Trend of Nuclear family.

 Q. In this era, the primary ties are loosening, families are not as close as they used to be and a lot of people have become habitual to this. Explain the reasons for this and discuss any possible effects, it may have on the society.

A family is the basic unit of social structure. With the passage of time, it has been observed that relationships at all levels have become tensed as compared to earlier times. This distance can be attributed to diverse contributing factors and can have several social effects. I will shed light on this in the writing that follows.

To commence with, the major reason is the growing trend of nuclear family replacing the extending or joint family system due to which family bonds are weakening. Also, according to needs of society, life is very competitive and demanding due to which youngsters have to move away from their parents at an early age to work or study. For example, some children live in hostels to ensure proper grooming, education and upbringing. This may lead to emotional estrangement of children from parents. Even in cases when parents are close to their children or stay together, they are mostly away from home as people now work for long hours to make ends meet. This means that parents spend less time with their children and it results in a gap between parents and kids. Another factor is, the use of gadgets and interaction with friends using various forms of social media leads to a drop in the frequency of face to face interactions.

This distance has obvious effects on the society. The first impact is that it weakens family bonding and this makes the family lose its meaning as a social institution. People are less fond of their family members and this brings lack of unity. Children become indisciplined and careless because they lack supervision. Children develop psychological issues due to loneliness. It also contributes to the widening of generation gap because parents do not know about the problems of children as they are unable to spend proper time with them.

To conclude, I would like to say that the present day families are becoming distanced from each other due to a plethora of causes and it has some implications on the society due to which it should be should be avoided and efforts should be made on all levels to keep the family as closely knit as possible.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Family is the basic unit of society // Changing times are causing the family divide // long working hours, trend of nuclear families, technology, drifting away for work or study // suitable steps should be taken since it has serious consequences // loneliness, personality issues, growing generation gap

VOCABULARY:

Observed: witnessed, seen // attributed: imputed, ascribed // diverse: myraid, various // weakening: breaking // estrangement: alienation, disaffection 

RELATED QUESTION:

People, these days, are more concerned about themselves only. What are the several factors leading to the family divide and how does it impact the social structure?

Problems of growing population.

Q. The ever-growing population of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways in which the government and individuals can tackle these problems.

Over-population, also termed as population boom or population explosion refers to the unexpected growth in the number of people. There are several countries across the globe which are bearing the burnt of this rapid rise in the number of people. I will discuss a few serious issues being caused by this and the possible measures which can be taken by the authorities as well as the individuals.

To begin with, overpopulation leads to overcrowding which means poor quality of life. There is an increased pressure exerted on the resources because of which the standard of housing is not up to the mark. Poorly heated or damp conditions prevail in accomodations which cause many health problems such as bronchitis and the like. Another problem is increase in criminal activities as those who lack basic necessities like housing may resort to theft. In addition, the environment also gets degraded as due to the pressure of providing food to so many people, forests are cleared and converted into agricultural fields. Absence of appropriate sanitation to support the increased population causes diseases. 

However, there are certain steps which can be taken by both the government and individuals to tackle the problems posed by overpopulation. First of all, the government should make strict laws to control population. This can be done by providing incentives to people with a single child. Also, if possible, adequate housing facilities should be provided with proper sanitation by the government. Citizens should also actively with responsibility. People should only give birth to children keeping in mind their resources and financial conditions.

To conclude, government and citizens can both come together and join hands to combat this problem and minimize its negative effects on society before it grows to massive proportions and is tough to handle.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Overpopulation: excessive growth in number of people // Causes: low standard of living, poor housing, improper sanitation, stress on civic amenities // Government can frame laws // Incentives should be given to people with a single child // Adequate housing, sanitation should be ensured for all // Citizens should also behave responsibly to handle this problem.

VOCABULARY:

Overpopulation: population boom, population explosion // incentives: bonuses // amenities: comforts, conveniences // government: authorities, regulatory body // control: curb, tackle // degraded: lowered in value // measures: steps

RELATED QUESTION:

The activities of man have impacted the environment deeply. What are the results of man’s activities and what measures can be taken by the government and citizens.

Problems linked to internet

 Q. The internet has brought a sea change in the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before.

What are the most serious problems linked to the internet and what solutions can you suggest?

