Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The line graph shows the number of first time visitors and returning visitors who visited Caryl Island from 2000 to 2008.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The line graph depicts the number of people who visited Caryl Island over an 8 year period from 2000, with data given in two yearly increments.
In 2000, the number of people who visited the destination for the first time was approximately 8,000 per annum, compared with only about 3,000 returning visitors. However, by 2002, this trend had reversed, with slightly more than 4,000 new visitors compared to nearly 10,000 returning visitors.
From 2002 to 2006, both returning and first time visitor numbers increased dramatically rising to a combined total of well over 24,000 visitors.
While the combined number of people visiting the island remained high in 2008, the variation between first time and returning visitors narrowed as the number of people on their first visit continued to increase while those coming back for additional visits fell.
In total, it is evident that the number of people visiting Caryl island increased significantly over the period given.
(156 words)
Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In some countries, people are forced to retire when they reach a certain age.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Compulsory retirement is common in many countries when members of the workforce reach 65 or 70, and this has both pros and cons as will now be considered.
The main advantage of requiring people to leave their job at a certain age is that it provides opportunities for younger members of staff to join the company, often meaning that the company benefits from having lower wages to pay for the new recruit and also having younger, potentially more dynamic employees. This in turn could well give the company the required boost to continue being profitable.
Another advantage is that some older people may choose to keep working more out of habit than enjoyment, and therefore a mandatory retirement may encourage them to enjoy their life more, having the free time to engage in hobbies and interests such as gardening, which they may not have previously had time for up to that point.
Yet there are significant disadvantages in forced retirement. Older staff members often have more experience, and may have no desire to leave their job. Requiring them to leave could mean a skill shortage for the company as well as a feeling of discontent from the employee. Added to that is the rising number of older people and the subsequent drain on resources if they are not working; if there are more elderly people on pensions or other benefits, the increased tax burden falls on the younger generation.
In conclusion, there are both social and economic benefits in allowing older people to remain in employment if so desired, so compulsory retirement would not be recommended.
(266 words)