Portfolio task 3

A balanced diet is the key to a healthy life.

There is a lot of truth in this statement. Eating too much food of a certain type can lead to obesity which can be life-threatening. There are, however, other factors which contribute to a healthy life.

First, let us look at why a balanced diet is so important. Too much food that is high in fat or sugar content can lead to obesity which can be hazardous to health. On the other hand, avoiding entirely food which is often associated with high fat content, such as red meat, will deprive us of important ingredients, for example iron, which are essential for a healthy life. Salt is a good example: we need salt but not to excess. The answer is to find the right balance.

A balanced diet is thus vital. But there are other factors which lead to healthy living. Regular exercise, for example, contributes hugely to physical and mental well-being. A clean and healthy environment also adds to the quality of life, as does mental stimulation. A balanced diet is important but is not everything, and there is a danger in becoming a slave to food fads.

Recent research in the UK suggested that eating red meat increases the chances of developing certain cancers; but, in moderation, most doctors would say red meat should be part of a balanced diet. Two front-page headlines in US magazine Time in the 1980s are instructive. One labelled salt as the great killer; another, some time later, said salt was a vital ingredient of a balanced diet. Neither headline was wrong. The trick is finding the right balance. Other factors mentioned above, such as regular exercise, also contribute to a healthy life.

289 words

Argument essay: mobile phones

Should using mobile phones while driving be banned?
There is a lot of research which suggests that using mobile phones while driving is the cause of a growing number of traffic accidents.

There are of course two sides to any argument. Having a mobile phone with you in the car is, in fact, a very sensible precaution. For example, women driving alone at night are at risk and knowing they can use their mobiles to summon help in an emergency is an important security factor. Similarly, if you are driving in a remote area, for example in the desert here in the UAE, it’s essential to have a mobile to get help if you break down. In reality, your life could depend on it.

Having said all this, there is no reason why you should use your phone while actually driving. It is always possible to find a safe place to stop before answering or using your phone. There is very little doubt that using a phone while driving, even a hands-free device, is a major distraction. It is very difficult to do two things safely and simultaneously if one of them is driving. Driving today requires maximum concentration. It has become a major problem worldwide, so much so that dozens of countries have outlawed the use of handheld phones while driving. In the UK, indeed, it is estimated that 90% of public responses have been in favour of such a ban.

Having your mobile with you in your car is a sensible, perhaps even necessary, precaution. However, you should always find a safe place to park before using it. There is overwhelming evidence that phoning and driving at the same time is a major cause of accidents worldwide.

289 words

Portfolio task 2

The first chart shows what motivates students of different age groups to study. The second chart shows the support they receive from employers, in terms of time off and help with fees. Both charts refer to the UK.

The main reason younger students study is to improve their career prospects. For those under 26, the percentage is 80, for those aged 26-29, 70%, and for those in their 30s, just under 60%. For those in their 40s, an equal number study for interest as for career, 40%. Over the age of 49 career factors motivate less than 20%, while 70% study for interest. Students under 26 receive most employer support, over 60%. The lowest support is for those in their 30s, just over 30%. Employer support rises to nearly 40% for those in their 40s and over 40% for those over 49.

The youngest age group studies overwhelmingly for career reasons and this group also receives the most employer support.

160 words