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Essays on Advantages and Disadvantages
I. Topic Sentences
Exercise 1 Read the following essay about living abroad and fill in the topic sentences given below:
a) One of the main advantages of living in a foreign country is that people can enjoy better financial opportunities.
b) To sum up, even though living in a strange place may be hard at first, in time one can adjust to it.
c) On the other hand, it may be difficult for people to adapt to their new surroundings.
d) As we know, today there are about six billion people in the world.
Advantages and disadvantages of living abroad
1 ________________________All of them live in different countries and have diverse cultures. Some countries have
become well developed, while others haven’t as yet. For this reason, some people want to go to well-developed foreign
countries to live more comfortably and earn more money. Living in a foreign country has many advantages, but it also
has some disadvantages.
2 ________________________For example, they may get a good job and a high salary so they can buy what they want
and have a better lifestyle. For example, they may benefit from well-developed education and health systems.
Moreover, one is given the chance to learn and become fluent in another language through everyday use. For instance,
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people can participate in lots of social activities thus improving their communicative skills. Finally, they become more
independent by having to deal with difficult situations on their own.
3. ________________________If they live alone, they miss their families and countries. Sometimes they may feel
isolated, frustrated, and lonely. In addition, if someone can’t speak the language yet, he or she may face communication
problems. What is more, there is discrimination in some countries. Foreigners aren’t easily accepted in these places.
4. ________________________In my opinion, if a person has an opportunity to go to a well-developed foreign country,
he or she should benefit from this opportunity for his or her future.
Exercise 2 Look at the outline of the essay you have just read.
Introduction – people choose where to live; living abroad has advantages and disadvantages
Body
Paragraph I – Advantages
Argument 1 - better financial opportunities;
example – jobs, education and health care
Argument 2 – learning a foreign language;
example – social life; communication
Argument 3 - becoming independent;
example – coping with difficult situations
Paragraph II – Disadvantages
Argument 1 – getting used to the new country; example – living alone
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Argument 2 - foreign language problems;
Argument 3 – discrimination;
example – difficult to communicate
example - foreigners not easily accepted
Conclusion – Summing up and expressing a personal opinion
II. Supporting statements
The sentences which follow the topic sentence are called supporting statements. They are used to support the topic
sentence by giving additional information. There must be a strong link between the topic sentence and the supporting
statement.
The Internet was born to almost universal acclaim, but it has a dark side, too.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Extracts
1) For example, they do everything on-line: they write on-line, they order books and pizzas on-line, they view the world
from on-line.
2) It is a world without touch. We need to ensure that it is not the only world that our children grow up in. Otherwise,
our children may end up preferring it to the real, more loving but more frightening world outside.
3) This concerns the effect on people who spend twelve hours on-line, isolated from other people, from social functions,
from the breeze of a spring day, or the touch of someone’s hand.
(4) We are in danger of creating a generation of Internet introverts, who can only interact with others when they are
sitting behind a computer screen.
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III.
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Transition
Write down the linking words and phrases used in the sample essay.
Purpose of Transition
to show likeness or add information
to show contrast
to introduce examples to explain to emphasize to generalize
to conclude or show result
to indicate sequence or show order
Possible Transition Terms
also, too, besides, in addition, furthermore, moreover
however, but, on the other hand, conversely, yet, though, in contrast, nevertheless
for example, such as, e.g., to illustrate, for instance
that is, in other words, i.e.
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in fact, indeed, certainly, clearly, of course
generally speaking, in general, overall, for the most part, usually, typically, in conclusion, in summary, to
sum up
therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, as a consequence
first, second, next, then, finally, lastly
Ordering by Time (Chronological Order): Chronological order is usually used in narration and process
analysis, but can be used in other cases as well. first in time last in time season season morning night early
late
Eg: Describe a normal day in your life
Ordering by Space (Spatial Order): Ordering from one place to another is usually effective in physical
description but can be used in other cases as well. left right top bottom inside outside here there far near
Eg: Describe a your house
Ordering by Groups or Types (Classification and Comparison): This method involves two steps. The
first step is labeling the groups or types by answering the question "What is this paragraph about?" or "What
kinds of things are these details about?" The second step arranges the types in Chronological, Spatial, or
Emphatic Order. first type second type third type first similarity second similarity third similarity first difference
second difference third difference problem first possible solution second possible solution
Eg: What are the causes of pollution in the modern society?
The advantages of learning English?
Order of Importance (Emphatic or Climactic Order): This structure may be used for an entire
paragraph or essay or it may be used for portions of an essay. For example, one section of an essay may
require sequential organization while another section requires order of importance. Or the similarities in a
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comparison may need to be arranged emphatically. Most essays move from least to most; however, under
some circumstancesfor example, an argument addressed to a skeptical audiencethe strongest point comes
first. least important most important easiest hardest least convincing most convincing
Task 1
Fill in the blanks with one of the following words and phrases. Do not use the same expression twice.
