Advantage and dis advantage essay
An advantage and disadvantage essay is a type
of academic or argumentative essay that requires the writer to analyze both the
positive and negative aspects of a particular topic, issue, or situation. The
goal of this type of essay is to present a balanced perspective by examining
the advantages and disadvantages of the subject matter.
In the IELTS exam, the Advantage and
Disadvantage essay is a common task in the Writing section, specifically in
Task 2 of the Academic and General Training modules. This task requires
candidates to discuss the pros and cons of a given topic or situation and
present their opinion. In the IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage essay,
it's essential to demonstrate a balanced understanding of the topic by
discussing both positive and negative aspects. Additionally, candidates should
use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures to showcase their language
proficiency.
Basically, in all advantages and disadvantages essays your task is to describe positive and negative sides of a given topic + give your opinion.
Structure
Introduction: Paraphrase the question
Outline
sentence
Main
Body paragraph-1 : Advantages
Explain
the advantages of the given topic
Provide
suitable example
Main
Body paragraph-2 : Disadvantages
Explain
the disadvantage of the given topic
Provide
suitable example
Conclusion
: Summary of the main points
Note:
If you are requested to give your opinion then make one separate paragraph (
Body paragraph 3)
Do the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages meaning?
If one
thing outweighs another, the first thing is of greater importance,
benefit, or significance than the second thing.
Questions
for IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays can be worded in several
different ways. Here is some typical wording that might be used:
v What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
v Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
v Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
Sample 1
A lot
of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of income.
Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not managed
correctly.
Describe
the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world. Do you think
that benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?
Let’s
think about advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world.
Advantages
of tourism:
• boost in country’s economy due to
increased spending
• new job opening for local people
• opportunities to discover new places
for individual travelers
Disadvantages
of tourism:
• destruction of popular tourist
destinations by large numbers of tourists
• development of illegal economic
activities
• local people can experience loss of
privacy
Nowadays
tourism generates a significant portion of national income for many countries,
but it has certain drawbacks too. This essay will examine the advantages and
disadvantages of tourism and provide a logical conclusion.
The
two main advantages of developed tourism industry are boost in country’s
economy and a large number of new job openings for the local people. Firstly,
tourists spend money on a wide range of services, including hotels, amusements,
transportation, food and medical services. This way, tourism yields an
additional income, greatly supporting the country’s economy. Secondly, tourism
increases the level of employment by bringing new jobs. For instance, the
influx of tourists results in a larger demand in restaurant workers, tour
guides, hotel staff and employees of retail services, exhorting business owners
to hire more people for these positions.
But
tourism also has some major disadvantages like destruction of popular tourist
destinations and development of illegal economic activities. Ancient buildings,
temples and monuments struggle to cope with a vast amount of visitor’s traffic
and get damaged. Also, the large number of tourists can cause environmental
problems. For instance, when places of interest are overcrowded, natural
resources often become overexploited. What’s more, the presence of a
considerable number of tourists with a lot of money to spend, and often
carrying valuables such as cameras and jewelry, increases the attraction for
criminals and brings with it activities like robbery and drug dealing. However,
proper hospitality management and correct usage of tourism revenue by the local
government can eliminate these disadvantages.
To
conclude, although tourism can have certain negative effects like destructive
impact and growth of crime rate, it has an extremely positive influence on
country’s economy and provides a large number of new jobs for the local people.
I believe that these benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks. (299 words)
Sample 2
As
commonly seen in the most parts of the world today, the trend among children,
especially those in kindergartens or in elementary schools, learning English or
a second language is on the rise. Some people believe that it is a good thing,
while others claim that it will be an extra burden for them in such an early
age and the learning of a second language should be started at the secondary
level. In my opinion, this trend, on the whole, brings more advantages than
disadvantages. I will analyse both sides of the arguments before a reasoned
conclusion is drawn.
On the one hand, the supporters of this trend emphasis on the adaptability and
quick learning abilities of juveniles. This is to say, children have a higher
capability of learning new languages as compared to elders. For example,
according to a recent research conducted by UNICEF, learning pace of children
is 40% much faster in their early age rather when they are young. Hence, it is
certainly a welcoming effort to teach them a second language at an early age.
