Portfolio task 4

Should children be raised to co-operate or to compete?

Should children be raised to compete or to co-operate? This is a universal conundrum and not one that is easy to answer. I think there are compelling reasons to support both sides of the argument.

In favour of raising children to be competitive is the fact that it is a natural human trait to want to achieve well both at school and at work and an obvious way to do this is to test oneself against one’s peers. If children and adults didn’t strive to better themselves and to achieve difficult goals there would be no human progress. This is true not only in areas such as scientific and medical advances, which bring important life-saving and life-enhancing benefits, but also in activities auch as sport,where the desire to compete against others is both natural and healthy.

On the other hand, it is equally important that children learn the virtues of co-operation and helpfulness towards others. Of course, it is a competitive world and we all need to survive, but equally we all need help at some point(s) in our lives, some more than others. It is important that children learn to be sympathetic and tolerant towards others who might not be as fortunate as themseves. Helping others, moreover, makes us feel better as human beings and raises our self-esteem. More practically, there is a need to work with others , not only at school,but also in the workplace. My students, for example, might often work in groups here at college and mutual co-operation is vital; similarly, as a teacher, I work in a team, and being able to do so effectively is an important professional requirement in most workplaces.

In an ideal world, therefore, we should raise our children to be aware of the importance of achieving a balance between being competitive and co-operative; both are vital in our lives.

286 words

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

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

Portfolio task 1

This table gives information about the sales of a small, downtown restaurant in an American business district, in a particular week in October.

For lunch sales, Monday to Friday, working days, the figures are very consistent, varying from $2,375 on Thursday to $2,595 on Wednesday, the busiest day. Lunchtime sales on Saturday were lower, at $1,950, as this is a weekend when many businesses are closed. For dinner, sales were similar for Monday to Thursday evenings, between $3,500 and $4,000, but there was a marked increase on Friday night, $4,350, probably due to people celebrating the start of the weekend. On Saturday evening, takings dropped to $2,950, perhaps because most regular customers work in the business district.

Lunch sales were highest on Wednesday and lowest on Saturday. Dinner sales were highest on Friday evening and, again, lowest on Saturday night. The restaurant was closed on Sunday, which is the quieter day of the American weekend.

155 words