[토플라이팅] independent writing 연습문제 & 샘플답안 -1 <Agree/Disagree>

Agree/ Disagree

9. Living & Thinking

 

1.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Nowadays, people put too much emphasis on personal appearance and fashion.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] Our modern society is highly competitive, so people need to use every opportunity to get ahead in life. [Thesis statement] For this reason, it is crucial for people to pay close attention to their appearance. This includes both the way they look and the clothes they wear.

[Topic sentence 1] To begin with, having a good appearance can be valuable to an individual when he is looking for a job. [General statement 1] Many times, the way that a person looks and dresses can help him get hired. After all, an interviewer's first impression is often based upon how a person looks. So, if an individual ignores his appearance and fashion, he might not be successful during the interview process. [Example 1] My older brother had an experience just like this. A few months after he got his current job, his boss told my brother that he had been competing against a woman for the job. However, because my brother looked more professional, his boss decided to hire him, so my brother got the job. [Closing sentence 1] Taking special care of one's appearance can certainly help one's career. It certainly did for my brother.

[Topic sentence 2] Next, if a person emphasizes his appearance, he can improve his self- esteem. [General statement 2] Many people suffer from low esteem and a lack of self- confidence. However, people who have good bodies and wear fashionable clothes often feel better about themselves. Their appearance actually gives them more confidence. [Example 2] Again, my older brother is an excellent example. He was always overweight and very shy in middle school. He also had few friends and was not very popular. However, he started paying more attention to his appearance and began exercising in high school. As he started to slim up, he came out of his shell and almost immediately became a more confident, outgoing person. This change made him more popular at school too, so he started feeling better about himself. [Closing sentence 2] It seems clear to me that people are happier when they take care of their appearance and are confident in how they look.

[Summary] Ultimately, it is good that people pay more attention to their appearance because it will help them secure better jobs and improve how they feel about themselves. [Final comment] Taking special care of one's appearance and fashion is definitely a rewarding investment. 

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] Today, more than ever, many people seem obsessed with how they look. [Thesis statement] Unfortunately, a large number of people place too much emphasis on their personal appearance and fashion.

[Topic sentence 1] One example of this is the amount of cosmetic surgery many people are having these days. Judging from the increase in cosmetic surgery recently, it is obvious that some people consider their appearance to be more important than anything else. [General statement 1] Because of their infatuation with how they look, they waste their money, which they could spend on more important things, and have cosmetic surgery instead. [Example 1] For example, a magazine article reported on a mother who became addicted to cosmetic surgery and was obsessed with improving her appearance. Eventually, she ended up spending her daughter's entire college savings to satisfy her vanity. Because of this mother's actions, her daughter will have difficulty attending college in the future. Sadly, this is not an isolated case, as many more people are wasting money to have surgery. [Closing sentence 1] In these instances, cosmetic surgery can have serious negative financial side effects on people and their families.

[Topic sentence 2] Also, many young people believe that how a person looks is the most important quality in an individual. [General statement 2] This mentality can make people become very superficial and narrow-minded, characteristics they will keep for the rest of their lives. [Example 2] Many students tend to value and accept others into their circle of friends for the sole reasons of how good they look and how fashionable they are. Because of this tendency, many students ignore the true personalities of their classmates and focus upon whether or not they look good. As these students grow older, they will continue to judge people based on their appearance rather than on their character, which may create later conflicts or problems. [Closing sentence 2] Undeniably, these days, young people focus too much on a person's outside, that is, his or her looks, and not enough on the person's inside, which is his or her personality.

[Summary] In conclusion, the increase in cosmetic surgery and the weight young people put on appearances and fashion show how individuals in general place too much importance on how they look. These two factors can have negative consequences for people, however. [Final comment] People should be concerned about their entire being, not just what they show on the outside.

 

2.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
People should spend money on things that last a long time, such as expensive pieces of jewelry, than spend money on short-term pleasures like vacations. 
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] Some people like to spend their hard-earned money on short-term pleasures such as summer vacations. [Thesis statement] However, I think it is better to spend money on things like expensive jewelry, which will last a long time, because these items will give people enjoyment for years and years and will also be solid investments for people's retirements.

