Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The chart shows average levels of rainfall in Marley in the UK.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.
The chart illustrates the average amount of rain, measured in millimetres, that falls each month in Marley in the United Kingdom.
It is notable from the chart that even in the driest months, at least 50 millimetres of rain falls. Least rainfall is recorded for the month of May, with April being next at just under 55 millimetres, June and February have approximately the same level of rain, with slightly over 55 millimetres.
Between May and August, the amount of rainfall increases by about 5 millimetres each month before increasing significantly in September. At approximately 85 millimetres, September is the wettest month, with over 5 millimetres more rain than the second wettest month of January.
It is clear from the chart that the wettest part of the year is from September through to January, with the largest variation between months being seen between January and February. Between these months, there is a decline of nearly 25 millimetres of rain.
(159 words)
Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many people believe that we have become a ‘disposable’ society, throwing things away rather than repairing them and reusing them.
Why do you think that is?
What are some of the possible problems this can cause?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Modern society has become characterised by constantly renewing and replacing items rather than maintaining and keeping them. There are a number of factors that can be attributed to this trend, along with a number of significant concerns, as will now be presented.
One of the main points is the pace at which new technology is introduced into the market. It is commonly accepted that a personal computer has a limited lifespan, depending on the amount of use it has. Meanwhile, the technology involved rapidly changes, meaning that products can become obsolete very quickly.
The other change that has had a significant impact on our interest in retaining items is that craftsmanship, and its associated costs, has meant that many people are opting to purchase cheaper. An example of this can be seen with household furniture. Only a few generations back, a solid wooden table, hand built by carpenters, would be expensive but would also last to become an antique. These days, cheap, mass produced furniture is available instead.
As for problems this can cause, the main issue here would be one of waste. The average person produces over 500 kilogrammes of waste each year, and this includes electronic goods less than ten years old. Once better models are available or problems begin to arise, most people simply discard these items and purchase new ones. In turn, many societies are facing an additional problem in that we no longer take care of our possessions as previous generations did.
To sum up, societies now generally prefer to replace rather than repair, and unless there is a return to more traditional, more durable items, this is a trend that is likely to continue.
(259 words)