LESSON ONE

A. DETERMINING THE KIND OF ISSUE

1. OPINION
2. SUGGESTION
3. PHENOMENON
4. PREDICTION

EXERCISE 1

1. Some people believe that sport is an essential part of school life for children,
while others feel it should be purely optional. Discuss these opposing views
and give your own opinion.

2. Some people feel that it is always wrong to keep animals in captivity, for
instance in zoos. Other people say that there are benefits for the animals and
for humans. Discuss both sides of this debate, and give your personal view.

3. Some people believe that a gap year between school and university is a good
idea, while others disagree strongly. Consider both sides of this debate and
present your own opinion.

4. Some people think that it is best to save money, for example in a bank or
savings scheme. Other people feel that money should be spent whenever it is
available. Discuss these views and reach an opinion on this debate.

5. It is better to save money than to spend it. How far do you agree with this
statement? Is saving more important than spending in today’s world?

6. ‘Tourism is always a force for good which enables people of different

countries to understand each other.’ To what extent do you agree with this
idea?

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 7. ‘We should introduce laws to make businesses and state services employ equal
numbers of male and female workers in every department or area of the
company.’ How far do you support this idea?

8. “Prison is the only truly effective form of punishment, because it separates

criminals from society.” To what extent do you support this view?

9. Many people today are worried about ‘cybercrime’ such as hacking and
identity theft. What problems does ‘cybercrime’ cause, and what solutions can
you suggest for ordinary people and businesses to take?

10. Many people today are worried about young children using video games. What
problems might these games cause for children and society as a whole? How
could these problems be reduced?

11. In many countries today, there are concerns about the unhealthy lifestyles
that people lead. What health issues are linked to modern lifestyles? What
answers to these problems can you suggest?

12. Having police officers patrolling the streets is often considered an essential
way to reduce crime. How effective do you think police street patrols are?
What other ways of reducing crime can you propose?

13. Many countries today are experiencing high levels of migration from rural
areas to cities. What are the causes of this trend, and what effects does it have
on the existing city dwellers?

14. In many countries, financial crime involving identity theft is increasing. What
are the causes of this trend, and what effect does identity theft have on the
victims involved?

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 15. Many people today find it difficult to balance the demands of their work and
personal life. What are the causes of this situation, and what can individuals
and employers do to reduce the problem?

B. DETERMINING KEY WORDS

EXERCISE 2

1. Some people believe that sport is an essential part of school life for children,
while others feel it should be purely optional. Discuss these opposing views
and give your own opinion.

2. Some people feel that it is always wrong to keep animals in captivity, for
instance in zoos. Other people say that there are benefits for the animals and
for humans. Discuss both sides of this debate, and give your personal view.

3. Some people believe that a gap year between school and university is a good
idea, while others disagree strongly. Consider both sides of this debate and
present your own opinion.

4. Some people think that it is best to save money, for example in a bank or
savings scheme. Other people feel that money should be spent whenever it is
available. Discuss these views and reach an opinion on this debate.

5. It is better to save money than to spend it. How far do you agree with this
statement? Is saving more important than spending in today’s world?

6. ‘Tourism is always a force for good which enables people of different

countries to understand each other.’ To what extent do you agree with this
idea?

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 7. ‘We should introduce laws to make businesses and state services employ equal
numbers of male and female workers in every department or area of the
company.’ How far do you support this idea?

8. “Prison is the only truly effective form of punishment, because it separates

criminals from society.” To what extent do you support this view?

9. Many people today are worried about ‘cybercrime’ such as hacking and
identity theft. What problems does ‘cybercrime’ cause, and what solutions can
you suggest for ordinary people and businesses to take?

10. Many people today are worried about young children using video games. What
problems might these games cause for children and society as a whole? How
could these problems be reduced?

11. In many countries today, there are concerns about the unhealthy lifestyles
that people lead. What health issues are linked to modern lifestyles? What
answers to these problems can you suggest?

12. Having police officers patrolling the streets is often considered an essential
way to reduce crime. How effective do you think police street patrols are?
What other ways of reducing crime can you propose?

13. Many countries today are experiencing high levels of migration from rural
areas to cities. What are the causes of this trend, and what effects does it have
on the existing city dwellers?

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 14. In many countries, financial crime involving identity theft is increasing. What
are the causes of this trend, and what effect does identity theft have on the
victims involved?

15. Many people today find it difficult to balance the demands of their work and
personal life. What are the causes of this situation, and what can individuals
and employers do to reduce the problem?