[Topic sentence 1] Short-term pleasures are exactly that: short term. Purchasing expensive items is better because of their longevity. [General statement 1] That is, people will have opportunities to enjoy them for a much longer period than, for instance, a one- or two week vacation. For example, when they were younger, my grandparents saved their money and bought a small country home. [Example 1] For years, they vacationed there in the summer. However, that was not their only intention. They planned for it to remain in the family for as long as possible so that future generations could also enjoy it. [Closing sentence 1] In this sense, it is desirable that people buy more expensive items which will last a long time because they will be able to enjoy them for a much greater period of time.

[Topic sentence 2] Also, purchasing things that last a long time could allow people to retire earlier. If they use their money wisely by investing in valuable items, they will be able to gain large returns on them and enjoy their lives for longer periods after retiring. [General statement 2] Furthermore, they will not have to work as long as people who do not purchase long-lasting, valuable items that increase in value. [Example 2] For example, my uncle always invested his money in diamonds instead of spending it on short term pleasures such as trips, and, thanks to the money he earned from his investments, he was able to retire at the age of fifty. [Closing sentence 2] In the long run, investing clearly outweighs spending.

[Summary] In conclusion, I firmly believe that people should spend their money on long-lasting items because they will enjoy them for a longer period of time and possibly even be able to retire earlier than they had expected if they have invested wisely. [Final comment] While trips and other short-lived pleasures may be fun, they are not really good uses of a person's money.

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] While some people say it is best to spend money on long-lasting items such as jewelry, I totally disagree with their opinion. [Thesis statement] Purchasing expensive items leaves people with not enough money for them to enjoy other pleasures in their lives.

[Topic sentence 1] First of all, long-lasting items such as jewelry require people to spend large sums of money. If someone invests in these items, that person may not have enough money to buy anything else. Furthermore, things that last a long time are usually put away for safekeeping and are never really enjoyed by their owners. For example, a friend of my father's sometimes spent much of his salary on expensive necklaces and earrings for his wife. Of course, she was happy, but she never wore them for fear of losing them. Also, they could never buy other nice things for themselves because he spent all of his money on buying her jewelry. Spending money on long-lasting things only ties up people's money and reduces the quality of their lives.

[Topic sentence 2] Also, individuals who buy long-lasting items will miss out on enjoying their lives by doing things like traveling. Once they spend all of their money on expensive items such as jewelry, they will have nothing left to do the things they want to do, like, for example, see the world. This situation is very sad because life is short, and no one knows what the future will bring. People should spend money for their current enjoyment rather than save it for the distant future. For instance, my great uncle always invested his money in old books instead of taking his family on vacations and spending time with them. Because of this, his family never had the opportunity to travel together and make wonderful memories that would last for years. Instead of spending money on long-lasting things, people should instead spend their money on fun filled trips with friends or family.

[Summary] In conclusion, people who spend money on long- lasting, expensive items like jewelry limit their ability to buy other things for themselves and deprive themselves of the opportunity to travel and truly enjoy life. [Final comment] People should spend their money on fun things and not worry about the fact that they are short-term pleasures because you never know what the future will bring. 

 

10. Culture & Leisure

 

1.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is better to take a trip by oneself than to take a group tour with guidance.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] Many people are content to take trips by themselves and not use group or package tours. Unfortunately, they do not always have the best vacations. Instead, people should consider group tours. [Thesis statement] Taking a group tour is the best option for people considering a vacation.

[Topic sentence 1] First, group tours plan travelers' entire itineraries. [General statement 1] Because their trip has already been arranged, people do not have to worry about where they are going or how they are getting there. They can simply relax, enjoy their trip, and not get stressed out about anything. [Example 1] For example, my family once took a package

tour to China. The travel agency arranged everything. It took care of the hotel reservations,

transportation, and sightseeing. My family did not have to worry about anything. We just looked at the schedule the travel agency had provided and followed it. Thanks to the travel agency, we could just relax and enjoy our entire trip. This made things easier on my father since he did not have to worry every single minute about where we would go next. All in all, we had a great trip. [Closing sentence 1] Group tours take the anxiety of daily planning out of traveling and let travelers enjoy their vacations without any stress.

[Topic sentence 2] Another benefit of group tours is that they allow people to interact with one another while traveling. [General statement 2] Travelers are able to form tight friendships with people whom they otherwise would never have met because they are traveling together for a number of days. [Example 2] For instance, for their honeymoon, my parents went to Russia on a group tour. They met another couple on that trip, and everyone had a great time together. Even after many years, they remain very close friends and travel together from time to time If my parents had traveled by themselves, they never would have met this couple, and they would have lost out on a good friendship. [Closing sentence 2] Group tours allow people to meet others on the same trip and help them form strong friendships, unlike traveling independentlv.

