Should children be raised to co-operate or to compete?

Should children be raised to compete or to co-operate?

This is a universal conundrum and not one that is easy to answer. I think there are compelling reasons to support both sides of the argument.

In favour of raising children to be competitive is the fact that it is a natural human trait to want to achieve well both at school and at work and an obvious way to do this is to test oneself against one’s peers. If children and adults didn’t strive to better themselves and to achieve difficult goals there would be no human progress. This is true not only in areas such as scientific and medical advances, which bring important life-saving and life-enhancing benefits, but also in activities auch as sport,where the desire to compete against others is both natural and healthy.

On the other hand, it is equally important that children learn the virtues of co-operation and helpfulness towards others. Of course, it is a competitive world and we all need to survive, but equally we all need help at some point(s) in our lives, some more than others. It is important that children learn to be sympathetic and tolerant towards others who might not be as fortunate as themseves. Helping others, moreover, makes us feel better as human beings and raises our self-esteem. More practically, there is a need to work with others , not only at school,but also in the workplace. My students, for example, might often work in groups here at college and mutual co-operation is vital; similarly, as a teacher, I work in a team, and being able to do so effectively is an important professional requirement in most workplaces.

In an ideal world, therefore, we should raise our children to be aware of the importance of achieving a balance between being competitive and co-operative; both are vital in our lives.

286 words

Economic growth v environmental protection

Should our first priority be worldwide economic growth or reducing the rate of global warming?

This is increasingly seen as a major dilemma facing the world today. Population growth and economic expansion may lead to greater emissions of gases which are harmful to the future of our planet.

Is worldwide economic growth a good thing? In general, it undoubtedly is. It’s a perfectly natural and reasonable ambition for people living in remote rural impoverishment to want to better themselves by moving to towns and cities where they can get better-paid jobs and so raise their living standards. People naturally want to improve life chances for themselves and their families. Globalisation is often demonised these days but if it means more children growing up with better access to schools and health care then surely it is a good thing. Economics, after all, is not a zero-sum equation.

On the other hand, many scientists warn that continued population growth and economic expansion worldwide will mean more greenhouse gases which will lead to global warming and a real threat to the future of our planet. China and India, both countries with over 1 billion people, have seen massive economic growth in recent years and this usually means ever-greater greenhouse gas emissions: China’s massive coal industry is an excellent example. Scientists may disagree about the rates of global warming and about how far it is man-made, but the existence of the danger seems inescapable.

There thus seems to be an intractable dilemma facing our contemporary world: human betterment versus global disaster. The desire for economic growth and higher living standards is both natural and hard to deny. There are those, however, who say that if population growth and economic expansion continue unabated, the whole world is doomed.

278 words

Farms & farm workers in the USA 1910-2000

US farms & farm workers 1910-2000

This line graph shows the number of farms and farm workers in the USA during the period 1910-2000.

Throughout the period, as we’d expect, the number of workers was always greater than the number of farms, but there was a significant closing of the gap as the century progressed. In 1910 there were over 6M farms but more than double this number of farm workers. The number of farms slightly increased over the next 20 years, whereas the number of workers fell slightly. Over the next 40 years, to 1970, the number of farms declined gradually by about a half but the number of workers plummeted dramatically from over 12M to just over 4M. After 1970, the numbers of both farms and farm workers declined steadily.

Over the whole period, the number of farms fell from over 6M to just over 2M. The decline in the number of workers was more rapid, from over 13M to just 3M.

158 words

Population growth 1750 to 2150

World population growth

The line graph shows population growth in richer and poorer countries between 1750 and 2150. It is based on the United Nations World Population Prospects, the 1998 Revision, and estimates by the Population Reference Bureau.

In 1750 the total world population was less than one billion and the population of less developed countries was three or four times greater than that of more developed countries. By 2000 the total figure was 6.1 billion, but only about 1 billion were in the more developed countries. The estimate is that by 2150 the total world population will be well over 10 billion but the total for the more developed countries will remain at about one billion and may even fall slightly.

It is estimated that the total world population will increase dramatically over the next 150 years but that this growth will be entirely in the less developed countries .

153 words.

Mobile phones & driving

Should using mobile phones while driving be banned?

There is a lot of research which suggests that using mobile phones while driving is the cause of s growing number of traffic accidents.

There are of course two sides to any argument. Having a mobile phone with you in the car is, in fact, a very sensible precaution. For example, women driving alone at night are at risk and knowing they can use their mobiles to summon help in an emergency is an important security factor. Similarly, if you are driving in a remote area, for example in the desert here in the UAE, it’s essential to have a mobile to get help if you break down. In reality, your life could depend on it.

Having said all this, there is no reason why you should use your phone while actually driving. It is always possible to find a safe place to stop before answering or using your phone. There is very little doubt that using a phone while driving, even a hands-free device, is a major distraction. It is very difficult to do two things safely and simultaneously if one of them is driving. Driving today requires maximum concentration. It has become a major problem worldwide, so much so that dozens of countries have outlawed the use of handheld phones while driving. In the UK, indeed, it is estimated that 90% of public responses have been in favour of such a ban.

