Source-Based Writing Task — Practice Test 1
Thời gian: 75 phút
Dạng bài: Đọc 2 văn bản + 1 thống kê → Viết 2 đoạn văn
Đoạn 1: So sánh ý tưởng trong 2 văn bản (~150 từ)
Đoạn 2: Ý kiến cá nhân (~100 từ)
Cách thi: In đề, đọc trên màn hình, viết trên giấy, rồi chép bài vào máy
Source-Based Writing Task — Practice Test 1
Time: 75 minutes | Topic: Employee Well-being and Productivity
Text A: The Business Case for Employee Well-being
In recent years, a growing number of companies have invested in employee well-being programmes, including flexible working hours, mental health support, and redesigned office spaces. Supporters of these initiatives argue that happier employees are more productive, more creative, and less likely to leave their jobs. Research by the consulting firm Gallup found that companies with highly engaged workforces are 21 percent more profitable than those with low engagement. Furthermore, organisations that prioritise employee well-being report significantly lower rates of absenteeism and staff turnover. However, critics point out that many well-being programmes are superficial — offering free yoga classes or fruit baskets while ignoring the real causes of workplace stress, such as excessive workloads, poor management, and job insecurity. Some researchers argue that well-being initiatives can even backfire if employees feel pressured to appear happy and grateful rather than raising genuine concerns about working conditions.
Text B: The Role of Physical Environment in Workplace Health
A growing body of evidence suggests that the physical design of workspaces has a measurable impact on employee health and performance. Studies have shown that access to natural light, good air quality, and green spaces can reduce stress, improve concentration, and boost overall well-being. For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that workers in offices with windows received 173 percent more natural light exposure during work hours and slept an average of 46 minutes more per night than those in windowless offices. Despite this evidence, many companies continue to house employees in open-plan offices with artificial lighting and poor ventilation — environments that research has linked to increased illness, reduced productivity, and higher levels of noise-related stress. The gap between what science recommends and what most workplaces actually provide remains significant.
Statistic
According to the World Health Organisation (2024), depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated US$1 trillion per year in lost productivity.
Task
Read the two texts and the statistic above. Then complete the following tasks:
Paragraph 1 — Comparison (~150 words)
Write ONE paragraph comparing the ideas in the two texts. You should analyse the relationships between the ideas in the sources (e.g., similarities, differences, cause and effect). Use your own words as much as possible.
Paragraph 2 — Personal Opinion (~100 words)
Write ONE paragraph giving and fully explaining your own opinion on the ideas in the sources. You should refer to the statistic in your response.