[Summary] In conclusion, there is nothing better than a group tour when traveling. Group tours schedule everything on the trip, and they give individuals the opportunity to meet other individuals and form lasting friendships. [Final comment] Group tours are the best way to travel when taking a trip.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] These days, more and more people are taking trips during their vacations. And group package tours are more popular than ever. [Thesis statement] However, I believe that it is much better for individuals to travel independently than to take a costly group tour.

[Topic sentence 1] First of all, traveling by oneself is much more economical than taking a group tour. [General statement 1] Since many people travel on budgets, it is often very important for them to save money. Additionally, with the money they save, people will be able to travel for longer periods of time if they choose. [Example 1] For example, my older brother once backpacked for a month in Southeast Asia. He said that if he had taken a group tour, he would only have been able to have traveled for less than a week. Because he went on the trip by himself, he was able to extend his stay for nearly a month and could therefore see more fascinating places. [Closing sentence 1] Because group tours are so expensive, people should travel independently and enjoy longer trips with the money they save from not taking a package tour. 

[Topic sentence 2] Also, traveling by oneself is not as restrictive as going on a group tour. [General statement 2] When people travel by themselves, they are not restricted and have the freedom to choose where they will eat or stay, which can make for a more enjoyable experience. [Example 2] For instance, my parents have taken two trips to Europe: one on their own and the other with a group tour. On the group tour, they were forced to visit certain places that they were not interested in. When they got back home, they felt as if they had wasted much of their trip. However, they thoroughly enjoyed the trip that they took by themselves. The reason is that they felt free to change their schedule whenever they found something they wanted to see or do. They also found many interesting places on their own that a tour group would have never taken them to see. [Closing sentence 2] Clearly, traveling on one's own gives people more freedom, which is something people do not often have when they go on group tours. 

[Summary] In conclusion, traveling by oneself is the best option because it is not as expensive or as restrictive as group tours. Traveling alone enables people to take longer trips and have more positive experiences than traveling in a large group. [Final comment] People who want to be free to determine their own trips should always avoid group tours and travel by themselves. 

 

2.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Movies and television have more negative effects than positive effects on young people's behavior.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] Movies and television play important roles in the lives of many people. [Thesis statement] However, when it comes to young people, the effects of movies and television are usually more negative than positive because they promote violence and laziness.

[Topic sentence 1] Visual media today is simply too violent for young people. Because of this violence, the young are taught that fighting and guns are solutions to their problems, and some of them may actually take similar violent actions themselves. [General statement 1] They are too young to differentiate between the fiction of TV and movies and the reality of their lives. Furthermore, young people become desensitized to violence because it is all over television and movies. [Example 1] One example is the increase of violence at my school over the past few years. One of my teachers told us that when she started working at the school, there were hardly ever any fights. Yet today, there are more and more of them. She believes the reason for these fights is the excessive violence students see in movies and on television. [Closing sentence 1] It is obvious that they have negative effects on young people when it comes to violence.

[Topic sentence 2] Another negative effect movies, and especially television, have on young people is that they make children and teens lazy. [General statement 2] Young people watch too much television instead of doing other activities like their homework or interacting with their families. [Example 2] In fact, these days, many articles on the Internet discuss how people watching too much television is one of the major causes of this situation. Students are spending more time in front of their TVs than they are reading books or doing their homework, and their grades are suffering from it. If they continue with this situation, they will not perform well in their jobs later in their lives, and they will lack the motivation to improve their lives. [Closing sentence 2] Clearly, TV and movies are making young people much less diligent.

 

[Summary] In conclusion, movies and television have negative effects on young people today because children and teens often imitate the violence they view and they simply spend too much time watching television instead of focusing on their studies. [Final comment] Watching fewer movies and TV programs would probably have a more positive impact on young people in general these days. 

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] Many people today blame movies and TV for having negative effects on young people. [Thesis statement] I completely disagree with this notion because the right kind of movie or television program can be highly educational as well as motivational.

[Topic sentence 1] Of course, there is a lot of trash on TV and the big screen these days. [General statement 1] However, if parents guide their kids and have them watch worthwhile programs such as documentaries or even the news, their children can learn important information instead of just being entertained. [Example 1] For example, my father has always enjoyed watching the documentary Animal Planet, and he has gotten me into it as well. I never realized how much I was fascinated by animals and how complex their lives really are. Actually, I have even considered becoming a veterinarian mainly because of my exposure to Animal Planet. [Closing sentence 1] Without TV, I may never have found what I want to do as my career. Television and movies can definitely have positive effects on young people these days.

