English with Oxbridger

A Manual to English
Writing: An In-Depth
Look at IELTS
英语写作指南：雅思写作透视

2020-1 Version 3
Preface

My name is Dhan, I am a Londoner and an expert in second

language acquisition. I graduated from the University of
Cambridge with a Master’s degree in Modern Languages,
and I also studied postgraduate Translation and Interpreting
in London. As a linguist, I have a good command of more
than 10 languages, with a C2 level in French and Italian and
Dhan
B1 in Chinese.
St Paul‘s School
University of Cambridge

I am currently a language tutor in London, teaching students BA & MA Modern Languages

University of Westminster
who want to apply to top universities, such as Oxbridge in MA Translation and Interpreting
the UK, or the Ivy League colleges in the US, and ensuring
they are well prepared for tests such as IELTS and TOEFL. I ——————
Find Me on Zhihu
have considerable experience in teaching Chinese students https://www.zhihu.com/people/Dhan37

too, especially those who want to get a high score in IELTS

writing. I found that Chinese students, although they work
very hard, usually use awkward phrases and incoherent ideas
in their writing. This is partly because they follow the instruc-
tions or advice from their Chinese teachers, who advocate
overly long sentences and high-level words. As a native
speaker of English and an experienced teacher, I agree more
with Simon, a former IELTS examiner, and many other lin-
guists who say that concise and precise English works better.

To help more Chinese students to achieve good scores in

writing, I wrote a book similar to Simon’s work, which in-
cludes many commonly-used, yet useful, phrases and sen-
tences that will help you to explain your ideas in a more
idiomatic and coherent way.

I
序言

我叫 Dhan，英国人，现居伦敦。我是一名二语习得领域的专
家，本科、硕士均毕业于剑桥大学现代语言学专业，并且我还
有一个翻译学硕士学位。作为一名语言学者，我会说超过十门
语言，其中法语和意大利语接近母语水平，中文为 B1 水平。

作为一名语言教师，我的工作主要辅导那些想申请牛津、剑桥
和美国常春藤学校的外国学生，帮助他们准备雅思和托福，以 Dhan
圣保罗公学
达到这些学校超高的语言要求。我教过很多中国学生，尤其是 剑桥大学
想在雅思写作上拿到高分的。我发现，虽然中国学生普遍勤奋 现代语言学士、硕士
威斯敏斯特大学
刻苦，但是在写作的用词和逻辑连贯上往往存在很大问题。这
翻译与口译硕士
部分是因为他们遵循了以前中国老师的指导——提倡写复杂
的长句和“高级”的词汇，而身为英国人和语言教师，我更同意 ——————

前雅思考官 Simon，以及其他很多语言学者的观点——简单、 知乎主页

https://www.zhihu.com/people/Dhan37
准确的英文才是好的英文。

为了帮助更多的中国学生提高写作水平，并在考试中取得更好
的成绩，我写了一本类似“Ideas for IELTS topics (Simon)”的书，
书中包含很多英国人常见、常用，但是中国学生却很少用到的
词句，帮助大家以地道、连贯的方式来表达写作观点。

II
Who is This Book for

This book is aimed at intermediate level students of English CEFR Level IETLS

who want to achieve an IELTS score of 7 or higher. A1 Beginner

A2 Elementary

Many students preparing for the IELTS exam struggle to come B1 Intermediate 4.0-5.0

up with ideas on a particular topic. They often lack vocabulary B2 Upper-Intermediate 5.5-6.0

related to an exact field or area and so cannot use the correct C1 Advanced 6.5-7.5

terminology to score high marks. C2 Proficient 8.0-9.0

This book is precisely for such students, as well as those who

want to be able to develop ideas to write well on any topic,
not just those provided in this book.

这本书是为中等英语水平，且希望在雅思取得 7 分以上成绩的
学生准备的。

许多准备雅思的学生都会在准备特定论题的过程中感到困惑。
一般他们会发现缺少特定领域的单词积累而无法正确使用学科
术语并获得高分。

这本书正是为这些学生而设计的。当然，这本书的功能也不仅
限于备考。希望在任何话题中储备写作材料的同学都可以参考
这本书中的观点。

III
How to Use this Book

Although there are many ways in which this book can be useful, and even reading through
it on its own could benefit many IELTS students, we at 'English with Oxbridgers' have devised
an ideal method for using this book as efficiently as possible:

⚫ Read through the topics and the arguments presented on each specific topic carefully,
paying attention to the vocabulary used and the way in which the ideas have been gen-
erated from the topic question.