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C. UNDERSTANDING TASK INSTRUCTION

EXERCISE 3

A. Cause-Effect

B. Problem-Solution:

1. Cause-Solution to Cause

2. Cause-Solution to Issue

3. Effect-Solution to Effect

4. Effect-Solution to Issue

C. Third People’s Opinion

D. Writer’s Opinion

E. Mix

F. Combination

1. Opinion-Proposal

2. Proposal-Opinion

Use the information above to identify the following task instructions:

1. Many people today are worried about ‘cybercrime’ such as hacking and identity
theft. What problems does ‘cybercrime’ cause, and what solutions can you suggest
for ordinary people and businesses to take?

2. Many people today are worried about young children using video games. What
problems might these games cause for children and society as a whole? How
could these problems be reduced?

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3. In many countries today, there are concerns about the unhealthy lifestyles that
people lead. What health issues are linked to modern lifestyles? What answers to
these problems can you suggest?

4. Having police officers patrolling the streets is often considered an essential way
to reduce crime. How effective do you think police street patrols are? What other
ways of reducing crime can you propose?

5. Many countries today are experiencing high levels of migration from rural areas
to cities. What are the causes of this trend, and what effects does it have on the
existing city dwellers?

6. In many countries, financial crime involving identity theft is increasing. What are
the causes of this trend, and what effect does identity theft have on the victims
involved?

7. Many people today find it difficult to balance the demands of their work and
personal life. What are the causes of this situation, and what can individuals and
employers do to reduce the problem?

8. Some people believe that sport is an essential part of school life for children,
while others feel it should be purely optional. Discuss these opposing views and
give your own opinion.

9. Some people feel that it is always wrong to keep animals in captivity, for instance
in zoos. Other people say that there are benefits for the animals and for humans.
Discuss both sides of this debate, and give your personal view.

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10. Some people believe that a gap year between school and university is a good idea,
while others disagree strongly. Consider both sides of this debate and present
your own opinion.

11. Some people think that it is best to save money, for example in a bank or savings
scheme. Other people feel that money should be spent whenever it is available.
Discuss these views and reach an opinion on this debate.

12. It is better to save money than to spend it. How far do you agree with this
statement? Is saving more important than spending in today’s world?

13. ‘Tourism is always a force for good which enables people of different countries to
understand each other.’ To what extent do you agree with this idea?

14. ‘We should introduce laws to make businesses and state services employ equal
numbers of male and female workers in every department or area of the
company.’ How far do you support this idea?

15. “Prison is the only truly effective form of punishment, because it separates
criminals from society.” To what extent do you support this view?


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D. IDENTIFYING THE ELEMENTS OF ESSAY

EXERCISE 4

IS: Issue

TST: Thesis Statement

BR: Bridging (words, phrases, or sentences)

RV: Reporting View

IP: Impersonal Style

TS: Topic Sentence

SS: Supporting Sentence

SD: Supporting Details

OV: Opposing View

RA: Rejecting Argument

PV: Proviso

BA: Balancing Argument

Use the information above to identify the elements of essay from the following
model essay:

1. Some people believe that sport is an essential part of school life for
children, while others feel it should be purely optional. Discuss these
opposing views and give your own opinion.

Sport continues to be a controversial topic in the school curriculum, just as sport itself
has become a controversial industry in some respects (_____). There are valid opinions on
both sides, which I will consider now (_____).

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On the one hand (_____), some people feel that (_____) sport uses up time (_____) that
could be better spent on academic subjects (_____) such as exam preparation (_____). In
addition (_____), it might be said that (_____) it is unwise to force children (_____) to do
activities that they have no interest in (_____). After all (_____), some youngsters are just
not sporty (_____), and should be allowed to study instead (_____). Finally (_____), there
are question marks over the wholesomeness of sport itself (_____), with drugging and
corruption scandals increasingly common (_____), as we see in cycling at present (_____).
Some people believe that (_____) this lack of morals sets a poor example to young people
(_____).

On the other hand (_____), though (_____), one major benefit of sport is that (_____) it
helps children’s physical development at an important stage (_____). If all their time was
spent studying, they would become unfit and their minds would eventually suffer (_____).
Furthermore (_____), supporters of school sport emphasize (_____) the importance of
team building in sports (_____) such as football or hockey (_____), which is often felt to be
an excellent preparation for adulthood (_____). Finally (_____), many people feel that
(_____) a competitive spirit, so important today, is fostered by sports at an early age
(_____). It is notable, for example, that (_____) many successful business people excelled in
sport at school (_____).

Overall (_____), I feel that sport should be compulsory for school children (_____), because
the positive effect on their mental and physical development outweighs the negatives
(_____). This is as long as (_____) children are given a wide range to choose from, to
ensure their interest is high, and that the sports industry itself maintains the highest
standards of conduct (_____).

2. It is better to save money than to spend it. How far do you agree with this
statement? Is saving more important than spending in today’s world?

With the world in such economic turmoil, many of us face difficult choices in managing
our money (_____). Personally, I feel that saving is preferable to high spending, and I will
explain why (_____).