[Topic sentence 2] Also, movies and television can open up our eyes to the world. Without visual media, our world would be a much smaller place, and certain shows can motivate us to make the world we live in a better place. [General statement 2] In this sense, they can have very positive effects on young people by encouraging them to change the world. [Example 2] For example, often watch the Discovery Channel, which has programs on problems such as diseases and food shortages that people face in Africa. Eventually, with my parent's help, I began to donate some money each month to help people in Africa. Without television, I would not have known how serious the situation was there and would never have tried to help. [Closing sentence 2] In this way, because of TV, I was motivated to help poor and desperate people in far-off lands whom I do not even know.

[Summary] In summary, television and movies can have very positive effects on young people because they can educate them about the world and motivate them to do good deeds. [Final comment] Television opens up the world around us and can be a positive aspect in anyone's life so long as that person avoids all of the trivial programming.

 

11. School & Education 1

 

1.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is better to take the most difficult and challenging classes in university or at college even if it means that you probably will not get top grades (marks) in them. 
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] Once many students enter college, they take the easiest classes available to maintain high GPAs. [Thesis statement] However. I believe that taking challenging and difficult classes is the best way for me to realize my full potential even if my grades are not top. notch.

[Topic sentence 1] First of all, I can learn more and develop better study skills if I take difficult and challenging classes. [General statement 1] In those classes, the professors will be much more demanding and expect the best from their students. [Example 1] For example, I once took a math class with a teacher who was infamous for being really tough. She definitely lived up to her reputation. I had loads of homework every night, and the class was a struggle at times. However, I got used to the heavy course load, and, while tough, the teacher was fair, and I learned more in that math class than in any other one I had ever taken. [Closing sentence 1] Taking challenging courses is definitely a good way to learn more.

[Topic sentence 2] Moreover, by setting higher goals for myself, I can achieve more as a student and individual than I would if I set low goals or none at all. [General statement 2] Completing tough courses regardless of my final grades will increase my confidence and experience. [Example 2] Last year, I enrolled in a French language course for the first time. I was nervous at first, and the course was demanding. But, in time, I developed a lot of confidence in this class. This year, I am continuing with French, and it is becoming much easier for me because of my experience. To me, it is the experience and confidence that counts, not getting a perfect grade. [Closing sentence 2] Taking harder courses at university will clearly outweigh the easy ones.

[Summary] Grades are not everything. It is better to take challenging classes because, as students. we will learn more and increase our confidence and experience. This will be more beneficial in the future than high grades from easy courses. [Final comment] Easy classes might produce top grades, but challenging ones prepare a student for life.

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] Some university students take difficult courses, and their GAs, as well as their lives, begin to suffer. [Thesis statement] High grades are the most important objectives at college or university, and a good GPA can only be maintained by taking some easy courses.

[Topic sentence 1] To begin with, taking easier courses will free up time for students. [General statement 1] Easier classes will give them more time to study for their tougher mandatory subjects and also let them get out and meet new people. [Example 1] For instance, my ethics class is the only hard class I currently have. Because I don't really have to study for my other classes too much, I can focus more attention on my ethics class and therefore do better in it. If all of my classes were hard, I would never have enough time to do well in every one of them. [Closing sentence 1] All in all, easy classes are the best bet because they will give students more time to focus on the classes they find difficult.

[Topic sentence 2] Also, taking easier classes will boost students' GPAs. [General statement 2] Having high grades will allow students to gain more scholarships and fund their educations. However, if students took only hard classes, their GPAs would decrease, and funding would not be available to them. [Example 2] For example, my older sister took a basic math class in college and got an A+in it. This high grade made her GPA skyrocket and helped her get an academic scholarship the next semester. If she had taken an advanced math course, she probably would have gotten a lower grade and would not have received the scholarship. [Closing sentence 2] Taking easier classes is therefore necessary to get a high GPA. 

[Summary] It is clear that taking easier courses is beneficial for students because it will give them more time to study for their most difficult classes, thereby helping them get good GPAs. [Final comment] Top- notch grades can only be secured by taking the easiest classes available and avoiding the difficult ones. 

 

2.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is better to have a year-long break before attending university.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] Most students rush directly from high school to college without taking a break. [Thesis statement] However, I believe it is more beneficial to take a yearlong break before entering university because it will give me a chance to read many books and to earn extra money for college. 

