Back to the previous days of Block 1

Day VI.

1. Read a model writing task 1 answer and fill out the gaps in it with the words from the list. One of the words needs to be used more than once:

 

proportion  across  broad  into  non  whereas  prevalent  dominate  up  to  higher  for  gender  constitute stark  

representation particularly and write an analysis of the pie charts below

The charts provide information on the of males and females in employment six categories in Great Britain in 1992, divided manual and non-manual occupations. In general, a larger share of women work in -manual occupations, men are more in manual roles.

In non-manual occupations, women clerical-type positions, making 31% of the workforce in this category, compared to just 6% for men. However, a smaller percentage of women, 29%, hold managerial and professional positions compared 36% for men. Women also have a slightly representation in other non-manual roles, accounting 9% compared 6% for men.

In manual employment, the most significant disparity is seen among craft workers, where men 24% of the workforce, while women represent only 3%. Furthermore, only 1% of women work as general laborers, in contrast to 26% of men in this role. The distribution is more balanced in other forms of manual work, with 27% of women and 26% of men employed in this category.

In summary, the two charts clearly demonstrate that women do not have the same as men in certain types of employment, in craft and managerial positions.

 

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2. Fill in the gaps with English equivalents for the following Russian words:

по 6 категориям / в 6 категориях = 6 categories

быть представленными в слегка большем количестве = to have a slightly

составлять 30 % =to 30%

превалировать = to be 

неравенство полов =

в сильном отличии от = in

равномерное распределение =

 

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3. Write your own analysis of two pie-charts on employment patterns: 

The two pie-charts below people in the labour market from June to August in 2012, seasonally adjusted..

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

People in labour market Jume to August 2012, seasonally adjusted

Prompts:

- to illustrate  the distribution of ... and... on... between... and..., with seasonal adjustments

- to categorize ... as either... (...or...), ..., or ..., with inactiveness further divided into ... and ...

- aged 

-A key feature is...

- stark difference in ... between...

- to dominate a category

-to be in full-time / part-time employment

- In contrast,...

- to show a reverse pattern

- compared to... 

- ..., with ...mln compared to ... mln men/women

- In terms id unactivity,...

- a notable proportion / a large share

- slightly higher

- Overall,... show higher ... employment rates, while ... are more represented in... and in ..., particularly, ... among those aged ...

Day VII.

1. In the model essay below fill in the gaps with the words from the box. 

The working week should be shorter and workers should have a longer weekend. Do you agree or disagree?

 Agree or Disagree? Template[100%]

Introduction - Indicate your position clearly

Body l - Agree or Disagree

Body 2 - Agree or Disagree

Body2 - Agree or Disagree

Body 3 - Disagree or Agree (Some other people's opinion)

Conclusion - Restatement of your idea and a new main idea

  arguing = утверждающие     wholeheartedly = искренне   well-being = благополучие conducted = проведённые  demand = спрос enhance = улучшать  alleviate = облегчить   burnout = выгорание   endemic issue = насущная проблема   environments = условия operation = деятельность  responsibilities = обязанности      report = сообщают   improved = улучшенное   underscoring = подчеркивающее   increased = повышенная   ample = достаточный energized = энергичные   evidence = доказательства   efficiency = эффективность   amount = объем   tendency = склонность   societal = общественный benefit = приносить пользу   commuting = добираясь на работу   contributing = способствуя   particularly beneficial = особенно полезно   persistent issues = постоянные проблемы    work-centric = ориентированные pursue = заниматься   ultimately = в конечном итоге   foster = способствовать   furthermore = кроме того  на работу      emergency = чрезвычайные ситуации  valid = обоснованное   staggered scheduling = скользящий график   ensuring = обеспечивая      drivers = движущие силы   transitioning to = переход на  both = как для  balance = баланс   offset = компенсировать step towards = шаг к   rather than = вместо того чтобы/нежели

In recent years, there has been an increasing to reconsider the traditional five-day workweek, with advocates that reducing the working week and extending weekends would both employees and employers alike. I agree with this stance, as a shorter working week could not only improve mental and physical but also overall productivity and job satisfaction.

