VSTEP Writing Task 2

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 Discuss both views essay
Discuss both views essay- a common question
type in VSTEP Writing Task 2.
We will present the general outline and some
useful expressions in this kind of essay.
These particular questions require a different
approach to argumentative essays because you
have to discuss both sides rather than just argue
in favor of one side.
 Sample questions
• Some people think that celebrities should be
given more privacy. Others believe that the price
of their fame is an invasion into their private
lives.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Computers are being used more and more in
education. Some people say that this is a positive
trend, while others argue that it is leading to
negative consequences.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then
give your own opinion.
 General outline
• INTRODUCTION– rephrase the topic and state
your opinion
• BODY 1: The view you support (Reason 1+
Reason 2+ Explanation+ Examples)
• BODY 2: The view you DO NOT support (Reason
1+ Reason 2+ Explanation, Examples+ Rebuttal
[phản biện lại] )
• CONCLUSION
Sentence 1- Summary of main points
Sentence 2- State which one is better or more
important
 Useful expressions
• INTRODUCTION
To introduce the first view:
There are certain people in society which claim
that
It is argued by some people that
A commonly held belief is that
To introduce the second view
In contrast, other individuals espouse the idea
that
However, this is refuted by others who say that
To state your opinion
This is a controversial issue, but I believe that
Both sides have their own merits; however, I
believe the (former/ latter) view is more
reasonable.
To close the paragraph/ introduce the body
This essay aims to prove my claim
• BODY 1: You can start with “On the one hand,”
• BODY 2: You can start with “On the other hand,”
• CONCLUSION
In conclusion, although there are valid reasons
why……………, it is still more reasonable to
conclude that…………….
Therefore, while to a certain extent, it is
true………., I strongly believe that……….
VSTEP Writing task 2

Cause/Effect/Solution essay
 Causes/ Effects/ Solutions essay- a common
question type in VSTEP Writing Task 2. We will
present the general outline and some useful
expressions in this type of essay.
Causes/ Effects/ Solutions essays require you to
determine a scenario in which one action or
event caused certain effects to occur. Then,
explain what took place and why! This kind of
essay sometimes also asks us to propose some
solutions to the problem. The questions will only
ask for 2 of the 3 aspects (Cause/ effect or
Cause/ Solution or Effect/ Solution).
 Sample questions
• In some countries, it can be very difficult for
people over the age of 50 to get good jobs,
despite their experience.
What do you think are the causes of this
problem and what measures could be taken to
solve it?
• Cheating in school exams has been a serious
concern since time immemorial.
Why do you think children cheat in exams? What
are the long-term effects if this ubiquitous
practice is tolerated?
 General Outline
• INTRODUCTION– rephrase the topic and state
what are required
• BODY 1– Discuss the causes (or effects,
depending on the question task)
• BODY 2– Discuss the solutions
• Conclusion– summarize and restate task
requirements
 Useful expressions in the Introduction
• Developing countries, like Viet Nam, are faced
with a wide range/ plethora/ myriad of
problems, ranging from environmental and
socio-economic, and one of the most
concerning/ worrying/ alarming is…..
• [Cause+ Effect] The essay will not only analyze
the principal factors leading to this problem but
also highlight its outcomes
• [Cause+ Solution] The following essay will
attempt to present the reasons behind this
damaging phenomenon and then offer some
potential ways to address it.
• [Effect+ Solution] After elaborating on the
consequences of this important issue, some
measures that can be taken/ employed/
implemented to tackle it will be provided.
 To express causes
• This problem is caused by….
• This situation can be attributed to….
• One rationale that can be given to explain this
is…
• This can be traced to the fact that….
 To express effects
• A few problems have sprung out of this situation
• This issue has been a menace to society in
several ways
• Because of this, society is now facing various
hazards
• One vital consequence of this is
 To express solutions
• The problem can be successfully prevented
• There are several concrete steps we can take to
combat this threat
• Some suggestions can be given to solve the
problem
VSTEP Writing task 2

