To Impose Fixed Punishments for a Crime, or Not?

Recently, Peter Robertson, one of Britain's most renowned lawmakers who specialises in criminal law, has publicly proposed a new measure to put an end to the rapidly increasing crime rates in the country. According to Robertson, for each type of crime, from shoplifting and burglary to smuggling and murder, there should be fixed punishments that the Ministry of Justice and the lawmakers decide on. However, more and more people, including people of the legal profession, have been expressing their opposition to this measure by saying that the circumstances of an individual crime and the criminal's motives play a major role when it comes to the decision on the punishment.

The proponents of Robertson's view claim that if the government puts this measure into practice, it will discourage current or potential criminals and make them think twice before committing a crime simply because they will know that, when caught, they will have absolutely no chance of getting away with it with anything less than what the fixed punishment appoints. Once you are found guilty, not even the best of lawyers will be able to negotiate in court the type or harshness of your punishment, be it a fine or jail time. Put simply, the circumstances under which one committed a crime will not be taken into consideration anymore; there will be no exceptions or special treatments.

On the other hand, lawyers and judges say that not only does this measure underestimate their work, but it may also undermine the justice system. For instance, it would be unfair to punish a homeless old man for stealing some food the same way you would punish a woman with records of bad conduct for shoplifting expensive jewellery. And what about the mentally ill people that are not aware of their actions? In case they committed a crime, would they be sent to jail or a clinic to be treated? Punishing criminals solely based on the crime category under which they happen to fall sounds childishly over-simplistic and arbitrary. The profile of the person behind those actions must be examined in order to understand what has probably led them to crime and what their motives were at the time. Life history, health or psychological problems, financial and social status, as well as previous criminal records have to be taken into account when deciding on the criminal's punishment.

In my view, fixed punishments are a retrogressive measure that will set back the society a hundred years. Societies of the 21st century must accept the human nature as it is. We all make mistakes, we all might lose our way, and it is the society's duty to help us get back on the right track if we do. Instead of dooming criminals in a blind and arbitrary manner, the government should be focusing more on creating those conditions - such as a prosperous economy, good education, and employment prospects - required for crime prevention. Creating and maintaining a healthy society is the only way to eliminate crime effectively.

Talent: is it innate or acquired?

Most people seem to support the notion that whether one is gifted in an area or not has nothing to do with this person's education or training during childhood or even adulthood, and that, instead, what an individual is good at has been actually determined long before their birth by their genes. For several years, there has been a strong debate between this gene-favouring notion and the belief that anyone, regardless of their genes, can make a good sports person or musician provided that they have been properly trained during childhood. 

According to some geneticists, it is genes that utterly dictate the talents of each unique individual. What this means is that a child with genes associated with good performance in sports will grow into an extremely talented sports person who can by no means be surpassed by one lacking these particular genes, no matter how well or hard the latter has been training. Is this entirely true, however? Are we merely products of our genes with absolutely no control over the development of our skills?

Recent surveys have shown that genes shape our capabilities only to some extent (52% according to estimates) and that the environment in which a child grows up plays an almost equally important role. In other words, if a child that is not as musically ingenious as Mozart practises hard day and night and is passionate enough about music, it has a good chance of becoming a very gifted musician in the future. Besides, as Thomas Edison had put it, "talent is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration."

Considering all of the above, it is clear to me that both our DNA and upbringing are important factors when it comes to the determination of our talents. Having good genes or genes strongly associated with a talent can give you a kick-start and put you ahead of others, but hard work is also required in order to unlock your full potential. It is also true that sometimes a good environment combined with proper training and lots of effort is sufficient to compensate for what our genetic make-up might be lacking.

Personal Attributes of Tearchers, by Vicky

It is a well-known fact that the profession of imparting knowledge, which is no other than teaching, generates all other professions. Therefore, there has been a great deal of controversy about the most significant personal attributes that a highly effective educator should have. More specifically, at present there is a strong debate over whether high qualifications, leadership qualities, or an altruistic love for pupils is the one trait that dwarfs all others in significance.

I agree that a teacher should be highly educated and devoted to this professional development through seminars and conventions on modern teaching methods, children's psychology and any other field relevant to his subject matter. In this way, the educator becomes more efficient and accelerates the learning process for the students. It must be admitted that a poorly qualified teacher is usually the first to blame for pupils' poor knowledge. For exampl, an inadequately knowledgeable Math teacher would be unable to answer more advanced questions on mathematic problems and equations, or provide knowledge at high levels.
 