⚫ Take some new topics, preferably ones that are balanced and controversial, and that
have points both in favour and against them.

⚫ Compile a list of key words related to the topic, both positive words that support the
idea and words that can be used in opposition to it.

⚫ Starting with each key word, make the key words into separate sentences to express
distinct ideas in favour of or against the topic question.

Repeat this exercise with different topics. The potential list of topics you could be asked
about in IELTS is endless, so the aim is to be able to develop techniques for coming up with
ideas on any topic whatsoever.

This book is not only useful for those preparing for the second IELTS writing task, but it can
also help people studying for the CET test in China (both CET4 and CET6) and those who
want to learn about debating, and develop strategies that can be used in that too.

The book has many uses, but what is important, above all, is learning and understanding
how to produce ideas on any topic.

IV
Contents

PREFACE I
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR III
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK IV

1 LAW 1
Youngsters and Juvenile Delinquency 1
Punishments 3

Prevention of crimes 4

2 ENVIRONMENT 5
Protect Zones 5

Wildlife 6
Ecology 8

3 EDUCATION 9
Gap year 9
Family care 10

Science and learning 11

Treatment of students 13

University 14
Exchange students 18

Schooling 19
Early education 21

Traditional skills 22

4 HEALTH 23
Walking 23

5 SOCIAL VALUES 24
V
 Family and society 24

Antisocial behaviour 27

6 SOCIETY 28
Leaders 28

Government spending 29
Civil rights & Daily life 30

Traffic 31
Ageing society 32

7 CULTURE 33
Art 33
Traditional culture 34

Tourism 35
Sports 36

8 MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION 37

New media 37
Media’s influence 38

9 ECONOMY 39
Globalisation 39
Workforce 40

AI 41
Job interviews 42

VI
1 Law

Youngsters and Juvenile Delinquency

1.1 Some people think that the age limit for driving should be increased in
order to make driving safer. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree

⚫ Most of the accidents on the road are ⚫ Sheltering younger people from situa-
caused by young drivers. tions of responsibility is only likely to
make them develop slower.
⚫ Young people are more likely to do di-
rectly dangerous things, such as drink ⚫ Many young people are very safe and re-
and drive or drive recklessly. sponsible drivers and they should not be
prevented from driving just because a
⚫ Drivers would therefore only start driv-
few other young people are not.
ing at an age where they are responsible
enough to do so. ⚫ Age is far from the only factor that con-
tributes to somebody being a reckless
⚫ Restricting the people driving, such as by
driver.
increasing the age limit, would ensure
only the safest drivers are on the roads. ⚫ Similarly, many adults also drink and
drive or drive after consuming drugs and
⚫ Young people often do not have the ex-
this is not just related to young people.
perience or maturity to handle very seri-
ous, important tasks such as driving. ⚫ Most people become better drivers not
just through age and maturity, but also
through more experience of doing it.

⚫ 'Protecting' children by placing further

limits on their freedom could be seen as
preventing them from developing into
fully mature adults.

1
1.2 Young people who commit serious crimes, such as robbery or violent
assault, should be punished in the same way as adults. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree

⚫ Punishments should be decided based ⚫ Younger people are still learning and are
on the severity of the crime, regardless easier to influence than older citizens,
of the person who has committed it. therefore we should accept that they are
more likely to make mistakes.
⚫ Children must also learn from their mis-
takes and being too kind with them does ⚫ Young people usually have longer fu-
not help them to do so. tures ahead of them, therefore the con-
sequences of having a criminal record
⚫ Young people will only clearly learn what
are usually more severe for them.
is right and wrong if they are firmly dis-
ciplined when they do something wrong. ⚫ Young people must become a part of
their society, even if they have commit-
⚫ In fact, children could be punished even
ted mistakes, and not be rejected by it.
more severely to show them clearly how
bad these acts are and to ensure they are ⚫ A very young person cannot be expected
not repeated in the future. to make the same choices and think as
maturely as an adult.
⚫ A robbery, or assault, has the same terri-
ble, even possibly traumatic, effect on
the victim whether it is done by an adult
or a young person.

2
Punishments

1.3 People continue to commit crimes even after being punished for it.
Why do you think this happens? How can crime be stopped?

