The three bar charts show average years of schooling, numbers of scientists and technicians, and research and development spending in developing and developed countries.

Figures are given for 1980 and 1990.

It is clear from the charts that the figures for developed countries are much higher than those for developing nations.

Also, the charts show an overall increase in participation in education and science from 1980 to 1990.

People in developing nations attended school for an average of around 3 years, with only a slight increase in years of schooling from 1980 to 1990.

On the other hand, the figure for industrialised countries rose from nearly 9 years of schooling in 1980 to nearly 11 years in 1990.

From 1980 to 1990, the number of scientists and technicians in industrialised countries almost doubled to about 70 per 1000 people.

Spending on research and development also saw rapid growth in these countries, reaching $350 billion in 1990.

By contrast, the number of science workers in developing countries remained below 20 per 1000 people, and research spending fell from about $50 billion to only $25 billion.

The chart below shows information about changes in average house prices in five different cities between 1990 and 2002 compared with the average house prices in 1989.

The bar chart compares the cost of an average house in five major cities over a period of 13 years from 1989.

We can see that house prices fell overall between 1990 and 1995, but most of the cities saw rising prices between 1996 and 2002.

London experienced by far the greatest changes in house prices over the 13-year period.

Over the 5 years after 1989, the cost of average homes in Tokyo and London dropped by around 7%, while New York house prices went down by 5%.

By contrast, prices rose by approximately 2% in both Madrid and Frankfurt.

Between 1996 and 2002, London house prices jumped to around 12% above the 1989 average.

Homebuyers in New York also had to pay significantly more, with prices rising to 5% above the 1989 average, but homes in Tokyo remained cheaper than they were in 1989.

The cost of an average home in Madrid rose by a further 2%, while prices in Frankfurt remained stable.

Sample #48

Some people think high school graduates should travel or work for a period of time instead of going directly to study at university.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

model answer:

High school students face many decisions as they prepare to graduate, including what they are going to do after graduation.

Some high school students go directly to college or university after graduation.

Others prefer to travel or work for some time before going to university.

For those who choose to go college or university after graduation, there are advantages and disadvantages.

One of the big advantages of going directly from high school to college is that you are still in the habit of studying.

By going to college after graduation, you do not lose the study skills that you developed during high school.

The big disadvantages, however, is that you may not be ready for college.

You may not know exactly what you want to study, or you may be more interested in freedom and parties than in your courses.

At that age, it is often difficult for students to take on the responsibilities of college.

There are also advantages and disadvantages to working or traveling befor starting college.

Working or traveling allows you a better idea of what you want to do with your life.

You gain practical experience that helps you define what you want to study.

You also are well prepared for the responsibilities of college or university studies.

On the other hand, by the time you start college, you will probably have obligations, like a job or spouse, which keep you from focusing on studies.

In addition, travelling or working before college may cause you to spend enough time out of school that you forget how to study.

The desicion of what to do after hich school graduation can be a difficult one.

Deciding whether to go straight into college or university or take time to work or travel is something that faces every high school student.

After thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of both options, the decision should be based on what is best for you.