It is obvious that strong leadership skills are vital for an effective classroom management. The educator should be strict and lenient when he deems fit. He should address any disruptive behaviour and prevent or tackle bullying incidents. To put it another way, if one lacks strong leadership skills, this will ultimately give rise to a chaotic classroom environment with unruly, restless students and hence limited educational input for the whole class.

Taking everything into account, I am inclined to believe that the altruistic love for students is the most important characteristic of a highly effective teacher. Without a doubt, the pure love for teaching and for pupils is reflected in a more pleasant and efficient for them. Striving for high quality in his or her teaching a better understanding of the students' needs are exactly what is needed for the creation of a conducive learning environment and the learners' growth as persons.
 

Art as a Core Subject, by Vicky

Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy about the necessity of the Art class in the school program. It is strongly believed that the other subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Language and Literature are more significant for the pupils' education than Art. That said, I am of the opinion that art-related subjects should not be frowned upon, as they can raise the students' cultural awareness and also lay the foundation for the development of a multitude of skills.

More specifically, through art-related subjects, pupils have the opportunity to learn about the history of art, the art and culture of their country, and to be exposed to foreign culture and works of art. By trying to describe, analyze and even criticize the various works of art, children gradually get used to exploring their environment and broaden their horizons. In addition, they learn to express themselves, their feelings in a more creative way and develop critical thinking skills. Moreover, while working all together as a team though theater plays, music performances and so on, they improve their socializing and communication skills.

Despite these advantages, the opponents of this view maintain that art classes are only a waste of time and therefore students should focus on their mainstream subjects, which, according to them, are more important for their academic and professional achievement. However, I am convinced that if we were to abolish art subjects, students would have not only a monotonous school program, without a pleasant interval from the other core subjects, but would be deprived of the many associated cognitive benefits, too.

Taking all of the above into consideration, it is evident that art opens up children's minds, broadens their horizons and helps them grow as persons. It is imperative that we oppose to the exclusion of art from the school curriculum to ensure that we provide the younger generations with a well-rounded education as this will definitely lead them to find the way to change and make a better world for all of us.

 

Smoking in Public Places, by Maria

Recently, there has been a great deal of controversy about prohibiting smoking in public places or not. Given that the presence of non-smokers in these places cannot be ignored, I am inclined to believe that a happy medium between the smokers' right to freedom of choice and the non-smokers' right not to be subjected to their fumes could and should be stricken.

Suffice it to say that smoking is harmful to health and definitely linked with respiratory diseases. Scientists constantly try to persuade individuals not only to refrain from smoking, but also to steer clear of second-hand smoke. Obviously, passive smoking is as perilous as smoking. It is proven that when a person smokes, the inhalation of dangerous fumes in his or her body will gradually cause severe defects on the lungs or, worse still, cancer. Therefore, the local authorities in conjunction with the Ministry of Health recently enforced the prohibition of smoking in public areas. Needless to say that smoking must be forbidden in places where children, patients and elderly are present. In fact, individuals should be conscientious when accompanying the aforementioned sections of the population.

On the other hand, prohibition of smoking in public areas may be assumed as violation of human rights. Adult smokers are certainly aware of hazards involved in smoking but their longing for it is a personal matter  an immediate consequence of their addiction to nicotine, the highly addictive substance found in tobacco. Additionally, there are the occasional smokers who enjoy smoking a couple of cigarettes only when they attend a pop-rock concert, or when they savor a meal in a music tavern. Bearing especially the last category of smokers in mind, I tend to be in favor of creating a specially designed smoking area particularly in places of entertainment. To my mind, there is no reason to infringe upon somebody's right to light a cigarette in order to indulge himself at a moment of joy.

The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that smoking is absolutely harmful to health. But as smokers have realized the ever-increasing number of the diseases linked with their habit, they still have the freedom of choice. As far as I am concerned, it is better for both parties to compromise on the installation of smoking areas in some public places, in the high hopes of avoiding imposing fines on citizens solely for exercising their right to freedom of choice, which is by all accounts against what a democratic society encompasses.

Voting Age, by Maria

Nowadays, a matter of public interest is the appropriate age at which an individual is legally permitted to cast a ballot in elections. Given that this age differs from country to country, this issue has given rise to a great deal of controversy in many societies.

