Global challenges

   Global challenges

A challenge = a problem or difficulty to be faced

The West faces many challenges due to its ageing population.

Economic or political instability = a rapid, unmanaged change in a country’s economy or political situation

Economic instability causes many people to move abroad to seek reliable work.

Social unrest = riots, protests or fighting by the public against each other or the government

Social unrest is spreading from the countryside to the cities, and the police are not responding.

An issue = a topic, subject or question that must be considered

The issue of petrol price inflation is not often discussed in the media.

Pressing matters = urgent, important issues

I could not go to the college reunion because of more pressing matters at home with my family.

Joblessness = a synonym for ‘unemployment’

Joblessness among older people is actually higher than among recent graduates.

Economic prospects = the future possibilities for a national economy

The economic prospects for very small countries are quite positive these days.

Social mobility = the ability of people to progress in terms of salary, lifestyle and social status

The greatest aid to social mobility is good education and training.

The private sector = private businesses, as opposed to ‘the public sector’ meaning state owned or controlled services

I definitely want to work in the private sector after I graduate. It is a more stimulating environment than the public sector.

Demographics = the changes in society in terms of age, income, numbers, origins and location in a country

Demographic changes in Scandinavia have been dramatic, with substantial immigration and an ageing indigenous population.

Longevity = the tendency to have a long life expectancy

Japanese people have perhaps the highest longevity in the world.

To migrate = to move permanently between countries

Migration within the Eurozone is a highly controversial issue at present.

Brain drain’ = the tendency for intelligent or successful workers to migrate out of a country (usually expressed in quotes ‘’)

Southern Europe is experiencing a high ‘brain drain’ these days, because of the lack of economic prospects.

Existential threats = a threat to existence or life

The economy of my country faces an existential threat from collapsing oil revenues.

An outbreak = the start of a widespread problem such as disease or conflict

The outbreak of Ebola is a great concern for doctors globally.

Civil war = war between people inside a country

It will take many years for our nation to recover from the civil war of the 1990s.

Livelihood = the way a person makes a living

Many villagers sell handicrafts, as this is the only livelihood they can find.

Developed countries = countries considered to have advanced economies, industries and social infrastructure

Developed countries contribute aid to those nations affected by famine.

Developing countries = countries not generally considered to be fully developed yet Illiteracy is a huge challenge for developing countries to overcome.

Transport delays and long journey times are a widespread phenomenon in many cities today. What are the causes of this problem, and how could the situation be improved?

Band 9 model essay

Transport is an essential part of urban life, and lengthy journeys are frustrating and expensive for those concerned. There appear to be two main causes of this, and several possible solutions, as we will explain here.

Perhaps the main cause is the lack of investment or funding for infrastructure in the form of high-capacity public transport and increased road space for private vehicles. This means that too many vehicles use the existing network, and congestion is inevitable. We see this in most large cities globally, such as London or Tokyo. Many conurbations also lack finance for transport hubs, such as integrated road and rail facilities which could connect public and private transport, thus reducing bottlenecks. A further cause seems to be the problem of overcrowding in cities, whereby people migrate from the hinterland and settle in urban areas, putting strain on amenities, housing and above all on transport capacity. This means that an already stretched system is often pushed to a critical point, causing cancellations and breakdowns in the technology used, especially in situations of urban sprawl such as in Latin America.

Regarding potential solutions, probably the main remedy would be to encourage investment in better infrastructure, for example through subsidies or public-private partnerships as was tried successfully in Germany during the 1990’s. This enhances the network and fosters a sense of civic pride, to everyone’s benefit. Another solution may be to use tax incentives to allow more home working, so that there is less need to commute from the suburbs to the inner city for work. A final response might be the development of more flexible patterns of transport, such as communal carpooling, which would reduce reliance on existing systems and vehicles.

In conclusion, it seems that outdated infrastructure and overcrowding are the key factors behind our transport frustrations. Possible solutions would involve better funding, and also innovations in ways of working and travelling to reduce the burden on the system.