IELTS 25 April 2026 – LRWS Practice & Cheat Sheet

IELTS 25 April 2026 – LRWS Practice & Cheat Sheet

LISTENING – Strategy + Practice Guide

Expected Pattern

Part 1 → Form / Notes completion

Part 2 → Map / MCQ

Part 3 → Matching opinions + MCQ

Part 4 → Notes / Summary completion

This means spelling + synonyms + concentration will decide band score.

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Listening Cheat Sheet (Very Important)

Part 1 – Form Completion

Common answers:

Names

Phone numbers

Dates

Prices

Addresses

Postcodes

Trap example Audio: “double three seven” Answer: 337, not 33 7

Common traps

Oh = 0

Fifteen / Fifty

Eighteen / Eighty

Street / Road / Lane

13 vs 30

14 vs 40

Practice Tip Practice:

Numbers

Spelling names

Addresses

Dates

Prices

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Part 2 – Map Labelling

Must know vocabulary:

opposite

next to

behind

in front of

at the corner

on the left/right

across from

entrance

reception

path

stairs

lift

Golden rule Speaker will:

Start at entrance

Move left → right

Then go around map

Follow direction like a finger on map.

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Part 3 – Matching Opinions

Most difficult section.

Listen for:

However

But

Actually

I prefer

I disagree

That’s true but

I’m not sure about that

These words change answers.

Example Student A: I thought the project was easy.

Student B: Actually, it was quite difficult.

→ Answer = B says difficult.

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Part 4 – Lecture Notes

Usually topics:

Environment

Animal study

Agriculture

Psychology

History

Technology

Education

Most answers are nouns

Example: The main reason is soil erosion.

Not verb, not adjective → noun.

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READING – Strategy + Cheat Sheet

Academic Reading Pattern Strategy

Passage 1

Usually:

True False Not Given

Sentence Completion

TFNG Rules | If text says same → TRUE | | If text says opposite → FALSE | | If text does not mention → NOT GIVEN |

Trap Example Text: Many students prefer online learning.

Question: All students prefer online learning.

→ FALSE (many ≠ all)

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Passage 2

Usually:

Matching Features

Matching Information

Matching Features Strategy Find:

Names

Dates

Places

Researchers

Companies

Scan for capital letters first.

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Passage 3

Usually hardest:

Yes No Not Given

Summary completion

MCQs

Yes / No / Not Given This is about writer’s opinion, not facts.

| Opinion matches | YES | | Opposite opinion | NO | | Opinion not mentioned | NOT GIVEN |

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Common Reading Topics (Must Prepare Vocabulary)

Prepare vocabulary for:

1. Environment / Climate change

2. Animal behaviour

3. Agriculture / Farming

4. Psychology / Human behaviour

5. Technology / Internet

6. History / Inventions / Buildings

7. Education / Research

If vocabulary is strong → Reading becomes easy.

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WRITING – Cheat Sheet

Task 1 Academic (Graphs)

If Bar / Line / Table / Combination → Use this structure:

Task 1 Template

1. Paraphrase question

2. Overall trend

3. Body 1 – First half data

4. Body 2 – Second half data

5. Comparisons

Important words

increased

decreased

remained stable

peaked

fluctuated

slightly

significantly

gradually

sharply

whereas

while

compared to

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GT Task 1 – Informal Letter

Possible:

Apology

Request

Invite

Informal Letter Structure

1. Dear John,

2. Opening line

3. Purpose

4. Details

5. Closing

6. See you soon,

7. Sam

Use contractions:

I’m

It’s

Don’t

Can’t

Let me know

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Writing Task 2 – Essay Cheat Sheet

Expected types:

Agree Disagree

Discuss Both Views

Double Question

Positive Negative

Universal Essay Structure

1. Introduction

2. Body 1

3. Body 2

4. Conclusion

Ideas you can use for ANY essay

These are Band 9 idea banks:

Technology

Saves time

Improves communication

Causes isolation

Job automation

Online education

Remote work

Environment

Pollution

Climate change

Renewable energy

Public transport

Recycling

Government laws

Education

Online learning

Skills vs theory

University cost

Job training

Technology in classrooms

Work

Work from home

Job satisfaction

Salary

Work-life balance

Overtime

Company policies

Use these ideas in many essays.

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SPEAKING – Cheat Sheet

Part 1

Answer structure:

1. Direct answer

2. Reason

3. Example

4. Extra detail

Example Do you like reading? Absolutely, reading helps relax the mind after a long day. It also improves vocabulary and knowledge. For example, many people read before sleeping to reduce stress.