In my view, the ideal age at which someone is probably mentally capable of voting responsibly is that of 21 years old and above. It seems clear to me that a person under the aforementioned age has not developed their critical skills yet. In some countries, including ours - Greece, youngsters at the age of 18 are permitted to vote. To my mind, this section of the population mainly consists of individuals who are impressionable, careless, and impulsive owning to their youth, and this is why it is unacceptable to let them determine the future of a country, as their ultimate decision may be affected by their immaturity. On the other hand, a person at the age of 21 and above, who studies in a university or has a job, is much more likely to keep abreast of current affairs and hence more suited to forming an impartial, sound judgement while selecting the politicians who will represent not only himself but the entire nation. By having knowledge of the job market, he is obviously more efficient to make a wise choice in elections.

As far as I am concerned, the factors that may affect the age limit of voting include: completion of the secondary education, awareness of public affairs and intellectual maturity. As I have already mentioned earlier, acquiring education is vital for all member of the electorate in order to be self-conscious while opting for a party in elections. The intellectual maturity stemming from introspection is an essential factor for a voter. It is quite clear to me that if one does not have these qualities, he will never be able to make a responsible choice in the elections.

All things considered, the population of a country is highly affected by the outcome of the elections. It is crucial for the members of the electorate to vote without illiberality but according to the economic and social issues of their country combined with circumspection of our welfare. To the end, it is my firm belief that the voting age threshold should be raised from 18 to 21 years old.
 

Animals in Circuses, by Maria

Recently, a matter of public interest in our civilized world has been whether the exposure of animals in circuses means exploitation and inhumane treatment or not. This matter has given rise to much controversy between the proponents of circuses and animal activists.

It seems to me that performances in circuses are exciting and fabulous. When I was a child, I anticipated attending a show including magicians, dancers, acrobats, and, of course, animals. More specifically, people of all ages benefit from their visit to a circus as they can enjoy this fascinating experience. Therefore, the chance to see from up close a variety of animals doing extraordinary tricks and performing dangerous feats, is indeed, for us all, an amazing spectacle. It goes without saying that our admiration for these animals is unquestionable. Having said that, it must be conceded that families turn up in circuses by no means having the intention to exploit animals or laugh at them.

On the other hand, innocent wild creatures are held captive, deprived of everything that is natural and important to them. For this reason, most of them feel depressed, since they are kept in cramped cages instead of living free in the wild. Particularly wild animals are born to hunt and run long distances following their natural instincts. By default, the practice of captivity means violation of their rights. Unfortunately, not only are animals kept imprisoned, but they also endure unethical and atrocious practices so as to train hard and give a good performance in circuses. More often than not, they live under unhealthy conditions with absence of veterinarian care and are even starved to death when they have stopped being able to meet their trainers' expectations.

In conclusion, wildlife belongs in the wild and not in captivity. It appears to me that such shows exist to offer profit to the circuses' owners and that this practice is stripped of consideration of the animals' dignity and respect to their existence. By all accounts, the participation of animals in circuses is a form of torture, which is a sad truth the fans of circuses - who keep booking seats in the front row of such shows solely for their entertainment - are obviously unaware of. It would be prudent that the exposure of animals there be abolished altogether.

Children in TV Shows, by Maria

Nowadays, a point at issue in our civilized world is whether young people should take part in live talent shows on TV or not. Over the years, these shows have received quite a bit of criticism. On the other hand, they are still very popular. There is a growing trend for people to participate in TV shows, regardless of their age.

Reality or talent shows seem to be ideal for individuals who like to make an exhibition of themselves. Also, the prize appeals to people as most of them face financial or unemployment problems; it goes without saying that winning a music talent show may be a springboard for someone's career. Admittedly, youngsters are also impulsive, keen and spontaneous - traits that account for their belief that their participation in a TV show will fulfill their dreams. More specifically, they can feel encouraged by this distinction and be motivated to perform better.

On the other hand, it is common knowledge that the exhibition in a TV show conceals negative aspects, particularly for youngsters. Unfortunately, there is only one winner in each TV show. The more vulnerable a youngster is, the more frustrated he feels upon such a failure. The acceptance of defeat requires maturity and teenagers are too susceptible to handle an unsatisfactory outcome from their participation. But there are drawbacks for the winners, too. These lucky ones must adapt to a new way of life with many obligations. For instance, they must work for long hours either recording a CD, or having a rehearsal for TV shows and concerts. They may be alienated by their friends or loved ones. As a result, they are always under a great amount of pressure.

