Practical Skills for School Children

2. Opinion Essay
Some people think that school children need to learn practical skills such as car maintenance or bank account management along with the academic subjects at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
It is true that children do not learn many practical skills at school. However, I completely disagree with the idea that schools should teach skills like bank account management and car maintenance.
At present, most schools focus on important academic subjects such as mathematics, science and language. These subjects help young people to gain knowledge and to develop thinking skills that will be vital for their future careers. We live in a knowledgebased economy where independent thinking and problem solving are the most important skills. With timetables already full, schools do not have time to teach children anything else. Furthermore, I do not believe that most practical skills are beneficial enough to be included in lessons. I would argue that bank account management, for example, is a life skill that anyone can learn by simply opening and using a bank account. Most adults have no problem managing their finances without being taught accounting lessons at school. In fact, I have never met anyone who found it difficult to use a bank account. Other practical skills like car maintenance or plumbing are not really necessary because most people prefer to pay a qualified mechanic or plumber. It would be a waste of children’s time if these subjects were introduced as part of the school curriculum.
In conclusion, schools have always taught the traditional academic subjects that help students to prepare for university or professional life. If they start to teach practical skills, the study of important academic subjects will suffer.
(250 words) ielts-simon.com 3. Problem / Solution Essay
Despite huge improvements in healthcare, the overall standard of physical health in many developed countries is now falling. What could be the reason for this trend, and what can be done to reverse it?
Health problems such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease are becoming more widespread in parts of the developed world. There are several reasons for this problem, and various measures could be taken by governments and individuals to improve the situation. Lifestyle and diet are the major causes of poor health in developed countries. Most people travel by car rather than walking, they tend to work in offices where little phy