la la la:)

He is amazing! <3 21 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity

Volunteers recognised as 'green heroes' (Những tình nguyện viên được công nhận như là "Những người hùng xanh")

According to BBC Nature: Volunteers recognised as 'green heroes' - BBC Nature

'Green heroes' have been recognised for their voluntary services to the environment by the National Trust.

A group of green space guardians, a red squirrel champion and a passionate birdwatcher have all been selected for praise in the charity's annual awards.

After receiving 140 entries, the winners were chosen by the public via an online poll.

The awards are named for the charity's founder and social activist Octavia Hill.

"Being a volunteer is in our national DNA and it's great that these awards recognise and celebrate the commitment, passion and determination of the people that care for the green spaces that matter so much to them," said Helen Timbrell, Volunteering and Community Involvement Director at the National Trust.

"The standard of nominations for the Octavia Hill Awards this year was really high and shows that the spirit of volunteering is alive and well."

The winner of the "green space guardians" award was the Stroud Valleys Project, which celebrates its silver jubilee this year.

For 25 years, the group has turned unused land around Gloucestershire into green spaces. Hundreds of volunteers, including people recovering from mental health issues and addiction, have helped to improve local ponds and woodlands.

This year they have launched a "get growing' project in 23 schools and they are now aiming to improve 25 wildflower meadows.

Allan Davies from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, was recognised in the awards' "love places" category.

Since retiring, Mr Davies has volunteered in the National Trust-owned village of Cushendun for three years.

As well as improving the environment in the village, he started a conservation scheme to create and maintain habitat for the local red squirrels.

Finally, Mike Barratt earned the title "natural hero" for his dedication to wildlife in Norfolk.

He ran a 15-acre nature reserve at the power plant where he worked and has helped with the Marsh Harrier Monitoring project.

At 89 years old he still volunteers for four half-days a week, helping with wildlife queries, leading walks and hands-on management at the RSPB Titchwell Marsh reserve.

"I love being outdoors, always have; always enjoyed nature and the natural world," Mr Barratt said, explaining his love of volunteering.

"I can go into the natural world and give back a bit for what it's given me," he added.

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Theo trang BBC Nature.

"Những người hùng xanh" đã được tổ chức National Trust công nhận cho những tình nguyện viên bởi những dịch vụ tự nguyện của họ vì môi trường.

Một nhóm gồm những người bảo vệ không gian xanh, một nhà vô địch về sóc đỏ và một người đam mê quan sát và nhận dạng các loài chim, đều đã được chọn để vinh danh trong giải thưởng được tổ chức hàng năm của tổ chức từ thiện này. 

Sau khi nhận được 140 đề cử, người chiến thắng đã được chọn bởi công chúng thông qua một cuộc thăm dò trực tuyến. 

Các giải thưởng này được đặt theo tên của người sáng lập ra tổ chức từ thiện đồng thời là nhà hoạt động xã hội Octavia Hill.

"Được trở thành tình nguyện viên cho tổ chức quốc gia DNA của chúng tôi và thật tuyệt vời hơn khi những giải thưởng này được dùng để công nhận và khen ngợi cho những cam kết, sự đam mê và quyết tâm của những người đã chăm sóc cho không gian xanh một điều mà có ý nghĩa rất lớn" Ông Helen Timbrell, Giám đốc Tình nguyện và Cộng đồng của National Trust nói.

IELTS: Writing Task 1 - Bar Chart

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

Example 1: Source: ieltsbuddy.com

Model Answer

The bar chart shows the changing patterns of transport use in a European city during the period from 1960 to 2000. In brief, the chart shows that the use of the car as a means of transport dramatically increased over the period shown, while the others fell.

In detail, in 1960 the motor car was used least as a method of transport with only about 7% of the population using this method but car use grew steadily and strongly to finally reach about 37% of the population by 2000. This was a massive 5-fold increase in use.

Over this same period, however, the popularity of walking, which had been the most popular means of transport with 35% of the population in 1960 having it as their preferred way of getting around, fell to 10%. Bicycle use also fell from a high of about 27% in 1960 to just 7% in 2000.

On the other hand, bus use was more erratic being popular with almost 20% of the population in 1960 and rising to a peak of about 27% in 1980 before falling back to about 18% in 2000.

