PROBLEMS/ CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS ESSAY

I. TOPIC
1. More and more people are migrating to the cities in search of a better life, but city life can be
extremely difficult.

Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can the governments make urban life
better for everyone?

2. In many countries, children are getting fatter and less fit day by day.

Why is it so and suggest some solutions?

3. It is generally acknowledged that families are now not as close as they used to be.

Why has this change happened? How families could be brought closer together?

II. VOCABULARY FOR FAMILY

Match the new words in the column A with correct definition in the column B

A B
1. A Nuclear family
2. An extended family
3. A breadwinner
4. Family celebration/
gatherings
5. Family ties/ bonding
6. To strengthen
7. To weaken
8. Generation gap
9. To nurture
10. To earn a living
a. A person who supports their family with the money they
earn.
b. To get money for work that you do
c. To improve
d. The family with more than 2 generations
e. To make ST less strong
f. The difference in attitudes and behaviors between the
young and old
g. The family with only 2 generations
h. To bring up
i. The relationship in a family
j. The moments family members gather together.

*** COLLOCATIONS

- To make significant contributions to

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Eg: Spending quality time with children is believed to make significant contributions to
improve mutual understanding and bridge the generation gap between parents and their
offsprings.

- To improve living standards

- To afford basic necessities of life/ to afford luxuries of life

- To meet the increasing demand of modern life

1. INTRODUCTION:

- It is widely believed that … (Paraphrase the statement).

- The aim of this essay is to discuss the major reasons/ problems of this trend and
suggest some feasible solutions to tackle the situation.

2. BODY:

 Body 1: Problems/ Causes

- It is possibly said that this issue may bring some serious problems. (PROBLEMS)

(It is possibly said that this issue may be caused by some main factors. (CAUSES)

- One of the most obvious problems/ underlying causes is (that) …  explanation 

(examples) (effects).

- Another worrying trend/ factor leading to this situation is (that) …  explanation 

(examples) (effects).

 Body 2: Solutions

- However, there are various measures that governments/ individuals/ parents/ schools
… could take to mitigate the issue.

- The first possible step is …  Explanation (Example)(effects)

- Besides, …  Explanation (Example)(effects)

3. CONCLUSION:

- In conclusion, … and … are 2 main problems/ factors of …. In the future, if above-

mentioned measures are taken, the situation will be improved significantly.

- (In conclusion, it is evident that there are various reasons for …; however, if above-
mentioned measures are taken, the situation will be improved significantly)

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 DAY 5- ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ESSAY

I. TOPICS:

1. Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at
primary schools rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
2. Some students take a year off between finishing the school and going to the university in
order to travel or work.

Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

II. PHRASES TO REPLACE FOR “ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES”

ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE

III. COLLOCATIONS OF THE DAY:

*** It is good for students to start learning a second language at the early age.

1. To be beneficial to SO/ST

Eg: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. To have positive effects/ influences/ impacts on SO/ST

Eg: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. To bring positive effects/ influences/ impacts to SO/ST

Eg: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

*** positive # negative = adverse (adj)

IV. STRUCTURES

1. INTRODUCTION:

- It is commonly believed that … (paraphrasing).

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- In my opinion, this trend brings more (BENEFITS/DRAWBACKS) than (DRAWBACKS
/BENEFITS) and the reasons will be discussed as follows.

2. BODY:

 Body 1:

- From my perspective, there could be some possible DOWNSIDES/MERITS of ….

- One of the most evident advantages/ disadvantages is (that) … (main idea 1)  Explanation/
Examples/ Results.

- Another possible benefit/ drawback is (that) … (main idea 2)  Explanation/ Examples/

Result.

 Body 2:

- However, I am of opinion that the advantages (disadvantages) of “V_ing…” are

OVERSHADOWED by its drawbacks (benefits).

- One main drawback/ downside is (that) (main idea 1)  Explanation/ Example/ Result.

- In addition, … (main idea2)  Explanation/ Example/ Result.

3. CONCLUSION

- In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential benefits/ dangers of … are more likely
significant than the possible dangers/ benefits. (In the future, if …, …. )

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