To sum up, the world of entertainment needs new artists and this is why these shows are rocketed to the top of the ratings. However, it is my firm belief that youngsters should be allowed to participate in them only as long as they pursue a balance between career and personal life. They must also be protected by the corrupt TV producers and their intentions of exploitation.

My Preferred School Trip Destination, by Danae

Every school has different needs and mine is no exception. In my opinion, the ideal place for an educational trip is an aquarium because this excursion will give us the opportunity to see the many different kinds of fish from up close and learn some interesting facts about them. Having said that, this trip will also be recreational and enjoyable.

To begin with, an aquarium is like a hallway surrounding huge showcases full of water. These tanks do not have only fish, but also other sea creatures: for example, sea mammals such as seals, whales and dolphins. The tanks look like their natural habitat in the ocean. In addition, there are screens showing documentaries about marine creatures and explaining facts about each species.

What is more, this trip would be not only educational but also very interesting for children as they would learn about the sea creatures' environment, behaviour and daily diet. Moreover, through this trip, children would raise their awareness about the problems these species may have and about environmental issues as a whole. 

To sum up, I believe that an aquarium is the best destination for a school trip since through this experience children would gain valuable knowledge about fish and their natural habitat as well as unforgettable moments to cherish in their lifetime.

The Internet, by Maria

Nowadays, a point at issue in our civilized world is the importance of the Internet along with its positive and negative aspects, both of which should be taken into account.

First, it would be worth mentioning that numerous benefits have been provided by the Internet as an unlimited source of information, a significant medium of entertainment and an inexpensive means of communication.

The Internet can serve educational purposes by providing people with a wealth of information on any subject under the sun. For example, language learners can easily search for information using a great variety of online dictionaries. In addition, students can have access to digital educational programs. Needless to say that teachers also often resort to the Internet so as to gain knowledge on their subject matter or teaching methods.

It is commonly accepted that the Internet is a popular medium of entertainment. For instance, downloading music is a favorite occupation for individuals, regardless of their age, gender or nationality. Moreover, playing online games is considered as an amusement that brings classmates, friends or relatives together.

Another positive effect of the Internet is its usage as a means of communication. It connects people from all over the world at the simple press of a button. The potential of applications such as Skype, or social media like Twitter and Facebook, is fully realized only when one considers how much they have facilitated the communication process with our loved ones or with long-distance friends. Additionally, this important means helps connect employees, manager and customers for professional purposes in a more efficient manner.

Despite the many advantages, the drawbacks of the Internet should not be ignored. The addiction to the Internet is a current matter that should be carefully considered. Not only teenagers but also adults often lose track of time while chatting or playing games for hours on end. The excessive use of the Internet, especially by students, has raised controversy between them and parents. Of course, students had better study so as to perform better at school, instead of being glued to online games and sometimes staying up all night. But the Internet conceals another significant negative aspect. Some crooks use cunning methods with intention of stealing bank account details from chat users thus committing identity theft.

Taking everything into consideration, it is clear to me that the benefits of the Internet outweigh its drawbacks. This invention has made communication easier and cheaper. If we avoid giving personal information and use it in moderation, we shall reap all the benefits of the virtual world while at the same time avoiding its dangers.
 

The Impact of the Internet, by George

There is no doubt that technological advancement has brought about a new era in the way we buy and sell goods. Admittedly, the invention that has had the greatest impact is that of the Internet. The advent of the Internet gave rise to online shopping, which is gaining more and more momentum. Online shopping has transformed the consumer behaviour as well as certain aspects of their lives in both positive and negative ways.

To begin with, we should consider the benefits of buying and selling goods and services online. First and foremost, the main advantage of online shopping is its convenience. Customers do not have to show up in a store to buy what they need - rather, they do so in the comfort of their house. All you need is a device with internet connectivity, be it a computer, smartphone, or tablet. A further advantage of online shopping is that it enables you to access a much broader market - a market that transcends the narrow borders of your country. A person in Europe can purchase something in the US and have it delivered at home at the simple press of a button. This means that you have access to more products - products that may not be available at the local shops. On top of that, online shops often have various filtering sorting capabilities that allow you to quickly find what you are searching for. Another feature that makes online shopping very attractive is the fact that the products usually have detailed customer reviews and ratings. Thus customers can in some cases get a better feeling of the product quality, a capability that you do not have when you buy something at a regular shop. The experience of using a product is very different to the impression you get at the shop. By reading customer reviews you have the opportunity to learn things like the durability or the performance of a product.