(188 Words)

IELTS: Writing Tast 1 - Line Graph

Line Graph - Task 1 in IELTS Writing test.
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this task and write at least 150 words.

Example 1: (Source: ieltsbuddy.com)

The line graph illustrates the amount of fast food consumed by teenagers in Australia between 1975 and 2000, a period of 25 years. Overall, the consumption of fish and chips declined over the period, whereas the amount of pizza and hamburgers that were eaten increased.

In 1975, the most popular fast food with Australian teenagers was fish and chips, being eaten 100 times a year. This was far higher than Pizza and hamburgers, which were consumed approximately 5 times a year. However, apart from a brief rise again from 1980 to 1985, the consumption of fish and chips gradually declined over the 25 year timescale to finish at just under 40 times per year.

In sharp contrast to this, teenagers ate the other two fast foods at much higher levels. Pizza consumption increased gradually until it overtook the consumption of fish and chips in 1990. It then leveled off from 1995 to 2000. The biggest rise was seen in hamburgers, increasing sharply throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s, exceeding fish and chips consumption in 1985. It finished at the same level that fish and chips began, with consumption at 100 times a year.

(191 words)

IELTS: Writing Task 2

You should write at least 250 words. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Example 1: Write about the following topic:

People in all modern societies use drugs, but today's youth are expertimenting with both legal and illegal drugs, and at an increasingly early age. Some sociologists claim that parents and other members of society often set a bad example.
Discuss the causes and some effects of widespread drug use by young people in modern day society. Make any recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse.

Model answer: (Source: ielts-exam.net)

Youth drug abuse is a serious problem nowadays in many cultures. Not only is illegal drug use on the rise, but children as young as 10 years old are experimenting with alcohol and tobacco. The reasons for this behaviour are unclear, but certain sociologists blame the examples set by their elders.Parents who drink and smoke to excess are, in effect, telling their children that it is acceptable to abuse their bodies with drugs. Consequently, children may have a similar view towards illegal drugs, even if their parents are against their use. In addition, drug use shown on television and in films can only confuse children who are also taught at school that drug abuse is wrong.
The pressure on young people to perform well at school in order to compete for jobs is a possible cause of the problem. Many believe they cannot live up to their parents' expectations, and feel a sense of hopelessness. Also, the widespread availability of drugs means teenagers are faced with the temptation to experiment. Drugs are used as a means of expressing dissatisfaction with the pressures they face in society.
The effects of drug abuse are well known. Many young people's talents are wasted, and addiction to hard drugs can cost a user his or her life. Furthermore, those who drink and drive may be involved in fatal road accidents. The cost to society is great, and enormous amounts of money are spent on convicting drug dealers and on education programmes.
To conclude, I recommend that the only sensible way to solve this problem is to educate young people about the dangers of drug use, and to take steps to reduce the pressure of competition placed upon them.

IELTS: Writing Task 2 - Using the leisure time & Nuclear technology

You should write at least 250 words. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Example 1: Write about the following topic:

Some people think that it is important to use leisure time for activities that improve the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles.
Other people feel that it is important to rest the mind during leisure time.

Model answer: (Source: ielts-exam.net)

It is generally accepted that we all need leisure time to recover from the stresses of work and everyday life.
Personally, I prefer to be active during this time, as I think this suits me better. However, what we do with our leisure time is up to us and no one can say that any particular activity is the best.
Some people relax by watching movies, reading or surfing the internet. People who have physically demanding jobs may choose these types of activities. If you are a nurse or builder, you may feel that you don't want to do a five-kilometre run after work, because you are already physically tired.
Other people do very sedentary jobs. Computer analysts, for example, may spend all day sitting in front of a computer screen. At the end of the working day, they may be keen to stretch their limbs and improve their health by swimming or going to the gym.
Another factor that influences our choice of leisure pursuit is where we work. People who work indoors often prefer outdoor hobbies, whereas for people who work outdoors, the reverse may be true. I am a student myself and this involves a lot of sitting in lectures, so I need to get out into the fresh air afterwards.
In any situation, the important thing is that people need to stay healthy by choosing what is best for them. The only wrong way to spend free time, in my view, is to have a sedentary job and then go home and watch television.
Word: 258 

Example 2: Write about the following topic:
We have been living in the nuclear age now for over half a century. Since the first atomic bombs were developed, nuclear technology has provided governments with the ability to totally destroy the planet. Yet the technology has been put to positive use as an energy source and in certain areas of medicine.
To what extent is nuclear technology a danger to life on Earth? What are the benefits and risks associated with its use?

