Task 1

Spend 20 minutes on this task. Imagine you have just finished a two-week volunteer experience at a local animal shelter. Write a letter to a friend to tell them about your time there. In your letter, you should:

- Explain why you chose to volunteer at the animal shelter
- Describe some of the tasks you did while volunteering
- Share what you enjoyed the most about the experience
- Tell your friend whether or not you would recommend volunteering there and why

You should write at least 150 words.

Answers and Tips

Task 1

Band 5 Example Answer:

Dear Emily,

I just did two weeks at the local animal shelter. I picked it because I love animals and wanted to help them.

I did a lot of things there. I fed the cats and dogs, cleaned their spaces, and played with them. I also helped show people the animals when they wanted to adopt.

The best part was playing with the puppies. They were so cute and fun. It made me happy to see them play and be happy.

I think you should volunteer too. It's hard work but it feels good to help. You would like it if you love animals.

Let's talk more soon.

Cheers,
Alex Reed

Band 7 Example Answer:

Dear Emily,

I've just wrapped up a two-week stint volunteering at Happy Paws Animal Shelter, and I have to tell you all about it!

I chose to volunteer at the shelter because I've always loved animals and wanted to help those without a home. It felt like the perfect way to give back and spend time with furry friends.

My days were packed with various tasks - from feeding the cats and dogs to cleaning their spaces. I also helped with walking the dogs, which was a workout! On top of that, I got to assist in the clinic, preparing medicines and comforting pets during check-ups.

The best part, hands down, was the cuddle time. There's a special room where you can just sit and pet the animals. It was so heartwarming, and seeing the animals relax and show affection was incredibly rewarding.

I'd absolutely recommend volunteering at Happy Paws. It's hard work, but the joy you get from helping those animals is worth every second. Plus, the staff there are amazing and so dedicated.

If you're ever looking to do something meaningful with your time, this is it.

Take care,
Alex Reed

Band 9 Example Answer:

Dear Felicity,

I've just wrapped up an incredible two-week stint volunteering at the Haven for Paws animal shelter, and I had to share the experience with you.

You know how passionate I am about animal welfare, so when the opportunity arose to help at a local shelter, I couldn't resist. It was the perfect chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of animals in need.

My days were brimming with various tasks, from the mundane to the heartwarming. I fed and groomed the animals, cleaned their living spaces, and assisted in some basic training exercises. There were also administrative duties, like helping with the adoption paperwork and updating the shelter's social media pages to spotlight our furry residents.

The highlight, without a doubt, was the connection I made with the animals. Each one had a unique personality and story, and it was deeply rewarding to see them thrive with a little care and attention. There's a Labrador mix, Bella, who arrived terrified and withdrawn. By the end of my time there, she was bounding around with a wagging tail, ready for a new home.

I would wholeheartedly recommend volunteering at Haven for Paws. Not only does it support a vital cause, but the sense of community and the joy of seeing animals recover and find loving homes are unparalleled. If you have the time, the shelter would benefit immensely from your kindness and energy.

Let's catch up soon – perhaps over coffee? I have so many stories to share!

Warmest wishes,

Avery Thompson

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 1:

1. Volunteer (verb): Offering to help or do something without expecting payment. Like helping out in a community garden on weekends.
2. Compassion (noun): Feeling empathy and a desire to help those who are suffering or in need. Like comforting a friend who is going through a tough time.
3. Animal welfare (noun phrase): The well-being and proper treatment of animals. Like caring for and ensuring the health of pets and wildlife.
4. Caring for (phrasal verb): Looking after someone or something attentively. Like a nurse caring for patients in a hospital.
5. Fulfilling (adjective): Providing satisfaction or happiness through meaningful actions. Like the feeling after participating in a successful charity event.
6. Nurturing (verb): Encouraging growth or development in others. Like a teacher fostering a love for reading in her students.
7. Teamwork (noun): Collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal. Like coworkers organizing a company event together.
8. Recommend (verb): Suggesting something as worthwhile or beneficial. Like suggesting a useful app to a colleague.
9. Hands-on experience (noun phrase): Practical experience gained by doing something rather than just observing. Like learning to cook by preparing meals, not just reading recipes.
10. Heartwarming (adjective): Causing feelings of happiness and emotional warmth. Like seeing a community come together to support a local cause.
11. Dedicated (adjective): Committed and focused on a task or purpose. Like an athlete training every day for a competition.
12. Make a difference (verb phrase): Having a significant and positive impact. Like volunteering at a homeless shelter and improving the lives of others.
13. Shelter (noun): A place providing temporary care for animals or people in need. Like a facility that homes stray dogs and cats.
14. Adopt (verb): To take in and raise a pet or child as one's own. Like a family welcoming a rescue dog into their home.
15. Charity (noun): An organization aimed at helping those in need, typically through donations and aid. Like a group providing meals for the homeless.

