Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 22: Many people are optimistic about the 21st century and expect scientists to 
make positive changes to the world. To what extent do you agree or disagree with their 
optimism? What changes would you like to see in the new century?
 
(industrialization) , (rapid population growth) ( inefficient energy use) (environmental conditions 
deteriorating) ( desertisation) (decline in fauna and flora )
(incurable diseases), (living on, near or below the poverty line), (boost productivity), ( increase 
crop yields)
As the 21st century continues to unfold, many technologies have arisen, most of which 
were previously out of the reach of people's comprehension. While some people are content 
with the current standard of living and tend to owe it to technical advances, an opposing 
point of view is that not all these changes to lives are positive. T am of the opinion that there 
is still room for improvement and many problems remain unsolved.
The continued improvement in technology undoubtedly accelerates industrialization but 
meanwhile leads to the deterioration of the natural environment. Accompanied by 
technological development, many problems, such as over-exploitation of natural resources, 
intense use of artificial fertilizers, reliance on automobiles and deforestation, have arisen 
and intensified. Even worse, little progress has been made toward addressing these 
problems, possibly because implementing environmentally friendly policies will inevitably 
impede the development of energy-intensive industries. That is why the use of petrol 
continues to climb, despite the fact that many countries pledge to curb petrol use and 
discover or invent alternative resources.
Another problem is that many technologies have put people at great risks and 
highlighted the need for innovation. For example, the spread of the Internet is directly 
responsible for people's sedentary lifestyle and many health problems, such as obesity. The 
rise of the fast food industry, owing mainly to the development in the food processing 
technology, is linked to diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Many stress-related diseases are 
attributed to the increasingly fierce competition in society, a result of technological 
development. Fears of job loss have become one of the most common sources of social 
anxiety in these years, as computerization has undermined the traditional position of labour 
by eliminating jobs. All these problems demand quick solutions.
Some other problems are associated with technology as well, although the actual 
impacts remain unforeseen. For example, the future of genetic engineering, a radical new 
technology intending to introduce genetic changes to a species, either animals or plants, and 
to increase crop yield, is dim. To date there is no compelling evidence to show that GE food 
has a good track record for human safety, especially when it has been found related to 
thousands of poisoning cases.
Overall, whether technology is a blessing to people remains yet to be seen, so does what 
the 21st century can bring to them. It seems to be a fact that whenever a new technology 
arises, there must be some problems that follow. When people are impressed by the benefits 
brought by a new technology, it is important to evaluate its negative impacts and take 
precautions in advance.
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1. Unfold=display=disclose=clarify=become known=reveal
2. Content=satisfied =pleased
3. Deterioration=corrosion=weakening=worsening
4. Artificial=man-made=synthetic=non-natural
 
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5. track record=past performance=reputation=background=history=profile
6. precaution=preventative measure=safeguard
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