Model answer: (Source: ielts-exam.net) 

These days, many people are afraid of nuclear technology because of the dangers associated with its use. In my opinion, although it is true that nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat to life, the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes also carries some serious risks.Nuclear power stations provide an important source of cheap power for many industrialised nations and some developing countries. However, there is always the danger of radiation leaking from these plants. Even though safety precautions are taken, there have been numerous disasters such as the explosion of a nuclear plant in Russia not long ago.
Nuclear technology is even used to help cure some diseases such as cancer. Radiation can be applied to the body to burn away cancerous cells. This is, however, a dangerous procedure, and the application of radiation is almost always painful and not always successful.
The most worrying aspect of nuclear technology, though, is its use for military purposes. Enough atomic bombs have already been built to completely destroy the planet, and the real danger is that one day some country will start a war with these weapons. Too many countries now have the technology required to make such bombs, and there is currently much debate about how to control the situation.
In conclusion, nuclear technology certainly has positive uses, but is, nonetheless, dangerous. However, it would have been better if it had never been used to create nuclear weapons. If life on Earth is to continue.
Word: 245 

IELTS: Writing Task 1 - Bar Chart

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write at least 150 words.

Example 1: Source: ieltsbuddy.com

Model Answer

The bar chart illustrates the gross domestic product generated from the IT and Service Industry in the UK from 1992 to 2000. It is measured in percentages. Overall, it can be seen that both increased as a percentage of GDP, but IT remained at a higher rate throughout this time.

At the beginning of the period, in 1992, the Service Industry accounted for 4 per cent of GDP, whereas IT exceeded this, at just over 6 per cent. Over the next four years, the levels became more similar, with both components standing between 6 and just over 8 per cent. IT was still higher overall, though it dropped slightly from 1994 to 1996.

However, over the following four years, the patterns of the two components were noticeably different. The percentage of GDP from IT increased quite sharply to 12 in 1998 and then nearly 15 in 2000, while the Service Industry stayed nearly the same, increasing to only 8 per cent.

At the end of the period, the percentage of GDP from IT was almost twice that of the Service Industry.

Words 182

Example 2: Souce: Luyentienganh.com

Model answer: 

The graph shows the number of mobile phones and landlines per 100 users, for selected countries. Overall, most of the countries included in the graph have more mobile phones subscribers than landlines. 

Most European countries have high mobile phone use. The biggest users of mobile phones are the Italians, with 88 cell phones per 100 people. For example, Italy has twice as many mobile phones as landlines, with 88 mobiles per hundred people compared to 45 for landlines. Mobile phone use is low in Canada, with fewer than 40 phones per 100 people. Denmark is also unusual because it has slightly more landlines than mobile phones. 

However, in some countries, the number of landlines is higher than the number of mobile phones. One example is the USA, where the number of mobiles, at 50 per 100 people, is much lower than the number of landlines, at almost 70 per hundred. A similar pattern can be seen in Canada. The highest number of landlines in the graph is in Denmark, with about 90 per 100 people. In contrast, the lowest figures for fixed lines are in Italy and the UK. 

In conclusion, it seems that mobile phone use is higher in Europe than in North America.

Words 205

A Thousand Years - Christina Perri (Sub) ENJOY IT! :)

A Thousand Years

(Part 1)

A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

Heart beats fast

Tim đập liên hồi
Colors and promises

Những màu sắc và cả những lời hứa
How to be brave?

Làm sao để em có thể trở nên mạnh mẽ?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall

Làm sao để em có thể yêu anh, khi em sợ vấp ngã
But watching you stand alone?