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Part 2 Cue Card Structure (Very Important)

Use this story structure for ANY topic:

1. When it happened

2. Where it was

3. Who was with you

4. What happened

5. Why it was special

6. How you felt

7. What happened later

This works for almost all cue cards.

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Part 3 Structure (Band 8+)

Use this format:

1. General statement

2. Reason

3. Example

4. Result

5. Opinion

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Biggest IELTS Mistakes (All Students)

Listening

Writing more than word limit

Spelling mistakes

Not reading instructions

Losing focus in Part 3

Reading

Reading whole passage first (wrong)

Not scanning

Not understanding synonyms

Guessing TFNG incorrectly

Writing

Not answering question

No clear opinion

Repeating same words

Grammar mistakes

No examples

Speaking

Very short answers

Repeating question words

Using memorized answers

No linking words

Speaking too fast

IELTS 25 April – FULL LRWS PRACTICE SHEET

LISTENING – Practice Sheet

Part 1 Practice (Form Completion)

Practice Questions (Write ONE word or a number)

Name: Sarah ______

Phone: 98________

Date of booking: ______ April

Room type: ______ room

Price per night: $______

Address: ______ Street

Postcode: ______

Listening traps to practice

Audio Answer

double three nine 339

oh eight seven 087

fifteen 15

fifty 50

eighteen 18

eighty 80

Spelling practice words

accommodation

environment

agriculture

development

transportation

university

psychology

research

government

communication

Students lose 2–3 marks only because of spelling.

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Part 2 Map Vocabulary Practice

These always come in map listening.

Word Meaning

opposite facing

next to beside

behind at the back

in front of before

on the corner corner

path small road

entrance entry

reception front desk

stairs steps

lift elevator

Direction practice The library is next to the café.

The bank is opposite the supermarket.

The toilets are behind the reception.

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Part 3 Matching Opinions Practice

Example Practice Match students with opinions:

A – John

B – Maria

C – Alex

1. The project was difficult

2. The project was interesting

3. The project was boring

Listen for words:

however

but

actually

I think

I prefer

I disagree

These change answers.

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Part 4 Lecture Practice Topics

Practice listening on these topics:

Climate change

Animal behaviour

Agriculture

Human brain

History of transport

Urbanisation

Education research

These topics repeat every year.

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READING – Practice Sheet

True False Not Given Practice

Text: Many students prefer studying online because it is flexible and saves time. However, some students believe classroom learning is more effective.

Questions:

1. All students prefer online learning.

2. Online learning saves time.

3. Classroom learning is cheaper than online learning.

Answers: 1 → FALSE

2 → TRUE

3 → NOT GIVEN

This type always comes.

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Matching Features Practice

Match researchers with findings:

Researchers: A. Smith

B. Brown

C. Lee

Statements:

1. Studied animal behaviour

2. Studied farming methods

3. Studied human memory

You scan names, not whole passage.

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Summary Completion Practice

Text:

Plants grow faster in warm temperatures. They also need sunlight and water. Poor soil can reduce plant growth.

Summary: Plants grow faster in ______ temperatures. They need sunlight and ______. Poor ______ reduces growth.

Answers: warm

water

soil

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WRITING – Practice Sheet

Task 2 Essay Practice Questions

Write ideas for these:

1. Online education is better than classroom education. Do you agree or disagree?

2. Some people prefer working from home. Discuss both views.

3. Many cities are becoming crowded. What problems and solutions?

4. Technology is making people less social. Positive or negative?

5. People are buying more electric cars. Advantages and disadvantages?

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Essay Idea Bank (Use in Many Essays)

Technology

Saves time

Online communication

Remote work

Online education

Automation jobs

Social media

Internet shopping

Environment

Pollution

Climate change

Recycling

Public transport

Renewable energy

Government laws

Education

Online learning

Skills vs theory

University cost

Technology in classrooms

Job training

Work

Work from home

Salary

Job satisfaction

Work-life balance

Overtime

Promotion

Dont memorize these idea banks.

SPEAKING – Practice Sheet

Part 1 Practice Questions

Answer these in 3–4 lines:

1. Do you like your hometown?

2. Do you prefer studying alone or with friends?

3. Do you use social media often?

4. Do you like shopping?

5. What do you do in your free time?

6. Do you like watching movies?

7. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?