On the other hand, the syndicates who refute this idea show their concerns that
toddlers are usually highly occupied with their academic syllabus. Therefore,
to get them learning a new language will inevitably put an additional burden
beside their studies. For instance, it can be clearly seen that children who
bear the extra pressure of studies eventually get affected by health related
issues. Thus, we should not neglect the element of health’s hazards in any
learning process.
To summarise, by analysing both sides of the view, it is clear that both sides
present solid evidence. However, I strongly believe that learning English at an
early age is undeniably more favourable in terms of adaptable and flexible
nature of children. Therefore, advantages of learning a second language in
kindergarten outweigh its disadvantages. ( 311 words)
Sample 3
These
days, there is an ongoing debate on whether high school graduates should take a
year off before joining college. A gap year is a break from formal education
and a controlled environment that is otherwise monotonous and exhausting. In
many countries, youngsters are often challenged to take a break year, work, or
travel around the world, before embarking on their formal university education.
This recent trend has numerous benefits and a few drawbacks, which will be
discussed in this essay.
On the
one hand, the year break gives the students a great time to make an informed
choice concerning the career option that learners plan to pursue with passion.
By working or traveling before joining the universities, students can work in
the fields of their interests or visit places or people who are already in
those fields, thereby gaining more knowledge about their life calling. One of
my friends worked as a salesman, content writer, and even secretary to a pro
manager before finalizing a content writing-related course in university. In
addition, these experiences of working and traveling force a person to manage
their own time, money, and safety. As a result, students become more organized
and responsible as parents do not assist them.
On the
other hand, there are a number of drawbacks that people should take into
consideration. Firstly, students who take a break and start working may find it
challenging to maintain their distance from monetary benefits leading to
conflict between academic priorities and work-related responsibilities. Even
people who have traveled may find it difficult to focus back on their studies.
Secondly, working or traveling at a young age may make students susceptible to
accidents or health issues. One of my batch-mates met an accident when
delivering that did not allow him to pursue a career in the military.
To sum
up, there are lots of reasons in favour of encouraging young people to work or
travel for one year after graduating from the high school, but there are also
some disadvantages that have to be taken into account. ( 343 words)
Sample 4
The
rise of convenience foods has helped people keep up the speed of the modern
lifestyle. What are the advantages of this trend? Do the advantages outweigh
the disadvantages?
Over
the past decade, the food industry had tremendous growth and improvements. The
demand for convenience food, due to the busy lifestyle of many people, is now
on the rise around the globe. This essay will analyse both the advantages and
disadvantages of this trend.
On the
one hand, it is obvious that the convenience food is more beneficial precisely
for modern society. Wasting lessen time for cooking at home, people should
consume these type of food. They not only can be made easier and faster, but
also more affordable than meals which can be cooked at home. Cup noodles, for
example, are a well-known instant food which are ready to be eaten by simply
adding hot water in it. In addition, ready-made meals are budget friendly and a
desirable option for people who are live in a tight budget.
On the
other hand, this trend has some drawbacks. Firstly, many people believe that
this type of food may cause ailments such high blood pressure, cardio vascular
diseases and obesity problems. This is due to the fact that people are not able
to save enough time for preparation of home-made meals. Secondly, the
inactivity of a person can lead to less burning of fat in the body resulting in
an accumulated weight. Moreover, the presence of fast foods are prevalent in
every corner of the streets, making it the ultimate choice. Furthermore, the
excess consumption of fats and sugar that cannot be burned to energy will be
deposited in the human body as unwanted fats.
In
conclusion, the merits and demerits of this trends are numerous. However, after
analysing both sides, it is felt that the convenience food are less time
consuming and more diverse outweighs the disadvantages. ( 288 words)
Sample 5
With
the rise in e-books comes the decline in paper books. Some people see this as a
good step forward while others do not. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of this trend?
Reading
books on electronic devices such as tablets and smart phones is becoming
increasingly popular. On the one hand, some feel that this change is a positive
one, but on the other hand, people see this as a negative development. This
essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with this trend.