 As mentioned above, the Internet has influenced the way we sell products as well. Although not as many people sell online as they buy, selling used items has become a lot easier since the advent of the Internet and especially the creation of online ads and auction sites. Traditionally, people sold belongings they did not need anymore by publishing ads in newspapers. In this time and age, posting advertisements online has become very popular. Since selling things has been made easier, more and more people are selling old belongings.

On the other hand, online trading does not have only advantages. Shopping at the local stores is also a social activity. It is for many people a good opportunity to meet up and spend time together. Now that more and more people shop online, they meet less often to do their shopping together. Another important aspect of e-shopping relates to security. There are cases where people have fallen victims of fraud - where credit card data have been stolen, and thieves have withdrawn a large amount of money from bank accounts. Today online payments are generally safe, but still there are vulnerabilities that can be exploited by internet thieves. Last but not least, online shopping has had an impact on local economies, too. The capability to buy a product cheaper and import it from another country benefit large international stores at the expense of the local ones.

All in all, the Internet has had a considerable impact on the way we buy and sell goods and by extension on our lives. It has opened a window to a broader market and has made purchasing easier and more convenient. On the other hand, as a result of this convenience people tend to meet less to do their shopping together. 

Gender Inequality in the Job Market, by George

Women and men are often considered to possess different strengths and weaknesses. This is often reflected in the job market, where certain professions are traditionally dominated by men, while others by women. In some professions the prejudice against men or women is so strong that they may even be excluded from these professions. However, I am of the opinion that, wherever possible, gender equality should be encouraged.

Moreover, in the male-dominated professions, women find it very difficult to climb the career ladder due to this discrimination. By the same token, men do not easily get promotions or pay raises in female-dominated professions.

Such examples are very common in professions that require manual labour as well as professions related to technology and executive positions. In construction, police or firefighting women are seen as lacking the physical strength needed to perform the tasks associated with these jobs. In technology-related fields like IT, there is this stereotype that men are more talented (probably because technology is usually more attractive to men than women). In the case of executive positions, men are often considered as more competitive and dynamic. On the other hand, women are considered as more strategic, forthcoming, and emotional. Thus they are preferred as teachers, managers, nurses and waitresses.

Even though it might be true to some extent that men and women possess different strengths and weaknesses, judging somebody solely based on their gender is unlikely to result in a safe or wise choice. There will always be women who will outperform men in male-dominated professions and vice versa. Therefore, in my view, it is reprehensible to reject a job candidate because of their gender. It is equally unethical when somebody cannot climb the career ladder because of their gender. If someone does a very good job and does not get promoted even though they deserve it, then they lose their motivation and feel that their work is not valued.

Managers and the people involved in the process of hiring new people have to be fair and offer equal opportunities to men and women. They should assess the employees based on their performance, their skills and experience instead of innate traits like their gender. By doing so the satisfaction of the employees would increase since they would feel that they are fairly treated.

It is true that men and women are discriminated by their gender and they are not offered equal opportunities in the workplace. Although men and women might have, in general, different strengths and weaknesses, judging them based on their gender is narrow minded and can result in dissatisfaction in the workplace.

Extended Families, by Danae

Dear Editor, 

I read the article about extended families. An extended family refers to a nuclear family that lives with other close relatives of different generations under the same roof or very close - in the same block, for example. I am writing to tell you my opinion and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this issue. I am of the opinion that living all together is not a good idea because the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

To begin with, it is such a difficult thing to live under the same roof with other people of different ages because it may cause trouble. Older people need more rest during the day; on the other hand, kids and people of younger ages are more active. Their quite different lifestyles are bound to come into conflict sooner or later. For instance, younger people want to listen to loud music anytime during the day, while their parents or grandparents long to find some peace and quiet and relax in a tranquil environment.

Nevertheless, when living in the same place or in the same block of flats with your grandparents, uncles or aunts, it is also true that if you ever need some help, they will be there for you. For instance, if you have not got enough time to go to the bank to pay the bills, they may do it for you. Of course, they may contribute in many other ways such as by cooking or doing the household chores. In addition, one of the most significant benefits is that you find yourself in an emergency situation, they will be there to give you a helping hand.

