Excessive use of Television and computers.

Q. The excessive use of television and computers is retarding the growth in children which is shown in recent studies. How far do you agree disagree to this statement?

Modern epoch is the one of technology and therefore it is not uncommon to see people of all age groups becoming increasingly involved in technology and its use. Among the many gifts of technology, one is television also called the knowledge box and another is computer, called a man-made marvel. These two gadgets when excessively used by children can definitely hinder their growth and development. I will cast light on the same in the writing that follows.

To begin with, it is known to all that excess of everything is bad and computers and television are no exception to it. First of all, children do not know how to balance or limit the time spent on these devices due to which their academics will suffer and it can hurt their ability to learn and retain. Also, spending time in front of these devices reduces active social interaction, children may be sitting with their family members and watching television or using the computer yet they are in their own world. Another problem related to this is that children are becoming couch potatoes and obesity is a very common problem among them. When all the time is spent sitting, then obviously thete is lack of physical and mental growth due to no physical activity.

Furthermore, young children cannot concentrate for an extended time period on their study and return to a book or homework after so many hours of playing video games or watching shows. Besides, the content being shown on television or that available on the internet can be harmful for children as they are unable to choose the right channels.

Therefore, I would conclude by saying that the time spent by children on the television and computers requires strict regulations by parents or elders as this time can be put to constructive use for the better growth of the children.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Modern epoch is one of the technology // People of all groups are busy in television or computer // Excessive use retards the mental growth and development of children // loss of memory, reduced social interaction, suffering in academics // Obesity, children become couch potatoes // lack of physical activity leads to reduced mental growth // vulgar content is shown on television // Limited time should be spent in front of the screen.

VOCABULARY:

idiot-box: television // definitely: surely // obesity: fatness

RELATED QUESTION: 

Watching television is a waste of time for children. Do you agree or disagree?

Pie charts interpretation

 Q. The pie charts show the nutrients of two types of foods, Macaroni and medium baked potato. Write a minimum 150-word report for a university lecturer comparing the constituents of two foods.

The two pie charts compare the nutrients of two types of foods, Marconi and medium baked potato The division is on the basis of four basic nutrients; carbohydrates, protein, saturated fat and glucose.

It is seen that medium baked potato consists of mainlv carbohydrates and protein which are 35% and 25% respectively. So, they together form much more than half of this food. The amount of saturated fat and remaining nutrients is very low comnparatively.

On the other hand, Marconi food mainly consists of carbohydrates. These are more than half, that is, 52%. Following it has slightly less than one fourth saturated fat, that is, 21%. In contrast to this, Marconi food has much lower protein and glucose which is 11% each. Other nutrients are almost nil at 5%.

Thus, both types of foods, Marconi as well as medium baked potato are nutritious but the proportions of their nutrients are different.

REFERRAL POINTS: Marconi and medium baked potato// baked potato consists of mainly carbohydrates and protein// Marconi food mainly consists of carbohydrates// Marconi as well as medium baked potato are nutritious.

VOCABULARY: Compare: contrast // comparatively: moderately // nil: negligible.

Diagram interpretation

 Q. The diagrams below show how glass containers such as bottles, are produced and recycled. Write a report of minimum 150 words consisting of the main features.

The illustrations explain the procedure of making glass containers like bottles along with the process of glass recycling.

It is apparent from the first diagram that first of all, sand, soda ash, limestone and other chemicals are mixed. After this, the mixture is melted in a glass furnace at a temperature of approximately 1500°C. Further, in order to provide shape, molten glass is blown and finally, glass containers are manufactured.

Additionally, for the process of recycling glass, five steps are followed. To begin with, used glass is collected followed by classification of glass according to colour. Next, washing is done in order to discard impurities. After crushing and melting, the glass is moulded into new products in the last step. 

Hence, from the overall analysis, it is evident that all the steps are necessary to be followed in both the processes. If any step is omitted, the process will come to a halt.

REFERRAL POINTS:

Diagrams - Manufacturing of glass containers and recycling of glass shown.

Diagram 1 - Different materials are mixed // Melting is done in glass furnace at approximately 1500°C // Molten glass is blown to give shape // Glass containers are made.

Diagram 2 - Used glass is collected // Classified by colour // Washing is done to discard impurities // Crushing and melting is done // Finally,  glass is moulded into new products.

VOCABULARY: 

Procedure: process // clear: apparant, evident // remove: discard // sorted: classified // omitted: missed // halt: stop

Data Interpretation

 Q. The table and pie charts give information about the total value of fish imported to the US between 1989 and 2001 from Canada to China. Write a report of at least 150 words describing the main features and making required and suitable comparisons.

The given table and pie charts demonstrate the total worth of fish imports to the US and its sources for the years 1989, 1992 and 2001.

It is lucid that total value of fish imports was significant in the year 2001 as it was 10.72 billion dollars. It was 2.2 billion dollars lesser in the year 1992. However, the value was least in 1989 (6.57 billion dollars)

The pie charts reveal that 60% imports to US were from Canada in 1989, but this percentage fell to 44% after 4 years and further decreased to 28% in 2001. On the other hand, only one tenth of the the total fish imported was from China in 1989 and this proportion remained same in 1992, while there was a surge of 20% in imports from China in the year 2001. Turning to the other sources, slightly more than one-fourth of the total imports were there in 1989. This percentage increased drastically to 46% in the year 1992 and then dropped by 4% in 2001.

