Line graph

Age of Marriage, USA

This line graph shows the average age of marriage for men and women in the USA between 1900 and 2000.

The average age for marriage for men was 26 in 1900. It fell steadily to 24 in 1940. In the next decade there was a sharp decline to 22.5. It then remained steady until 1970, but then it rose sharply to 27 in the year 2000.

The average age for marriage for women was much lower, at 22, in 1900. It declined steadily to just over 20 in 1960. From 1970, as with men, the marriage age rose steeply, reaching 25 in 2000.

Overall, the average age of marriage for women was always lower than that for men, throughout the twentieth century. In the first half of the century, the average age of marriage for men fell more sharply than for women. From 1970 to 2000, the average age of marriage for both men and women increased noticeably.

158 words.

Table

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

Reflection 3

In an argument essay, it is imperative to show that you can see 2 sides to an argument.

The introduction should state the hypothesis, e.g. smoking is harmful to society.

It is best in the second paragraph to give the opposite of your own point of view, e.g. smoking can be defended in terms of personal freedom of choice.

Then in the third paragraph, state the converse, i.e. your viewpoint, e.g. while smoking in private can perhaps be defended as a personal lifestyle choice, it is indefensible in public places; make sure you state forcibly why.

In a brief conclusion, state both sides of the argument but make your own view clear, as evidence of analysis & critical thinking.

Argument essay

Smoking is harmful to society

This is a view which has become increasingly prevalent worldwide in recent years. Nowadays, around the world, on all airlines and in most public places like cinemas and restaurants, smoking is strictly prohibited.

There are, of course, still many people who smoke and they often justify this by saying that it is a matter of individual freedom. They argue that they have a right to spend their money as they wish. They say, furthermore, that smoking gives them pleasure and that it even has benefits, such as helping them to relax and relieve stress. I personally can sympathise with this point of view and I certainly believe in freedom of choice and action as long as this does not impinge on the freedom of others. This is the crucial point: I believe people should have the right to smoke but only in private.

The fact is that smoking in public places causes distress and discomfort to non-smokers. It’s not just a question of discomfort. The scientific facts that smoking damages health are undeniable. The evidence of the links between smoking and respiratory diseases and heart problems is irrefutable. Governments began to realise this over half a century ago and the first steps they took were to ban TV advertising of tobacco products and to force cigarette manufacturers to post health warnings on their packets. It is not just active smoking but also passive smoking that causes health problems and that is why, worldwide, we see moves to ban smoking in public places.

While it is important to respect individual freedom it is clear that smoking is harmful to society and should therefore be prohibited in public places.

282 words.

Problem/solution essays

These should be divided into 4 paragraphs:

1. Introduction: state the problem, e.g.traffic congestion is a major problem in large cities around the world. Abu Dhabi is no exception and here the situation is made worse by chronic parking problems on the island of A.D.

2. Examine the causes of the problem, e.g. population growth, massive & rapid economic development, etc.

3. List the possible solutions to the problem, e.g. road improvements, developing public transport, etc.

4. State which of the solutions you feel would be the most viable.

This is important as it shows evidence of analysis and critical thinking.

Reflection 2

We use a 4-paragraph format for Compare & Contrast, viz

1) Introduction: state which 2 things you are going to compare and contrast.

2) Compare the similarities: at least 3 or 4.

3) Contrast the differences: again at least 3 or 4.

4) Say whether the differences outweigh the similarities, or vice versa.

State which you prefer, or look at the merits/demerits of both. For example, with small
town/village v big city, say what you like about each. You can be positive about both.

It's important to express your own ideas/opinions if you want to get above the
minimum pass grade.

Population graph

Proportion of Population over 65 & under 25 in 2007

The bar graph shows the proportion of the population over 65 and under 25 in six countries in 2007.

The proportion over 65 was highest in Spain, at nearly 40%, followed closely by France and then Wales. The country with the smallest proportion of the population over 65 was Egypt, with 20%. France and Sain had the lowest proportion under 25, both with about 20%. The country with the highest proportion, over 40%, of people under 25 was Egypt, closely followed by Tunisia. In third and fourth place were Wales and Turkey. One interesting fact is that Turkey had exactly the same proportion over 65 as under 25.

In summary, Wales was the only European country with a higher proportion of younger people than older. Egypt and Tunisia had the highest proportions of younger people, while Spain and France had the highest proportions of older folk.

146 words