Reasons Solutions

⚫ People can feel they are in desperate sit- ⚫ More focus and resources should be
uations, and so they have no choice but committed to ensuring criminals are re-
to commit crimes in order to survive. integrated into the community and are
not marginalised.
⚫ Alternatively, those who commit crimes
do so because they have a certain men- ⚫ Punishments should be severe enough
tality and this does not simply change to prevent criminals from committing
even after they are punished. the same, or different, crimes.

⚫ If punishments are not severe enough, ⚫ In correctional facilities, such as prisons,

then they will not stop criminals from the emphasis must be placed on chang-
committing crimes again. ing criminals' mentality and showing
them more positive ways to lead their
⚫ If convicted criminals still feel they are
life.
on the margins of society even after
serving their punishment, then they will
be more likely to commit crimes again.

3
Prevention of crimes

1.4 People are afraid to leave their homes for fear of crimes. Some people
believe that more action should be taken to prevent crimes while others think
that little could be done. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Agree Disagree
More action should be taken to prevent Little can be done
crimes
⚫ Crime has always existed throughout
⚫ In every society, citizens should feel safe history, therefore it is inevitable and can-
and not fearful of being victims of crim- not be avoided.
inal activity.
⚫ Preventing crime takes a huge amount
⚫ Some societies have a lot more crime of resources, including money, police
than others. By studying the societies and planning, and is not necessarily
with lower crime rates and implement- proven to work, therefore it is better to
ing similar measures, crime rates can ac- direct these resources elsewhere.
tively be lowered.
⚫ One cannot change human nature,
⚫ It is the responsibility of policymakers which is often to do what is forbidden or
and lawmakers to do the most they can considered 'wrong', so there is little
to prevent crimes. Most societies with point in spending excessive resources
high crime rates have not done enough trying to prevent crimes.
or taken adequate measures to reduce it.
⚫ Many hardened criminals enjoy deceiv-
ing the authorities and evading the law,
so the more one tries to prevent crimes
the more these criminals will do to com-
mit them.

4
2 Environment

Protect Zones

2.1 It is possible for scientists and tourists to travel to remote natural en-
vironments, such as the South Pole. Do you think the advantages of this de-
velopment outweigh the disadvantages?

Advantages Disadvantages

⚫ Tourists can visit parts of the world that ⚫ Remote environments are less well
were not accessible to them before and known and therefore less safe so there is
so discover even more and even newer a higher risk of injury/tragedy happen-
places. ing to people travelling there.

⚫ Scientists can study remote environ- ⚫ For scientists to be able to study such
ments to then make scientific develop- environments safely and productively
ments that can benefit the rest of the takes a large amount of resources which
world. requires considerable funding.

⚫ Tourists travelling to remote environ- ⚫ Part of the beauty of such remote areas
ments can profit businesses that get in- is that they are untouched by humans,
volved and it can also create jobs. once human beings start interfering
there, they will lose their awe and won-
⚫ People can learn more from studying lit-
der.
tle-known places than from studying
places they are familiar with. ⚫ Similarly, once large numbers of human
beings start travelling to these areas,
they will start suffering the same prob-
lems as some of the rest of the world,
such as pollution and overcommerciali-
sation.

5
Wildlife

2.2 Some people argue that too much attention and too many resources
are given to the protection of wild animals and birds. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree

⚫ With the human population growing, it ⚫ Wild animals and birds are also a very
is inevitable that other species will suffer important part of nature and therefore it
and some will perhaps be made extinct. is essential that we protect them.
Thus, there is little use in protecting
⚫ Biodiversity often draws tourists. We
them.
should celebrate this and preserve this.
⚫ Spending large amounts of money and
⚫ Wild animals can be regarded as sacred
resources on protecting wild animals
by some cultures, such as the safaris in
and birds simply prevents it from being
Southern Africa.
spent on human beings who need it
even more, such as in very poor parts of ⚫ With the human population increasing,
the world. we must do our utmost to protect other
species if at all possible, even if this
means spending considerable amounts
of resources.

6
2.3 Some people think it is important to protect all wild animals. Others
think that it is only important to protect some of them, not all of them. Dis-
cuss both views and give your opinion.