Nhưng khi nhìn anh đứng một mình
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

Tất cả những hoài nghi ấy bỗng nhiên tan biến

One step closer

Một bước nữa thôi

[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you

Em mệt mỏi từng ngày vì đợi chờ anh
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

Người yêu à, đừng lo sợ, em đã yêu anh
For a thousand years

một ngàn năm rồi
I'll love you for a thousand more

Và nguyện yêu thêm một ngàn năm nữa

Time stands still

Thời gian ngừng trôi

Beauty in all she is

Cô ấy thật xinh đẹp
I will be brave

Nhưng em sẽ mạnh mẽ
I will not let anything take away

Em sẽ không để thứ gì cướp mất
What's standing in front of me

Những gì đang diễn ra trước mắt mình
Every breath

Từng hơi thở
Every hour has come to this

Từng phút giây trôi qua, để đến khoảng khắc này

One step closer

Một bước nữa thôi

[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you

Em mệt mỏi từng ngày vì đợi chờ anh
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

Người yêu à, đừng lo sợ, em đã yêu anh
For a thousand years

Một ngàn năm rồi
I'll love you for a thousand more

Và sẽ yêu thêm một ngàn năm nữa

And all along I believed I would find you

Em đã luôn tin rằng mình sẽ tìm thấy anh

Time has brought your heart to me

Và thời gian đã mang anh đến
I have loved you for a thousand years

Em đã yêu anh một ngàn năm rồi
I'll love you for a thousand more

Và em nguyện yêu anh một ngàn năm nữa

One step closer

Một bước nữa thôi
One step closer

[Chorus:]

I have died everyday waiting for you

Em mệt mỏi từng ngày vì đợi chờ anh

Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

Người yêu à, đừng lo sợ, em đã yêu anh

For a thousand years

Một ngàn năm rồi

I'll love you for a thousand more

Và sẽ yêu thêm một ngàn năm nữa

And all along I believed I would find you

Em đã luôn tin rằng mình sẽ tìm thấy anh

Time has brought your heart to me

Và rồi thời gian đã mang anh đến

I have loved you for a thousand years

Em đã yêu anh một ngàn năm rồi

I'll love you for a thousand more

Và em vẫn yêu anh một ngàn năm nữa

So Sick - Ne-Yo (Sub) ENJOY IT! ^^

So Sick - Ne-Yo ENJOY IT! ^^

Mmmm mmm yeah

Do do do do do do do-do

Ohh Yeah

Gotta change my answering machine 

Anh phải đổi cái máy trả lời tự động của mình thôi
Now that I'm alone

Giờ chỉ còn lại mình anh
Cause right now it says that we

Sự thật nói rằng giờ đây chúng ta
Can't come to the phone

Không thể liên lạc với nhau nữa rồi
And I know it makes no sense

Và anh biết rằng điều đó giờ cũng đã không còn ý nghĩa

Cause you walked out the door

Bởi vì em đã bước qua cánh cửa ấy
But it's the only way I hear your voice anymore

Nhưng đó là cách duy nhất để anh được nghe được giọng nói của em
(it's ridiculous)

Nực cười quá phải không?

It's been months

Đã vài tháng trôi qua
And for some reason I just

 Một vài lý do khiến anh nghĩ rằng
(can't get over us)

Chuyện chúng mình không thể kết thúc ở đây được

And I'm stronger than this

Anh mạnh mẽ hơn thế mà
(enough is enough)

Anh đủ mạnh mẽ
No more walking round

Anh sẽ không còn đi lang thang
With my head down

Với cái đầu nặng trĩu nữa
I'm so over being blue

Anh sẽ không trở nên buồn chán
Crying over you

Và khóc vì em

And I'm so sick of love songs

Anh phát ốm với những bản tình ca rồi
So tired of tears

Quá mệt mỏi trong nước mắt
So done with wishing you were still here

Vì thế anh sẽ thôi không còn ước có em ở bên nữa

Said I'm so sick of love songs so sad and slow

Nói rằng anh đã ngán ngẩm những giai điệu chậm buồn của những bản tình ca
So why can't I turn off the radio?

Nhưng tại sao anh vẫn không thể tắt radio?

Gotta fix that calendar I have

Anh sẽ phải sửa lại cuốn lịch của mình
That's marked July 15th

Nó đánh dấu ngày 15 tháng 7
Because since there's no more you

Bởi khi không còn em ở đây
There's no more anniversary

Cũng không còn ngày kỷ niệm nào nữa rồi

I'm so fed up with my thoughts of you

Anh chán nản vì những suy nghĩ về em
And your memory

Và những kỷ niệm của em
And how every song reminds me

Những bải tình ca khiến anh nhớ em biết bao
Of what used to be

Về những gì chúng ta đã từng

That's the reason I'm so sick of love songs

Đấy là lý do mà anh chán ngấy với những bản tình ca
So tired of tears

Khiến anh mệt mỏi trong nước mắt

So done with wishing you were still here

Vì thế anh sẽ thôi không còn ước có em ở bên nữa
Said I'm so sick of love songs so sad and slow

Nói rằng anh đã ngán ngẩm những giai điệu chậm buồn của những bản tình ca
So why can't I turn off the radio?

