Kho Writing T2 · Examiners' Essays

Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should not need to contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely disagree with this view.

For a variety of reasons, it would be wrong to reduce taxes for families who pay for private education. Firstly, it would be difficult to calculate the correct amount of tax reduction for these families, and staff would be required to manage this complex process. Secondly, we all pay a certain amount of tax for public services that we may not use. For example, most people are fortunate enough not to have to call the police or fire brigade at any time in their lives, but they would not expect a tax reduction for this. Finally, if wealthy families were given a tax discount for sending their children to private schools, we might have a situation where poorer people pay higher taxes than the rich.

In my opinion, we should all be happy to pay our share of the money that supports public schools. It is beneficial for all members of society to have a high quality education system with equal opportunities for all young people. This will result in a well-educated workforce, and in turn a more productive and prosperous nation. Parents of children in private schools may also see the advantages of this in their own lives. For example, a company owner will need well qualified and competent staff, and a well funded education system can provide such employees.

In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made for people who choose private education.

Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long as there are problems in our own society. I disagree with this view because I believe that we should try to help as many people as possible.

On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow citizens. In most communities there are people who are impoverished or disadvantaged in some way. It is possible to find homeless people, for example, in even the wealthiest of cities, and for those who are concerned about this problem, there are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give money to support these people. In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing to serving free food in a soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and there are obvious ways to help, I can understand why some people feel that we should prioritise local charity.

At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our national borders. In some countries the problems that people face are much more serious than those in our own communities, and it is often even easier to help. For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in African countries, governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives simply by paying for vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an international charity might have a much greater impact than helping in our local area.

In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion national boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need.

It is true that a rich variety of musical styles can be found around the world. Music is a vital part of all human cultures for a range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music is more important than modern, international music.

Music is something that accompanies all of us throughout our lives. As children, we are taught songs by our parents and teachers as a means of learning language, or simply as a form of enjoyment. Children delight in singing with others, and it would appear that the act of singing in a group creates a connection between participants, regardless of their age. Later in life, people’s musical preferences develop, and we come to see our favourite songs as part of our life stories. Music both expresses and arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot. In short, it is difficult to imagine life without it.

In my opinion, traditional music should be valued over the international music that has become so popular. International pop music is often catchy and fun, but it is essentially a commercial product that is marketed and sold by business people. Traditional music, such as..(example), by contrast, expresses the culture, customs and history of a country. Traditional styles connect us to the past and form part of our cultural identity. It would be a real pity if pop music became so predominant that these national styles disappeared.

In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance than international music.

Some believe that wild animals should not be allowed to live in urban areas. In my opinion, although these animals pose a threat to health and safety, they should remain as they contribute to the character of a city.

Those in favor of eliminating certain animal species argue they can be dangerous. It is common, for instance in various locales in New England, for deer to cause traffic accidents. However, the chances that a motorist is actually injured are extremely low. The more pressing threat relates to the species that often serve as carriers for infectious diseases. Rats are the best examples as they are prevalent in most cities and often transmit diseases. The most infamous instance being an outbreak of bubonic plague caused by rodents termed the Black Death that ravaged Europe in the 1300s.

Nonetheless, the examples above are exceptions and wild animals generally add to the identity of a city or town. There are cities in Asia where locals live in relative harmony with species of monkeys and wild birds. One of the more noteworthy examples of this would be Singapore. In Singapore, it is not uncommon to see rare species of monkeys, tropical birds and wild pigs. These animals are not only cherished by local residents but also serve as an attraction for tourists. The city has managed to control population numbers so that they do not become a nuisance while also allowing them to constitute a key element of the city’s unique charm.

In conclusion, despite potential for the spread of disease and a lack of general safety, the contributions of wild animals to the personality of a city justify their continued existence. Individuals will always have the option to move to areas where there is less wildlife if they are concerned.

In an era of technological disruption, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to consistently train their employees. In my opinion, though individuals in certain professions should undertake training for their own self-respect, this requirement is generally the responsibility of businesses.

There are particular sectors where the duty to continue training is a matter of self-respect. This applies to professions where employees are well-compensated and play a key role in society. For instance, doctors receive high salaries and impact public health greatly. A doctor who works with cancer patients has a responsibility to read the latest research in order to understand the best possible options for treatment. Failing to do so would amount to wasting their potential and not fulfilling their duty of care. However, these positions are the exception and, for most jobs, lack of current training will not have such dire ramifications.

I believe companies should be primarily responsible for training as they possess the means and motive. An illustrative example of this would be banks. At many banks, it is essential for employees to understand regulatory changes and learn about new developments in the field. Such training benefits the individual to an extent but the bank itself gains the most from having a qualified staff that can make sound financial decisions. However, the average bank worker may not have the time or finances to afford such courses. Therefore, it is common practice at well-run banks to provide free online or university courses for committed employees. This strategy holds true not simply for banking but for any job where new training will be beneficial for the overall business.

In conclusion, despite exceptions in certain professions, companies that are financially able and also stand to benefit the most should be responsible for training. This will only become more crucial in coming years as technology continues to outpace other industries.