Writing Task 2

Positive/Negative
Sample Question 1:

Today, many people use the internet and smartphones to transfer money to friends,
family, and businesses.

Is this a positive or negative development?

An increasing number of individuals today take advantage of online applications to

transfer money to friends, family, and various businesses. In my opinion, this is a largely
positive development though there is greater potential for fraud, particularly among less
internet-savvy segments of the population.

Those who oppose sending money online point out the potential dangers. When
transferring money online, there is a chance that one’s password could be exposed to hackers,
the transaction may be fraudulent, or the senders themselves might make a mistake in how
much money is transferred. Most younger people are able to avoid these complications but
older users are particularly vulnerable to fraud. For instance, every year thousands of retired
citizens fall victim to identity theft after opening phishing emails and naively clicking on the
links inside. Many of these individuals are unable to recover their money afterwards as
cybercrime is a complex, international problem.

However, online transfers are tremendously convenient for the vast majority. In the
past, a person who wanted to make a transfer to a family member, friend, or business would
have to make a trip to the bank, wait in line, and fill in various forms. Not only do online
transfers save time but they also allow for greater flexibility. Users can transfer sums to
multiple parties, monitor their transactions, cancel them or ask for refunds, and keep their
own records with ease. All these features would previously require additional trips and phone
calls with a physical bank.

In the aggregate, the time saved is a significant factor for individuals and business and
the main reason online banking has become the de facto norm in recent years.

Sample Question 2:

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using alternative
medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

In recent years, a growing number of unwell individuals have begun to adopt the use
of alternative medicines and treatments. In my opinion, though these can sometimes be
effective, this trend is negative overall due to the superiority of modern medicine.
 Those who support alternative remedies argue there is historical evidence in favor of
their effectiveness. A pertinent example of this would be the popularity of traditional Chinese
medicine in Asia. Many of their medicines and treatments date back hundreds or even
thousands of years. Over that time, they have been tested and their effect verified in some
cases. Contemporary health researchers are often able to later identify the scientific rationale
but it is possible there are remedies in use today that we still do not understand. This
ignorance should not serve as a justification to question their overall importance.

However, the vast majority of viable medical treatment is modern. Scientists now
understand more rigorously the underlying structures of cells, viruses, bacteria, cancers, and
various other maladies. This has allowed for the creation of undeniably effective procedures
such as surgery and the discovery of crucial medicines like penicillin. There is no doubt as to
why these medicines work and therefore in the future they will only become more refined and
safe. In contrast, traditional medicine may be effective for unknown reasons but its
applicability is limited and it will not advance overtime.

In conclusion, with few exceptions, traditional medicine is a better alternative to less

verifiable treatments and pharmaceuticals. Individuals can attempt to use them but should
rely on their usual doctors.

EXERCISE
1. Many cities are now turning parks and farmland into new housing
developments.

Is this a positive or negative development?

2. Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from
other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced.

What are the reasons for this?

Is this a positive or negative development?