Nhưng tại sao anh vẫn không thể tắt radio?

Leave me alone

Hãy để tôi yên
(Leave me alone)

Hãy để tôi yên
(Stupid love songs)

Những bản tình ca ngu ngốc kia
Don't make me think about her smile

Đừng làm tôi nghĩ về nụ cười của cô ấy nữa
Or having my first child

Hay là thành bố của đứa trẻ đầu tiên
I'm letting go

Tôi phải dứt khoát
Turning off the radio

Phải tắt radio thôi

Cause I'm so sick of love songs

Bởi vì anh đã phát ốm với những bản tình ca rồi
So tired of tears

Quá mệt mỏi trong nước mắt
So done with wishing you were still here

Vì thế anh sẽ thôi không còn ước có em ở bên nữa
Said I'm so sick of love songs so sad and slow

Nói rằng anh đã ngán ngẩm những giai điệu chậm buồn của những bản tình ca
So why can't I turn off the radio?

Nhưng tại sao anh vẫn không thể tắt radio?

Said I'm so sick of love songs

Nói rằng anh đã phát ốm với những bản tình ca rồi
So tired of tears

Quá mệt mỏi trong nước mắt
So done with wishing you were still here

Vì thế anh sẽ thôi không còn ước có em ở bên nữa
Said I'm so sick of love songs so sad and slow

Rằng anh đã ngán ngẩm những giai điệu chậm buồn của những bản tình ca
So why can't I turn off the radio?

Nhưng tại sao anh vẫn không thể tắt radio?

And I'm so sick of love songs

Anh phát ốm với những bản tình ca rồi
So tired of tears

Quá mệt mỏi trong nước mắt
So done with wishing you were still here

Vì thế anh sẽ thôi không còn ước có em ở bên nữa
Said I'm so sick of love songs so sad and slow

Nói rằng anh đã ngán ngẩm những giai điệu chậm buồn của những bản tình ca

Why can't I turn off the radio?

Nhưng tại sao anh vẫn không thể tắt radio?
(why can't I turn off the radio?)

Nhưng tại sao anh vẫn không thể tắt radio?
Why can't I turn off the radio?

Nhưng tại sao anh vẫn không thể tắt radio?

The Woman I Love - Jason Mraz (Sub) ENJOY IT! :)

The Woman I Love - Jason Mraz

Maybe I annoy you with my choices

Có thể anh làm em bực mình với những lựa chọn của anh 
Well, you annoy me sometimes too with your voice

Nhưng này, thỉnh thoảng em cũng làm anh bực vì những lời nói của mình đấy
But that ain't enough for me

Nhưng nó không đủ để anh 
To move out and move on

rời khỏi em và bước tiếp 
I'm just gonna love you like the woman I love

Anh sẽ chỉ yêu em thôi, người con gái anh yêu à

We don't have to hurry

Chúng ta không phải vội vàng
You can take as long as you want

Em cứ thong thả bao lâu tùy thích
I'm holdin' steady

Vì anh đang ôm chặt rồi
And my heart's at home

và trái tim anh đã tìm được chỗ trú ngụ
With my hand behind you

Đôi tay anh luôn ở sau em
I will catch you if you fall

Và anh sẽ giữ lấy em nếu em có ngã
I'm just gonna love you like the woman I love
Anh sẽ chỉ yêu em thôi, người con gái anh yêu

Sometimes the world can make you feel

Thỉnh thoảng thế giới này có làm em cảm thấy
You're not welcome anymore

Em thật cô đơn và lạc lõng
And you beat yourself up

Rồi em tự đổ lỗi cho mình 
You let yourself get mad

Em tự khiến mình nổi điên lên
And in those times when you stop lovin'

Và những lần khi em ngừng yêu anh 
The woman I adore

Người con gái anh yêu hỡi!
You can relax

Em có thể thư giãn mà 
Because, babe, I got your back

Bởi vì, em yêu, anh luôn ở bên em này
Mm, I got you

Mn, anh có được em rồi! 