Agree Disagree
It is important to protect all wild animals It is only important to protect some of
them
⚫ All wild animals were created equal, so it
does not make sense to prioritise some ⚫ It is not feasible and realistic to be able
and protect some more than others. to protect and save every wild animal
equally.
⚫ Wild animals and creatures of all types
are important to the place where they ⚫ Some wild animals are naturally more
live, and form a part of that place's iden- useful to human beings, such as com-
tity and culture, so they should all be mercially. It therefore makes sense to
protected equally. protect these wild animals first and then
others.
⚫ Each and every wild animal is important,
because they all have their place in that ⚫ Many wild animals are very dangerous to
environment's ecosystem and food human beings and protecting them
chain. could actively be harmful to humans as
a species.

⚫ We should only protect wild animals

where we realistically can, and this
means that we will have to be selective
about which ones to protect or not, be-
cause this consumes a lot of resources.

7
Ecology

2.4 Some people think that it is more important to plant more trees in
open areas in towns and cities than to build more housing. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree

⚫ Trees are essential for the environment ⚫ Being homeless is a desperate and terri-
and for human life. There is therefore no ble situation and every citizen should be
point in building more housing without provided with a home if possible.
planting trees in any case.
⚫ Rather than attracting tourists, the duty
⚫ Trees provide greenery and prevent of the authorities of a town or city is first
large cities from becoming too industrial, to look after those who live there.
which is vital both for the inhabitants of
⚫ There are other measures, such as the
a town and to attract tourists.
Congestion Charge or high vehicle taxes,
⚫ Climate change is a considerable threat to reduce pollution other than building
to humankind these days and building fewer houses.
more housing simply increases the
⚫ Homelessness is a problem that the
quantity of greenhouse gas emissions.
whole society must deal with and it must
⚫ The solution to the overpopulation of not be overlooked in favour of planting
cities is not to destroy open areas, which more trees.
remain essential parts of the city.

8
3 Education

Gap year

3.1 Some students take one year off between finishing school and going
to university, in order to travel or to work. Do you think the advantages of
doing this outweigh the disadvantages?

Advantages Disagree

⚫ This can be an ideal time to travel and ⚫ Though gap years can in theory be very
take in new experiences, especially as productive, many students do not make
there is more responsibility once one the most of them and spend the time
starts going to university. wondering what to do.

⚫ Many students use the gap year to ex- ⚫ It can often be more difficult to get back
plore what they might like to do after into the habit of studying after having
university. This provides focus and direc- just taken a oneyear break, particularly if
tion to their university studies. that year was spent doing activities un-
related to studying.
⚫ If there are family problems or individual
issues, such as illness, a gap year can be ⚫ Even small differences, such as starting
an ideal opportunity to regroup before university one year later than other stu-
tackling the demands of university. Such dents, can put added pressure on uni-
opportunities are very rare in life. versity students.

⚫ University is an ideal place to develop re-

sponsibility and confidence, therefore
there is no need for a gap year.

9
Family care

3.2 Some working parents think a child care center can provide their chil-
dren with the best care, while others think family members such as a
grandma can give the children best care. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

Agree ⚫ Many child care center facilities are not

as safe or as welcoming as they claim to
⚫ Child care centers are interactive places be. Children often feel isolated and left
of learning where children meet and play out there.
with others of their same age group. This
⚫ Another family member is a trusted
cannot be reproduced just by an older
adult who usually knows the child well. It
family member.
makes far more sense for such people to
⚫ Child care centers are specifically built care for a child rather than strangers.
for children to play and explore the
⚫ If something were to go wrong, a more
world around them in a safe environ-
experienced family member is likely to
ment, thus they are ideal for working
know better how to handle it. They
parents with young children.
would also likely be easier to contact
⚫ An older family member cannot neces- than a child care center facility.
sarily provide a child with the individual
⚫ Those working at child care centers must
care and stimulating activities that they
look after many different children at the
need to develop
same time, which means that each indi-
vidual child gets less attention. This is
not the case if they spend time with a
Disagree
family member.

⚫ Only a family member can provide a

child with the care, love and affection
that they need as they grow up.

10
Science and learning

3.3 Some people think that the increasing use of computers and mobile
phones for communication has had a negative effect on young people's
reading and writing skills. Do the advantages of this new technology out-
weigh the disadvantages?