[Topic sentence 1] A yearlong break between high school and university would give me time to read various books before entering university. [General statement 1] Before I enter university, I will have to spend most of my time preparing for the college entrance exam and will not have much time to read as I would like. [Example 1] A year's break will give me a chance to read as well as recharge my batteries to get ready for a demanding university schedule. I usually use my summer and winter vacation to catch up on my reading and keep my mind active. Still, there are many books that I have not read. [Closing sentence 1] A yearlong break would give me ample opportunity to catch up on my reading and prepare me for a college reading load. 

[Topic sentence 2] Also, the yearlong break would give me a chance to do a part-time job to save money for college. [General statement 2] I know my parents can pay for my tuition with little problem, but I would like to take some responsibility and save some money myself at least to help out. [Example 2] My sister is a good example of this. Before she entered college, she worked for a year to save money for college. She said the money came in very handy once she was in school. She also felt good about not having to ask our parents for spending money all the time. [Closing sentence 2] Therefore, in my opinion, a yearlong break is a good idea for students to work and save some money for college. 

[Summary] In summary, taking a year's break would definitely be beneficial to me because it would give me time to read extensively and earn supplemental money for college. Reading will prepare my mind for college, and working will allow me to save extra money without having to rely on my parents. [Final comment] Without a year's break, these two excellent opportunities would not be available to me. 

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] While some students might think it is good idea to take a yearlong break before entering university, I completely disagree for a number of reasons. [Thesis statement] First, if a student takes a yearlong break, he might forget much of what he learned at school. Second, a student who takes a break from school may never enroll in university at all. 

[Topic sentence 1] To begin, a year is a long time for a young person, so it may cause the person to lose much of the knowledge he worked so hard to attain. [General statement 1] Because of the large time gap between high school and college, once a student enters college, he will have a hard time readjusting to the classroom. He also runs a high risk of doing poorly in university or college and perhaps may even drop out permanently. [Example 1] For example, I read a magazine article about a student who took a yearlong break between high school and university. He regretted that he ever did such a thing. By the time he finally entered college, he could not readjust to the classroom atmosphere. He said he lacked the necessary discipline because he had taken such a long break. Unfortunately, he failed most of his classes and finally dropped out of school. [Closing sentence 1] Obviously, continuous schooling is the best strategy. 

[Topic sentence 2] Furthermore, if a student takes a long break, he may lose interest in university altogether or simply never enroll. [General statement 2] Some students who take time off and get jobs become obsessed with making money. Money, not education, rules their world, so they forget about college, which would give them a better quality of life in the long run. My neighbor always tells me to stay in school because, with the education I will receive there, I will have a more lucrative career in the future. [Example 2] My neighbor had the opportunity to go to college but did not go immediately, so he eventually gave up school for a full-time job. Though he likes his job, he has fewer opportunities for promotions because he never graduated from university. [Closing sentence 2] Staying in school remove the risk of becoming sidetracked and missing out on better, higher paying jobs. 

[Summary] In conclusion, students who take yearlong breaks between high school and university run the risks of being unable to adapt to the university climate and failing their classes. They may also have to settle for jobs that are not as profitable as those which college graduates can find. [Final comment] Such a decision will only work against them later in life. 

 

12. School & Education 2

 

1.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
A teacher's ability to relate well with his or her students is more important than the ability to give them knowledge.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] Some people think a teacher's ability to give the students knowledge is one of the most important qualities of a teacher. [Thesis statement] In this day and age, however, a teacher unable to relate to his or her students will never be able to get their attention and command their respect, which are two very important aspects of teaching.

[Topic sentence 1]These days, teachers have to know not only how to get their students' attention but also how to keep a hold of it in order to teach them. [General statement 1] The world has changed very much in the past decade, and students these days are not interested in the same things they were into ten or twenty years ago. [Example 1] For example, we live in an age dominated by electronics, particularly computers. Most students my age know how to use all of the latest gadgets. ave difficulty relating to students that way. Most of them never incorporate technology into their classes. Instead, they just lecture, which makes their classes boring. Some of them, however, use computers for things like PowerPoint presentations, which really helps to get most students' attention. [Closing sentence 1] Teachers that can relate to their students in areas like technology are definitely more able to keep their students' attention. 