I don't wish to change you

Anh không mong ước em phải thay đổi điều gì
You've got it under control

Bởi vì em vẫn luôn làm chủ được bản thân
You wake up each day different

Mỗi sáng em thức dậy, em thật khác biệt

Another reason for me to keep holdin' on

Lại cho anh thêm một lý do để giữ chặt em
I'm not attached to any way you're showing up

Anh không thích những gì mà em đang cố gắng thể hiện
I'm just gonna love you like the woman I love

Anh sẽ chỉ yêu em, người con gái anh yêu thôi
Yeah I'm gonna love you, oh, yeah

Yeah, anh vẫn sẽ yêu em, oh, yeah
I'm gonna love you

Anh sẽ yêu em

You're the woman I love

Người con gái mà anh yêu 

Hie Hie Good luck to you, my dears! ;)

Oh, a pile of homeworks and an exam ahead. OMG T^T I just wanna die! :(( Hazz... So, there will be no blog for today ^^. Instead for this, Please enjoy this song as an appology! So excited! :)

Beneath Your Beautiful - Labrinth feat. Emeli Sandé

ENJOY IT! :) 

The Voice Kid Vietnam - I Love!!!

I love The Voice Kid Vietnam so much! I love this show!!! :) :) :)

So excited! Wow!!!

Are entrepreneurs born or can they be taught? - By Sarah Treanor, Business reporter, BBC (P2)

'Positive spin'

For UK business coach and turnaround specialist Peter Ryding, successful entrepreneurs are predominantly born that way.

"I would say the simple answer is 70% born, 10% nurture, and 20% trainable," he says.

Mr Ryding says such people have two core genetic characteristics, which he terms "adaptive thinking" and "seeing reality with a positive spin".

"A person with 'adaptive thinking' can spot a business need, decide what skills are needed to address it, and then apply them quickly and effectively. They can then do this again and again as new needs or requirements arise," he says.

"By 'seeing reality with a positive spin', what I mean is that entrepreneurs are better able to see if something is going wrong with a certain plan, and how to turn this into a positive by happily switching to something else.

"And for the 20% that is trainable - you can train people to manage stress, be better leaders, how to be tenacious, how to be humble, how to be positive. But if they don't have the underlying genetics, it is hard to do that."

Brian Morgan, professor of entrepreneurship at Cardiff Metropolitan University, says that while "inherited genetic factors" play an important role in creating successful entrepreneurs, most still need to be taught other vital skills.

"In general, about 40% of entrepreneurial skills can be thought of as 'in the DNA'," he says. "But 60% of the competencies required to create a successful and sustainable business - such as technical and financial expertise - have to be acquired.

"This can be through college courses, or by working for a few years with a large company in a sector that the budding entrepreneur is keen to enter, and to use that experience to acquire some of the fundamental business and networking skills."

Prof Morgan adds that entrepreneurs who get such training "are more likely to pay attention to detail, and to place their start-up on a more secure footing".

But while some experts on entrepreneurship highlight what they see as the vital role played by genetics, others cite different factors.

"I don't think genetics is in this, it is a person's early life experience which determines whether they could go on to become an entrepreneur," says Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University Management School.

"Often from my studies, the entrepreneur has had a negative life experience when they are young, such as their parents getting divorced, or being bullied at school.

"And they survive this, they learn from it, and want to bounce back, or prove people wrong. This determination makes them far more prepared to take calculated risks needed to be a successful entrepreneur."

Economic necessity

Whatever are the factors behind a successful entrepreneur, San Francisco-based technology investor Jennifer Moses, says that economic necessity on both sides of the Atlantic is making more people think about starting up their own company.

"There are fewer opportunities now in traditional professions, and necessity is the mother of invention," says

Ms Moses, a former Goldman Sachs banker who also used to be an adviser to former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"Many people are being asked to take redundancy and to take early retirement. And those people are going to have to find ways to generate income."

Ms Moses adds that to be a successful entrepreneur does not mean you have to make millions of dollars.

"For me it's about someone who starts a business, however small, which isn't on top of an existing corporate platform. It is a very broad church."

Luke Johnson agrees that the changing nature of the jobs market is making more people consider starting up their own companies.

