Oil companies want to build pipelines to carry oil from refineries to seaports for transport overseas. Environmentalists say these pipelines are dangerous for the environment and should not be built.

Discuss both these positions and give your own opinion.

One question that is causing discussion recently between the environmentalists and the oil companies has been the pipelines that these oil companies are aiming to construct in order to transport oil from refineries to seaports to be exported afterward, which they claim to be threatening to the environment.

The oil companies defend these constructions arguing that pipelines are the safest and most efficient way to transport oil and gas, being also competitive to the export market. Thus, it would not be possible to supply the whole world´s demand for fuel by using only rail or road. Another arguments are that the project is part of the economic growth of the country and having the infrastructure built will also help with emissions reductions, because there will be less trucks on the roads.

On the other hand, there are strong arguments from the environmentalists. Firstly, it has been proven that these pipelines frequently have leaks, consequently polluting rivers, killing plants and wildlife that harms the ecosystem. Moreover, if the land is disrupted it will not be the same even for 100 years and if there is a leak on this land it will take thousands of years until this land is productive again. The consequence would be having a whole town without proper water and with an area of unproductive land.

My conclusion is, although there are reasonable grounds to build the pipelines, the risks involved when is being transported if leaks are too high and outweigh the benefits of speed and cost, becoming unfeasible. 

Social media is becoming an increasingly large part of people’s lives.

What are the effects of the trend?

Do you believe this is a positive or negative trend for society?

It is undoubtedly that social media is becoming more and more present in our lives changing the way we relate and communicate with each other. Although it might has some drawback to it, I believe that it is a beneficial trend to our society.

The first reason why social media is being positive is that it is helping people to find jobs quicker, easier and internationally. Social media websites such as Linkedin are useful, especially when you are new to another country. The new employer will be able to see your curriculum with references, photos, videos and get in touch with your previous employers.  Besides, you can find connections in common which can recommend you. With this trend, it is likely that most of the candidates will be choose with a few filters.

In addition, social media has also been helping people to keep personal relationships that otherwise might be lost. For example, it is very straightforward now to keep in contact with your colleagues from college, MBA and other courses, colleagues who moved to other cities, who are from other countries. Also relatives who you do not see often. It is possible to follow their lives by seeing pictures on Facebook. Some people get so used to be in touch through the media that forget about the real life, but that is only a minor issue.

In conclusion, social media has therefore having a largely positive effect on our society and it depends of each one of us to be aware on how to use it.

Some people prefer to travel around town by car, while others prefer public transit such as bus, train, or subway.

Discuss both these positions and give your own opinion.

Most of the people commute to go to work, to visit their friends and relatives, very few are lucky enough to live and work in a walking distance or have all their contacts around, the difference between these groups is that one of them prefer to commute using public transportation and the other prefer driving.

The people who prefer driving base their argument on the comfort and convenience that the car brings to you. During the summer for example, if have to walk and climbing stairs is very likely that you arrive sweating at work.  Thus, if you have to visit your friends after work and decide to come home late, public transportation can delay it can be dangerous to walk in some areas.

Equally, there are people who prefer using buses, trains and subways. They argue that, by using public transportation they avoid traffic and save time on their way to work. For example, if they take the train they can arrive in the office in 30 minutes, while driving during the week will consume twice of the time and if it is in a Monday morning maybe more. In addition, if they need to meet a friend after work for a drink and decide to have something alcoholic it is better not be driving, today even more that we have cheaper facilities such as Uber, for example.

My conclusion is that both groups have strong arguments and it depends from each situation, but on a daily basis, if you can trust the public transportation, it should be the best option to avoid traffic in the city.

In many countries around the world, obesity (extreme weight gain that affects a person’s health) is becoming a large problem.

Why is obesity such a problem in today’s society? What steps can be taken to fix the problem?

An increasing number of people are becoming obese around the world, especially in the developed countries where there is a fast food in each corner.  This is because of the new busy lifestyle, however, without movement. While the main responsibility to avoid is from each one of us, the government can also help.

The first reason leading to obesity today are the fast foods. Because they are cheaper and quicker, people choose places such as Mc Donald's and Burger King to have lunch, however eating in these places will not provide the vitamins and energy needed for the body but only fat, calories and put weight on. Thus, when a person starts putting weight, he or she feels heavy and do not feel like working out. Secondly, modern life has less movement than the life in the past. We use remote control now to change the television channel, children play with videogames instead of playing games in the streets, groups who before met personally, now meet virtually.

Moreover, obesity can be harmful from two health aspects: Physical and Psychological. Physically speaking, it can causes illness such as diabetes, heart diseases, liver and many others. Psychologically, you can suffer from bulling, having problems to find a job or a partner. Unfortunately, there is still prejudice.

While the prime responsibility is from each individual to become conscious, start eating better and exercise, the government to can play a part by doing campaigns against obesity telling the consequences for the future health and creating local programs where people can join.

I believe, therefore, obesity is a consequence of the modern life and it needs to be tackled.

Some people think it would be a good idea for schools to teach every young person how to be a good parent. 

Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Describe the skills a person needs to be a good parent.

There is a group of people who argue that it is the responsibility of the schools to develop the children into good parents in the future. However, that opinion is debatable and there is some dispute about it. My personal view is that parent skills could be included on the school curriculum.

First of all, having good parents builds the structure of an individual´s life, for this reason, besides the examples previous received in the family, it is valuable to be reinforced at school. Several studies found that parents can affect children´s attitudes and behaviour later, what also influence in the academic´s life. By attending parenting classes, young people can see the whole physical process, such as when the women body is prepared to have a baby, what should be the steps during the pregnancy and after the baby born. Having these classes, can make students more aware about the responsibility of being a parent and avoid early pregnancy.

Moreover, it is important to deal with the psychological side of a baby and a child. Knowing how each response of their actions will cause different results on their future children can even help these teenagers to understand themselves and maybe value their parents for educating them. For example, when the parents take a 8 years old child to have dinner out, they should not ask where this child want to sit, but just point where he or she will sit, discipline is part of care.

In conclusion, the school will not be able to form good parents, but they can help by introducing these classes, preventing early pregnancy, make teenagers to value their parents, to understand themselves and teach how a human being must be treated.

By Patrícia Faria