Firstly (_____), saving money is a sensible precaution in a world where the future is
uncertain (_____). It is possible, for example, that (_____) a person might meet
unemployment, ill health or other crises at some point in life (_____). It is essential to have
some funds in reserve for these situations (_____), and saving is for most people the only
way to achieve this (_____). Furthermore (_____), I believe that saving is itself a good

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discipline for people to develop (_____), as it builds skills of planning and reaching
targets (_____). We can see this in the way that disciplined people build up quite large
sums through small monthly contributions to savings plans (_____). In many cases, this
meets important objectives in their lives, including large purchases such as cars or
property (_____). Finally (_____), we have to remember the reasons for the current
economic problems besetting the world (_____). The crisis was caused by excessive
spending and insufficient saving – not just by individuals, but by corporations and even
governments themselves (_____). I feel that an emphasis on sensible saving should be a
universal strategy now (_____).

I do appreciate that some people think differently (_____), saying that (_____) it is better
to live for the moment and spend accordingly (_____). While some daily spending is
essential, of course (_____), I feel this is a potentially unwise viewpoint (_____), especially
considering recent global events (_____).


To conclude (_____), I believe that saving is the wiser course (_____), not just for financial
but also for personal and political reasons (_____). Sensible saving is an invaluable skill
and a buffer against uncertainty (_____).

3. Many people today are worried about ‘cybercrime’ such as hacking and
identity theft. What problems does ‘cybercrime’ cause, and what solutions
can you suggest for ordinary people and businesses to take?

Cybercrime is a cause of widespread concern today, as so many people use technology to

store and transmit sensitive data (_____). There are a number of problems that people
suffer as a result of these crimes, but also some straightforward measures we can take to
protect ourselves (_____).

Perhaps the worst problem stemming from this is (_____) the financial impact (_____). If
someone has his or her bank account emptied, or has false credit lines created under their
name, they are potentially liable for large sums of money (_____). Even if they can avoid
the consequences, their bank or finance company has to cover the losses, which can
damage their performance (_____). A further problem is (_____) the way in which these
stolen funds are used to subsidize other crimes (_____), such as drug distribution or even
terrorism (_____). Once the money enters the criminal networks, we have no way of

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knowing how it will be used (_____). Finally (_____), there is the problem of anxiety and
stress caused to the innocent victims of these crimes (_____). The initial shock is often
followed by months or years or legal wrangling, paperwork and a sense of insecurity
(_____).

Turning to possible solutions (_____), probably the most effective measure is to improve
personal security (_____), ranging from passwords to the shredding of documents (_____).
This denies the criminals the raw materials to work with (_____). Secondly (_____), we
should raise awareness of the risks among the elderly or the very young – two groups
who are often specifically targeted – (_____) via publicity and public education (_____).
Ultimately (_____), however (_____), it is the financial companies who can make the
greatest contribution (_____), by increasing their security and detection systems – ideally
in partnership with the police (_____).

Overall (_____), the problems caused are both financial and social (_____), and the
solutions should involve coordinated action by individuals, corporations and the state
(_____).

4. Having police officers patrolling the streets is often considered an essential

way to reduce crime. How effective do you think police street patrols are?
What other ways of reducing crime can you propose?

We are all keen to reduce crime wherever possible, and the role of visible policing is a
hotly debated part of this (_____). Personally, I feel that street patrols are highly
effective, although there are several supplementary methods too (_____).


Regarding the effectiveness of patrols (_____), evidence suggests that (_____) an increase
in police on the streets leads directly to a drop in crime, especially crimes of violence and
robbery (_____). This was the experience of New York when it adopted the ‘zero
tolerance’ policy in the 1990s (_____), a high-profile policing tactic which has been
extended successfully to many other cities worldwide (_____). When compared to other
tactics that have been tried (_____), ranging from citizen patrols to CCTV (_____), there
is little doubt that assertive police patrolling is the most effective resource we have
(_____).

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Turning to other methods (_____), we should supplement police patrols with coordinated
action elsewhere in the state (_____). For instance (_____), the courts should be prepared
to issue deterrent sentences and prisons should be run strictly (_____). This would help to
deter people from committing crimes in the first place (_____). Secondly (_____), we
should increase the resources available to the police away from the streets as well (_____),
for instance in detective and forensic departments (_____), hopefully ensuring that
detection rates are high when crimes do occur (_____). Moreover (_____), individuals and
businesses should step up their own security arrangements to complement the police
presence (_____). For example (_____), improved locks and lighting are simple measures
which can reduce theft and burglary (_____).

All in all (_____), I feel that visible police patrols have been proved to be the most
effective way to reduce common crimes (_____). Their effectiveness can be maximized by
supporting action from elsewhere in the police and justice system, and by private citizens
doing their part as well (_____).

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