the live performance, I need to travel to the event and back. There I will spend money for the ticket as well as for drinks and a snack. The cameras of the TV production often offer a better view to the scene than I would have on the event itself. In a concert hall, I might have a tall man in front of me, but not so at home. On sporting events, the TV production company can also show replays of interesting parts and zoom details I would never have seen live. Also getting some food and drink is easier at home. There is neither a huge queue during the break in front of my kitchen nor in front of my toilet. Further, I do not have to apologize if I have to go to the toilet during the play or game. I simple enjoy this freedom. Finally, if I invite some friends to come and join the TV evening, we can also get an enjoyable and amusing evening. We can watch the performance together or switch the channel if it does not suits our expectations - just as we feel like. Therefore I disagree with the above statement, then in my opinion, watching the performance on TV can be much more enjoyable. Thanks for your help!!

Thanks for your comment manasi! I tried to include them in this one... :) 184 - Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study with a group of students. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Although I like working with friends, I rather prefer to study alone than in a group. I learn better, faster and with a better sustainability than by learning in a group. Learning alone means that I can really focus on the problems and difficulties I have. To concentrate on my weaknesses saves me a lot of time. Furthermore, I do breaks when I feel tired and I can plan studying when I want to. So I prefer for example learning in the early morning and in the late evening. If I study in a group, I often ask questions which would not be a problem to solve at home. At home, I have to take the time to think about it and to look things up, but if we are a group, I just ask them to my colleagues. This makes it much faster for me, but if all members of our group ask questions all the time, this interrupts my concentration. To prevent this and still benefits from the advantages of learning in a group, my colleagues and me often make weekly meetings. There we discuss in a morning what we found difficult, where we think we have learned something new and so on. Since all have learning these topics during the week, this gives great discussions on a quite high level. One of the biggest disadvantages of learning alone is that you have to motivate yourself. For me, this is not so much a problem, since I know my aims very well. For others I can recommend them to set daily targets which they want to achieve and small benefits as going out for a beer if they did well. As conclusion, I think it really depends on your personal learning style whether you prefer learning alone or not. I like the mix of them, but with a focus on learning alone. This gives me more freedom in the time and the content I have to learn.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? High schools should allow students to study the courses that students want to study. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Nowadays, it is more important than ever to have a good and broad education. A civil engineer has not only to know about engineering, but also about computer, business calculations and communication skills. Therefore, High schools should offer a broad knowledge, from which students can choose. In my opinion, some basic and fundamental knowledge have to be mandatory for all students. Every High school student should be able to calculate some figures or to know the main facts of global history. General knowledge is also relevant to make sure that the different specialists are able to communicate with each other in business. All other courses should be voluntary, allowing the students to gain deeper knowledge in the subjects they are interested in. However, each student should be consulted by school advisors. They should take care that their courses are chosen based on a strategy and he benefits from the broad education facilities. A good way can also be to make course groups and allow students freely to choose subjects from these groups. This makes sure each student get a broad education and still allows him to build his personal study plan. So I agree that students should be allowed to study the courses that they want to study. Students will be more interested in those courses and subjects, which improve their achievements and keep them motivated.

112 - Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on their school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why? "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is a famous saying all over the world. Learning is easiest done at early age and therefore, children should begin their education as early as possible. But they do not have to do formal education, also other education such as social skills or the behaviour on a group have to be learned. Beginning the formal education at a very early age brings often the creative and social education in behind. Having free time, founding games and play them with others is something just children can focus on. Each time adults play a game; they have to many other thoughts in their mind to focus really on the game. Therefore, children should be allowed to enjoy this time. Today, companies need new employees with higher requirements than ever before. The students should be able to solve the same mathematical problems as generations before, but they should also have good computer knowledge and at least some basic English speaking ability. So the education has to be enlarged. As stated above, learning is easiest at the beginning. So, catching the children at a very young age is the only way to teach them all the required knowledge. On the other hand, people often forget how important social skills are. Children mainly develop them in the first few years. Each child has to learn how to behave in a group and how it can take leadership or bring in its ideas - and it will learn that not always its idea is the best, and that not always the best thing is accepted. Personally, I agree that formal education has to be started at a very early age. The topics should be focused on language skills and social skills, rather than maths. This helps balancing the lack of free time. I am convinced that using the fast-learning ability of young children is essential and helps our country to develop further. Thanks for your comments and an approx. score!