Hence, total value was the highest in 2001 and fish imports were majorly from Canada.

REFERRAL POINTS:

Table and pie chart // total worth and sources of fish traded in to the US // Maximum value- 10.72 billion dollars- 2001 // Maximum import of fish from Canada.

VOCABULARY: Show: depict, demonstrate // maximum: highest // percentage: proportion // lowest: least, minimum // rendered: given

Table interpretation.

 Q. The given table show the sales of Fair Trade for coffee and bananas in 1990 and 2000. Write a report consisting of relevant comparisons and significant features. You write at least 150 words. 

The tables reveal the sales income of Fair Trade for coffee and bananas in two given years, 1990 and 2000. Data has calibrated in millions of euros.

It is vivid from the first table that substantial amount of money was expended by Switzerland to purchase coffee in the year 1990, that is, 15 million Euros, whereas, in the year 2000, UK spent maximum. Denmark’s spending on coffee was 1.8 million Euros in 1990, it surged minutely by 0.2 million Euros after a decade. Expenditure of Beligum and Sweden on coffee went up after 10 years.

Further, it is apparent from the second table that UK spent a huge amount of money for purchasing bananas in 1990 and 2000, amounts being, 15 and 47 million Euros correspondingly. There was a considerable increase in the expenditure of Switzerland on bananas over the span of one decade. Same was true for Denmark as well. The money expended on bananas by Belgium dropped from 18 million Euros in 1990 to 1 million Euros in 2000. Sweden’s expenditure on bananas almost halved from 1990 to 2000.

Overall, the highest amount of bananas was spent by UK in both the years and lowest on coffee was expended by Sweden in 1990 and 2000.

REFERRAL POINTS:

Tables // Sales income of Fair Trade for coffee and bananas // Time period – 1990 and 2000 // Data calibration – millions of euros // 1990 – Maximum expenditure on coffee by Switzerland // 2000 – Maximum expenditure on coffee by UK // Bananas – 1990 & 2000 – Maximum expenditure on coffee by UK.

VOCABULARY:

Show: reveal // calibrated: calculated // clear: vivid, apparent // spent: expended // surged: increased // elevated: increased // respectively: correspondingly // time period: duration, span

Describing Diagram

 Q. The given diagram shows the process of hydro-electric power generation. Write a report of minimum 150 words describing how the process works.

The image provided depicts the information about the production of electricity in various steps. 

It is clear that when the sun’s rays fall on the water in the sea, water evaporates in the form of vapour to form clouds. Once the clouds become heavy, there is rainfall. The rain water is stored in a reservoir behind a dam. On the requirement of energy, a valve is opened so that the stored water flows into a turbine that is attached to cables of high voltage and further to a transformer station.

As per the remaining process, the transformer station converts the energy of turbine, formed on its moving, into electrical energy. Following this, the power, thus produced, is sent to hospitals or schools as per requirement through cables which are fitted below the ground. Also, the extra water, after generation of power, is pumped back into the reservoir for its use, when needed.

Thus, from the overall analysis, it is clear that the production of electricity using water involves several steps which should be followed in order to bring desirable results.

REFERRAL POINTS: 

process of production of hydro electricity // sun rays cause evaporation and formation of clouds // when clouds are heavy, rain falls // rainwater is stored in a reservoir and sent to the turbine connected to high voltage cables // further, there is a transformer station to raise the voltage // unused water is sent back into the reservoir // electricity is supplied to schools, hospitals as per need through underground cables.

VOCABULARY:

shows: depicts // production: manufacturing // attached: connected, linked // requirement: need // involves: includes

Graph interpretation

 Q. The graphs below give information about computer ownership as a percentage of the population between 2001 and 2009, and by level of education for two years. Summarize the information by selecting the main features and make relevant comparisons. Write minimum 150 words. 

The bar graphs depict the information about the percentage of total computer ownership from 2001 to 2009 and ownership of computer as per educational qualifications for 2001 and 2009.

It can be seen from the first bar graph that in the year 2001, ownership of computers was nearly 58%. After that, it experienced a steady growth till the year 2009 and reached to approximately 71% in this year.

Further, the second bar graph depicts computer ownership by education level. The least was in the category of no high school diploma. It was about 12 and 42 percent for 2001 and 2009 respectively. The maximum ownership by education level was for post graduate qualification being nearly 98% in 2009 and almost 77% in 2001. The figures were relatively higher (above 80%) for college (incomplete) and bachelor’s degree in 2009 than 2001.

Thus, from the overall analysis, it is clear that computer ownership followed a continuous increasing trend and was highest at post graduation level.

REFERRAL POINTS:

Computer ownership trend from 2001 to 2009 // Ownership by education level for 2001 and 2009 // Highest computer ownership in 2009 at 80% // Lowest in 2001, below 60% // Ownership by level of education was most of post-graduation in both the years // The least was for no high school diploma in 2001 and 2009.

VOCABULARY: 

Percentage: proportion // show: depict // increasing: rising //;approximately: nearly // category: type // maximum: highest // qualification: educational degree // inclined: increased