Essay

Many young people leave home without knowing how to prepare even a simple meal. In my opinion, schools should definitely teach cooking, although there are some difficulties to consider.

The most important argument is health. If teenagers only know how to heat up ready meals or order takeaways, they are likely to eat too much salt, sugar and fat. Learning to cook with fresh ingredients gives them a skill that can protect their health for the rest of their lives.

On the other hand, the school day is already very full, and some people argue that there is no time for another subject. However, cooking lessons do not need to be long. One hour every two weeks would be enough to teach the basics.

Finally, cooking helps young people become independent and save money. A student who can make a cheap, healthy meal will find life at university much easier.

To sum up, I believe the benefits of teaching cooking are far greater than the problems, so every school should include it.

Nowadays it is cheaper and easier than ever to travel abroad, but more and more people are choosing to spend their holidays closer to home. Both options have advantages.

Firstly, holidays in your own country are usually better for the environment. Flying produces a large amount of pollution, whereas travelling by train or bus to a nearby region has a much smaller impact.

On the other hand, travelling abroad is one of the best ways to learn about other cultures. Trying new food, hearing another language and seeing how people live in a different country can open your mind in a way that books and films cannot.

Another point is cost. A holiday at home is often cheaper, since there are no expensive flights, and you do not have to worry about changing money.

In conclusion, I think it depends on the person, but for most holidays I would choose my own country. It is cheaper and greener, and there are still many places near my home that I have never visited.

Today we can look at famous paintings and ancient objects on our phones in a few seconds. As a result, some people believe that museums and galleries are no longer necessary. I strongly disagree.

First of all, there is a huge difference between a photograph and the real thing. When you stand in front of an enormous painting or a two-thousand-year-old sculpture, you notice details, colours and sizes that a screen cannot show.

It is true that visiting museums can be expensive, especially for families, which may be why some people prefer to explore collections online. However, many museums are free or offer cheaper tickets for students, so cost should not stop most people.

In addition, museums are social places. Going with friends, talking about what you see and taking part in workshops are all experiences that a website cannot really offer.

In my view, online collections are useful for research, but they cannot replace a real visit. Museums and galleries still play an important role in our society.