WRITING INTRODUCTION

Sentence 1: Provide some background information (optional)

Sentence 2: Paraphrase the question

Sentence 3: Answer the question

Templates:

1. Agree disagree: In my own perspective, I totally/partly agree with this view and will
support my arguments below
2. Advantages Disadvantages: This essay will examine the benefits and drawbacks of
this trend/phenomenon and provide a logical conclusion
3. Discuss both views: This essay will take a look at both sides of the argument and
provide a logical conclusion. Personally, I am in favour of the first/latter view.
4. Problems – Solutions: There are a number of issues associated with this
phenomenon and several solutions should be adopted to solve the problems.
Causes – Solutions: There are a number of reasons behind this trend and
appropriate solutions should be implemented to tackle the problems.

How to paraphrase?
1. Using synonyms
2. Change the structure
3. Change word forms
4. Combination

Example:

Some people believe that a country will benefit greatly if its students study
abroad. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 A number of people argue that a nation will have/gain a lot of advantages if its
leaners go overseas to study. (Using synonym)
 It is believed that students’ studying abroad will bring great benefits to a
country. (Change the structure)
 A number of people hold the belief that a country will receive several benefits
if its students study abroad. (Change word forms)
 It is argued that a nation will gain a lot of advantages it its students go
overseas to study. (Combination)
PRACTICE

1. Some school leavers go travelling or work for a period of time rather than
going directly to university. Do you think it has more advantages or
disadvantages?

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2. Some people think that it is more effective for student to study in groups, while
other believe that it is better for them to study alone.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion
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3. More and more people work at home and study at home with the development
of computer technology. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

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4. Many museums and historical sites are mainly visited by tourists but not local
people. Why is this the case and what can be done to attract more local people
to visit these places?

Although many museums and historical sites are always the priority of tourists when they
visit a city, its citizen rarely come here for some reasons.
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5. Today our lifestyle is changing and this affects family relationships. Do

advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Traditional lifestyle is gradually changing to the modern one, especially young people
style. However, some old people argue that the current lifestyle is incompatible with
them and as a result, this evolution has bad effect on their family relationships.
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6. Traffic and housing problems could be solved by moving large companies,

factories and their employees to the country side. Do you agree or disagree?

There are many opinions that the city's traffic and the lack of housing situation are
declining as a result of the growth of big businesses. For that reason, people said that
companies, factories should be displaced to the rural area.
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7. Many employers find that their new employees lack sufficient interpersonal
skills such as lack of ability to work with colleagues as a team. What are the
causes? Can you suggest some possible solutions?
There is currently a rather critical situation when many businesses declare that their
employees are lacking in teamwork skill, despite the fact that it is one of the essential
skills of every job.
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8. Students should be taught academic knowledge so that they can pass exams,
and skills such as cooking or dressing should not be taught. To what extent do
you agree/disagree?
Inspite of the fact that soft skills are essential for everyone, some people think that
students only need to learn academic knowledge well.
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