Argumentative essay
 Argumentative essay- a very common question
type in VSTEP Writing Task 2. We will present the
general outline and some useful expressions in
this type of essay.
Argumentative essay question usually voices a
controversial topic (các chủ đề gây tranh cãi) and
asks you to state your opinion of that topic (if
you are FOR or AGAINST).
 Sample questions
• Animals should not be used in scientific research.
Do you agree or disagree?
• Most people in developing countries do not have
food to eat and place to live. Instead of saving
forest to protect the environment, we should
aim to maximize land for food production and
making homes for the homeless.
Do you agree or disagree?
 General Outline
• Introduction:
– Introducing the topic.
– Giving background information and Narrowing the
topic.
– Giving your point of view and mentioning the main
reasons covered in the essay.
• Body:
– Reason 1 (with 2-3 supporting ideas).
– Reason 2 (with 2-3 supporting ideas).
– Counter- argument (phản biện lại ý kiến trái ngược với
mình)
• Conclusion:
– Restate your point of view.
– Summary is required.
 Useful expressions
• INTRODUCTION
First sentence: There is an increasingly growing
popular idea that…
There is an argument that…
There is a popular claim that….
Second sentence:
I, however, believe that….
I firmly believe that….
I believe in the truth/ veracity of this statement
…..and this essay will tackle the most important
reasons, considering [the main areas covered in
your essay]
• BODY
Giving the first point
First and foremost,
This is primarily due to the fact that
One crucial point to consider is that
Giving the second point
Moreover/ Furthermore,
More importantly,
We should also recognize the fact that
Expressing counter-arguments
(First sentence) Admittedly, it could also be said
that…
Some people continue to claim that
(Second sentence) Still, I would like to emphasize
that…
It is still my belief though that…
I reiterate, however, that….
• Conclusion
In conclusion/ To sum up
After discussing all the points mentioned above, I
can finally conclude that…
All in all, regardless of the points to the contrary,
it can be concluded that….
Considering all arguments put forward, I have
arrived at the conclusion that…
 TOPICS ON WRITING TASK 2 VSTEP
• Education
1- Formal examinations are the only effective
way to assess a student’s performance.
Continual assessment such as course work and
projects is not a satisfactory way to do this.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
2- Do the benefits of study abroad justify the
difficulties? What advice would you offer to a
prospective student?
3- Most schools offer some type of physical
education program to their students. Why is
physical education important? Should physical
education classes be required or optional?
4- Textbooks should be replaced by laptops in
classrooms. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this statement?
5- Many people argue that in order to improve
educational quality, high school students are
encouraged to make comments or even criticism
on their teachers. Others think it will lead to loss
of respect and discipline in the classroom.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
6- In some countries young people are encouraged
to work or travel for a year between finishing
high school and staring university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for
young people who decide to do this.
• Technology and media
1- Some people think that the increasing use of
mobile phones and computers have negative
impacts on users. To what extent do you agree
or disagree?
2- Do you think that modern technology, such as
the internet and computers will ever replace the
book or the written word as the main source of
information?
3- Some children can learn more efficiently by
watching TV. Therefore, children should watch
TV regularly both in school and at home. Do you
agree or disagree?
• Social issues
1- Nowadays, people have longer life span thanks
to the development in terms of health services
and medical treatment. What are the positive
and negative effects of this trend?
2- Prostitution should be banned. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?
3- Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to
solve growing traffic and pollution problems.
What is your opinion?
4- Some people prefer to provide help and support
directly to those in their community. However,
others prefer to give money to national and
international charitable organizations. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.
5- Same sex marriage should be legalized. Do you
agree or disagree?
• Travelling and tourism
1- Tourism is seen as a major industry for many
countries. However it tends to have a deleterious
effect on the environment and should be strictly
monitored. What is your opinion?
2- What are the advantages and disadvantages of
tourism? In general, do the advantages outweigh
the disadvantages?
• Science
1- Although many benefits may result from space
exploration, the costs involved are enormous.
There is debate as to whether this money could
be more wisely spent to provide for the basic
needs of mankind such as food, clean water, etc.
For this reason space exploration should be
restricted. Do you agree?
 Vstep task 2 (Collection 4)
Topic: You should spend about 40 minutes on
this task.
Write about the following topic:
Levels of youth crime are increasing rapidly in
major cities in Viet Nam.
What are the reasons for this? Suggest some
solutions.
Give reasons for your answer and include any
relevant examples from your own experience or
knowledge.
You should write at least 250 words.
 Over the last few years, many cities throughout
the country have seen an alarming increase in
the levels of youth crime. This has become a
question that not only the authorities but also
parents are concerned about. In this essay, I
would like to analyze some reasons for this and
suggest some possible solutions.
The causes of this issue lies in the way the youth
are brought up by their parents and the
