Text A

[1] Technology in food production is advanced in today’s society. However, hunger is still a major problem in many countries. For those who live in an affluent society, 'hunger’ may just mean a desire to eat for pleasure. However, for those living in poverty in some parts of the world, hunger is a real life-threatening issue.

[2] Hunger is never an isolated problem. It is the consequence of a combination of problems. First of all, the root of hunger is the uneven distribution of food among different income groups. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) (2000), over 50% of the world’s seafood and meat is consumed by the richest 20% of the world population while the poorest 20% consume only 5% of such protein-rich food. Inadequate intake of protein does not only cause hunger but also other health problems, such as marasmus and kwashiorkor. More importantly, as protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of muscles and bones, deficiency in protein can lead to delayed or even stunted growth in children.

[3] In addition, natural disasters and wars are common contributing factors to large-scale hunger. Prolonged wars and natural disasters like typhoons, floods and droughts often lead to ruined farmland and disrupted agricultural activities. Destroyed roads and tunnels also cause interrupted transportation of food. Consequently, food production is significantly reduced and the transportation of food is hampered. All these worsen the problem of hunger.

[4] Environmental pollution is another reason for hunger. Waste from unregulated industrial activities can pollute farmland and rivers. Excessive exhaust fumes from vehicles and factories result in polluted air and environment. The increasing emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributes to global warming, making the climate less favourable for the growth of crops. A likely result of the reduced amount of food production is a rise in food prices. When food, especially staple food like rice, wheat and potatoes, becomes unaffordable to people, hunger arises.

[5] In summary, hunger stems from both natural disasters and human-induced problems. No matter what the causes are, it is clear that hunger can have serious effects on people, especially children. To put an end to hunger, concerted efforts should be made by all countries to ensure a reduction in environmental pollution, a more even distribution of food and international peace.

Text B

[1] The First World War was the first global war ever fought in the history of mankind. More than thirty nations in Asia, Africa, America and Europe were involved in the warfare. The remarkably large scale of the War also rendered its impact extensive and far-reaching. Some of the causes and effects of the War will be examined in this essay.

[2] The emergence of extreme nationalism in Europe was one of the main causes leading to WWI because it called for absolute loyalty to one’s country and gave rise to foreign expansion. The desire to expand the influence of the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a case in point. In addition, conflicts among the European powers were frequent when they competed for colonies which could provide them with raw materials and new markets for their goods. Owing to the fierce arms race and the adversarial nature of the two alliances formed, the tension among the powers was further intensified. A large-scale war was an inevitable corollary when countries were reluctant to negotiate and compromise to resolve conflicts.

[3] The unprecedented scale of WWI brought about significant and extensive impacts in many aspects. Firstly, the fierce fighting among the participating countries and frequent bombing of cities resulted in casualties of around 8.5 million soldiers and 13 million civilians. Secondly, the War weakened some European powers, such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, to such an extent that their empires collapsed. Some territories were also divided among the winning powers after the War and the map of Europe was, therefore, redrawn. Thirdly, the mass movement of civilians and soldiers across countries during the War triggered off a rapid spread of the Spanish flu, which was the deadliest pandemic in history. Despite the destructive consequences, a positive backwash of the War was the advancement in women’s rights. Women alleviated the labour shortage created by conscription during the War and they proved their contributions in the agricultural and industrial sectors. As a result of the higher social status, there was a strong demand for women’s suffrage, which finally led to the enfranchisement of women in some European countries.

[4] In short, the outbreak of WWI can be attributed to a number of factors. Given its unprecedented scale, the War brought about far-reaching and devastating impacts in many aspects. Some of the unresolved conflicts and the aftermath of the War became the causes of the Second World War, which began in 1939.