Buổi 104: Thi thử cuối khóa – Writing (Task 1 + Task 2, 60 phút)

The table shows the proportion of households in Country S that owned four kinds of home technology at five-year intervals between 2016 and 2026.

Overall, ownership of all four technologies increased, with growth accelerating in the second half of the period. Solar panels were the most common technology throughout, while electric cars showed the most rapid rise after 2021.

In 2016, only 4% of households had solar panels, but this figure tripled to 12% in 2021 and then more than doubled to reach a quarter of all households in 2026. Electric cars followed a similar pattern, starting from just 1% and rising to 4% in 2021, before more than tripling to 14% by the end of the period.

The remaining two technologies were far less widespread. The proportion of homes with a heat pump rose slowly from 2% to 3%, and then doubled to 6% in 2026. Home batteries were virtually non-existent in 2016, and although they spread more quickly in later years, only one in twenty households had one by 2026.

Dear Sam,

That's fantastic news about your new job – I'm so glad you'll be living in the same city as me at last!

Of course I'll help with the move. I've got a car, so if you need to collect anything from the station or a furniture shop, just let me know. I could also help you set up your internet and find out which bins go out on which day – that kind of thing confused me for weeks when I first arrived!

As for where to live, I'd really recommend the Riverside area. It's only twenty minutes from your new office by bus, and rents are lower than in the city centre. More importantly, it's lively without being noisy: there's a great Saturday market, plenty of cheap places to eat, and a long path by the river where I go running most mornings.

Why don't we meet on the Saturday after you arrive? We could have breakfast at the market and then walk round the area, so you can see if you like it.

Can't wait to see you!

Best wishes, Linh

Today, many employees are expected to update their skills continually rather than relying on what they learnt at the start of their careers. In my view, this is largely a positive development, although it can become a burden if employers do not provide enough time and support.

The main benefit is that continuous learning helps workers stay employable in a rapidly changing economy. As technology transforms many jobs, people whose skills are not updated may find that their roles disappear or change beyond recognition. An accountant who learns to use new data analysis tools, for example, is likely to be more valuable to employers than one who relies only on traditional methods. Continuous learning can also make work more satisfying, since gaining new skills often leads to more interesting responsibilities and opportunities for promotion.

From the perspective of organisations, a workforce that keeps learning is better able to adapt. Companies whose staff can learn new systems quickly are more likely to introduce innovations successfully, which in turn benefits customers and the wider economy.

However, this expectation has a negative side when it is not matched by support. If employees are required to study in the evenings or at weekends, on top of a full workload, learning can become a source of stress rather than development. This is particularly true for workers with family responsibilities. For this reason, I believe that employers who expect continuous learning should provide training during working hours and cover its cost.

In conclusion, the expectation that people should keep learning throughout their careers is mostly beneficial for both individuals and organisations. Nevertheless, it is only truly positive if employers share the responsibility by giving staff the time and resources they need.