8. Do you ride a bicycle?

9. Do you like flowers?

10. Do you have a daily routine?

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Part 2 Cue Card Practice

Practice these topics:

1. A difficult decision

2. A person you admire

3. A healthy habit

4. A historical place

5. A family celebration

6. A helpful skill

7. A journey by public transport

8. A book you read

9. A piece of good news

10. An interesting animal

Use story structure:

When

Where

Who

What happened

Why special

Feelings

Result

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Part 3 Practice Questions

1. Why do people use social media?

2. Should governments protect the environment?

3. Is online education good?

4. Why do people change jobs?

5. Is public transport better than cars?

6. Why are cities becoming crowded?

7. Do people read less nowadays?

8. Is technology making life easier?

9. Should children play outdoors?

10. Why do people travel?

Practice long answers for these.

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FINAL PRACTICE PLAN (Very Important)

If exam is near, follow this:

Daily Plan

Day Practice

Day 1 Listening Part 1 + Reading Passage 1

Day 2 Listening Part 2 + Reading Passage 2

Day 3 Listening Part 3 + Reading Passage 3

Day 4 Writing Task 1

Day 5 Writing Task 2

Day 6 Speaking Part 1 + Part 2

Day 7 Full Test

Repeat cycle.

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Biggest Score Improvement Tips

Listening

Write answers in CAPITAL letters.

Reading

Do NOT read full passage first.

Writing

Clear opinion = Band 7+ Examples = Band 7+ Complex sentences = Band 8

Speaking

Fluency > Grammar

Confidence > Vocabulary

Ideas > Fancy words

The P.E.R.F.E.C.T Formula for IELTS Cue Card

The P.E.R.F.E.C.T Formula for IELTS Cue Card

This is a universal structure that works for almost every cue card topic: person, place, object, event, experience, skill, etc.

P.E.R.F.E.C.T stands for:

P – Introduction (Place/Person/Thing/Event)

E – Experience / Event / Story

R – Reason

F – Feeling

E – Extra details

C – Comparison

T – Future / Ending

Step-by-Step Explanation

1. P – Introduction

Start by introducing the topic directly.

Use phrases like:

One place I would like to talk about is…

One person I really admire is…

One interesting experience I had was…

One object I use every day is…

One memorable day in my life was…

This is just 2–3 lines introduction.

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2. E – Experience / Event / Story

Now talk about:

When it happened

Where it happened

Who was with you

What happened

This part should be the longest part of the cue card.

Use:

Last year…

A few months ago…

When I was in school…

I remember that day clearly…

We decided to…

After that…

Later on…

This part gives fluency + coherence marks.

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3. R – Reason

Now explain why it was important / why you liked it / why you remember it.

Use:

The main reason I remember this is…

The reason I like this place is…

This was important to me because…

The main reason behind this was…

This gives ideas development.

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4. F – Feeling

Examiners love feelings because it makes answers natural.

Use:

I felt really happy…

I was extremely nervous…

I felt proud of myself…

I was quite embarrassed…

I felt relaxed and peaceful…

It was an unforgettable experience…

This increases Lexical Resource score.

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5. E – Extra Details

Add:

What else happened

What you did after that

What people said

Small details

Environment

Weather

Food

People reaction

This helps you extend speaking time.

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6. C – Comparison

Compare with:

Past vs present

This place vs other places

This person vs other people

This experience vs other experiences

Use:

Compared to…

Unlike…

This was better than…

This was different from…

Earlier I used to…, but now…

This increases grammar + coherence.

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7. T – Future / Ending

Always end with:

I would like to do it again

I will never forget this

I want to visit again

I hope to experience this again

In the future, I would like to…

This gives a natural ending.

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Full Example Using Formula

Cue Card: Describe a place you like to visit

P – Introduction

One place I really like to visit is a small hill station near my city.

E – Experience

I first went there with my friends during a college trip. We stayed there for two days and explored many beautiful places.

R – Reason

The main reason I like this place is because it is very peaceful and away from the busy city life.

F – Feeling

I always feel relaxed and refreshed whenever I go there.

E – Extra details

There are mountains, lakes, small cafes, and amazing sunset views.

C – Comparison

Compared to crowded tourist destinations, this place is much quieter and more beautiful.

T – Future

I would definitely like to visit this place again in the future.

This answer alone = 1.5–2 minutes speaking.

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Example Cue Card 1

Describe a person who helped you

P – One person who helped me a lot is my school teacher.

E – When I was in school, I was very weak in English and she helped me after school.

R – The main reason I remember her is because she changed my confidence.

F – I felt very grateful and motivated.

E – She used to give me extra books and practice work.

C – Compared to other teachers, she was very supportive.

T – I would love to meet her again and thank her.

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Example Cue Card 2

Describe a difficult decision you made

P – One difficult decision I made was choosing my career.

