Essay 1

In recent years many people have become increasingly aware of the need for physical
fitness . Almost everywhere people turn, whether it is to a newsstand, television or billboard ,
advice for guarding and improving health bombards them. Although much of this advice is
commercially motivated by those eager to sell vitamins, natural foods and reducing gimmicks ,
some of it, especially that advocating a regular exercise program, merits serious attention. Such a
program, if it consists of at least thirty minutes three times a week and if a person's physician
approves it, provides numerous benefits. Regular exercise releases tension, improves appearance,
and increases stamina .
The first of these benefits, the release of tension, is immediate .Tension builds in the body
because of an over accumulation of adrenaline produced by stress, anxiety, or fear. Doctors agree
that performing calisthenics or participating in an active sport such as tennis or volleyball for
thirty minutes releases tension. If a person swims, jogs or rides a bicycle for half that time, he or
she should sleep better at night and have a better temperament the next day. In addition, after the
release of tension, petty irritations and frustrations should be less troubling. For example, an
employee upset by the day's work and by traffic congestion may rush home, argue with the
family, and eat excessively. Taking about thirty minutes to release frustrations through physical
exercise could help him or her to avoid this behavior. Planned physical exercise, therefore, can
eliminate, or at least control, tension.
An improved appearance, which is a second benefit of regular exercise, is not as
immediately apparent as a better disposition .Exercise takes perhaps a month or longer to show
its results in a trimmer, firmer figure. Improvement, however, will come. A person who is ten
pounds overweight, for instance, may be able during this time to burn away most excess fat and
to tighten muscles, thereby reshaping the physique. Having improved muscle tone and even
posture, he or she will wear clothes more attractively and comfortably. Combined with a sensible
diet, an exercise program will also improve a person's skin tone. This improved appearance will
provide confidence and favorably impress others.
In addition to the self-confidence engendered by an improved appearance, increased physical
strength produces stamina. A stronger, healthier body is obviously more capable of working
harder and , in fact, of withstanding normal fatigue then a tense, weak one. A worker who
exercises should be able to complete a forty-hour week and still retain enough energy for
mowing the grass, painting the garage, or cleaning windows .Similarly, the student who goes to
school, keeps house and perhaps works part time should accomplish tasks efficiently. Equally
important, this stamina helps to ward off illnesses such as colds and influenza. Altogether,
improved endurance is one of the most important benefits of a regular exercise program.
Although easy solutions to the goals of losing weight and achieving an attractive, energetic body
saturate the media, actually acquiring these benefits is not easy. The rewards, however, are fully

worth the effort of an established exercise program that makes a person feel relaxed, look
healthy, and have adequate strength for strenuous as well as routine activities .

Essay 2

A cat is man's best friend

"A cat is man's best friend." That comon saying may contain some truth, but dogs are not the
only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. For many people, a cat is their best
friend. Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent housepets as they are good
companions, they are civilized members of the household, and they are easy to care for.
In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. They will
snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If
they're not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and
feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their
owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using
rewards and punishments, just like with a dog, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior
or perform tricks. Cats will even fetch!
In the second place, cats are civilized members of the household. Unlike dogs, cats do not bark
or make other loud noises. Most cats don't even meow very often. They generally lead a quiet
existence. Cats also don't often have "accidents." Mother cats train their kittens to use the litter
box, and most cats will use it without fail from that time on. Even stray cats usually understand
the concept when shown the box and will use it regularly. Cats do have claws, and owners must
make provision for this. A tall scratching post in a favorite cat area of the house will often keep
the cat content to leave the furniture alone. As a last resort, of course, cats can be declawed.
Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as house pets is their ease of care. Cats do not
have to be walked. They get plenty of exercise in the house as they play, and they do their
business in the litter box. Cleaning a litter box is a quick, painless procedure. Cats also take care
of their own grooming. Bathing a cat is almost never necessary because under ordinary
circumstances cats clean themselves. Cats are more particular about personal cleanliness than
people are. In addition, cats can be left home alone for a few hours without fear. Unlike some
pets, most cats will not destroy the furnishings when left alone. They are content to go about
their usual activities until their owners return.
Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions. People who have small living quarters or less
time for pet care should appreciate these characteristics of cats. However, many people who have
plenty of space and time still opt to have a cat because they love the cat personality. In many
ways, cats are the ideal house pet.