Firstly, a shorter workweek could stress and reduce , which has become an in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure work . The modern workforce often endures long hours and demanding that leave little time for rest and personal life. By granting workers an extra day off, employees could better balance their work and personal lives, ultimately leading to enhanced mental health. Studies in countries that have experimented with a four-day workweek, such as Iceland, demonstrate that employees lower stress levels, greater job satisfaction, and even physical health, further the benefits of this arrangement.

Moreover, a longer weekend would likely foster productivity during working hours. When employees have time to rest and recharge, they return to work more and focused. This is supported by from various organizations that have adopted a shorter workweek and reported higher levels of and engagement from their employees. For example, companies in New Zealand and Japan that implemented a four-day workweek observed that their employees became more efficient, producing the same of work, if not more, in fewer hours. This is likely because employees, knowing they have a shorter work period, are more motivated to complete their tasks efficiently without the to procrastinate.

Additionally, the shift to a shorter workweek could have a positive impact on and environmental levels. With one less day spent , traffic congestion and pollution could be significantly reduced, to lower carbon emissions. This would be for urban areas, where traffic and pollution are . , having an additional day to engage in leisure activities, spend time with family, or hobbies could improve the quality of life for many individuals, leading to a happier, more balanced society. , this extra time for personal growth and social engagement could a sense of community and well-being, qualities that are often overlooked in highly cultures.

However, some opponents may argue that a shorter working week would negatively affect economic output, particularly in industries where continuous is required, such as healthcare and services. While this concern is , it could be addressed through and flexible shifts, that essential services remain unaffected. Furthermore, the increased productivity resulting from a more rested workforce would likely any potential reduction in total working hours, particularly in sectors where knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving are key of success.

In conclusion, a shorter working week with a longer weekend could provide substantial benefits for individuals and society as a whole. By reducing stress, boosting productivity, and promoting a healthier work-life , a revised workweek could lead to a more fulfilled, motivated, and efficient workforce. In my opinion, such a change would be a progressive a future where work enhances, detracts from, the quality of life.

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2. Complete the  infographic description  below with the words from the list.

a 4-day working week poll

findings   with   describing   as   reported   regarding   similarly   while   maintaining   and   enhance   asked    viable

The infographic presents from a four-day workweek pilot program conducted in the United Kingdom.

Firstly, the transition to the shorter workweek was largely successful, 49% of participants it as “smooth” and 29% as “extremely smooth.” This suggests that adapting to a four-day schedule posed minimal challenges, nearly 80% a positive transition experience.

productivity, the results are encouraging. 46% of businesses reported the same productivity level, 34% observed slight improvements, 15% reported significant improvements. This data implies that a shorter workweek may support or even productivity in many cases.

Lastly, when about the likelihood of continuing with the four-day workweek, 86% of companies indicated they are “likely” or “extremely likely” to implement it permanently. This high level of interest in adopting the four-day workweek suggests that many organizations view it as a long-term option.

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3. Write the essay on the following topic:

Some people think that eventually robotization of many jobs will make people happier and their life-easier. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Key Writing Tips for IELTS Essays

  • Paraphrasing the Question: Use synonyms and change the sentence structure to demonstrate your lexical resource and grammatical range. Avoid copying the exact wording of the question.

  • Cohesion and Coherence: Use linking phrases to connect your ideas smoothly:

    • For linking sentences: Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Similarly.
    • For contrasting points: However, On the other hand, Although.
    • For examples: For instance, For example, Such as.
  • Task Achievement: Answer all parts of the question directly and thoroughly. If there are two questions, dedicate a separate paragraph to each.

  • Vocabulary and Grammar: Aim for variety and precision in word choice and sentence structure. Use a mix of simple and complex sentences.

  • Word Count: Stay within 250-280 words. Ensure you have enough content to support your arguments without unnecessary repetition.

4. Write an essay on the following topic:

Most people in the world have to work to earn a living. However, many people work only for the financial gain that it involves and not for any other rewards that a job can offer. What do u think the main considerations when deciding what job to take should be?

Use the following template:

If there happens to be only one question in the heading:

1) Introduction 

  • Paraphrase the question 
  • Outline sentence – state your answers to the question in a general way.

