WRITING TASK 2

ADVANTAGE - DISADVANTAGE ESSAY

I. STRUCTURE

Introduction includes 2 sentences:

 Background sentence: paraphrase the TOPIC
 Thesis sentence: Answer the question ( giving your opinion on whether
advantages outweigh the drawbacks and vice versus)

Body 1 (The first side of the argument)

 Topic sentence (advantages or disadvantages)
 Supporting idea 1: advantage/disadvantage 1
Supporting sentences
 Supporting idea 2: advantage/disadvantage 2
Supporting sentences

Body 2 (Your favorable side of the argument)

 Topic sentence (advantages or disadvantages)
 Supporting idea 1: advantage/disadvantage 1
Supporting ideas
 Supporting idea 2: advantage/disadvantage 2
Supporting sentences

Conclusion: Restate your opinion

II. SUGGESTED TEMPLATES

1. Introduction:
Paraphrase topic + YOUR OPINION
It is true that………………………………………………………………………….
Although the benefits of this can be clearly seen, I believe that the drawbacks are greater.
OR
It is true that………………………………………………………………………….
While I accept that…………………………………………………………………
, I believe that ……………………….are more likely to have a harmful/ beneficial impact.
2. Body
Body para 1: Advantages/ Disadvantages (The side that you do not favour)
 On the one hand, ………………..certainly bring some major benefits / has some negative
effect.
Firstly,……………………………………………..
Secondly,…………………………………………….. For instance,………………………...

Body para 2: (Your favorable side)

On the other hand / However / Nevertheless, I believe that advantages are outweighed by
disadvantages/ I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks.

Explain……………… For example

3. Conclusion
In conclusion, it seems to me that the drawbacks/ benefits of ………………..are more
significant than the possible benefits/ drawback.

Question 1 Sample Answer ( NO OPINIONS)

In some countries young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between
finishing high school and starting university studies.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to do this

Before embarking on college many young people are advised that a year working or travelling
may be a good option. This essay will suggest that saving money is the biggest advantage of this
and a reduced motivation to study is the primary disadvantage.

Third level education is very expensive and lots of students decide to work for 12 months and
save up money before they begin their studies. This allows them to pay for their living costs,
tuition fees and accommodation and focus on their studies, rather than struggle financially or get
a part-time job on top of their academic work. The Times recently reported that the average
student at a UK university requires over $12,000 per annum just to survive and many drop out
because they cannot afford to stay.

Despite these advantages, many students often get used to working or travelling and don’t want
to return to a life of study after a year off. This short-term view can cause some to bypass
university altogether and go straight into a job that is beneath their capabilities or may not offer
the same prospects their future career might have done. For instance, a recent survey by the
British Government found that 26% of students who take a gap-year never enter tertiary
education.
In conclusion, taking a break from studies can be advantageous if it allows people to gather up
savings, however, they should also be careful that it does not lead to disillusionment with
education altogether.

(252 words)

EXAMPLE:

Topic: Universities and colleges are now offering qualifications through distance learning
from the Internet rather than teachers in the classroom. Do you think the advantages of
this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Thanks to the development of innovative technologies, especially the internet, many students
now can obtain/get/gain verified qualifications through distance learning programs without
having to be present in the traditional classroom. Although the benefits of this can be clearly
seen, I believe that the drawbacks are greater.
One the one hand, distance learning certainly provides students with some major benefits.
Firstly, it brings a wide range of online classes with flexible schedules to people who find it
difficult to attend traditional classes on a regular basis, and this is a suitable way for them to
obtain a higher degree which might be crucial/critical/vital/necessary/helpful for their future
careers. For example, through/thanks to an innovating online learning system with flexible
scheduling and an unparalleled student support system, University of Phoenix is successfully
targeting/facilitating/helping working professionals who work full-time to effectively pursue
career and professional aspirations while balancing their busy lives. Secondly, with online
classes, there would be no geographical differences among attendees, meaning that students
from almost all places in the world are provided/offered the same chances to gain a certificate.

However, I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks. The first
drawback of online learning would be that online students and professors have relatively low
interaction levels, which may be an obstacle for students to fully comprehend the lessons.
Another drawback/negative effect of distance learning is that there would be no in-class
activities in which participants can not only have chances to work in a team but also share their
thoughts to together overcome an obstacle assigned by their teachers. For instance, Vietnamese
students often prefer traditional classes to online classes when it comes to learning English
because they tend to grasp new knowledge quicker through in-class activities in which they can
immediately apply what they have learnt in solving a language problem. Therefore, not all
online degrees are globally accepted, meaning that some international corporations may refuse
applicants with online qualifications.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the drawbacks of distance learning are more significant
than the possible benefits.

III. PRACTICE

TOPIC: As traffic and accommodation problems are increasing in the large cities, the
government encourages businesses move to the rural area. Do you think the advantages
outweigh the disadvantages?

Brainstorm:

Advantage: Disadvantage:

- Solve traffic problems - More operation and delivering cost

+ No more workers => fewer
vehicles moving on the street => no
more traffic congestions and
accidents
- Solve housing problem
+ people stop moving to cities to find
job => more places for
accommodation
+ commercial buildings can be
turned to residential ones
+ goods and products need to be
delivered where there are lots of
consumers (labor and transport are
required)
- Some types of business are not
suitable for market in the countryside
+ for example: hospitality, service
=> slow down its development, ruin
it

SAMPLE

It is true that enterprises are suggested to leave for the countryside by the states to help deal
with the housing and transportation problems taking place in developed cities. Although the
benefits of this can be clearly seen, I believe that the drawbacks are greater.

On the one hand, relocating businesses in the outskirts can be advantageous due to a
variety of reasons. First, traffic problems in many metropolises can be enhanced
significantly if businesses are located out of the city. No one can deny the fact that thousands
of workers coming and leaving the office every day can cause terrible traffic congestion.
Moving companies to the outskirts, therefore, may help resolve this phenomenon/ concern.
Second, change in business location might lead to the improvement in accommodation and
living standard in developed cities. People will stop moving to the city to find job, and areas
which used to be commercial buildings can be turned into residential ones.
On the other hand, it is convincing to me that locating businesses in rural areas can halt
the development of many industrial activities. Business owners have to spend more on
operation and delivering cost due to vast distance. Specifically, more transport and labor
force are required to bring goods and products to potential consumers. Furthermore, some
forms of businesses such as hospitality or services are unsuitable for the countryside. It is the
sparse population and low living standard in these places that make it extremely difficult for
such activities. If all of them were forced to leave the city, it would create economic
depression or even contribute to the disappearance of some important fields.

In conclusion, while moving businesses to the outskirts proves efficient to a certain extent, I
believe that the disadvantages of this practice are much more significant.

(297 words)