Having your mobile with you in your car is a sensible, perhaps even necessary, precaution. However, you should always find a safe place to park before using it. There is overwhelming evidence that phoning and driving at the same time is a major cause of accidents worldwide.

289 words.

Traffic congestion and parking problems in Abu Dhabi.

Problem & solution essay.

Traffic congestion and parking problems are faced by most large cities around the world, and Abu Dhabi is no exception.

The main overall reason for these problems in Abu Dhabi is the rapidly expanding population. More people means more drivers and thus more cars on the roads. Many of these drivers are young and inexperienced which means more accidents and more hold-ups. Another factor is Abu Dhabi's rapid economic development over the past few decades. More industrialisation means more business and so more commercial vehicles, many of them large and slow-moving. There are now many more new, high-rise buildings but they haven't all been constructed with adequate parking space and this has led to massive parking problems in the business district. The fact that Abu Dhabi is an island with limited space for transport development has further added to the problem.

One obvious solution is to improve the existing road network by constructing more bridges, overpasses and underpasses to ease traffic flow. Another possible solution is to improve public transport, with better bus services and a new rail network, as in Dubai with its new metro. Yet another possibility is for the authorities, as in Singapore, to make motoring more expensive, through higher registration fees, restrictions on where and when motorists may use their cars, etc.

The first solution is already underway, an example being the recently opened underpass on Salam Street, near Khalifa Park. Similarly, public bus services have been much improved recently. The problem with regard to greater restrictions on motorists is that many people will see them as an attack on individual liberty and no doubt they would prove unpopular, at least to begin with. With regard to solving parking problems, the existing rules regarding new buildings having adequate parking space, preferably underground, must be strictly enforced.

300 words.

Seasons/weather

Winter is the coldest season; In England the winter months are December, January and February.

The summer months in England are June, July and August; these months in the UAE are extremely hot and humid.

Jobs

An architect designs buildings.

A civil servant is a government employee.

A doctor/nurse treats patients in a hospital or clinic.

The students in CJC are all chemical engineers. In Doha, Hedley used to teach chemical, electrical, mechanical and process engineers.

A farmer grows crops and raises animals.

A journalist writes articles for a newspaper.

Lawyers prosecute and defend people on trial in court.

A mechanic repairs vehicles in a garage.

A shop assistant gives you help and advice in a store.

Age of Marriage

The bar graph shows the decline, over the past few decades, in the percentage of women aged 15-19 who are married in six selected Arab countries. The table gives us the age of first marriage for men and women in twelve Arab countries, plus Turkey and Iran.

The most dramatic feature of the bar chart concerns the UAE, where the percentage plummeted from 57% in 1975 to 8% in 1995. Other massive drops were in Libya and Kuwait. Egypt, Tunisia and Palestine registered less dramatic falls.

The age of first marriage, in the table, showed a range from mid- to late-20s for men and from low- to mid-20s for women.

The most dramatic drop in the bar chart was in the UAE. The bar chart showed the number of teenage brides in all six countries has fallen over the past 3-4 decades and the table seems to confirm this because in all 14 countries women are getting married in their early twenties, rather than in their teens.

167 words

Hurricanes & Tornadoes

This table gives us information about two strong winds, hurricanes and tornadoes. Both are dangerous and destructive but there are important differences between them.

Firstly, the minimum speed of a hurricane is 74 mph, whereas that of a tornado is 40 mph. On the other hand, the maximum speed of a tornado, 250-300 mph, is higher than that of a hurricane, 155-200 mph. The hurricane is classified on the Saffir-Simpson C1-5 scale, while the tornado is measured on the Fujita F0-F5 scale. Whereas a tornado usually lasts from a few minutes to a few hours, a hurricane can last up to a week. A hurricane can be predicted 2-3 days in advance for a wide area and 6-10 hours beforehand for a locality, but a tornado can be predicted only minutes before it hits. Hurricanes start over warm oceans but tornadoes usually originate over land.

In brief, tornadoes are less predictable, last for a shorter period of time and can reach much higher wind speeds.

165 words

People at College

A professor is a teacher of the highest rank in a university.

I used to be a lecturer in a college of education.

Hedley is our English teacher.

We are all students at ADMC.

Lorraine used to be our supervisor but Roger is now.

A careers advisor/counsellor will help students to choose a job.

Dr Simon Jones is the ADMC Director.

Librarians used to concern themselves mostly with books but nowadays libraries are multi-media centres.

Tutors give tutorials which are lessons for individuals or small groups.

Adding information

Additional information

moreover (formal); furthermore; in addition; on top of that

The Prime Minister is unwilling to admit that the country is deeply in debt. Moreover/Furthermore/In addition he insists he can maintain current levels of government spending.