Some famous athletes and entertainers earn millions of dollars every year. Do you think these people deserve such high salaries? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. The question whether a persons work is several millions of dollars worth, is - from an objective position - unambiguously to answer with a "no". The greatest genius or sportsman cannot provide anything to the mankind, which is so much more valuable than most people do their live long. The reason that people can earn so much money depends from our economical system. In a free market environment, the price is determined by buyers and sellers. So this is a slightly negative result of our free market system, but in comparison with other market strategies as communism a small one. I think that most people are not aware that athletes and entertainers earn such much, but they often hear about the high salaries of managers and CEOs of bigger companies. The reason why business people get more attacked is probably because they do, simplified, the same job as everyone of us and they are often just in those situations in the news, when they get a golden handshake or a huge salary increase. Nevertheless, they use not all the money for them alone. A lot of those famous people spend some of their money for cultural activities or non-profit organizations. This gives the money back to our community. As stated at the begin, I do not think that a person provide such a valuable service. However, it is well known that money does not make lucky. We have to make sure that those famous people are aware of this and give some of their income back to our community.

hm, I tried to find some errors. But as always in English :), I'm not sure. So feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

33 - You have received a gift of money. The money is enough to buy either a piece of jewelry or tickets to a concert you want to attend. Which would you buy? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer. Having the opportunity between tickets for a concert and a piece of jewelry, I would probably choose the tickets. But for sure, I would have to compare the prices of both and check if the prices are adequate for their value. The reason why I would choose the tickets is that it is often an event you cannot take part a second time again. The music and show you will see on a concert is much more fascinating than the same one on a CD or DVD. You are part of all the spectators, probably singing with them the refrain of the songs. This often gives you a feeling of being free and happy and allows you to forget about daily business. This is a unique situation, but to buy a piece of jewelry is also possible two years later. If you can participate with a few good friends, you will always keep it in mind and remember it. Buying a piece of jewelry, it can make you proud and happy at the moment, but I do not think that this continues a long time. Other people may ask you about the ring, but there is never the same story behind it compared with a great unique concert. When you get older, you can also tell your grandchildren about the concert. They are for sure interested in the story: "Who played? How many people where there? Who forget the ticket at home?". I think this will be much more interesting for them then looking at an old piece of jewelry. In two years, you may find a much more beautiful piece of jewelry. Probably, that would make you sad. By participating at a concert, you will gain a great evening with your friends. You will never have the chance to attend this concert, but to buy the piece of jewelry maybe again.

Thanks a lot for your comments! I try to include the point about smaller and simpler examples in the next exam.

154 - In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position. In the country I live, it is still allowed to smoke on all public places and offices. Therefore, the air in the railway station or the local government office is often sticky and has a bad smell. I would really prefer to live in an environment, where smoking is more restricted. This for the reasons that smoking is simply unhealthy and pollutes the air, which can affect also the people around you. I think all scientists agree today that smoking is unhealthy and should therefore be reduced to an absolute minimum. It damages your lung as well as other organs and bones of your body. The reason that smoking might be relaxing is ok, but I do not think that it needs more than two or three cigarettes per day. If smoking would only affect the people who actually smoke, it would not bother me so much. But the real disadvantage - as well as the biggest difference to other easy drugs like alcohol - is that it affects the people around the smoking person, too. If you have to work in a building or office where there is a lot of smoke in the air, it has for sure an impact on your health. So in my opinion, smoking should at least be forbidden in those buildings and offices, where non-smoking people have to go or have to work in for longer periods of time. This affects government buildings as well as hospitals and supermarkets. Although I personally do not smoke, I do not want to forbid smoking in general. But because smoking inside buildings affects the health of many people who work with, visit or just walk with smoking people in the same direction, it should really be limited. Thanks for your help!