[Topic sentence 2] Teachers must also be able to command the respect of their students in order to relate well to them. [General statement 2] They must be strict in their classes yet shous also know when their students, for whatever reason, are unable to study their best. [Example 2] For example, I have had several teachers who have been very strict and made their classes difficult. However, I always respected those teachers. The reason is that they knew when they were pushing the students too hard. When we were tired from having too many tests, they would not dive us homework, or they would teach a fun lesson for us. Also, in the case of some teachers. I knew I could talk to them about any personal problems I had. I felt that these teachers would understand my problems and would therefore be able to give me some advice. [Closing sentence 2] Since these teachers could relate to their students so well, the students respected them more than they did other teachers. 

[Summary] In my experience, my best teachers have been the ones who have been able to relate well to their students. By doing so, they could get their students' attention in class and command their respect. [Final comment] Teachers that cannot relate well to their students tenc to have more difficulties with their students in class. 

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] Is a teacher's ability to relate well with the students more important than the ability to teach them well? [Thesis statement] My answer to this question is definitely negative. In my experience, my best teachers have been people who did not relate to the students but who instead managed to teach the class a lot.

[Topic sentence 1] Teachers are not being paid to be friends with students but should instead be filling them with information. [General statement 1] | am not interested in hanging out with a teacher but am only concerned with what he can teach me. [Example 1] During my school years, I have had many teachers who were not friendly to the students. In fact, some students were quite intimidated by them. The students would never have dreamed  of talking to these teachers about personal matters. However, these teachers were some of the best I ever had. The lessons they taught me have stayed with me for years, and I have never forgotten their classes. In fact, some of them even influenced me to study more on my own outside of class. [Closing sentence 1] With these teachers, the fact that they were unfriendly had nothing to do with how much I learned in their classes.
[Topic sentence 2] Additionally, teachers who try to be friendly with the students are often the worst ones I have ever had. [General statement 2] These teachers are typically more concerned with being cool and having students like them, so they do not focus on teaching, which makes their classes complete wastes of time. [Example 2] Here is one example. One of my teachers in high school had only graduated from college a few years earlier. So he was not much older than the students. He thought he could be friends with the students and hang out with them. Unfortunately, when he tried to enforce discipline in the classroom, everyone ignored him. Also, since he was more concerned with his image, he never taught very demanding lessons. He almost never gave homework, and his tests were easy. While getting a high grade was nice, I realized I had learned almost nothing in his class and that it had been a waste of time. [Closing sentence 2] Because of him, I realized that having a cool teacher is less important than having a teacher who takes his classes seriously. 
[Summary] In conclusion, I strongly feel it is better for a teacher to pass on knowledge to the students than to be able to relate well to them since it is what he is paid for, and at least it will keep him from being a bad teacher. [Final comment] A teacher that relates well might be fun for a while. but I go to school to learn, not to hang out with a teacher and be friends with him.

 

2.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Parents make the best teachers.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] I entirely agree with the statement that parents make the best teachers. [Thesis statement] In the course of my life, I have learned a number of important lessons that were taught to me by my parents and that I could not have learned anywhere else. 
[Topic sentence 1] To begin with, my parents have taught me about how to live with others and get along well with them. [General statement 1] Thanks to my parents teaching me that social lesson, I have been able to get along well with everyone in my family. [Example 1] Not only do I have a mother and father, but I also have a brother and sister. My siblings and I usually get along well, but sometimes we argue and fight with each other. However, my parents taught us that we should learn to look at the other person's point of view, so, many, times instead of fighting with one of my siblings, we are able to sit down with each other and calmly talk about our problems. This enables us to solve all of our problems easily. [Closing sentence 1] Thanks to my parents, I have learned how to compromise and get along well with others. 
[Topic sentence 2] Another thing that my parents have taught me is the value of hard work. [General statement 2] Because of my parents, I know that I have to work hard if I want to be successful in life. [Example 2] For example, when I was younger, I never really enjoyed school, so I often did not do my homework. Naturally, my grades were very low. My parents told me that I needed to study hard if I wanted to be successful in life. They worked with me to improve my grades. I started working hard, and my grades improved considerably. [Closing sentence 2] Now, I get pretty good grades in school, and it is all thanks to my parents for teaching me to work hard.
[Summary] I truly believe that parents are the best teachers. [Final comment] Of course, we all have many teachers throughout our lifetimes, but our parents can affect us in so many different ways that they are definitely our best teachers. 