One of the greatest inventions of science and technology is the internet. Being a boon, it has caused revolutionary changes in the method of exchange of information and has at the same time, been a cause of several problems. It is a blessing in disguise. However, there are solutions to problems caused by excessive use of internet. I will shed light on the problems and possible remedial actions in the following writing. 

To commence with, there are several dangers posed by the internet. They access to obscene websites by children, exposing them to inappropriate material is a major cause of concern. Also excessive use of internet is making children lazy and limiting their mental growth and development. Another problem posed by the internet is online frauds. The cases of cyber crimes are on the rise. People can gain access to private messages or can misuse photographs, etcetera by illegal means. There are many cases of business websites falling prey to criminals and this is a direct outcome of the excessive use of the internet. In several cases, some information or messages can be misunderstood and lead to straining of relationships. People sometimes do not understand  the exact message which is being conveyed to them and tend to take these messages negatively.

However, every problem can be dealt with by taking appropriate steps. The government should ensure a proper legislation and control in order to prevent the young generation from using inappropriate websites. Parents should also keep a check on the activities of their children and limit their internet use. Access to certain websites should be regulated by computer programs because sometimes, children may not know the difference between good and bad. Another way to prevent the problem is to send precise messages to people to avoid misunderstanding and also prefer complete words over abbreviations. Last but not the least, high security measures should be used on websites to ensure protection against any misuse like hacking to decrease the causes of cyber crime.

To conclude, I would say that the Internet is a great help to mankind and it should only be used within limits so that its benefits can be promoted and even if some problems caused, they should be dealt with effectively.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Internet, great blessing to mankind // Revolutionary changes in communication // Some problems are also posed // Access to vulgar sites // Hacking and other cyber crimes // Limits mental growth of children // Stringent laws // Highly secure websites // Limited access to sites, regulated by programs // Parents need to monitor activities of children // Necessary steps to deal with problems // Use internet only for good.

VOCABULARY:

Revolutionary: radical // Several: Many, numerous // Threat: danger // Posed: laid // Legislation: law making

Related Questions:

Every house in the modern house has a computer connected to the internet. Do you think this advancement is positive or negative?

Crimes by minors

 Q. Crimes by minors are on the rise in recent times. The psychologists claim that the fundamental reason for this is that children these days are lacking the social and emotional learning they need from parents and teachers. To what extent do you agree/disagree?

It is undeniable that society is undergoing a degradation of morals and values. The statistics show an ever-increasing crime rate among minors. Some people believe that insufficient social and emotional learning from parents and teachers is the cause of this problem. I do not agree to this belief as several factors cause teens to indulge in anti-social activities.

To begin, nowadays, acts like rapes, thefts and murders flood pages of newspapers and television channels and more than often, these crimes are committed by teens. The adolescents of today, are very rebellious and make it impossible for parents or teachers to imbide the necessary social and emotional learning in them which contributes to the problem of teenage crimes. However, that is not the only cause; there are several other and greater reasons which are leading to a rise in this problem. A very significant cause of this problem is economic conditions. No matter, how much social or emotional learning is given to a child, financial inequality and unemployment fuel the urge of earning money through unethical and illegal means.

Friend circle of teenagers has a strong influence on their behavior. It is rightly said, a man is known by the company he keeps. If teens have a violent, aggressive friend circle they are likely to become like that. The influence of media and movies is also a leading cause of increased criminal tendency among youngsters because a lot of movies portray that criminals are rich and are respected out of fear by others. Therefore, lack of emotional and social learning on the part of parents and teachers is not the main reason of increasing crime by minors.

To conclude, I would like to say that the reason for increase in crime amongst children is not only because of detached approach of parents or teachers towards their wards and students, more than this, other reasons have also contributed to this social problem.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Teenagers are committing more crimes // Parents and teachers cannot be solely held responsible // Many factors like poverty, influence of media etcetera are also responsible // Friend circle has a major influence // Certain conditions are unavoidable and they always influence youngsters // Conclusively, crime is on the rise due to many reasons // Effective measures are important rather than blaming parents and teachers.

VOCABULARY:

Crime: Anti-social activities // Undeniable: sure, indisputable, irrefutable // Degradation: downfall // Teenagers: teens, adolescents, youngsters // Friends: peers // Shooting: rising // Several: numerous, innumerable, many.

Related Questions:

The violent tendency of youth is on the rise. What do you think are the possible causes and what solutions do you suggest? // The lack of social and emotional learning from parents and teachers is the number one cause of violence committed by young children. Do you agree or disagree?

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