Essay 3
The Three Africa's
When many people hear the word Africa, they picture steaming jungles and gorillas.
Hollywood films have shrunk the public image of this immense, varied continent into a small
segment of its actual diversity. To have a more accurate picture of the whole continent, however,
one should remember that there are, roughly, three Africa's, each with its distinct climate and
terrain and with a style of life suited to the environment. The continent can be divided into the
northern desert areas, the southeastern grasslands, and the tropical jungles to the southwest.
The northern regions have the environment and living patterns of the desert. Egypt, Libya,
Algeria, and Morocco have hot, dry climates with very little land suited to farming. Therefore,
the population tends to be clustered into cities along rivers or the seacoast or into smaller
settlements near oases. For thousands of years, people have lived in this vast region, subsisting
partly on what crops and animals they could raise and partly on trade with Europe.
The southeastern grasslands provide a better environment for animal life and for some kinds
of crops. Many wild animals inhabit the plains in this region--elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros,
antelopes, zebras, and lions. The people in this area have long been expert cattle raisers and
hunters. Tea, coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, and tobacco are some of the main products grown in
this region. Fishing also provides some food and income for people along the coast. The
population here is less concentrated in cities and towns than in the north, but tends to be denser
in areas where adequate rainfall and fertile soil make farming possible.
West Africa is the region closest to the Hollywood image of mysterious jungles. As in the
other two regions, the way people subsist depends upon their environment. This does not mean
that most of the people live in grass huts in the jungle. Such nations as Nigeria have become
highly modernized by income from oil, timber, and minerals. Most of the western countries have
some farming that provides food and income; sugar cane, coffee, and tobacco are the important
cash crops, while bananas, rice, and corn are raised for food. Fishing in the rivers and along the
coast also accounts for food and income, and precious stones, especially diamonds, enhance the
economy of Angola and the Ivory Coast.

Even a superficial look at the major regions of Africa shows that it is a varied continent with
several environments. Although most of the continent is tropical in its range of temperature, the
climate ranges from deserts to rain forests. Similarly, human life-styles vary from the simplest
rural villages to industrial cities, both new and ancient. Contrary to the myth, however, jungle
life makes up only a very small portion of the whole of Africa.

Essay 4
The Hazards of Movie going.
I am a movie fanatic. When friends want to know what picture won the Oscar in
1980 or who played the police chief in Jaws, they ask me. My friends, though, have stopped
asking me if I want to go out to the movies. The problems in getting to the theater, the theater
itself, and the behavior of some patrons are all reasons why I often wait for a movie to show up
on TV.
First of all, just getting to the theater presents difficulties. Leaving a home equipped
with a TV and a video recorder isn't an attractive idea on a humid, cold, or rainy night. Even if
the weather cooperates, there is still a thirty-minute drive to the theater down a congested
highway, followed by the hassle of looking for a parking space. And then there are the lines.
After hooking yourself to the end of a human chain, you worry about whether there will be
enough tickets, whether you will get seats together, and whether many people will sneak into the
line ahead of you.
Once you have made it to the box office and gotten your tickets, you are confronted
with the problems of the theater itself. If you are in one of the run-down older theaters, you must
adjust to the musty smell of seldom-cleaned carpets. Escaped springs lurk in the faded plush or
cracked leather seats, and half the seats you sit in seem loose or tilted so that you sit at a strange
angle. The newer twin and quad theaters offer their own problems. Sitting in an area only onequarter the size of a regular theater, moviegoers often have to put up with the sound of the movie
next door. This is especially jarring when the other movie involves racing cars or a karate war
and you are trying to enjoy a quiet love story. And whether the theater is old or new, it will have
floors that seem to be coated with rubber cement. By the end of a movie, shoes almost have to be
pried off the floor because they have become sealed to a deadly compound of spilled soda,
hardening bubble gum, and crushed Ju-Jubes.
Some of the patrons are even more of a problem than the theater itself. Little kids race
up and down the aisles, usually in giggling packs. Teenagers try to impress their friends by

talking back to the screen, whistling, and making what they consider to be hilarious noises.
Adults act as if they were at home in their own living rooms and comment loudly on the ages of
the stars or why movies aren't as good anymore. And people of all ages crinkle candy wrappers,
stick gum on their seats, and drop popcorn tubs or cups of crushed ice and soda on the floor.
They also cough and burp, squirm endlessly in their seats, file out for repeated trips to the rest
rooms or concession stand, and elbow you out of the armrest on either side of your seat.
After arriving home from the movies one night, I decided that I was not going to be a
moviegoer anymore. I was tired of the problems involved in getting to the movies and dealing
with the theater itself and some of the patrons. The next day I arranged to have cable TV service
installed in my home. I may now see movies a bit later than other people, but I'll be more relaxed
watching box office hits in the comfort of my own living room.

Essay 5
Tuition

The word `tuition' refers to remedial teaching in small groups. In the past, students who are weak
in their studies engage the services of a tutor, one who was an expert in his field of study. Today,
it is a different scenario altogether. Tuition has become a major money spinner for many
teachers. Almost every student who can afford it go for tuition and parents are willing to fork out
huge sums of money just to ensure that their children are not left behind in the rat race or paper
chase.
The rationale for sending students for tuition is to provide opportunities for students who are
weak in certain subjects to catch up. In schools, teachers have limited time to teach students. For
example, there are only five lessons per week for subjects like Mathematics and English. The
time allotted is certainly insufficient for weak students to understand a particular subject.
Moreover, with increasing paper work and a load of other duties, teaching time may actually be
further reduced. Teachers may rush through the syllabus leaving weaker students in the lurch.
These students who have difficulty assimilating what is taught may then resort to tuition.
Nowadays, due to work commitments, parents stay away from home for the greater part of the
day. Parents would then prefer to send their children to tuition classes just to keep them from
getting involved in undesirable activities or just to prevent them from idling their time away.
Some educated parents may be too busy to help their children with their studies. On the other
hand, there are parents who are unable to help their children because they do not have a
sufficient level of education. For these groups of parents, tuition is helpful.