The
biggest advantage of eBooks is that they can be stored and carried around
easily/conveniently. Thousands of e-books can be stored on electronic devices
such as tablets and smartphones which are no bigger than the size of your palm
and therefore, people can carry their entire library with them wherever they
go. A survey by the New York Times reported that more than 70 percent of the
University students prefer e-books as they can now carry a single device
containing an array of digital books in their pockets instead of a huge
backpack filled with paper / hardcover books.
On the
flip side, people feel that the over-reliance on electronic devices for reading
puts a strain on the reader’s eyes. This is because tablets and smartphones
emit blue light from their screens which causes stress and irritation to the
eyes upon prolonged exposure. Ophthalmologists have found that more than half
of the patients who visit them face issues with their eyesight primarily due to
the excessive usage of electronic devices for reading purpose. Therefore,
people need to take precaution while relying on reading books on their gadgets.
Also, software glitches or a weak battery can make these devices useless and
reading impossible. Since this can happen at the most inopportune times, it is
not safe to rely on eBooks alone.
To
conclude, the major benefit of e-books is the convenience of carrying a vast
number of files on a single device that people can access anywhere. Despite the
advantages of this trend, it has the drawback of affecting the reader’s
eyesight. Also, any problem with the eBook reader can make the books
inaccessible.
( 325
words)
Sample 6
In some countries, young people are encouraged
to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting
university studies.
Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.
In
some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year
between finishing high school and starting university studies. It is quite common these days for young people in many
countries to have a break from studying after graduating from high school. This
trend is not restricted to rich students who have the money to travel but is
also evident among poorer students who choose to work and become economically
independent for a period of time.
The reasons for this trend may involve the recognition that a
young adult who passes directly from school to university is rather restricted
in terms of general knowledge and experience of the world. By contrast, those
who have spent some time earning a living or travelling to other places have a
broader view of life and better personal resources to draw on. They tend to be
more independent, which is a very important factor in academic study and
research, as well as giving them an advantage in terms of coping with the
challenges of student life.
However, there are certainly dangers in taking time off at
that important age. Young adults may end up never returning to their studies or
finding it difficult to re-adapt to an academic environment. They may think
that it is better to continue in a particular job or to do something completely
different from a university course. But overall, I think this is less likely
today when academic qualifications are essential for getting a reasonable
career.
My view is that young people should be encouraged to broaden
their horizons. That is the best way for them to get a clear perspective of
what they are hoping to do with their lives and why. Students with such a
perspective are usually the most effective and motivated ones and taking a year
off may be the best way to gain this.
or,
Nowadays it is a trend in some countries that the
young people travel before they start the university studies. Travelling to
other countries is not a barrier for the rich students as they have enough
money to spend. There are many merits and demerits for young people who decide
to do this.
Firstly, students can fill the time gap
between finishing high school and starting university studies. They do not have
to simply sit at home. Secondly, even poor people can work after their high
school and earn money for their higher studies so that there will not be any
burden for their parents. Thirdly, working and travelling in foreign countries
allows gaining knowledge about the culture, norms, and values of that country.
Furthermore it increases our communication skill. More over students can find
out the different courses and studies available in the country and they can
choose the further studies according to their taste. Again working or
travelling help people to face the realities of life and they will be prepared
to manage the obstacles in their future life. In addition to this, work and
travel make young people independent for their future university studies. As a
result, they will become self-confident and it increases their self-esteem.
On the contrary, there are some
disadvantages too. Sometimes people will never return to their academic studies
so that country will lose its scholars. Again young people may continue their
work and they may lack their interest in studies. I think very few people only
discontinue the studies as higher qualifications are needed for a good job.
When we weigh both sides, the advantages
are more. From the above reasons, in my opinion, countries should
encourage their young people to work or travel for a year between finishing
high school and starting university studies.
Sample 7
In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults. This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?
In recent years, distance teaching and learning has become increasingly popular among the students and this is perceived differently by learners. Many students perceive this as a beneficial aid in learning while others think that they are not as much effective as classroom teaching. This essay will discuss about the merits and demerits of distant learning.