Advantages Disadvantages

⚫ Using the internet/computers/mobiles ⚫ Many mobile phones have autocorrect

allows children to access a huge variety functions, which means that children
of learning tools and resources that they then forget the correct spellings of
simply would not have been able to ac- words when they write by hand.
cess before.
⚫ Learning through computers or mobile
⚫ It is now much easier to check the cor- phones is often a very simplified process
rect spelling of a word or find an exam- and prevents children from learning very
ple creative writing piece than it was be- proactively and independently.
fore.
⚫ Young people often tend to rely on com-
⚫ Computers and mobile phones provide puters and mobile phones. This means
useful apps to learn words, punctuation that their thinking skills do not develop
and grammar. as much as those who did not grow up
with computers and mobile phones.
⚫ Many young people are very resistant to
learning in school. However, they are
much fonder of computers. Teaching
them using computers is therefore a way
to hold their attention.

11
3.4 Some people think computers and the Internet are more important in
a child's education, whereas others believe that schools and teachers are
more essential for children to learn. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Agree Disagree
Computers and the Internet are more im-
portant in a child's education ⚫ Schools and teachers can provide indi-
vidual, personalised care, as well as look
⚫ Developments in technology mean that after a student's wellbeing, in a way that
computers and the Internet are becom- computers cannot.
ing more and more sophisticated, so any
⚫ Children often learn by example, by imi-
young child must learn how to use these
tating other, more experienced, adults
to be able to get by.
and this way of learning is impossible on
⚫ Computers and the Internet can do the Internet or with computers.
many things that human beings simply
⚫ Computers, and particularly the Internet,
can't, such as calculating perfectly with-
can be dangerous when not used by re-
out human error.
sponsible adults, and children should be
⚫ The Internet has an incredible amount of protected from this.
learning resources on all kinds of topics,
⚫ Learning from computers is not neces-
it therefore has more breadth and flexi-
sarily as interactive as learning together
bility than any teacher could have.
with others in a classroom, again indicat-
⚫ Using the Internet and computers to ing that learning at school is more effec-
learn ensures that children develop and tive.
learn independently from a younger age.
⚫ It is very difficult to learn entirely
through technology. Another person,
such as a teacher, is often needed to
guide you as to why this is the correct
answer or not or to provide useful expla-
nations.

12
Treatment of students

3.5 Some people believe that only students with the best academic results
should be rewarded, some other people think it is more important to reward
students with improvement. Discuss & give your opinion.

Agree Disagree
Only students with the best academic re- It is more important to reward students
sults should be rewarded with improvement

⚫ Rewarding only those who perform the ⚫ Some students may not be as gifted as
best fosters a culture of excellence, others. This does not mean they should
where everybody strives to achieve as not be rewarded for performing better
much as they can. than they did before.

⚫ With an evergrowing human population, ⚫ Rewarding only the top students can
our world is increasingly competitive. lead to other students feeling bad about
The only way of preparing children for themselves and comparing themselves
the competitiveness of the real world is negatively to others.
by rewarding only the highestachieving
⚫ Every human being is different, therefore
students.
one student cannot be compared to an-
other because of different circumstances,
genes etc. Each student should thus be
rewarded for improving on their own
marks.

⚫ Diversity is the spice of life, and we

should recognise that every student has
talents and not just those who perform
the best academically.

13
University

3.6 More and more people want to study at university, so competition for
university places is increasing. Why do more people want to study at univer-
sity? Is it positive or negative?

Reasons

⚫ Having a degree is often seen as positive in society and brings prestige as well as possibly
increasing a person's standing in the community.

⚫ With increased competition for jobs, a university degree can often considerably help
someone to secure a higher salary or a more desirable job role.

⚫ People can learn to think independently and also develop other significant personal skills
at university and this is increasingly appreciated by the public.

⚫ The reputation of universities generally continues to go up and the considerable oppor-

tunities they offer are more and more appreciated by people.

14
Positive Negatives

⚫ The more people study at university, the ⚫ University is rather expensive and stu-
more educated a country's workforce dents usually finance their university
then is. This then spurs on economic studies by taking out student loans,
growth in that country. which can then leave them in debt for a
long time.
⚫ Competition for university places is of-
ten akin to competition for jobs and ⚫ There is not necessarily a complete cor-
greater competition for jobs benefits so- relation between having a good univer-
ciety and most companies. sity degree and finding a good job, as
one's job depends on many other fac-
⚫ The independent thinking that one
tors. Therefore, people can spend con-
might gain at university also allows an
siderable amounts on university and still
individual to challenge the way things
not earn substantially afterwards.
are done around them, which helps not
only them but also benefits mankind ⚫ If the competition for university places
continues to go up, this may allow uni-
versities to raise their fees even further,
meaning students and fresh graduates
risk greater financial debt to find a de-
gree.