Tuition classes, nowadays are no longer confined to small groups of students. Many tuition
centers have a large enrolment. It is not uncommon to find tuition classes which have bigger
enrolments than classes in schools. In such instances, students cannot get personalized attention
from tutors and this defeats the whole purpose of tuition.
The authorities should come down hard on such tuition centers which are out to fleece students.
Otherwise, such centers will be churning out teachers who give their wholehearted attention and
devotion to tuition and slacken in school.

Essay 6
Wetlands
Wetlands are areas of marsh or peat land with water that is static or flowing. They are ecosystems
whose formation and characteristics are determined by water. The major types of wetlands in
Asia are mangroves, freshwater swamp forests, peat swamp forests, lakes and river systems.
Until recently, people thought that wetlands were soggy, useless land that would only be valuable
if they were drained and developed for agriculture, housing or infrastructure projects. Besides the
direct physical destruction, wetlands are also threatened by chemical contamination and other
pollutants.
Wetlands prevent flooding by holding water like a large sponge. Water moves slowly and this
prevents flooding. Wetlands store water during storms when water levels are high. Then, when
water levels are low, wetlands release water. Wetland plants have roots planted firmly in the
muddy bottom, but with stalks that rise high above the water surface. This can slow down the
flow of water. By doing this, they counter the water's erosive forces.
Wetlands clean the water by filtering out the sedimentation. Because of this, wetlands have been
referred to as the 'kidneys' of the ecosystem. Even harmful chemicals are converted into useable
forms in this cleansing process. Many government are now converting lands into artificial
wetlands to filter out pollution. Wetlands are the habitats for a very large variety of plant and
animal life. Wetlands provide the breeding, nesting and feeding grounds for may endangered
species. Even animals that live in other habitats use wetlands for migration and reproduction.
The plant diversity of wetlands provide a breeding site for crabs, prawns and fish.
The many diverse products of wetlands generate numerous socio-economic benefits that are
important for the livelihood of local communities. Among the many products that are obtained
from wetlands are water supply for domestic us, fisheries, forage resources, craft materials and

medicinal plants. Wetlands are also treasured for their aesthetic value. They are wonderful places
to visit. Their intrinsic natural beauty make them the favorite haunt of tourists, where
opportunities for activities like boating, fishing and bird-watching exist.
The many benefits of wetlands is reason enough for conserving them. Reclamation of wetlands
for development robs many types of flora and fauna of their habitats and ultimately leads to their
extinction. Conservation efforts must therefore be taken before our natural wealth is lost through
the selfish pursuits of man.
Essay 7
City or Countryside

Before townships and cities developed, people lived in villages in the countryside. Facilities are,
no doubt, better in cities, but city life has become associated with stress, crime and pollution
.Life in the city is very hectic. Traffic congestion is a perpetual problem. At work, fierce
competition, deadlines and meetings await the city dweller. Always in a hurry to avoid the rush
hour traffic jams, to be time for appointments or to stay one step ahead of other, people in cities
have little time to relax. In the countryside, life is much more relaxed, there is little hassle and no
point in competing. Villagers go about their tasks during the day and rest in the evenings.
Living in towns and cities is also becoming dangerous. Houses in cities are fenced in and many
house owners also install grilles and alarm systems to safeguard their homes. With the rising
crime rate in cities, a woman walking alone at night or displaying jewellery is courting danger. In
the countryside, houses may not even be locked or have fences. People there usually know one
another and outsides are easily spotted. Any villager who commits a crime will be ostracized or
punished, or both. Furthermore, villagers help each other.
At the same time, pollution has become a household word in cities. Exhaust fumes from motor
vehicles pollute the air, and there is always the noise of the traffic. Anyone who has lived in one
of the crowded housing areas in the city also knows that residents are often involuntary
eavesdroppers to a neighbor's family quarrel or are forced to listen to music from somebody
else's radio.
In the countryside, houses are further apart but there is close rapport between villagers or
townspeople as they meet frequently. Furthermore, the countryside is known for its fresh air and
quiet surroundings, which is good for one's physical and mental health. The countryside, ahs,
unfortunately, a few job opportunities and places for leisure. It also has an inadequate public
transportation system. If I could live in the countryside and yet have the same opportunities as I
have in the city, I would definitely prefer the countryside because life there is not as stressful as
that in the city and yet is much safe and healthier.