Studying an online course provides a flexible timing and less budgeted learning for students. They are able to learn their desire course and subjects on their suitable time. This gives a great opportunity for learners to gain new skills and strengthen their knowledge level staying in their own place. For instance, a Nepali student who wants an Australian degree in business management course does not have to stay in Australia, he can study online and complete course staying at his home. Hence, distant learning is economic and time saving.
However, online courses give more emphasis on the theoretical part of learning and there is less teacher and student interaction. It lacks the practical aspects of learning and encourage the passive learning. This is very obvious that students find it as a less effective learning than in the classroom. A recent study suggests that a greater number of students found classroom teaching far more effective than the distance learning.
In conclusion, the ever growing availability of online learning has gained its popularity among the young adults for many years, which is perceived as beneficial by many people while others find it to be less effective. The emphasis can be given to its effectiveness to establish it as the most cost effective learning than the classroom teaching.
Sample 8
Nowadays online shopping has become more popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant example from your own knowledge or experience.
Nowadays, the number of people who purchase various products and services online is increasing more than ever before. This has certainly affected the business of shopping centres to a great extent. However, I consider this development as positive, due to a number of reasons.
To begin with, e-shopping is generally considered to be more convenient for customers than in-store purchasing. Perhaps, this is because, many people, nowadays, are unable to find adequate time to go shopping as they are too busy with professional or personal responsibilities. For example, virtual shopping websites such as, eBay and Amazon provide a wide range of products online, which cater to the needs of individuals from the comfort of their home. Moreover, such shopping sites have considerably reduced major inconveniences associated with shopping, like travelling to distant shops, parking vehicles in crowded cities and spending a considerable amount of time.
Furthermore, online shopping allows people to select from a wide range of products, and the prices and features of products are often compared. This has enabled customers to choose the right products that suit their needs. For instance, popular online shops in India, namely Flipkart and Jabong have not only provided detailed information of their products on sale but also customers' opinions and reviews on their product experience. Besides, placed orders on these websites can be altered or cancelled by customers, and purchased products can also be returned if they do not meet the assured quality. Shopping, however, is a social experience for certain people and many of them enjoy shopping as leisure or entertainment. But, popular shopping websites often compete with stores with lower prices and discount sales. This has also influenced many people to purchase products online.
In conclusion, online shopping offers greater benefits to customers when compared to in-store purchasing. Clearly, while it converts shopping into a hassle-free experience, shopping over the internet is increasingly convenient, too. Therefore, I think this is definitely a positive trend and the popularity of online shopping is likely to continue.
Sample 9
Many elderly people are no longer looked after by their families but are put in care homes or nursing homes.
What
are the possible reasons for this?What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend?
In contemporary society, the traditional practice of
caring for elderly family members within their own homes has gradually shifted
towards placing them in care or nursing facilities. This trend can be
attributed to several reasons, encompassing societal, economic, and individual
factors. This essay will also outline a few benefits and disadvantages of this
trend.
Firstly, the increase in nuclear families
and the rise of dual-career households result in decreased availability of
family members to offer full-time care to their elderly relatives. For
instance, in contemporary urban settings, both parents in a family often work
full-time jobs, leaving little opportunity for them to provide constant care
for elderly family members. Moreover, as communities become more globalized,
adult children may relocate for career opportunities, making it geographically
challenging to provide consistent care to elderly parents or grandparents.
The transition of elderly individuals to
care homes presents both advantages and disadvantages. One notable advantage is
the provision of specialized care and medical attention by trained
professionals, ensuring the elders' health needs are adequately met. Moreover,
these facilities often offer structured social activities and companionship,
reducing isolation and enhancing mental well-being. Conversely, among the
disadvantages, the change in environment and routine may cause emotional
distress, leading to feelings of abandonment or loneliness among the elderly.
Furthermore, the institutional setting might lack the warmth and personalized
attention found in familial care, potentially leading to a decline in emotional
connection and support.