E – After school, I was confused between engineering and teaching.

R – This was difficult because both options were good.

F – I felt stressed and confused at that time.

E – I discussed with my parents and teachers.

C – Compared to my friends, I took more time to decide.

T – In the future, I believe this decision will help my career.

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Example Cue Card 3

Describe a time you were late

P – One time I was late was for an important meeting.

E – Last year, I missed the bus and reached late.

R – This happened because I woke up late.

F – I felt very embarrassed and nervous.

E – My manager was waiting for me.

C – Usually I am very punctual, so this was unusual.

T – After that day, I always wake up early.

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Alternate Short Formula 1

5 Step Cue Card Formula

Past → What → Why → Feel → Future

Very easy to remember.

Example:

Last year…

I went…

I like it because…

I felt…

I will visit again…

Alternate Short Formula 2

Story Formula

Introduce → Story → Problem → Result → Feeling → Ending

This works best for:

difficult time

mistake

problem

challenge

disagreement

misunderstanding

success

achievement

April 2026 IELTS Important Essays with ideas

April 2026 IELTS Important Essays with ideas

OPINION ESSAYS – IDEAS

1. Employee monitoring through tracking software

Agree (Monitoring is good):

Monitoring employees can increase productivity because workers are less likely to waste time when their activities are tracked.

Companies can identify inefficient employees and provide training to improve performance.

Monitoring also protects company data and prevents misuse of company equipment.

Disagree (Monitoring is bad):

Constant monitoring reduces employee privacy and creates a stressful work environment.

Employees may feel they are not trusted, which reduces motivation and job satisfaction.

Creative jobs require freedom, and monitoring may reduce creativity and innovation.

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2. Renting better than buying a house

Agree (Renting better):

Renting provides flexibility because people can move easily for jobs or education.

Renters do not have to pay maintenance or repair costs.

Renting requires less money initially compared to buying property.

Disagree (Buying better):

Buying a house is a long-term investment and property value usually increases.

Homeowners do not have to worry about rising rent prices.

Owning a home provides stability and financial security in old age.

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3. Online reviews are good

Agree:

Online reviews help consumers make informed decisions before purchasing products.

Reviews encourage companies to improve product quality and customer service.

Customers can compare products easily and save money.

Disagree:

Many online reviews are fake or paid, which can mislead customers.

People may depend too much on others’ opinions instead of making their own decisions.

Small businesses may suffer due to a few negative reviews.

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4. Universities focus on job skills

Agree:

Students need practical skills to find jobs after graduation.

Many companies prefer skilled employees rather than theoretical knowledge.

Skill-based education reduces unemployment.

Disagree:

Universities should focus on academic knowledge and research development.

Theoretical knowledge builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Universities are not training centres; they are academic institutions.

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5. Public transport should be increased

Agree:

Public transportation reduces traffic congestion in cities.

It reduces air pollution and fuel consumption.

Public transport is cheaper and accessible for most people.

Disagree:

Building public transport systems is very expensive for governments.

Many people prefer private vehicles for comfort and convenience.

Public transport systems are often overcrowded and unreliable.

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DISCUSSION ESSAYS – BOTH VIEWS

6. Work from home vs office

Work from home:

Employees save commuting time and transportation costs.

Workers can spend more time with family and maintain work-life balance.

Companies can save office rent and electricity costs.

Work in office:

Face-to-face communication improves teamwork and collaboration.

Employees are more disciplined and productive in office environments.

Offices provide better supervision and training opportunities.

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7. Public parks free or paid

Free parks:

Public parks should be free because they are public facilities funded by taxes.

Free parks encourage people to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle.

Free parks allow poor families to enjoy recreational activities.

Paid parks:

Charging a small fee helps maintain parks and keep them clean.

Paid entry reduces overcrowding and noise.

The money collected can be used for park security and maintenance.

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8. Large company vs small company

Large company:

Large companies provide higher salaries and job security.

Employees have more career growth opportunities.

Large companies provide professional training and international exposure.

Small company:

Employees get more responsibilities and learn more skills.

Promotions may be faster in small companies.

Work environment is usually more friendly and flexible.

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ADVANTAGES / DISADVANTAGES ESSAYS

9. Self-service machines

Advantages:

Self-service machines save time for customers.

Companies reduce labour costs.

Machines can operate 24 hours without breaks.

Disadvantages:

Many workers may lose their jobs due to automation.

Machines can have technical problems.

Elderly people may find machines difficult to use.

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10. Living alone

Advantages:

Living alone helps people become independent and responsible.

