IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essay

IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essay

Introduction to the IELTS Advantage and Disadvantage Essay

One of the most common task types in the IELTS Writing Task 2 is the "Advantages and Disadvantages" essay. In this task, you are presented with a statement about a contemporary trend, issue, or development and asked to discuss its positive and negative aspects.

The primary goal of this essay is not to argue for a personal opinion but to demonstrate a balanced analysis. You must showcase your ability to consider a topic from multiple perspectives, weigh its pros and cons, and present a coherent, well-structured evaluation.

To achieve a high band score (Band 7+), you must do more than just list points. You need to discuss these points in detail, explaining why something is an advantage or disadvantage and providing specific examples or consequences. The structure is your blueprint for success, ensuring your ideas flow logically and your argument is easy for the examiner to follow.

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Structure: A Three-Part Blueprint

This is the most effective and recommended structure for this essay type.

1. Introduction

• Hook: Paraphrase the topic from the question statement.
• Thesis Statement: Briefly state that this development has both significant benefits and drawbacks.
• Roadmap: Conclude the introduction by mentioning what the essay will do (e.g., "This essay will first examine the primary advantages before turning to the key disadvantages.")

2. Body Paragraph 1: The Advantages

• Topic Sentence: Start with a clear sentence stating that there are notable advantages.
• Point 1: Explain your first advantage. Provide a specific detail or example.
• Point 2: Explain your second advantage (optional, but good for depth).
• Link: End the paragraph by reinforcing the value of these benefits.

3. Body Paragraph 2: The Disadvantages

• Topic Sentence: Start with a clear sentence introducing the disadvantages, often using a contrasting conjunction.
• Point 1: Explain your first disadvantage. Provide a specific detail or example.
• Point 2: Explain your second disadvantage.
• Link: End the paragraph by emphasizing the severity of these negative aspects.

4. Conclusion

• Summary: Briefly restate the main advantages and disadvantages (paraphrase).
• Final Statement: Offer a concluding thought. This could be a prediction, a recommendation, or a statement of balance (e.g., "Overall, while the benefits are considerable, the potential drawbacks must not be ignored.").

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:

·        What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?

·        Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

·        Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.

 

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Useful Phrases & Synonyms

Using a range of vocabulary is crucial for a high lexical resource score.

Purpose	Useful Phrases	Synonyms
Introduce the Topic	This essay will discuss...; It is widely argued that...	Discuss = examine, explore, analyze
Introduce Advantages	One of the principal advantages is...; On the positive side...; A significant benefit of this is...	Advantages = benefits, merits, positive aspects
Introduce Disadvantages	On the other hand...; However, this is not without its drawbacks...; A major disadvantage is...	Disadvantages = drawbacks, downsides, negative implications, pitfalls
Give Examples	For instance,...; For example,...; To illustrate,...	Example = instance, case in point
Explain Results	Consequently,...; As a result,...; This leads to...	Results = outcomes, repercussions, effects
Emphasize a Point	Undoubtedly,...; Clearly,...; It is evident that...	Clearly = evidently, obviously, certainly
Conclude	In conclusion,...; To conclude,...; In summary,...	Conclusion = summation, final assessment

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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 Question 2

Question:

More and more people are choosing to work remotely, becoming 'digital nomads' who can live and work from anywhere in the world. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

Sample Answer (Band 9) - 280 Words

The rise of digital technologies has enabled a growing number of professionals to abandon traditional office spaces in favor of a location-independent lifestyle, often referred to as the 'digital nomad' trend. This essay will first examine the primary benefits of this working arrangement, including enhanced flexibility and cultural exposure, before turning to its significant drawbacks, such as social isolation and work-life balance challenges.

On the positive side, the most obvious advantage is the unprecedented level of autonomy it offers. Digital nomads are liberated from the constraints of a fixed daily commute and rigid office hours, granting them the freedom to design a schedule that aligns with their personal productivity peaks. This can lead to greater job satisfaction and a healthier lifestyle. Furthermore, this lifestyle fosters profound personal and professional growth. By immersing themselves in diverse cultures and environments, individuals can gain a global perspective, learn new languages, and build a more adaptable skill set, which can make them more valuable employees.

Conversely, the nomadic lifestyle is fraught with considerable drawbacks. Perhaps the most significant is the potential for chronic social isolation. Without the daily, casual interactions found in a traditional office, individuals can feel disconnected from their colleagues and a sense of professional community. This can negatively impact mental well-being and professional collaboration. Additionally, the blurred line between work and leisure time can lead to burnout. The temptation to work from a beautiful beach can ironically result in working longer hours, as the distinction between 'being on vacation' and 'being productive' becomes increasingly ambiguous.

In conclusion, while the digital nomad trend offers exceptional advantages in terms of personal freedom and cultural enrichment, it simultaneously presents serious challenges related to loneliness and work-life integration. Ultimately, its success hinges on the individual's capacity to create a structured routine and actively foster social connections to mitigate the adverse effects of a perpetually transient lifestyle.

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Sample Question 3

Question:

Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are rapidly transforming the global economy, replacing human workers in many sectors. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technological shift.

Sample Answer (Band 9) - 290 Words

The fourth industrial revolution, driven by automation and artificial intelligence, is fundamentally reshaping the landscape of work. While this technological evolution is often portrayed as a threat, its impact is multifaceted. This essay will analyze the notable benefits of increased efficiency and safety before scrutinizing the severe disadvantage of mass job displacement and social inequality.

The primary advantage of automation is its capacity to supercharge productivity and efficiency. Machines and AI algorithms are capable of performing repetitive, complex tasks at a speed and accuracy that far surpasses human capability. This allows companies to reduce operational costs and produce higher-quality goods with fewer errors. This economic boon can lead to lower prices for consumers and significant growth for businesses. Moreover, automation can be a force for safety by removing humans from hazardous environments. In industries such as mining, chemical manufacturing, and space exploration, robots and AI-controlled machinery can undertake tasks that are life-threatening to humans, thereby saving lives.

However, the most alarming downside of this technological revolution is the potential for unprecedented levels of unemployment. The automation of routine cognitive and manual tasks threatens to displace millions of workers across various sectors, from manufacturing and logistics to administrative and customer service roles. This large-scale job displacement could lead to significant social unrest and exacerbate economic inequality, creating a stark divide between a highly-skilled class that designs and maintains the technology and a low-skilled class facing obsolescence. Furthermore, there is the pressing ethical dilemma of algorithmic bias, where AI systems can perpetuate and amplify existing societal prejudices if not carefully designed and monitored.

In conclusion, while automation and AI offer transformative benefits for economic output and workplace safety, their potential to decimate job markets and deepen social divides is a grave concern that requires immediate attention. To harness the advantages while mitigating the disadvantages, governments and industries must invest heavily in retraining programs and establish robust ethical frameworks to guide the development of this powerful technology.

 Sample 4

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school.

Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

 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 5

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.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Globalization 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 13

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 14

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 15

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?