"The workplace is a lot more fluid than it used to be, and taking charge of your working life can actually be a better choice, as you do, to a degree, control your own destiny."

He adds that for him, this control is central, because he couldn't work for anyone. He adds: "I'm totally unemployable."

Are entrepreneurs born or can they be taught? - By Sarah Treanor, Business reporter, BBC

You have got a great business idea and you think you could make a lot of money from it - what do you do?

Perhaps you set up your own company, dedicate your life to it, and through drive and determination make a fortune.

Or maybe you just forget about your idea, and quietly get back to your salaried day job.

While most of us fear we would be in the latter camp, the entrepreneurs of this world would undoubtedly have a go at the fist option.

But what makes a successful entrepreneur like Richard Branson or Mark Zuckerberg, the people who set up and grow their own profitable companies?

Are entrepreneurs born with the skills they need, or can men and women be trained? Or perhaps, is it all down to a person's early life experience? 

Family background. 

Self-confessed "serial entrepreneur" Luke Johnson, who had led UK restaurant chains including Pizza Express, Strada and Patisserie Valerie, thanks his father.

Luke Johnson

"My father was self-employed and still is, and at 84 is still working," says Mr Johnson.

"Having that role model in the house of someone who didn't want to work for anyone else, and wasn't dependent on an employer, was very helpful.

"I have found over the years, having worked with many entrepreneurs, and having met hundreds of them, that they all have, in their backgrounds, a close family member or friend who is a role model, a self-employed person or boss running their own company."

By contrast, Mr Johnson says starting a company would be a more difficult a proposition for people without any exposure to someone self-employed.

"If you personally come from a background where everyone is in a safe job, with a career which will surely last a lifetime, with a final-salary pension scheme, then the idea of starting out on your own without that security blanket can be very frightening," he says.

Two economics professors, David Blanchflower, of Dartmouth College in the US, formerly of the Bank of England, and Andrew Oswald, from the UK's University of Warwick, also agree that if a parent is self-employed it is a great deal more likely their children will go on to do the same.

(to be continued) 

IELTS: Writing Tast 1 - Line Graph

Line Graph - Task 1 in IELTS Writing test.
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this task and write at least 150 words.

Example 1: (Source: ieltsbuddy.com)

The line graph compares the number of car thefts per thousand of the population in four countries from 1990 to 1999. 

Overall, it can be seen that car thefts were far higher in Great Britain than in the other three countries throughout the whole time frame.

To begin, car thefts in Sweden, France and Canada followed a fairly similar pattern over the first five years ,all remaining at between 5 and 10 per thousand. The general trend though for France and Canada was a decline in the number of vehicles stolen over the period, with both at around 6 in 1999. 

In contrast, Sweden experienced an upward trend, starting the period at approximately 8, and finishing at just under 15.

Interestingly, car thefts in Great Britain started at 18 per thousand, which far exceeded that of the other countries. It then fluctuated over the next nine years, reaching a peak of 20 thefts per 1000 in 1996, and ending the period slightly lower than where it began, at approximately 17 per thousand.

(Words 173)

Example 2: (Written by me, Please let me know if you find errors :) )

The line graph shows the proportion of population aged 65 and over in three countries including Sweden, Japan and the US from 1940 to 2040.

In general, there are upward trends in the proportion of population aged 65 and over in three countries.

To specify, seeing a increase from about 9 percent to 15 percent for the first forty years, the proportiob of population aged 65 and over in the US decreases slightly to about 15 percent for the second forty years, before a significant rise to nearly 24 percent for the third twenty years.

Meanwhile, In Sweden, after a rapid climb from about 7 percent to 14 percent for the first forty years, the proportion of population aged and over fluctuates between 14 percent and 20 percent for the second forty-five years, followed by a rise to about 23 percent in the last years.

Strikingly, after a slow decline from 5 percent to about 3 percent for the first twenty years, the proportion of population aged 65 and over in Japan increses slightly to 10 percent for the second seventy years, before a sudden rise to about 22 percent for the third ten years.

In brief, the proportion of population aged 65 and over in three countries increase at least 2 times in 100 years from 1940 to 2040. 

(Words 220)

Avoid Getting Grillered At Your Office Picnic - By Kathleen Kingsbury, BBC

Office picnics can be fun - or they can be downright painful. 

