到年底，雅思考试总难免会有些关于Xmas的传闻，其中最典型的就是“雅思考官们要回家过节了，考试时心情好，所以打分会高。”和“考官们要回家过节了，压根儿没心情考试，所以打分会低。”......

两种说法乍听起来都挺有道理，huh? 这就像IELTS的作文题，正着说，反着说，折中着说，都成，只要你确实言之有理。

但如果您真的为了这个“圣诞情结”就掉以轻心或就开始惴惴不安起来，那可是整个儿一痴人说梦或者庸人自扰了。即使有99个考官都因为圣诞打分更严或更松，决定你命运的却只能是1个人，而他/她没准儿就是那1个特例。

把IELTS当成一个逼着自己去学英语的契机好了，你根本不必去想考官与Xmas的种种。

1  Some people think the government should pay for citizens’ health care and education while others argue that it is not the government’s responsibility. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2 Science and technology have brought great changes to our lives. Some people think the work of artists such as musicians, painters and writers should still be valued. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

3 Today in many countries, young people do not have enough respect for elderly people. What are the causes of this phenomenon and what problems has it led to?

4 It is more important for buildings to serve particular purposes than to look good. Do you agree or disagree with this view?

5  The advantages brought by the spread of English as a global language outweigh the disadvantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

6 Putting criminals into prison is not effective in dealing with them. Instead, education and job training should be provided. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

7 Some people think that the traffic and environmental problems in cities can be solved by moving the factories and businesses in cities to the rural area. Do you agree or disagree with this thought?

8 Detailed description of crimes in the media leads to negative consequences in society so this kind of information should be limited. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

9  Pressure on the school and university students is increasing and students are pushed to hard work when they are very young. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

10 Cheap air travel should be encouraged because it gives ordinary people the freedom to travel further.  However, some people think it leads to environmental problems. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.