People have privacy and freedom to make their own decisions.

Individuals can focus on their career and personal development.

Disadvantages:

People living alone may feel lonely and isolated.

Living alone is more expensive than living with family.

There is no support in emergencies or health problems.

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11. Online meetings replacing face-to-face

Advantages:

Online meetings save travel time and money.

Companies can communicate with international clients easily.

Online meetings are convenient and flexible.

Disadvantages:

Online meetings reduce personal interaction and relationships.

Technical issues can interrupt meetings.

Communication is sometimes less effective online.

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PROBLEM – SOLUTION ESSAYS

12. People not participating in community activities

Problems:

Communities become less connected and people feel isolated.

People do not help each other during emergencies.

Social relationships become weaker.

Solutions:

Governments should organise community events and festivals.

Local organisations should encourage volunteering.

Social media can be used to promote community activities.

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13. Cities too expensive

Problems:

People cannot afford housing and move to slums.

Financial stress increases among middle-class families.

Workers move away from cities, causing labour shortages.

Solutions:

Governments should build affordable housing.

Rent control policies should be introduced.

Companies should allow remote work to reduce migration to cities.

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14. Employees exhausted due to long working hours

Problems:

Workers suffer from stress and health problems.

Productivity decreases due to burnout.

Family relationships are negatively affected.

Solutions:

Governments should limit working hours.

Companies should provide flexible working hours.

Employees should be given paid holidays.

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CAUSE – EFFECT ESSAYS

15. People spending more time on phones

Causes:

Social media platforms are designed to be addictive.

People use phones for entertainment, communication and work.

Online content is easily accessible and free.

Effects:

People have poor face-to-face communication skills.

Excessive phone use causes mental health problems.

People become less productive and more distracted.

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16. Having children later in life

Causes:

People focus on education and career first.

The cost of raising children is very high.

Many couples want financial stability before having children.

Effects:

Population growth decreases.

There will be more elderly people than young people in future.

Parents may provide better financial support and education to fewer children.

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17. Moving from towns to cities

Causes:

Cities provide better job opportunities.

Cities have better education and healthcare facilities.

People move to cities for better lifestyle and infrastructure.

Effects:

Cities become overcrowded and polluted.

Traffic congestion and housing problems increase.

Small towns lose population and economic development slows down.

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POSITIVE / NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT

18. Automated customer service

Positive:

Automated systems provide quick service and are available all day.

Companies reduce labour costs and increase efficiency.

Customers can get instant responses.

Negative:

Many customer service employees lose jobs.

Machines cannot solve complex problems like humans.

Customers feel frustrated when they cannot talk to real people.

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19. Short courses instead of degrees

Positive:

Short courses are cheaper and faster.

Students learn practical skills needed for jobs.

People can update skills quickly in changing job markets.

Negative:

University degrees provide deeper knowledge and research skills.

Some professions require full degrees such as doctors and engineers.

Short courses may not provide long-term career growth.

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20. Shops open 24 hours

Positive:

People can shop anytime according to their schedule.

More jobs are created for night shifts.

Emergency purchases are possible anytime.

Negative:

Employees may suffer from health problems due to night shifts.

Electricity consumption increases.

Workers may have less family and social time.

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DOUBLE QUESTION ESSAYS

21. Short videos on social media

Why people watch:

Short videos are entertaining and addictive.

People watch videos to relax and reduce stress.

Algorithms recommend videos based on interests.

Should companies limit time:

Yes, to protect mental health and reduce addiction.

No, because people should control their own screen time.

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22. People working longer hours

Problems:

Workers experience stress and health problems.

Family relationships are negatively affected.

Productivity decreases due to burnout.

Should there be rules:

Governments should set maximum working hours.

Labour laws should protect employees’ work-life balance.

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23. Electric cars

Advantages:

Electric cars reduce air pollution.

They are cheaper to run than petrol cars.

They use renewable energy sources.

Future replacement:

Electric cars will likely replace petrol cars due to environmental concerns.

Governments are already promoting electric vehicles.

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24. Remote work preference

Reasons:

Employees save commuting time and cost.

Flexible schedule improves work-life balance.

People can work from anywhere.

Positive or negative:

Positive because it increases productivity and satisfaction.

Negative because it reduces social interaction and teamwork.

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25. Public spaces replaced by shopping centres

Why happening:

Cities are expanding and land is used for business development.

Shopping centres generate more revenue than parks.

Urbanisation increases demand for commercial buildings.

Positive or negative:

Negative because cities lose green spaces and recreational areas.

This can affect public health and environment.