Writing

Model Answer — Task 1

The table illustrates changes in the number of international students, measured in thousands, studying in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom over a twenty-year period from 2000 to 2020.

Overall, all three countries experienced a substantial and fairly steady increase in international student numbers throughout the period, with the UK consistently attracting the largest cohort until the final years shown.

In 2000, the United Kingdom had considerably more international students than the other two countries, hosting 220,000, more than double the figure for Australia and well over twice that of Canada, which recorded the lowest total at 90,000. This gap narrowed gradually over subsequent years. By 2010, the UK's total had risen to 380,000, while Australia had grown more rapidly, reaching 250,000, and Canada had climbed to 175,000.

The most striking trend appears between 2015 and 2020, when Canada's numbers rose sharply from 245,000 to 400,000, matching Australia's total exactly by the end of the period. The UK, while still recording the highest figure overall at 480,000 in 2020, saw comparatively slower growth in its final five-year interval than either of the other two countries.

In summary, although the UK remained the leading destination for international students throughout the two decades, Australia and Canada both narrowed the gap considerably, with Canada in particular showing the fastest overall rate of growth by 2020.

(≈205 words)

Model Answer — Task 2

Technology has transformed nearly every aspect of daily life, and opinions remain divided over whether this transformation has simplified our routines or added unnecessary complexity. In my view, while technology has undeniably introduced certain new burdens, its overall effect has been to make life considerably easier.

Those who argue that technology complicates life often point to the sheer number of devices, applications, and passwords the average person must now manage. A single smartphone might host dozens of apps for banking, communication, shopping, and entertainment, each requiring updates, security checks, and a certain degree of technical familiarity. Older generations in particular can find this proliferation overwhelming, and constant connectivity has arguably blurred the boundary between work and personal time, leaving many people feeling perpetually "on call."

On the other hand, technology has removed countless practical difficulties that previous generations faced routinely. Tasks that once required considerable time and effort — transferring money, communicating across continents, or researching a piece of information — can now be completed within seconds. Video calling allows families separated by distance to maintain close relationships, while online banking and shopping have eliminated the need for many time-consuming errands. Medical technology, too, has simplified diagnosis and treatment in ways that indirectly simplify patients' lives, even if the underlying machinery is highly complex.

In my opinion, the perceived complexity of technology often stems from an initial, temporary learning curve rather than any lasting increase in life's difficulty. Once a new tool or system is mastered, it typically saves far more time and effort than it initially demanded. For this reason, I believe the net effect of modern technology has been overwhelmingly positive, simplifying daily tasks despite the genuine, if usually temporary, challenges of adapting to constant change.

(≈275 words)