First of all/Firstly/Second/Secondly/Third/Thirdly/Finally
In addition/Moreover/Furthermore/What is more
So/As a result/Therefore
However/On the other hand/In contrast
In conclusion/To sum up/On the whole
Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in the Country
Living in the country is often the secret dream of certain city-dwellers. ………..(1), in reality it has its advantages and
disadvantages.
There are many advantages to living in the country. …………..(2), one is much closer to nature and can enjoy more peace
and quiet. ……………(3), life in the country is much slower and people tend to be more open and friendly. A further
advantage is that there is much less traffic, and as a result it is a much safer place to bring up children.
……………..(4), there are certain drawbacks to life outside the city. ……………….(5), because there are fewer people, one
has a smaller number of friends. …………..(6), entertainment, particularly in the evening, is difficult to find. Furthermore,
the fact that there are fewer shops and services often means that there are fewer employment opportunities.
………….(7), one may have to travel long distances to work elsewhere, and this can be extremely expensive.
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…………(8), it can be seen that the country is more suitable for some than others. ………(9), it is often the best place for
those who are retired or who have young children. ………….(10), young, single people who are following a career and
who want some excitement are better provided for by life in the city.
1- However, 2- First of all 3- In addition 4- On the other hand 5- Firstly 6- Secondly 7-Finally 8- To sum up 9 – On the
whole 10 – In contrast
Task 2: Comment on the essay, answering the questions below. Compare your answers with the answers of your
colleagues.
1. Does the essay include all the points asked for in the question?
2. Does each paragraph have one clear topic?
3. Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence (TS)?
4. Does the writer use linking words and phrases to make the meaning clear?
5. Does the introduction give the reader an overall idea of the essay?
6. Does the conclusion summarise the whole essay and make a personal comment?
Task 3: Write a brief summary of each paragraph in the spaces below:
Introduction:
Paragraph I: Topic Sentence:
1.
2.
3.
Paragraph II: Topic Sentence:
1.
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2.
3.
Conclusion:
Task 4: Using the ideas below write an outline of an essay titled.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Watching Television
Ideas:
Advantages
1.
transform information
2.
updated news
3.
entertainment
Example: politics, science, history, geography
Example: weather, disaster
Example: movie, play
Disadvantages
1.
waste time
2.
harmful to eyes
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Example: not doing housework, family
Example:
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3.
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not suitable for children
Example:
SAMPLE:
Advantages / Disadvantages of Watching Television
Nowadays, television has become the most popular media of human kind, an indispensable
device in our daily life. Everyone must agree that the advantages of watching TV are
remarkable. However, beside those benefits, there are some disadvantages that we must
notice to be sure that we watch TV most effectively.
To begin with, television is one of the most important inventions which helps transform
information and is considered an unlimited source of entertainment. Television is, without
doubt, the most effective medium to deliver information to a large number of people very
quickly. By watching different channels on TV, people are able to gather information on
politics, science, history, geography or culture in a way that has never been possible before.
In addition, news in one part of the world can be seen within minutes or even seconds in any
other part of the world. As a result, it can keep them updated with changes in temperature or
dangerous situations such as disasters or accidents. TV is also a source of entertainment
that is affordable. Before television, visual entertainment meant a trip to the theater to watch
a movie or play. Today, movies, drama, comedy and music are all delivered straight to the
home. By pressing simple buttons, the whole world is open to you.
Everything contains its good side and bad side and television has no exceptions. Wasting
time is one of the inherent disadvantages of watching TV. Viewers can watch television
programmes continuously from six in the morning to the early hours of the next day. They
prefer to spend hours watching their favourite films instead of doing housework or engaging
in family activities. In the aspect of health, spending hours watching TV is harmful to your
eyesight whereas you could go out, play some sports and breathe the fresh air. Again,
television programme are not always suitable for all ages. Children can be exposed to
programs that are not appropriate for their age. Adult themes of sex and violence are far too
easily accessed, which destroys the innocence of children. It will be extremely dangerous if
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parents neglect their children to discover the TV programme themselves.
In summary, whether good or bad, television has found its way into the lives of people all
over the world and is an important part of life for many. Its benefits still guarantee it as the
most important device which people need in order to be up-to-date.
Write your essay on advantages and disadvantages of watching television
Make sure that it has an introduction, a paragraph on advantages, a paragraph on disadvantages and a conclusion.
Having written your essay, please use the following checklist:
Yes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
No
The essay consists of 4 paragraphs
The introduction states clearly what the essay will be about
There is a Topic Sentence introducing Paragraph 1 of the Body
There are three advantages in the paragraph on advantages
There is an example for each advantage
There is a Topic Sentence introducing Paragraph 2 of the Body
There are three disadvantages in the paragraph on the disadvantages
There is an example for each disadvantage
The conclusion summarises the main points and makes a personal comment
There are linking words/phrases
Each sentence has the following word order: Subject Verb Object
Homework:
Look at the following points. Give examples to support the advantages and disadvantages of traveling by bicycle.
e.g. Traveling by bicycle is environmentally friendly because you do not have to use petrol and a bicycle does not
produce pollution.
Advantages
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Environmentally friendly
Good exercise
Quick in heavy traffic
Disadvantages
Dangerous
Does not protect from weather
Not good for long trips
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