Considering all of the above, it is clear to me that families should weigh out the pros and cons of moving in with relatives before they make up a decision. 

Yours faithfully, 
Danae Robertson

To Have a Pet, or Not to Have a Pet?, by Danae

Dear Alex, 

I read your previous letter about your considering buying a pet and I'm writing to tell you the advantages and disadvantages of having a pet - since I own one, I know both of them first hand.

To begin with, I believe that pets are a very good company for the reason that you never feel lonely. There are many activities that you may do together; for instance, you may go for a walk at the park or at the beach. In addition, you could play games together such as hide-and-seek or tag. A pet is ideal for only children as well as children who lack playmates. Moreover, a pet can develop a sense of responsibility in young people, because through this situation children and teens learn to be more mature and responsible, the reason being that they must look after their pets - clean them, feed them, take them to the vet for vaccination, and spend quality time together.

On the other hand, a pet may cause problems. More specifically, they may make noise all the time (for example, dogs may bark and annoy the neighbours) or do damage to the furniture. Cats may scratch the sofas and curtains. It goes without saying that owning a pet is also expensive because of the food you have to buy them regularly along with some bathing products, the visits to the vet, and of course some toys!

To conclude, I think that owing a pet isn't a very easy task because you'll have more responsibilities, but then again it's definitely worth the trouble as pets are the best companions.

Yours,
Danae

 

Convenience Food, by Danae

Nowadays there is no denying that people do not have enough time due to their demanding jobs, so they prefer to consume convenience food instead. Convenience food may be much easier to prepare than cooking from scratch, but it cannot be denied that is has some disadvantages as well.

First of all, people prefer precooked food for the reason that they do not have enough time to cook because of their tight schedules; for instance, it is ideal for businessmen and university students looking for time-saving solutions. Needless to say that it is cheaper than buying all the ingredients required for home-cooked meals such as vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. In addition, convenience food requires little preparation, often some heating in the microwave, which - as its name suggests - proves very convenient and practical.

On the other hand, when consumed on a regular basis, convenience foods are very harmful to people's health mainly due to their high concentration of preservatives and artificial substances. Not knowing much about the origin or quality of the convenience foods' ingredients means that we also lack information about the nutritious value of precooked meals.

According to doctors and dietitians, it is imperative that more people adopt a healthier diet, including more vegetables, fruit, homemade meals, and a lot of water. They should replace fizzy drinks like cola with a glass of fresh juice or water. Moreover, they should cut down on eating hamburgers, chips, and precooked meals.

All things considered, if people keep eating junk food or precooked meals regularly, they will eventually face health problems.

Zoos: A Mixed Blessing, by Themis

Zoos are indeed a mixed blessing as they have a lot to offer to both people and non-human animals but also entail certain negative consequences which we will get back to in a minute. People benefit from their visit to zoos greatly as they - especially children -  are given the chance to see and observe from up close non-native animal species, which they would otherwise most probably see solely on book pages or a screen (unless a restless, adventurous traveler resides within them)! On a community level, people also profit from the increase in tourism that is attributed to the creation and maintenance of such wildlife parks. As far as animals are concerned, they allegedly have a lot to gain from living in captivity since they are provided with everything, from food and water to constant veterinary care, not to mention the fact that they are kept safe from hunters, predators and running the risk of extinction.

It may sound like a paradise but unfortunately this is not the case. To put everything in perspective, a zoo and an animal circus differ only in that the former usually has a research centre; other than that, for the most part they both serve as cashcow entertainment centres whose purpose is to attract visitors and part them from their money in the name of education and recreation. The burning question is, of course: what can one learn or how can one feel excitement when seeing a tortured, depressed animal confined in such small artificial spaces?