Tips:

1. Share your motivation for volunteering: Kick off your letter by telling your friend the big reason why you decided to spend time at the animal shelter. Was it because you love animals, wanted to help out in the community, or maybe you were looking for a new adventure? Make it personal and heartfelt.

2. Paint a picture of your daily tasks: Next, dive into what you did each day. Talk about feeding the animals, cleaning their spaces, or maybe even helping with a pet adoption event. Give your friend a sneak peek into the life of a volunteer, so they can imagine being there too.

3. Highlight your favorite moments: Now, light up your letter by describing the best parts of volunteering. Maybe you made a furry friend, learned something new, or felt proud to make a difference. Share those happy sparks that made your time special.

4. Give your honest recommendation: After sharing your experiences, it's time to get real. Would you tell your friend to volunteer there too? Let them know if it's a thumbs-up or thumbs-down and explain your reasons, like if it's super rewarding or maybe a bit more work than expected.

5. Wrap up with a friendly sign-off: Finish your letter with a warm goodbye. You could say, "Can't wait to hear what you think!" or "Hope to catch up soon!" It's like giving your friend a smile and a wave until you talk again.

Task 2

Band 5 Example Answer:

Visitors coming to a place can bring good and bad things. When many people come to visit, they bring money. This money can help the town. Shops can sell more things, and restaurants can have more people to eat food. This means the town can get better because it has more money to fix roads and build parks. For example, in my city, when tourists come, they buy lots of souvenirs and this helps the shop owners.

But too many visitors can also be not good. Sometimes, there are too many people and it gets crowded. The streets can be full and it's hard to walk. Also, when too many people come, it can make the place dirty. They might leave trash and not care about our town. In some places, like beaches, too many visitors leave bottles and plastic, and this is bad for the fish and birds.

Another good thing is that visitors can learn about our culture and we can learn about theirs. It's nice to meet new people and share stories. But sometimes, visitors do not understand our ways and they can be disrespectful. They might be too loud or go to places that are special to us and not be careful.

In the end, visitors can be good because they bring money and we can share cultures. But it's important that visitors are not too many and that they care about the place they are visiting. We need to find a balance so that the town can be happy and the visitors can enjoy too.

Band 7 Example Answer:

Visiting new places is like opening a book full of surprises. It's exciting to see different things and learn about other ways of life. But when lots of people start to visit a place, it can be like a double-edged sword, with good and bad sides.

One good thing is that visitors bring money to the place. This money can help build schools, parks, and hospitals. For example, in my hometown, we now have a beautiful park where families can play and relax, all thanks to the money from tourists. Visitors also create jobs for local people. They can work in hotels, restaurants, or as guides showing people around. This means more people can earn money to take care of their families.

However, there can be bad things too. Sometimes, there are so many visitors that the place gets too crowded. This can make it hard for local people to go about their daily life. In some cities, like Venice in Italy, there are so many people in the summer that it's hard to walk in the streets! Another problem is that visitors can sometimes damage nature. They might leave trash or walk on plants and hurt them. In some beaches around the world, too many visitors have left so much trash that the beautiful beach is not so nice anymore.

In conclusion, visitors can bring good changes like money and jobs, but they can also bring problems like crowds and harm to nature. It's like when you invite friends to your house; it's fun, but you also have to clean up after. Places that have lots of visitors need to think about how to keep the good things and stop the bad things from happening.

Band 9 Example Answer:

Tourism, undeniably, brings a spectrum of impacts on the destinations it touches. The influx of visitors to a town or city can be a double-edged sword, with both beneficial and detrimental effects on the local environment, economy, and culture.

