PART 1: SUMMARY

Man is forever changing the face of nature. He has been doing so since he first appeared on the earth.
Yet, all that man has done is not always to the ultimate advantage of the earth or himself. Man has, in
fact, destroyed more than necessary.

In his struggle to live and extract the most out of life, man has destroyed many species of wildlife;
directly by sheer physical destruction, and indirectly by the destruction or alteration of habitats. Some
species may be able to withstand disruptions to their habitat while others may not be able to cope.

Take the simple act of farming. When a farmer tills a rough ground, he makes it unsuitable for the
survival of certain species. Every change in land use brings about a change in the types of plants and
animals found on that land. When man builds a new town, this means the total destruction of vast areas
of farmland or woodland. Here, you have the complete destruction of entire habitats and it is
inevitable.

It follows, therefore, that every form of human activity unavoidably upsets or changes the wildlife
complex of the area. Man has destroyed many forms of wildlife for no reasonable purpose. They have
also made many great blunders in land use, habitat destruction and the extermination of many forms of
wildlife.

Man's attitude towards animals depends on the degree to which his own survival is affected. He sets
aside protection for animals that he hunts for sport and wages a war on any other creature that may
pose a danger or inconvenience to him. This creates many problems and man has made irreversible,
serious errors in his destruction of predators. He has destroyed animals and birds which are useful to
farmers as pest controllers. The tragedy that emerges is that all the killing of predators did not in any
way increase the number of game birds.

The passage discusses how negatively human interactions influence on natural environment and
wildlife. Since humans appeared on the planet, they have altered the environment in ways that are not
always beneficial for themselves or other living beings. Many wild animals have been wiped out in
both direct and indirect ways, which makes them become extinct or endangered. Besides, changes in
land use, namely farming and urbanization inevitably contribute to habitat destruction and certain
species of plants. They also favour some animals over others, depending on how they affect their
survival or interests. They protect animals that they hunt for fun, but eliminate those that threaten or
bother them. This causes many problems and sometimes irreversible damage when humans have killed
predators that are beneficial for pest controllers.
Part 2: Chart

The charts below show the numbers of people in different age groups who go sailing or play
basketball in Australia.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.
Write at least 150 words.

The bar charts depict how many people in different age groups and genders participate in sailing or
playing basketball in Australia.

Overall, the quantity of basketball players is higher than that of those who go sailing, in which the
number of males is always higher than females. In addition, while basketball gained popularity mainly
among teenagers, the majority of sailing participants are adults.

As can be seen from the first bar chart, there are roughly 70,000 people taking part in sailing in total, in
which teenagers account for the least number, at only around 8,000. In contrast, the number of people
aged from 25 to 34 taking part in sailing is highest, over 20,000, with its ratio of men and women
standing at 2:1. By about 20,000 and 23,000 people, these are the differential numbers of two genders
from the 35-44 group and the 45 and over, respectively and the gap triple at people aged over 45.

A more detailed look at the second chart reveals that exactly 160,000 people play basketball in
Australia. Teenagers are the majority, constituting around 70,000 participants, with the number of boys
doubling that of girls. In comparison, the differences between male and female participants in
basketball are insignificant throughout the adult years. Both female and male players are nearly 80,000
in the 25-34 and 35-44 groups, whereas there are only under 10,000 in the oldest group.
Part 3:

It is said that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality
and development than any experiences we may have in our life. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with that idea?

The question of whether nature or nurture has a greater impact on our personality and development has
been debated for centuries. It is often argued that innate characteristics have a much stronger influence
than any life experiences that people encounter. In my opinion, I totally disagree with this view and
believe that the latter are more vital in shaping who we are.

On the one hand, it would be indisputable that inborn traits play a vital role in determining human
personality and development. Firstly, for the most part, studies reveal that genetic mutations not only
are associated with the levels of intelligence, creativity or aggression but also cause some physical and
mental disorders, such as autism. Therefore, there is a biological basis for innate characteristics that
humans inherit from their ancestors. For instance, some people may have a natural tendency to be more
optimistic, resilient or adaptable than others, which can affect their life outcomes and well-being.
Secondly, some personality traits, such as extraversion or conscientiousness, are highly heritable and
stable across the lifespan. Hence, it can be argued that genes shape human behaviour and potential to a
large extent.

On the other hand, I concur that life experiences have a significant influence on personality and
development. To commence with, family, education and friends are some of the factors that lay the
groundwork for personal development since they provide opportunities to learn, grow and change.
Furthermore, our experiences also introduce us to different cultures, perspectives, and challenges that
can broaden our horizons and enrich our lives. For example, if a child grows up in a family that values
education, the child is likely to place a high value on education and may become successful in life.
Similarly, if a child grows up in a difficult environment with poverty and crime, the child may develop
a tough exterior and become a survivor in life. Besides, experiences influence our emotions,
motivations, and self-esteem. People can develop positive or negative feelings about themselves and
others based on how they are treated, supported, or valued by the people.

I hold a belief that nurture is more significant than nature is that our genes do not control our behaviour.
We have the ability to make our own decisions and act according to our values, beliefs, and goals. Our
genes may affect some aspects of our physical appearance, health, or intelligence, but they do not
determine who we are as individuals. In addition, the notion of innate abilities or talents is a myth that
ignores the role of effort, practice, and feedback in developing any skill or competence.

In conclusion, while inborn characteristics play a role in shaping our personality and development, I am
in favour of the idea that the experiences we have in our lives are the major influence.