In conclusion, the shift towards care homes for the
elderly stems from a combination of societal changes and practical
considerations. While these facilities offer professional care and structured
support systems, they can also lead to emotional challenges and a sense of
disconnection for the elderly.
Sample
10
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of globalization? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?
Globalisation has been one of the most significant
phenomena in the last few decades, and it has changed several aspects of human
society both economically and socially. There has been remarkable progress in
terms of economic and financial development for developing countries due to the
expansion of global organizations. However, there are several drawbacks to this
rapid progress that need to be addressed. Evidently, globalization has more
advantages than disadvantages and the following paragraphs, will elaborate on
the topic and justify these views.
First of all, the most advantageous aspect of
globalization is the advent of numerous international companies and franchises
in developing countries. Ever since global brands and corporations have
expanded their operations in countries such as India, China, Sri Lanka and many
more, there has been a notable increase in employment in these countries.
Additionally, due to the remarkable rise in the number of imports and exports,
people from third world countries now have access to a vast catalogue of products
and services that were previously unattainable.
That being said, there are drawbacks to globalization
that create concerning issues for a sizeable portion of the global population.
One of the most disturbing consequences faced is the exploitation of labour.
Many corporations are known to outsource their operations to developing
countries due to cheap labour costs. This enables them to accomplish their
manufacturing operations without having to provide proper remuneration. Also,
due to the use of inexpensive labour, the quality of products is diminished, and
customers receive inferior products.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that the effects of
globalization are not entirely positive or negative. Nonetheless, the benefits
brought by this occupation outweigh the drawbacks.
Sample
11
Using a computer every day can have more
negative than positive effects on young children.
Do you agree or disagree?
Nowadays, young children use computers so frequently that some even use
them more than 10 hours every day. Although some people believe that the
phenomenon has no harmful effects on young children, I agree that the
disadvantages of it outweigh the advantages.
To begin
with, the benefits of using a computer are widely admitted. As high-tech tools,
computers provide children with diversified methods to help them learn
efficiently. Animated web pages and incentive applications are designed for
teaching and inspiring them to access more information and that process
expands their horizons as a result. Also, children are attracted easily by the
interactions in educational computer programs, so that they absorb knowledge
effectively in a lively atmosphere, and it proves to be welcomed by both
parents and teachers.
On the other hand, negative impacts of using a
computer every day need to be emphasised. Since young children have only
acquired inadequate self-control, they are likely to be addicted to computers,
video games in particular. Spending too much time on computer games, children
will lose their interest in studying as well as communicating with their peers.
Moreover, their values and perspectives of the real world might not be well
developed once they fall in love with the virtual world, which will have a detrimental
influence on their future. Again, using computers for long hours has both
physical and psychological effects that would be even more devastating for
young children.
In conclusion, though computers are helpful to
youngsters’ study, the adverse effects they bring weigh more. It is acceptable
that youngsters use computers two or three times a week, but parents still need
to be aware of the unhealthy information on the internet and video games
addiction of their offspring.
or,
The computer is considered as a wonderful invention
of the modern world and somehow young people are more attracted to using
computers than the older people. Like any other technology, computers have
their own demerits if overused or negatively used, but I completely disagree
that using a computer every day can have more adverse effects than positive
effects for young children.
A computer is a bit different from other
electronics tools or gadgets like music players, gaming devices or televisions.
Someone requires a great deal of knowledge and an advanced computing capability
to actually create something useful in a computer. How can someone become an
expert graphics designer or programmer if s/he does not use computers daily
from the early age? The negative effects that computers might bring are pretty
ignorable and are mostly health related issue that someone can easily overcome with
a little awareness and prudent lifestyle. But this negative effect is nowhere
comparable with the advancement and flexibility the computer technology has
bought for our life. Young children who play games more than 7-8 hours or do
unproductive tasks in a computer are actually bringing more negative points
that learning the miracle machines. But think about a child who learns
programming, play games, learn advanced computing 3-4 hours a day would become
a great computer professional someday.