On the positive side, tourism can be a significant economic booster. For instance, the city of Barcelona has seen a surge in its local economy due to the millions of tourists attracted by its unique architecture and vibrant culture. Local businesses thrive as visitors spend on accommodation, food, and entertainment, creating jobs and fostering community development. Moreover, tourism can lead to the preservation of historical sites and natural landscapes, as the revenue generated can be reinvested into maintenance and conservation efforts. The city of Kyoto in Japan is an excellent example, where ancient temples are meticulously preserved, partly due to the funds flowing from the tourism industry.

However, the influx of tourists can also have negative repercussions. Overtourism can lead to environmental degradation, as seen in the case of Venice, where the delicate ecosystem of its canals is threatened by the constant traffic of boats and the sheer volume of visitors. Additionally, the cost of living in tourist hotspots can skyrocket, making it unaffordable for local residents. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as 'touristification', can erode the local character and displace long-standing communities. The city of Amsterdam has taken measures to combat this by restricting the number of Airbnb rentals to preserve the city's charm and livability for its inhabitants.

In conclusion, while tourism can bring prosperity and encourage the safeguarding of local heritage, it is crucial that it is managed sustainably. Balancing the economic benefits with the preservation of the town or city's essence and well-being of its residents is essential. By doing so, we can ensure that the places we cherish for their beauty and culture remain vibrant and enjoyable for both visitors and those who call them home.

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 2:

1. Tourism (noun) - Traveling for pleasure or exploration. Like families going on a holiday to the beach or historical sites.
2. Boost the economy (expression) - Increasing financial growth in an area. Similar to a town thriving because of tourists spending money in local shops.
3. Cultural exchange (noun phrase) - Sharing and learning different cultural aspects like food or art. Like tasting traditional dishes while visiting another country.
4. Overcrowding (noun) - Too many people in one place, causing congestion. Like a popular tourist destination being too packed during peak season.
5. Preservation (noun) - Protecting and maintaining something valuable. Like conserving historical landmarks for future generations.
6. Infrastructure (noun) - Basic facilities and structures like roads and airports. Essential for supporting tourism and travel.
7. Erosion of local culture (expression) - Loss or dilution of traditional cultural practices. Like local crafts being replaced by generic souvenirs.
8. Environmental impact (noun phrase) - The effect of human activities on nature. Like pollution or damage to natural habitats due to tourism.
9. Sustainable tourism (noun phrase) - Responsible travel practices that minimize negative impacts. Like eco-friendly lodges that conserve energy and water.
10. Heritage sites (noun phrase) - Places of historical and cultural significance. Like ancient ruins or cultural landmarks protected for their value.
11. Commercialization (noun) - Turning something into a business opportunity, sometimes losing its original charm. Like a quiet village becoming a commercial tourist spot.
12. Authentic experience (noun phrase) - Genuine and true representation of a place or culture. Like visiting local homes instead of just tourist attractions.
13. Seasonal influx (noun phrase) - Increase in visitors during specific times of the year. Like a ski resort being crowded during winter months.
14. Gentrification (noun) - Transforming an area to be more upscale, often impacting the original community. Like old neighborhoods being renovated into high-end spaces.
15. Displacement (noun) - Forced movement of people from their area, often due to rising costs or development. Like residents moving out because of increasing rent.

Tips:

1. Take a balanced approach: Remember to talk about both the good and the bad effects of visitors on a town or city. You might want to write one paragraph about the good things, like more jobs or better parks, and another paragraph about the bad things, like too much traffic or litter.

2. Organize your ideas: Make a little plan before you start writing. Decide which points you want to talk about first, second, and so on. This will help your essay have a clear beginning, middle, and end, which makes it easier for the reader to understand your thoughts.

3. Use your own experience: If you've been to a place that had lots of visitors, think about what you saw. Did the visitors make the place more lively? Or did they cause problems, like being too noisy? Using your own experiences can make your essay more personal and interesting.

4. Write with your own voice: It's great to use fancy words if you know them, but it's even more important that your essay sounds like you. Write as if you're explaining your ideas to a friend. This will help your personality shine through in your writing.

5. Review and revise: After you've finished writing, don't forget to check your work. Look out for any words that are spelled wrong or sentences that sound a bit funny. It's also a good chance to make sure you've talked about all the different parts of the question.