Alex Abrams has always been competitive and ambitious. That’s how the then first-year associate found herself in front of a large bowl of hot dogs and baked beans at her New York law firm’s annual July barbeque. Her boss had asked her to participate in the hot dog eating contest.

“Of course, I had to win,” said Abrams, now 33-years old.

Abrams closed her eyes, slathered the first dog in ketchup, and downed it. She kept going. She was concentrating so hard on the task at hand that she missed the signal the contest was over. Eventually Abrams looked up to find her new colleagues watching in awe. She’d eaten 21 sausages — three times more than anyone else — in just under 12 minutes. 

“Eight years later, certain partners still only know me as ‘Franks,’” Abrams said.

Ah, the company summer outing. While there is some evidence that company picnics are a growing phenomenon in the United Kingdom, they are primarily a US tradition. The recession brought some cutbacks to such gatherings, but surveys in recent years suggest that office mates will once again find themselves together for company softball games, picnics or corporate beach parties.  About 55% of American companies had a company picnic, according to a 2012 Society of Human Resources survey.

Outside of the United States, summer outings are not as common, although spending some free time with managers is widespread in other cultures. In Japan, for instance, socializing with the boss at a karaoke bar or other nightspots after business hours is often required. 

In the US, bosses often see out-of-office summer outings as a chance to bond as team, to boost morale and to reward hard work. For employees, however, it’s not so simple. While having fun with colleagues and their families, workers must be careful to not have so much fun that those same people are whispering about you at the office for months afterward.  

Many employees loath the tradition, saying they have no interest in socializing with co-workers during precious free time.

Other problems can arise when colleagues meet outside their usual environment.   To dispel social awkwardness, some find themselves drinking too much.  Employees lose the ability to rein in their own inappropriate behaviour when drinking at events like company picnics, showed a 2011 study conducted by the University of Birmingham in England.

Recent research suggests that the events are not as successful at teambuilding as some bosses would like to believe. While social events allow homogenous teams to build bonds, that same benefit didn’t arise in more diverse workplaces, according to a paper published in the Maryland-based journal Organizational Science in February.

“Rather than bringing workers together, these activities can underscore differences,” said the paper’s co-author Nancy Rothbard, a management professor at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Still, it’s important to remember that office outings can be valuable networking opportunities. The best approach going in? Think of them as work.

“Your boss will be there, maybe your boss’s boss,” said Karen Burns, a careers blogger based in Seattle and author of the book Working Girl. “Which, sadly, makes it not a party but a business function.”

Here are a few tips on how to survive your company’s summer gathering:

Graciously attend.  Even if you dread such events, it’s important to show up. Management is throwing the party to thank employees, and to miss it is bad form, said Sue Fox, author of the book Business Etiquette for Dummies. “You don’t want to be known for never attending,” Fox said. 

Don’t stand out.  You will be scrutinised if you drink too much alcohol, make off-colour remarks, behave in a manner that wouldn't fit in your workplace or dress inappropriately (casual-Friday attire is usually safe, as is a modest swimsuit if there is a call for such attire). Don’t forget that any faux pas may end up being posted on social media. And, perhaps most importantly, even if you end up drinking a bit too much or saying something you regret, you must show up at work the next day or people will surely be talking.

Prep your guests. Most companies encourage employees to bring both partners and children to picnics. It’s important to discuss appropriate behaviour beforehand.

“Imagine it’s your kid that jumps so aggressively in the bouncy castle, it pops,” said Cathy Johnson, a Houston, Texas-based caterer with several corporate clients. Worse yet, what if your spouse takes this opportunity to complain about your long hours at the office? Make sure family members know what is off limits.

Mingle. It’s easy to stick with your closest colleagues, but make an effort to expand your office network, including getting to know the higher-ups. Still, Fox warned, “Remember it is a picnic, not a job interview and not everyone will want to talk shop.”

Play ball. Joining in games or other contests allows you be viewed as a team player. Play your best, but, Fox noted, play fair and be a good sport. It’s okay to admit you don’t know the rules or have never played before.

That’s a lesson Abrams learned the hard way. “I’m Jewish, don’t eat pork, had never had a hot dog before that day,” she said. Twenty-one hot dogs later, she fell ill and had to be driven home — by her boss. 

“He seemed less than impressed,” she said.