Οι ζωολογικοί κήποι φαινομενικά έχουν πολλά πλεονεκτήματα και για τους ανθρώπους και για τα ζώα που ζουν σε αυτούς, αλλά ας μην ξεχνάμε και τις ουκ ολίγες αρνητικές συνέπειες που επιφέρουν, σε μερικές από τις οποίες θα αναφερθούμε παρακάτω. Οι άνθρωποι επωφελούνται από μία επίσκεψή τους σε ζωολογικό, ειδικά τα παιδιά, γιατί τους δίνεται η ευκαιρία να δουν και να παρατηρήσουν ξένα είδη άγριων ζώων από κοντά, ζώα που κατά πάσα πιθανότητα θα βλέπανε μόνο σε σελίδες βιβλίων ή στην μικρή και μεγάλη οθόνη (εκτός κι αν κρύβουν έναν ανήσυχο, περιπετειώδη ταξιδιώτη μέσα τους)! Σε τοπικό επίπεδο μάλιστα, οι άνθρωποι επωφελούνται και οικονομικά χάρη στην αύξηση τουρισμού που συχνά αποδίδεται στην ύπαρξη μεγάλων ζωολογικών στην περιοχή. Όσον αφορά τα ζώα, υποτίθεται ότι κι αυτά επωφελούνται άμεσα από τη ζωή σε αιχμαλωσία καθώς τους παρέχονται τα πάντα, από φαγητό και νερό μέχρι διαρκή κτηνιατρική φροντίδα, για να μην αναφέρουμε το ότι προστατεύονται από κυνηγούς, ζώα-θηρευτές, και την πιθανότητα να εξαφανιστεί το είδος τους.

Μπορεί να ακούγεται σαν ένας μικρός παράδεισος για τα ζώα αυτά, αλλά δυστυχώς δεν είναι έτσι. Για να δούμε τα πράγματα στις πραγματικές τους διαστάσεις, ένας ζωολογικός κήπος και ένα τσίρκο διαφέρουν μόνο στο ότι το πρώτο συνήθως διαθέτει και ένα ερευνητικό κέντρο, κατά τ'άλλα λειτουργούν και τα δύο σαν ψυχαγωγικά κέντρα-χρυσωρυχεία των οποίων ο σκοπός είναι να προσελκύσουν πολλούς επισκέπτες και να τους πάρουν όσα περισσότερα χρήματα γίνεται στο όνομα της εκπαίδευσης και της ψυχαγωγίας. Το ερώτημα είναι: πώς είναι δυνατόν κάποιος να μαθαίνει και να ψυχαγωγείται όταν βλέπει ένα βασανισμένο, δυστυχισμένο ζώο μέσα σε τόσο μικρούς τεχνητούς χώρους;

Alternative Medicine, by Themis

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Usefulness of the Internet, by Sophia

Sophia is taking the IELTS exams in the coming weeks, so at this point we would like to praise her hard work and the staggering progress she has made over these last 3 months or so. Best of luck, Sophia!

Η Σοφία θα δώσει τις εξετάσεις IELTS τις επόμενες βδομάδες, οπότε σε αυτό το σημείο θα θέλαμε να επαινέσουμε τη σκληρή δουλειά και τη συγκλονιστική πρόοδο που σημείωσε τους τελευταίους 3 μήνες. Καλή επιτυχία, Σοφία!

IELTS Writing Task 1: Bar chart, by Sophia

Sophia is a young adult that is endowed with a wide range of talents and qualities including perfectionism and determination. When she sets a goal, she doesn't joke around.. she works incredibly hard 24/ 7 till she achieves the goal in question. Her latest goal? A couple of months ago she decided to take the IELTS exams in late April. What you see above is just one of the countless writing tasks she has done!

Η Σοφία είναι μία ενήλικη μαθήτρια με πολλά ταλέντα και αρετές, που πάντα επιδιώκει να γίνεται καλύτερη και το πετυχαίνει με την αποφασιστικότητά της. Όταν βάζει ένα στόχο, δεν αστειεύεται.. αλλά δουλεύει σκληρά συνεχώς μέχρι να πετύχει τον εκάστοτε στόχο. Ο τελευταίος της στόχος; Πριν από 1-2 μήνες αποφάσισε να δώσει τις εξετάσεις IELTS τέλη Απριλίου. Παραπάνω βλέπετε απλά μία από τις αμέτρητες εργασίες που έχει γράψει!

Essay about Public Transport, by Joanna

This is another great sample of Joanna's writing tasks, only this time it is an essay discussing the pros and cons of using public transport to get around in the city.

Αυτό είναι άλλο ένα καλό δείγμα των εκθέσεων της Joanna, αυτή τη φορά είναι ένα essay για τα πλεονεκτήματα και τα μειωνεκτήματα του να χρησιμοποιούμε τα μέσα μαζικής μεταφοράς στην πόλη.