Review: Please write the structure of these topics
2014.07.19
The government has the duty to ensure its citizens have a healthy diet,
while others believe it is individuals’ responsibility.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
2014.08.09
Some people think that governments should ban dangerous sports.
Others, however, believe that people should have the freedom of choosing sports activities they like. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2012.09.01
Many countries spend a lot of money preparing competitors to take part in major sports competitions such as the Olympics, football world cup
etc.
Some people think that it would be better to use this money to encourage children to participate in sports activities. To what extent do you agree
or disagree？
2013.10.10
Some people believe that giving aid to poorer countries has more negative effects than positive effects. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
2012.02.09
The spread of multinational companies and resulting increase of globalization produces positive effects for everyone. To what extent to you
agree or disagree?
Learning objectives
Agree disagree/ both views / advantages or disadvantages
• Write introduction and conclusion for different topics
• Paraphrase
• Identify common countable & uncountable nouns
Example topic
Some people think
that all the students
can benefit from
having a gap year
before university
studies, do you
agree or disagree?
Example topic
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
conclusion
Some people think
that all the students
can benefit from
background+ topic
opinion+ yes/no
It is common for students to have a gap year between secondary
schools and universities. I believe that this will benefit all students.
(22words)
concession +yes/no
In conclusion, although there are slim chances that a gap year can
affect students negatively, I suppose this trend will be conducive to
every student’s wellbeing. (26words)
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
Some people
believe that
governments
should not support
conclusion
the arts (painting,
music, sculpture)
and instead support
other areas such as
public health or
education. To what
extent do you agree
or disagree?
Example topic
recipes
introduction and conclusion
Agree/Disagree Yes/No
example
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
recipes
Agree/Disagree both A&B
example
background + topic
opinon+ A&B are good
A&B are good
recipes
There has been a debate about whether arts or public sectors like
health or education are more worthy of governments’ funding. I
believe both fields need to be supported. (29 words)
In conclusion, neither the value of arts nor education or public
health could be ignored. Therefore, government’s funding needs to
be apportioned in all areas appropriately. (26 words)
Agree/Disagree middle
example
background+topic opinion
+ depends on
It is common for students to have a gap year between secondary
schools and universities. I believe only students with good selfcontrol will benefit from this. (26words)
having a gap year
before university
studies, do you
agree or disagree?
Example topic
Some people
believe that
students should
have a gap year
before university
studies; others
think this will have
negative impacts
on students.
Discuss both views
and provide your
own opinion.
Example topic
conclusion
depends on
In conclusion, I suppose this trend will be conducive to students’
wellbeing if they are aware of the importance of academic
qualifications and are able to control their behaviour. However, this
would threaten students’ education and career if they are not welldisciplined. (42 words)
Both views A/B
example
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
recipes
conclusion
my opinion+ concession+
refutation+my opinion
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
recipes
Some people
believe that
governments
should not support
the arts (painting,
music, sculpture).
Others think
governments
should support
conclusion
other areas such as
public health and
topic opinion+summary
It is common for students to have a gap year between secondary
schools and universities. There are contradictory views about
whether taking sometime off benefits students or not. Both schools
of thoughts will be discussed in this essay, followed by my own
perspective on/regarding this matter. (46words)
I suppose having a gap year will benefit all students. Though,
students may end up becoming unwilling to continue their studies,
we must take into consideration the importance of academic
qualifications in future job hunting, making it quite impossible for
students to refuse to return to universities.
Therefore, I believe,
it is beneficial for all students to spend a year in experiencing the
real life before going to universities. (71words)
Both views A&B
example
topic opinion+summary
There are contradictory views about whether arts or public sectors
such as public health and education are more worthy of
governments’ funding. Both schools of thoughts will be discussed
in this essay, followed by my own perspective in this matter.
(40words)
A&B are good
I suppose, neither the value of arts, nor education or public health
could be ignored. Therefore, government’s money needs to be
spent in all areas appropriately. (26words)
education. Discuss
both views and
provide your own
opinion.
Example topic
Some people
believe that
students should
have a gap year
before university
studies; others
think this will have
negative impacts
on students.
Discuss both views
and provide your
own opinion.
Example topic
Do the advantages
for having a gap
year before
university studies
outweigh
Both views A or B
example
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
recipes
topic opinion+summary
It is common for students to have a gap year between secondary
schools and universities. There are contradictory views about
whether taking sometime off benefits students or not. Both schools
of thoughts will be discussed in this essay, followed by my own
perspective on/regarding this matter. (46words)
conclusion
my opinion+ depends on
I suppose, whether taking a year off will benefit students depends
on whether the students have good discipline. If they have
difficulties in controlling themselves, they would be likely to refuse
to go back to universities. Whereas, if they are aware of the
importance of academic qualifications in job hunting, they would
definitely start their university lives (64words)
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
recipes
advantages/ disadvantages
example
background+ more
advantages/disadvantages
It is common for students to have a gap year between secondary
schools and universities. I believe there are more merits than
demerits of this trend. 26words
disadvantages?