increasing level of poverty in cities. The first
reason is connected with the family. In order for
a child to grow up in a balanced way, it is very
important that he or she must be nurtured by his
or her parents with love, care, and support.
However, these days, it is often the case that
children are neglected due to the fact that many
parents in cities now are too busy with their
work to give their children good advice and
support in time. Another factor to consider is the
increasing levels of poverty around the world.
We have seen with globalization the rich get far
richer and the poor get much poorer, and this
inevitably means that those who were
unfortunately born into a poor family and are
reluctant to work hard, but want to live in
 comfort turn to robbing and stealing. Reality
shows that they even dare to kill others to grab
what they desire.
To solve the problem, we should take several
measures on the part of families as well as
society. First, parents must spend more time with
their children to control what they do and how
they behave so as to offer them timely guidance
and prevent them from making a mistake and
then committing a crime. Second, those who
commit a crime must be severely punished; for
example, a teenage murderer can be sentenced
 to death. It is also essential that the authorities
send young criminals to a rehabilitation center,
where they have a chance to learn how to
behave well and get some vocational training so
that they can find a job to support themselves
later.
In conclusion, several factors have led to a
dramatic increase in youth crime at present, but
feasible solutions are available to tackle this
problem. I’m convinced that taking the above-
mentioned measures can help to reduce the
level of youth crime substantially in big cities of
Viet Nam. (Word count: 380)
Topic: Some people argue that immigrants should
adopt the local culture when immigrating to a
new country. An alternative view is that they can
adapt to a new environment by establishing a
minority community. What are your opinions?
Topic: Formal examinations are the only effective way
to assess a student’s performance. Continual
assessment such as course work and projects is not a
satisfactory way to do this.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
It is said that formal examinations are the only
effective way to access a student’s performance.
Continual assessment such as course work and
projects is not a satisfactory way to do this. In my
opinion, a combination of the two views may be a
better way of assessing students.
 Firstly, the aim of the assessment is to evaluate
how much the students understand the taught
subjects in total. Therefore, continual assessments
provide an opportunity for students and teachers
to quantify the performances of students for a
long term. Teachers could observe students during
the whole term and help them if necessary. As a
result, students may acquire skills that might be
suitable for future employment as an example of
projects or course work. Besides, course work and
projects can make students ready for formal
examinations.
In addition, formal examinations are not flexible
enough to assess other qualities possessed by a
student such as confidence, the ability of a
student to present a topic to the public. These
can only be done through other assessments
such as presentations and other course work and
projects.
Moreover, formal examinations that are taken in
educational institutes make students learn
concept and also memorize the things that they
have studied in their class. Some hard-working
students will get good marks, some lazy students
on the other hand, will get poor marks, which will
be fair in formal examinations and evaluate
students’ ability effectively.
In short, formal examinations are good means of
assessment but should not be used in isolation. It
is important to use them in combination with
continual assessment such as course work and
projects to balance both systems assessing the
performances and the progress of students.
 Topic: Since its development in the 1970s, the
internet has become a key tool for obtaining
information and for communication all over the
world.
Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of the internet.
Include reasons and any examples to support your
answer.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response
will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfillment,
Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.
 Nowadays , the internet is widely used in our
daily lives and work. The internet brings both
benefits and drawbacks, which will be discussed
below.
On the one hand, there are many advantages of
the internet. Firstly, the internet has made work
much easier. Sending emails and using video
conferencing in the workplace have made
business quicker and more efficient. For
example, in the past, people often had to travel
 long distances for meetings and now they can
video call instead. Also, thanks to the internet,
social life becomes easier. Nowadays people can
keep in touch with family and friends and
relatives their news quickly and easily. In
addition, meetings, parties and social events for
large groups of people easier to organize in this
way. Finally, finding out information online is
much quicker than visiting libraries or making
expensive phone calls.
 On the other hand, the internet has several
downsides. Some people say that the internet
makes people lazy. For example, people now do
lots of things online, like shopping and socializing,
when it might be better for them to do these
things in the “real” world. Furthermore, the
internet contains a lot of information which is not
correct. This is because anyone can put anything
they want on the internet and it is not always
checked for accuracy or truth. Users need to be
sure that the websites they look at are reliable
sources of information.
 In conclusion, the internet offers both
advantages and disadvantages. It is important
that you know how to use it effectively.

Word count: 268

Good luck!