2) Main body paragraph 1 – The first point in your answer

  • Topic sentence 
  • Explanation – develop the idea
  • Example – give an example

3) Main body paragraph 2 – The second point in your answer

  • Topic sentence 
  • Explanation – develop the idea
  • Example – give an example

3) Main body paragraph 2 – The third point in your answer

  • Topic sentence 
  • Explanation – develop the idea
  • Example – give an example

4) Conclusion Summarise the question and points in the answer

Example Templates

Direct Double-Question Essay Introduction

Many people believe that [restate the topic]. This essay will discuss the reasons behind [answer to Question 1] and explore [answer to Question 2].

Direct One-Question Essay Introduction

[Paraphrase the question]. This essay will discuss [main ideas or points] to address this issue.

Conclusion for Both Types

In conclusion, [summarise your answers concisely]. Addressing these aspects could [offer a general solution or restate importance].

 

4. Speaking practice. Prepare your own 2-minute answer to the following IELTS speaking 2 tasks.

Note: If you have never worked, talk about situations associated with your studies or invent a story.

Task 1: A Time You Had to Meet a Deadline

Cue Card

  • Describe a time when you had to meet a deadline.
  • What was the work about?
  • How did you approach it?
  • What was the result?

Response
"I’d like to talk about a time when I had to meet a very tight deadline for a marketing campaign. At the time, I was working as a marketing associate, and we were preparing to launch a new product. My role was to coordinate the content creation and social media strategy. The first thing I did was organize a meeting to delegate tasks and set priorities. One of the challenges was managing unexpected delays from the design team, which required me to revise the timeline. Although it was stressful, I felt a great sense of achievement when the campaign went live on time and exceeded our expectations. This experience taught me the importance of clear communication and adaptability in high-pressure situations."

 

Description of the task goes here.

 
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Task 2: A Difficult Decision at Work

Cue Card

  • Talk about a difficult decision you had to make at work.
  • What was the decision?
  • Why was it difficult?
  • What did you learn from it?

Response
"I clearly remember an instance when I had to decide whether to continue with a vendor who was underperforming. At that time, I was a team leader responsible for a large-scale project. The vendor had delivered subpar results repeatedly, but switching to another provider would delay the project. After consulting with my team and analyzing the risks, I decided to switch vendors. It was challenging because it required convincing stakeholders and quickly onboarding a new partner. Ultimately, the decision paid off as the new vendor delivered excellent results. This taught me the importance of taking calculated risks and trusting my instincts when making tough decisions."

Description of the task goes here.

 
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Task 3: A Time You Worked with a Team

Cue Card

  • Describe a time when you worked with a team on a project.
  • What was the project?
  • What role did you play?
  • How did the team perform?

Response
"I’d like to talk about a time when I worked on a website development project as part of a team. Our goal was to redesign the company’s e-commerce platform to improve user experience. My role was to oversee content creation and ensure it aligned with the new design. We held regular meetings to share updates and address challenges, which helped us stay on track. One memorable moment was brainstorming innovative features to improve navigation, which the developers successfully implemented. The project was a success, and I felt proud to contribute to such a collaborative effort. This experience emphasized the value of teamwork and effective communication."

Description of the task goes here.

 
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Task 4: A Work Achievement You Are Proud Of

Cue Card

  • Describe a work achievement you are proud of.
  • What was the achievement?
  • Why was it significant?
  • How did you feel about it?

Response
"One work achievement I am particularly proud of was leading a fundraising campaign for a non-profit organization. The goal was to raise $50,000 within three months. I was responsible for creating the campaign strategy and reaching out to potential donors. It was significant because the funds were critical for supporting underprivileged children. By the end of the campaign, we had exceeded our target, raising $60,000. I felt a deep sense of fulfillment knowing that my efforts contributed to a meaningful cause. This experience reinforced my passion for strategic planning and making a difference through my work."

 
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Task 5: A Time You Learned a New Skill for Work

Cue Card

  • Talk about a time when you learned a new skill for work.
  • What was the skill?
  • Why did you need to learn it?
  • How has it helped you?

Response
"I’d like to share an experience when I learned graphic design for my work. At the time, I was working in a small start-up where we didn’t have a dedicated designer. To meet the company’s needs, I took an online course to learn Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Initially, it was overwhelming, but with consistent practice, I managed to create professional designs for our social media campaigns. This skill not only helped the company save costs but also enhanced my career prospects. It taught me that being proactive in learning new skills can open doors to unexpected opportunities."

 
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