15
3.7 University students should pay for the full cost of education fees be-
cause university education benefits themselves rather than the society. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?

Agree ⚫ The material and inspiration students

gain from university can lead to signifi-
⚫ University is a very individual experience cant breakthroughs for humanity such as
and what students study and get out of scientific discoveries or developing new
university is a very individual choice, medicines.
therefore each student should bear the
⚫ As well as education, students gain many
full cost of education fees.
other things at university such as greater
⚫ The skills that a student gets from uni- maturity and awareness, which makes
versity belong very much to them, and it them less likely to commit crimes and do
is then up to them whether they use things that hurt society.
them to further society or not.
⚫ People can feel under pressure to go to
⚫ Whether or not to go to university is a university particularly because of the im-
completely individual choice that comes portance attached to it by society, so so-
down to many personal factors, there- ciety should also pay some of the costs
fore there is no reason why society of university education.
should fund it.
⚫ Education is a basic human right, even at
university level, and therefore everyone
Disagree should have access to it without the in-
dividual having to pay the costs them-
⚫ The overwhelming reason why students selves.
go to university is to boost their chances
of getting a good job afterwards. This di-
rectly benefits society, so they should
not bear all the costs.

16
3.8 Some people believe that university education should focus on the
skills of employment for the future. Others think it should focus on academic
study only. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Employment for the future Academic study

⚫ The vast majority of university students ⚫ University is a unique opportunity to fur-

say that better employment prospects ther one's thinking and expand one's
are the main reason why they choose to mind. There is usually plenty of time to
study at university. It therefore makes learn employment skills after university.
sense for university education to focus
⚫ In countries such as the UK, many people
on employment skills.
do not work in areas related to their field
⚫ Many societies do bear some significant of study and few university courses are
part of the costs for university, therefore vocational. It is therefore impossible to
it is right that university courses concen- teach employment skills for each and
trate on employment skills, as it is this every possible profession at university.
that benefits society.
⚫ Most people learn employment skills di-
⚫ Academic study, while potentially very rectly through building experience of
interesting to some students, is not a work. It is superfluous and can be coun-
practical skill that directly helps the indi- terproductive to attempt to teach these
vidual, unlike skills for employment. same skills at university.

⚫ Working life involves many other skills ⚫ Diversity is often very sought after in the
and qualities apart from just academic workplace, particularly at larger organi-
and intellectual ones. University should sations. If students are all taught the
therefore be balanced and provide these same employment skills at university,
specific employment skills instead of just this would reduce diversity and stifle cre-
academic ones. ativity.

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Exchange students

3.9 Educationalists think that the program of international exchange visits

would benefit all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree

⚫ Travelling, and particularly spending a ⚫ Some students have already spent con-
long time abroad, really broadens one's siderable amounts of time abroad or
mind and allows them to welcome new grown up in several countries and so it is
perspectives and experiences. This not true to generalise and say that inter-
should always be maintained. national exchange visits would substan-
tially benefit each and every student.
⚫ Swapping a language and culture with
another person directly in this way is the ⚫ International exchanges between coun-
best way of enlarging of one's horizons tries with very different cultures do not
and both becoming aware of and ac- always succeed in opening up students'
cepting differences in people and cul- minds if, for example, they fail to under-
tures. stand or assimilate at all with the new
culture.
⚫ As well as exploring different cultures,
exchange students can experience dif- ⚫ International exchange visits can be very
ferent school systems and therefore de- expensive to the educational institution,
velop different ways of thinking aca- which does not often directly benefit
demically as well. from them in any case.

⚫ Plenty of students cannot afford to ⚫ International exchange visits between

spend extensive amounts of time abroad students who are not very familiar with
and so this is a relatively affordable way each other's language, at least, can be
to do so and to gain new, rich experi- less productive and more a waste of time.
ences.