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] While I understand the logic behind the statement, I must actually disagree with the statement that parents make the best teachers. [Thesis statement] In my case, I would have to say that my teachers at school have been much better teachers for me than my parents. Allow me to explain my feelings in more detail. 
[Topic sentence 1] For one, I spend a lot of time with my teachers, and they often teach me lessons that are not so much about book learning but are about life learning. [General statement 1] Several of my teachers make classes that are usually boring into fascinating classes that have shown me how the material they are teaching is relevant to life. [Example 1] One example is my history teacher, Mr. Patterson. Before I took Mr. Patterson's class, I never really enjoyed history that much. To me, it was just a lot of old names, dates, and places. However, Mr. Patterson made his classes seem to come alive by the way that he taught history. He also showed us how it is important to learn about the past because we can compare past events to present and even future ones. [Closing sentence 1] He has definitely been a great teacher for me. 
[Topic sentence 2] Also, many of my teachers have encouraged me to be both a good student and an even better person. [General statement 2] Through watching many of my teachers, I have learned how to conduct myself in a professional manner. [Example 2] For example, my English teacher, Mr. Thagard, is not only a great teacher but also an excellent person. He is also polite to everyone, even the students. He calls all of the students "Mr." or "Miss" even though we are much younger than he is. He never gets angry or yells at students even when they are impolite to him or forget to turn in their homework. He also always tries to help out students who are not doing well in the class. I have tried to model my behavior on his in an effort to become a real gentleman. [Closing sentence 2] He has truly been an excellent teacher in my life. 
[Summary] Throughout our lives many people, including our parents and friends, act as our teachers. [Final comment] However, I believe that the best teachers are those we have at school. They have taught me many lessons that I will never forget. 

 

 

13. Environment & Science

 

1.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is more important to use land for human needs such as farming, housing, and industry than to save it for endangered animals.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] The population of Earth continues to increase every year, so people require more and more land upon which to farm, build houses, and operate factories. [Thesis statement] While it would be nice to set aside land for endangered animals, it is much more important to use all available land for humans. 
[Topic sentence 1] To begin with, humans need to use all of the land they can gain access to. [General statement 1] As the planet's population continues to grow, people need to move onto land that was previously occupied only by animals. [Example 1] In many countries, there are large numbers of cities with over a million people. In fact, some cities, like Tokyo, Seoul, and New York, have populations of over ten million. These cities are overcrowded, so many people need to move out of them and onto new lands. While they may be moving to lands that are inhabited by endangered animals, the welfare of humans is much more important than that of a few endangered animals. [Closing sentence 1] People have to take care of Earth's expanding population, and the best way to enable people to live more comfortably is to move onto lands inhabited by animals. 

[Topic sentence 2] Also, animals have gone extinct on Earth during every period in which life has existed on the planet. [General statement 2] It is a fact of life that some species die out while others flourish. People should not interfere with the extinction of animals but should instead allow nature to take its course. [Example 2] As a matter of fact, when some countries estabish biological preserves for endangered animals to live on, they are interfering with nature. Man is the dominant species on this planet, so it is inevitable that some animals will go extinct because of man. [Closing sentence 2] Keeping endangered animals alive on these preserves is merely refusing to allow nature to let some animals live while killing off others. 
[Summary] While it is unfortunate that some endangered animals become extinct, people shouid be more concerned about taking care of humans and making sure that humans themselves survive. [Final comment] It is much more important to worry about human civilization than to worry about endangered animals. 

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] An enormous number of endangered species of animals live on the planet. [Thesis statement] It is imperative that humans set aside land for these endangered animals to live on even if it means that human needs like farming, housing, and industry are ignored. 
[Topic sentence 1] As more and more animals become extinct, the biodiversity of the planet is getting smaller and smaller. [General statement 1] It is important that Earth have large numbers of different species so as to maintain a diverse population of animals. [Example 1] Nature is very delicate. In every ecosystem, all of the animals are important. If there are too many or too few of one species, it could upset the entire balance of the ecosystem. This is already happening in places like Africa, where wild animals like lions, tigers, and elephants are endangered. Because there are fewer of these animals, the land itself is changing, and this is upsetting the balance of nature. [Closing sentence 1] By setting aside land for endangered animals to live on, people can help to maintain the diversity of nature while not upsetting local ecosystems. 
[Topic sentence 2] Second of all, animals are important to humans and should not be allowed to go extinct. [General statement 2] Scientists often learn very much by studying animals in their natural habitats, and many animals can actually benefit humans. [Example 2] For example, some spiders spin webs that humans can use to make very strong fibers with. If these spiders were to become extinct, humans would not be able to make use of them at all. There are countless other animals that benefit humans both commercially and medicinally. Besides, many scientists do not yet know how some endangered animals could help people. [Closing sentence 2] By setting aside land for endangered animals, scientists could keep these animals alive and then be able to learn how they could be used to benefit humans. 
[Summary] While the needs of humans are important, it is also crucial to set aside land upon which endangered animals may live without the threat of becoming extinct in order to maintain the biodiversity of the planet and human benefits. [Final comment] Having a diverse amount of animal species benefits both the planet and people in the long run, making it important to keep every species from becoming extinct. 