Example topic
Nowadays, there
are many students
who take a gap
year before
university studies.
Is it a positive or
negative trend?
conclusion
more advantages/
disadvantages
As discussed above, there are more pluses than minuses for
students to take a gap year before colleges. 18words
positive/negative trend
example
Introduction/
conclusion
introduction
recipes
background+
positive/negative trend
It is common for students to have a gap year between secondary
schools and universities. I believe this is a positive phenomenon.
(22 words)
conclusion
positive/negative trend
In conclusion, although there are slim chances that a gap year can
affect students negatively, I suppose this trend will be conducive to
students’ wellbeing. (26words)
Day 2 Part 2-1 background
Types of
background
Examples
Replacement expressions
Sth has developed into a
growing trend.
Having a gap year has
developed into a growing
trend.
Our society has been
witnessing a growing trend
of sb doing st/sth
popular trend
Eg. It is common
for young people
to take a gap
year.
Our society has been
witnessing a growing trend of
students taking a gap year
before starting their university witnessing
studies.
experiencing
sth has been experiencing
a .. development
Technology has been
experiencing a tremendous
development.
There has been a
tremendous development
in sth
development
Eg. Technology
has been
developing
rapidly.
common
universal
prevalent
popular
There has been a
tremendous development in
technology.
Our society has been
rapidly
exponentially
at an exponential rate
Immensely
tremendous development:
exponential development ;
massive
vast
Your answers
witnessing a ..development
of sth
Our society has been
witnessing a tremendous
development of technology.
We are surrounded with
We are surrounded with lots
of advertising.
problem
Eg. The problem
of air pollution
has been
deteriorating.
Our society has been
witnessing..
Our society has been
witnessing the deteriorating
impact of air pollution.
be surrounded with
are bombarded with
Our society is saturated with lots of
advertisements.
deteriorating impact:
worsening result
declining problem
exacerbating effect
Day 2 Part 2-2 paraphrase
highlight key words
topic opinion “ clause+sentence”
eg. Advertisements need to banned because they are bad for children.
topic opinion “ word/phrase”
eg. Having a gap year is good.
change the sentence structure
paragraph key words
change the sentence structure
eg. Advertisements need to banned because they are bad for children.
method
order of clause /sentence
clause-phrase
method
synonyms : words with similar meanings
form: verb-n/ adj-n/adj-adv etc. ..
active voice-passive voice
example
Since advertisement are bad for children, they
need to be banned.
Advertisements need to be banned due to the
negative impacts on children.
example
Advertisements need to prohibited because
they are bad for children.
paraphrase key words
Advertising needs to be prohibited because
they have negative impacts on children
We need to prohibit advertising because they
have negative impacts on children.
Example: It is necessary for us to prohibit advertising due to its negative impacts on children.
Practice: please paraphrase following sentences:
Some people think the best way to solve traffic congestions in cities is to provide free public transport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Eg.The solution to traffic jams is making public transport free of charge,running everyday, 24 hours without stop.
Many young people choose to change their job after few years.
Eg. Young people leave for new positions after working for a short period of time.
It is not necessary to travel to other places to learn about the other culture.
Eg. Visiting other places to gain cultural knowledge is imperative for us.
Common expressions
example
replacement expressions
There is a voice that ..
There is a statement that ..
It is believed that
It is belived that .. / claimed/ suggested that ..
In my opinion
From my perspective
I suppose ..
As far as I am concerned
Personally speaking,
I believe
I agree with it.
I disagree with it.
support it.
be in favour of
I against A.
oppose
are in opposition to
be oblivious to = ignore
be ignored = be overlooked/ neglected
we cannot be oblivious to ..
neither the value of arts
, nor education or public
health could be ignored.
Both A and B are important
Play an important role in ..
Important: essencial/ crucial/ significant
your recipe
to summarize
in conclusion
in summary
to sum up
as shown above
given these points
In conclusion,
as has been discussed
Part 3 Nouns
Countable nouns
Singular form: Singular countable nouns cannot be used alone.
They must have a determiner: determiner: the, a, an or my, his, her, their, our , your
When there is no determiner, add “ s” after a countable noun
Eg. I like reading book. 
I like reading books.  I like reading the book. 
plural forms