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Schooling

3.10 Some people claim that many things that children are taught at school
are a waste of time. Other people argue that everything they study at school
will be useful at some time. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Agree ⚫ It is impossible to predict what a student,

Many things that children are taught at particularly a young one, will go on to do
school are a waste of time or achieve in life. Giving students a wide
range of knowledge is the most effective
⚫ Eventually, every student will get a job way of preparing them for later life.
and it is unlikely that that job will use all
⚫ While each and every piece of infor-
of the skills from all of the disciplines
mation a student is given in school is not
studied at school.
that useful, the fundamental skills such
⚫ Skills learnt at school can be largely the- as the ways of analysing them, applying
oretical and not practical, for example, critical thinking and also managing one's
parts of each subject will no longer be time and schedule to do so will always
used at all by a student once they have be.
left school.
⚫ Even if a student does not find a partic-
ular subject/discipline interesting or
Disagree useful, that in itself informs them as to
Everything children study at school will be what interests them and what they
useful at some time might or might not want to do later in
life.
⚫ Even if many of the tasks children do at
school are not immediately directly rele-
vant to their future lives, many of them
will teach other useful skills such as
teamwork or camaraderie which can
usually indirectly be extremely useful.

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3.11 In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general educa-
tion across a range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range
of subjects related to a particular career in today's world. Discuss both ap-
proaches and give your opinion.

General education across a range of ⚫ Some subjects, such as philosophy, are

subjects not considered vocational or career fo-
cused at all, and therefore would no
⚫ The benefits of studying a range of sub- longer be studied by anyone if children
jects is that pupils become wellrounded were to focus only on subjects relating
and are not restricted to thinking in a to particular careers.
certain way associated with just one par-
ticular profession.
Focusing on a narrow range of par-
⚫ Gaining different skills is essential for ticular career-related subjects
adult life as, even outside jobs, there are
other aspects of life such as dealing with ⚫ If children determine earlier which career
others or managing emotions where they would like to do, they can then spe-
skills from other subjects can be useful. cialise more and gain even more indepth
skills in that specific area.
⚫ Diversity is increasingly valued in the
workplace and even standard profes- ⚫ Certain subjects, such as financial liter-
sions (e.g. banking, law) are starting to acy, or investing, are not commonly
really value different ways of thinking. studied because they are considered to
Thus, a general education across a range be too specific to certain careers. If we
of subjects is the most effective way for- prioritise career-related subjects, how-
ward. ever, more people would gain these use-
ful skills.
⚫ Even if a student does not go on to spe-
cialise in a particular subject or take on a ⚫ Many people say children study lots of
career related to that discipline, if they irrelevant material during their educa-
enjoy studying it that in itself makes it tion, but by focusing on specific careers
worthwhile. early this can be minimised.

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Early education

3.12 Reading story books is better for children than watching television or
playing computer games. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree

⚫ Reading stories develops the core skill of ⚫ It is not that reading stories or any one
literacy, which is fundamental and es- activity is particularly better for children
sential to almost everything children will than another, but a mix of hobbies
do as adults. should be cultivated in children from an
early age.
⚫ In addition, reading stories develops a
child's imagination and makes them ⚫ Television and computer games can also
more curious about the world around expand children's horizons in a similar
them, which is also very important for way to story books while also being
young people. more relaxing and potentially less stress-
ful.
⚫ Being able to read, in different ways and
often at speed, is necessary throughout ⚫ Television is more and more important
a child's education, particularly if they go to our lives and so it is sensible to intro-
to university, so it is useful to develop duce children to it very early, along as
this skill as early as possible. this does not create a dependency.

⚫ Reading story books also develops and ⚫ Reading is often a solitary activity
expands a child's knowledge and makes whereas watching television or playing
them more accepting and open to oth- games on the computer can incorporate
ers around them. a social aspect as well.

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Traditional skills

3.13 In modern life it is unnecessary to teach children the skill of handwrit-

ing, do you agree or disagree?

Agree Disagree

⚫ Writing by hand is now progressively be- ⚫ Handwriting is still a necessary skill as it

ing replaced by typing on computers or helps children with their literacy, which
a tablet. Therefore, there is no need to remains vital even for adults.
teach children this obsolete skill.
⚫ As children learn handwriting, they also
⚫ Computers are furthermore far easier to significantly improve their ability to read
write with, as they usually come with and to spell correctly, and these are un-
preset keyboards, and so writing by doubtedly needed even in today's world.
hand is more onerous, making it even
⚫ Many argue that, before learning a for-
less useful.
eign language, children must first master
all aspects of their own. This would defi-
nitely include handwriting.

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