 

2.     

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Renewable sources of energy (sun, water, wind) will soon replace fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil).
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

 

Sample Answer (Agree)

[Opening sentence] [Thesis statement] I fully agree with the statement that renewable sources of energy like solar and wind power will soon replace fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. There are several reasons why I feel this way.

[Topic sentence 1] First of all, many people now realize that Earth's supply of fossil fuels is going to run out within a few decades. [General statement 1] Because people are going to exhaust these fossil fuels soon, we will have no choice but to make the transition to renewable sources of energy. [Example 1] During the twentieth century, people all over the world began using fossil fuels more than ever before. Mostly, they were used for running cars and other forms of transportation and for heating homes and buildings. Fossil fuels were very important during the twentieth century, yet people used them too much. Now geologists are telling people that Earth's supply is running out. [Closing sentence 1] Since we need energy to keep our economies running, we will have to work to develop renewable sources of energy. 
[Topic sentence 2] Second of all, people are more concerned about the environment these days. [General statement 2] Fossil fuels often pollute the environment, but renewable sources of energy cause virtually no pollution. [Example 2] In the twenty-first century, many people are focusing on cleaning up the Earth. Also, people are worried about the greenhouse effect, which some scientists believe is caused by the release of carbon dioxide-created by burning fossil fuels-into the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is believed to be causing global warming, so something needs to be done about this. If people use solar, water, or wind power, they will not be adding any greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. [Closing sentence 2] This should help to prevent global warming, and it will also make Earth a much cleaner place. 

[Summary] In the near future, it is highly likely that renewable sources of energy will replace fossil fuels. [Final comment] Considering that the supply of fossil fuels is running out and that they pollute the environment, unlike renewable sources of energy, it is inevitable that people will start relying upon renewable sources of energy soon. 

 

Sample Answer (Disagree)

[Opening sentence] Nowadays, many people are talking about renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, and water power.  They insist that renewable energy sources will replace fossil fuels in the near future. [Thesis statement] However, I disagree with these people. In my opinion, humans are going to be using fossil fuels to create energy for many years to come. 
[Topic sentence 1] First of all, according to many scientists, there is still an enormous supply of fossil fuels on Earth. [General statement 1] Many geologists estimate that Earth has gas and oil supplies of over 100 years. The coal supply is even higher. Also, teams of geologists are often announcing they have found new oil and gas fields all over Earth, especially because they can now dig deeper into the ground to extract these fossil fuels. Since there are still so many fossil fuels left on Earth, it is highly unlikely that people are suddenly going to change to renewable sources of energy. [Example 1] For one, people do not often change until they are forced to do so. In addition, machines like cars are becoming more fuel-efficient, and this development will actually help make the supply of fossil fuels last longer because machines are using less energy to operate. [Closing sentence 1] Simply put, until people are forced to change energy supplies, they are not going to. 
[Topic sentence 2] Next, renewable sources of energy are still in their developmental stage. [General statement 2] Some people use solar, wind, and water power, yet the number doing so is very small. Also, these renewable sources of energy are not yet very efficient. This means that they actually cost more than fossil fuels while providing less energy. Not only that, but their uses are also often limited. [Example 2] For example, people cannot use solar power if the weather is bad; people who do not live near a body of water cannot use water power; and people who live in areas with little wind cannot make use of wind power. [Closing sentence 2] Until researchers discover ways to make renewable energy more efficient and more ubiquitous, people are not going to start using it in place of fossil fuels. 
[Summary] Although many people are attracted to renewable sources of energy, I do not believe they are going to become the dominant form of energy and replace fossil fuels. [Final comment] People see no reason to replace fossil fuels, and the technology to create energy from renewable sources is currently not efficient enough. 

 

 

반응형