In conclusion, if the young people are spending their
time for entertainment purposes in front of a computer, then s/he better
be utilised in somewhere else. But someone with the determination to learn the
computing and advancing his/her knowledge about computer software, hardware and
networking would become a skilled person for the upcoming future. Hence the
young people should be encouraged to use computers daily to enhance their
knowledge while taking precaution so that this habit does not affect their health.
Sample
12
Children nowadays watch TV programmes more
than ever before. Is watching television good or bad for children?
In recent years, television has become
popular in the most parts of the world. As a result, children have an easy
access to a TV set or even their mobile phone serves many TV channels.
Undoubtedly, this may have a significant impact on the development of the
youth. In this essay, the advantages and disadvantages of children watching
television will be analysed and the author's opinion provided at the end.
On the up side, the youngest people of society have an additional resource of useful information by watching broadcasted programmes. For instance, they can learn about nature, science and politics from documentaries. Additionally, children may see the complex relationships of adults in dramas. Therefore, they might become more empathetic. Another major positive aspect of staying on end in front of a screen is that it is possible to learn a foreign language. In my experience, some of my friends honed their English language skills when they were younger. To sum up, it can be seen that television can be an alternative to learning.
Turning to the other side of the argument, watching television can affect children in a negative way. Firstly, a lot of films are created that are praised for the special effects, not for the underlying ideas. Thus, children may waste their time by enjoying only the views. Secondly, generally speaking, offensive language and violence are used to make films more intense. As a result, the youth might think that being aggressive in daily situations can be a solution to some of their personal problems. Therefore, our society can become more competitive and justify violence in the future. It is clear now, why some broadcasted programmes are considered negative.
In conclusion, the benefits and drawbacks of children watching television were analysed. Noteworthy is the fact that the usefulness of the delivered information by broadcasting depends solely on the personal choice. In my opinion, the advantages of television outweigh the disadvantages as I believe that children either can choose wisely what to watch themselves or they are advised by their parents.
Sample 13
Test and examination is a central feature of
school systems in any counties. Do you think the educational benefits of
testing outweigh any disadvantages?
In today’s school systems tests and examinations are
major features in many countries where test plays an important role is believed
by some citizens. Whereas on same scale others argue that they are not
mandatory. However, I feel that testing should not be major a one in the school
system for the following reasons.
Firstly, a common advantage of examination is that it differentiates best and
poor performers i.e., hard working students are smart in tests compared to
others. Similarly, school kids feel that if they want to upgrade for next
standard they should appear and pass exams. Hence this concept creates a
responsibility on studies. However many nations in the world are preferring
this testing format in education.
On the other hand, few drawbacks are noticed such as
slow learners cannot perform well in the test and this creates inferior
complexity among students. If opportunity, time and new learning techniques are
imparted to students, they can perform better in tests.
Moreover, suicide trends are seen by this examination system. Hence developed countries are exempting testing feature. This phenomenon created confusion in parents, children and teachers whether to continue with the test pattern or simply promote students to next higher class. This brought a drastic change in many countries which headed toward exemption of tests.
To conclude with, testing the candidate has both advantages and disadvantages and the overall major advantage is slow learner benefit a lot from exam system. If passing an exam in not mandatory because maturity and seriousness towards studies are not seen in childhood days, the students can improve as well. The test does not always reflect the true reflection of the students’ merit and thus are often biased.
Practice the followings
1. What do you think are the strengths
and weakness of the education system in your country. Use your own experience
to support your idea.
2. In the last decade, there has been a
great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults.
This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other
students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching. What are
the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?
3. Some parents buy their children a
large number of toys to play with. What are the advantages and disadvantages
for the child of having a large number of toys?
4. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of mobile phones in our daily lives.
5. In some countries, more and more
adults are living with their parents after graduating from college , University
or even after finding a job. Do the advantages of this outweigh disadvantages?
6. Every year large numbers of people
migrate from one country to another for different reasons. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of migration for the individual and for society as
a whole.
7. Nowadays online shopping becomes more
popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or a negative development?
Give your reasons and examples.
8. Describe the advantages and
disadvantages of living in a large city.
9. Some companies and organizations
require their employees to wear uniform. What are the advantages and
disadvantages of wearing uniform?
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