The earthquake victims in Haiti are desperately short of food and shelter. In addition they urgently need doctors and medical supplies.

She borrowed my bike and never gave it back. On top of that, she broke the lawnmower and wrecked the washing machine.

Similarity

Expressing similarity

similarly; in the same way

The roads are usually very crowded at the beginning of the holiday season. Similarly, there are often traffic jams at the end of the holidays.

We did everything to provide our daughters with a good education. In the same way, they put a high value on our grandchildren's education.

Emphasising a contrast

Stronger contrast

however; nevertheless; mind you; still; yet; in spite of this

Britain came last in the World Children's Games again. However, we did have one success with Annie Smith's world record in the egg and spoon race.

I don't like the job much. Mind you, the money's good.

He says he's not rich and yet he owns 3 houses and 4 cars.

It was foggy this morning. In spite of this, I managed toget to college on time.

It was foggy earlier but I still managed to get here on time.

Contrast

Balancing contrasting points


on the other hand; while; whereas


Arranged marriages are common in many Middle Eastern countries. In the West, on the other hand, they are unusual.


I like spending my holidays in the mountains, while/whereas my wife prefers the seaside.


While/whereas can be put before the first of 2 contrasting points,e.g.


While/whereas the English alphabet has 26 letters, English phonemic transcription has over 40 basic symbols.

Colours

The red traffic light means stop.

All the local men wear white dishdashas.

Sheikh Zayed wanted to change the UAE from a desert to a green paradise.

In the fall/autumn all the leaves are brown.

He gave her a black look.

There were grey clouds in the sky and it looked like it was going to rain.

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you.

Orange juice is full of vitamin C.

Egg yolks and lemons are yellow.

Blue for a boy, pink for a girl.

She chose beige coloured furniture.

She was wearing a purple dress.

Around the college

We are all students at Abu Dhabi Men's College.

We have to be in the classroom on time.

Physics and chemistry lessons take place in a laboratory.

There are no healthy food outlets in our canteen/cafeteria.

I read books and magazines and also do IELTS practice in our college library, which is large and well-stocked.

Student services organise activities for us.

The academic office performs many administrative tasks, such as issuing ID cards and arranging exam schedules.

There is a special learning centre in our library, called the Active Learning Zone, to provide students with extra help with their English.

Conferences and large meetings are often held in the college auditorium, which is also where we do our progress tests.

Car specifications

Table of car specifications

Make Price Country of origin Engine size Miles per gallon

Toyota Corolla $15,550 Japan 1400cc 48

Volkswagen Golf $18,250 Germany 1600cc 40

Ford Focus $15,800 USA 1400cc 50

Nissan Micra $15,500 Japan 1200cc 52



Types of car
This table describes the different specifications of four types of car. It gives details of price, country of origin, engine capacity and fuel consumption.

Clearly, the most expensive of the four is the Volkswagen Golf. There is very little to choose between the other three. The German Volkswagen has the biggest engine at 1600cc. The Japanese Toyota Corolla and the American Ford Focus both have a capacity of 1400cc, with the Japanese Nissan Micra being the smallest in engine size with 1200cc. Not surprisingly, the smallest, the Micra, is the most economical in terms of fuel consumption and the Volkswagen the least so. Both the Ford and the Toyota are between the other two, and very similar in terms of fuel consumption.

As you'd expect, the biggest car, in terms of engine size, is the most expensive and uses most fuel, while the smallest, the Micra, is the cheapest in terms of both price and fuel costs.

Date producing countries in 2001

Top 10 date-producing countries
The bar graph shows date production in tonnes for the world's top producers in 2001. Ten countries in the Gulf region and North Africa are featured.

First, Egypt was responsible for the lion's share of production, with over a million tonnes, but Iran was a close second, with almost 0.9 million. Following them came the UAE and Saudi Arabia, rivalling each other with about 740,000 tonnes each. Pakistan and Iraq, with outputs of approximately 630,000, were not far behind. The rest of the nations, however, were far less productive. Algeria supplied the world with nearly 400,000 tonnes and Oman around quarter of a million. In contrast, the harvests in Libya and Sudan were far less plentiful, yielding under 0.2 million each.

In summary, date production was most abundant in Egypt and Iran. In contrast, the countries with the smallest output were Libya and Sudan.

148 words

UK budget 1996

The total budget of the UK government in 1996 was £315 billion. This pie chart shows what the government spent the money on. There are ten separate categories shown on the chart.

The biggest item by far was social security. At £100 billion, this was almost twice as much as the next category, health and personal services. Next came education with £38 billion and defence with £22 billion. There was less than £20 billion spent on the next three categories, which were: first, law and order; next, industry, agriculture and employment; then, housing, heritage and environment. Transport had the smallest budget, with £9 billion. Debt interest was £25 billion and other expenditure was £23 billion.

The outstanding feature of the pie chart is that expenditure on social security, £100 billion, was almost as much as the total for the next three categories: health, education and defence, £113 billion.

148 words