A CLASS – IELTS FIGHTER

WRITING TASK 2: ADVANTAGES- DISADVANTAGES

In many cities the use of video cameras in public places is being increased in order to reduce crime,
but some people believe that these measures restrict our individual freedom.

Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?

It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent years. While I
understand that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe that the benefits do outweigh
the drawbacks.

There are two main reasons why people might disapprove of the use of video cameras in public
places. The first objection is that these cameras invade our privacy, in the sense that we are
constantly being watched by the authorities or by private security firms. Many people find this
intrusive and feel that the recording of their movements is a form of state control that curtails their
individual freedom. The second argument against the proliferation of CCTV cameras is that they are
being used as an alternative to police officers patrolling the streets. If this is indeed happening, then
it is unlikely that members of the public will feel safer.

In spite of the drawbacks mentioned above, I believe that the use of video cameras to monitor public
areas is a positive measure. The key objective of video surveillance is to deter criminals and to
prevent crime. For example, petty criminals like shoplifters and pickpockets are less likely to operate
in parts of cities where they know that they are being watched. At the same time, when crimes are
committed, the police can use video evidence to catch and prosecute offenders. Therefore, in my
view, video cameras offer valuable support to police officers, and they make cities safer for
inhabitants, workers and visitors alike.

In conclusion, it seems to me that we gain more than we lose from the enhanced security that CCTV
cameras bring to our cities.

275 words, band 9 – written by Simon

Techniques for logically developing ideas: REASON, EXPLAIN, EXAMPLE, RESULT, COMPARE, HYPOTHESIS

It is because + Clause For example/

The reason is that By way of _____________
The (key) ________ is that To illustrate,
It could be explained by the fact that A good/telling example is that ... Take A as an
example./Take A for example

……/...... contrast, As a ……………../As a ………………….,

…….. the other hand, Consequently,

 ADVANTAGES- DISADVANTAGES

● Discuss advantages and disadvantages of this trend

● In your opinion, do the drawbacks outweigh the benefits?
● Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Dạng bài không nêu quan điểm Dạng bài nêu quan điểm

Mở bài (2 Câu) Mở bài (2 Câu)

• Paraphrase đề bài Paraphrase đề bài
• Khẳng định vấn đề vừa có mặt tốt, mặt xấu và không nêu Nêu lên quan điểm cá nhân:
quan điểm
Thân bài: (5-6 câu)
Thân bài (5-6 câu) Thân bài mỗi dạng đều gồm 2 đoạn:
• Thân bài 1: Chỉ ra mặt tốt của vấn đề ● Với dạng ”outweigh”–chọn ưu điểm/nhược điểm có lợi
• Thân bài 2: Chỉ ra mặt xấu của vấn đề thế hơn để viết ở body 2
● Với dạng ”positive or negative development/ trend? –
thí sinh có thể chọn thảo luận 1 mặt hoặc 2 mặt của vấn
đề.
Kết bài (1-2 câu)
Kết bài (1-2 câu)
• Khẳng định lại vấn đề
• Khẳng định lại vấn đề

1) INTRODUCTION
(It is true/argued/believed that ….).

USEFUL STRUCTURE FOR GIVING OPINION:

I think that/ I believe that / I would argue that/ I am of the opinion that / I firmly hold the view that

In my opinion, / From my perspective,…

● Although this trend has some benefits, I would argue that there are more drawbacks.
 ● In spite of several benefits that this trend provides, it seems to me that its problems are more significant
● I firmly hold the view that the drawbacks pale in comparison with the benefits that this trend provides.
● A (far) outweigh B = A is more significant than B = there are more upside than downside
● While I accept that / I understand that A may have some drawbacks, I strongly believe that its benefits are
greater.
● In my opinion, this trend could have both positive and negative consequences in equal measure.

2) BODY :

Body 1:

Topic sentence:

● It is clear that A would bring about several advantages/ disadvantages regarding/ in terms of + N(phrase)
● On the one hand, there are a variety of disadvantages of/to A
● To begin with, A is problematic for a number of reasons// A can be seen as positive for several reasons.

Idea 1: One evident strength/ weakness is that it would.....  In other words,...

Idea 2: Another reason is that it would benefit/ handicap + sth/ sb…

Body 2:

Topic sentence:

● In addition, this development/ trend will lead to benefits/ drawbacks in various areas, especially ______
● On the other hand, I would argue that A is outweighed by B
● However, I strongly believe that A offers more benefits

Idea 1:  First,....... It means that ...... Idea 2: In particular, ...... For example,...

USEFUL STRUCTURE FOR INTRODUCING IDEAS IN BODY

• Firstly, ... | Secondly, ... //The main problem of A is that ... //Another _______ disadvantage of A is
that ...

• Moreover, ... is also a great/clear/key advantage.

• Furthermore, A also exerts a negative/positive influence on B.

3) CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, I would argue that the benefits of ….. (topic) outweigh the drawbacks. // To conclude, it seems to me
that the (advantages) of this … are more significant than the (disadvantages) as / since + Clause

Practice:
QUESTION 1: Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others,
however, believe that video games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them.
In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

QUESTION 2: Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online.
Is this a positive or negative development?
Đoạn body về drawback
1. Topic sentence:
2. The main drawback of the trend towards online university courses is that there is less direct interaction
3. (EXPLAIN): học sinh có thể sẽ không có cơ hội để tương tác trực diện với giáo viên và phải dựa vào giao tiếp ở
dạng viết.
4. Tương tự, học sinh học online sẽ không tương tác với nhau, (RESULT) và điều này sẽ dẫn đến ảnh hưởng tiêu cực
lên việc hỗ trợ lẫn nhau, thảo luận và trao đổi ý kiến.
5. (EXAMPLE: ) ví dụ, trong khi học sinh ở lớp học truyền thống có thể tham gia seminars và thảo luận môn học sau
giờ học, người học online bị hạn chế chỉ chat qua các forum.
6. (RESULT) Họ cũng có thể thiếu động lực và yếu tố cạnh tranh mà các nhóm học trực diện có thể mang lại

Viết thêm đoạn body về benefit

HOMEWORK: QUESTION 3: In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than
in the past.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Advantage Disadvantage

benefit Dr_wb_ck

str_ngth w_akn_ss

Positive /ˈaspekt/ Negative /ˈaspekt/

plus point ______ point

_ _side downside