We all work or will work in jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important. Working together with people of a bad character can be very upset. Therefore, your co-workers characteristics and your team spirit is a very important factor in choosing a job. In my opinion, best co-workers would be reliable, tolerant and cooperative. People working with you should be reliable and show integrity. If you and other members of your team decide how to solve a problem, the whole team should stick together and argue "pro" this solution. No one should argue "contra" it in public or behind your backs. If someone detects difficulties, he must bring them into a team meeting and they should be discussed inside your team. Your co-workers should also accept different points of view. To be tolerant is becoming today a more and more relevant factor, since teams often consist of members from different cultures and with a different educational background. This includes being tolerant to the behaviour, clothing and way of life of other team members as well as to their thoughts and meanings. Other sights can help seeing a problem under different perspectives and aspects, which can be very useful for a project. Last but not least, co-workers should also be cooperative. Working together means to help each other with problems and not making the life easiest for you and hardest for others. Eventually, your companies target is to provide a valuable service or sell a excellent product, so all of you should work in the same direction. This not only supports your company but also makes working more enjoyable and fun. In conclusion, having cooperative, tolerant and reliable co-worker is probably the most important part of a job and you can count yourself a lucky person if you have those!

Hi Awhig; thx for your feedback! I think similar to you, but could not get this fine to paper. How far is the content of the TWE important? Does it have to be just consistent in itself or do you think the rater is really affected by the content?

53 - Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The most important aspect of a job is the money a person earns. Use specific reasons and examples to support you answer. Although it is common to say that the income is important, I am sure that most people agree that it is not the most important thing. But the salary is also not the less important thing, so it is generally necessary to earn some money. Your income should always be adequate to the position, your effort and work you do, otherwise you may get unhappy if you see that your colleagues or workmates earn much more than you do. There are some points which are much more relevant than your salary. Firstly and one of the most important thing are the working conditions. This can be your workmates as well as the office room you are working in. If you like to work in a team, you would probably get mentally disturbed by working alone in dark room underground. Working in a team with open-minded, communicative members would fit you more and making your income secondary. Also the daily chores you have to do is a major point. If you are interested in Information Technology and Computers, you may want to work in the department for software engineering, even if your salary would be higher in a sales position. In long term, this is an essential condition. Other terms that may affect your income indirectly are also important. If you can make some further education during your working hours or the company you are working for pays your education, is a form of salary too. Other fringe benefits could be an extra week holiday or a company car you can use private. All this benefits are some "money" too. Finally, there are so many important points that just a mix of them really shows the most relevant aspect of a job. What suit you best has every person to decide by himself.

Topic 75: Some universities require students to take classes in many subjects. Other universities require students to specialize in one subject. Which is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Although students should have a good knowledge in their main study field, they should also have a solid general knowledge. But I think this broad knowledge should be learned earlier, e.g. in High school or college. So university should more specialize people in the subject they will later have to proof their abilities. For sure there are some professions, where a good knowledge of dependant fields is absolutely necessary. One of those would be architecture, where architects have to know about the work of joiners, painters, plumbers etc and the different materials they use. For other professions like a mathematician, who want to do research in combinatorics, there is less importance of related fields. Of course there are advantages for all students to take classes in other fields, as this broadens theirs horizons. So should an art specialist know about how to calculate the square of a triangle or physics should know something about music theory. But those things can mostly be teached in younger years on pre university schools. In the last years of university, the students should really get a specialization in their field, to get well prepared for their start in business. But this field should not be defined too close. So when I studied Information Technology, they did not divide IT into different fields like multimedia design or software engineering. This allowed therefore the students to get a broad IT knowledge. Although I am working today in the software engineering, it is very helpful to know other fields. This shows often the difference between university- and self-educated workers. Another try, thanks for your comments!!