Direct question/two part question

This question may come in one, two or even three parts.

There is a premise and a question connected to the premise.

The question is unique and, unlike an 'advantages or disadvantages', or

'discuss both views', we probably haven't seen this type of question before
 Don't panic!

If our premise is connected to FAMILIES, we might get a question like this:

What skills do people need to be good parents?

How can someone prepare for parenthood?

Will families look the same in 50 years time?

All of these questions are unique, and that's why they are called direct questions
 Direct question examples
Premise
Success is often measured by wealth and material possessions.

Do you think wealth is the best measure of success?

What makes a successful person? Direct questions

Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and
skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should
be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is
useful to an employer.

What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?

 How to respond to direct questions
Why do you think this is?
This is (largely) due to……./ The main reason behind this is...

What can parents and schools do to keep traditional customs alive?

In order to……….guardians and schools can… / By +ing + result

What skills do people need to be good parents?

Communication and boundary setting are among the skills required to be effective
parents
How can someone prepare for parenthood?
In order to……… / A parent can prepare by + ing
Will families look the same in 50 years time?
It is likely that / it is unlikely that….
 Success - introduction
Success is often measured by wealth and material possessions.

Do you think wealth is the best measure of success?

What makes a successful person?

● It is not uncommon for..

It is not uncommon for financial prosperity and assets to be a measurement of success. In my opinion,
wealth is not an appropriate method by which to measure success and factors such as relationships, health
and attitude are all determinants of a successful person. - specific

*This essay discusses why I believe that wealth is not an appropriate measure for success and factors
which are key determinants of a successful person - general
 Structure - 2 questions
Introduction

Body Paragraph 1 Question 1 - Do you think wealth is the best measure of

success? Fully yes or no! - No balanced view!!

Body Paragraph 2 Question 2 - What makes a successful person?

Conclusion
 University - introduction
Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the
workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its
own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.

What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?

● Opinions differ regarding

Opinions differ regarding the purpose of university, with some arguing that tertiary education should serve
to provide students with workplace skills rather than simply acquiring knowledge. *I believe that the main
purpose of universities should be to assist young people to find jobs due to the great expense involved and
also the needs of society. - specific

*I believe that the main purpose of universities should be to assist young people to find jobs for two reasons.

*This essay discusses why I believe that the main role of a university should be to assist young people to find
jobs
 Structure - 1 question
Introduction

Body Paragraph 1 Idea 1

Body Paragraph 2 Idea 2 No 'other' side!

Conclusion
 Culture
The culture of different places is now looking similar in modern times.
What do you think are the causes of this?
Do you think it is a positive or negative trend?

Culture: beliefs, traditions, customs, culturally

Different: dissimilar, various, many
Places: areas locations, countries, cities
Looking similar: appearing, like
Modern times: contemporary time, current times, nowadays
Positive: progressive
Trend: development
 Culture - introduction
The culture of different places are now looking similar in modern times.
What do you think are the causes of this?
Do you think it is a positive or negative trend?

● In current times...

In current times, the beliefs and traditions of many areas appear to have become alike. This essay discusses
the reasons for this and why it is a progressive development.
 Body Paragraph 1 - Question 1
Topic sentence - There are two main reasons for the tendency for many nations to appear culturally similar.

Introduce first point - The major force is immigration.

Explanation- In recent years many countries have become multicultural societies due to migration
patterns.
Explanation/example -New immigrants bring with them their customs, which become rooted in the
new society. For instance, when people go out to eat in a capital city, they can experience cuisine
from all corners of the world.

Additional point - Additionally, globalization is permeating most industries.

Explanation - This process makes a wider range of goods and services globally available.

Example/summary - McDonalds, Starbucks, and 7-Eleven outlets are an evident part of many cultures
worldwide.
 Body Paragraph 2 - Question 2
Topic sentence - On the whole this is a beneficial trend.

Introduce first point - First of all, having access to other cultures enriches our lives.

Explanation- It is much more interesting to live in a multicultural society.

Explanation/example -This is because when people go out to relax, they can enjoy a wide range of
entertainment that, in the past, could only be enjoyed by travelling.
Additional point - Moreover, by different cultures sharing their goods and services, society has
access to a much wider range of solutions and services to fulfil its needs.

Example - For example, many people in western countries are benefiting from Chinese medicine to
remedy previously incurable ailments.
Example/summary - This would not be possible without the sharing of traditions.
 Conclusion
first question

In conclusion, the driving forces behind cultural similarity throughout the world are migration
patterns and globalization. This should be perceived as a favourable development because it is
making our lives more interesting and giving us a wider range of goods to choose from.

second question
 Grammar, vocabulary and collocations

In current times, the beliefs and traditions of many areas appear to 1. have
become alike. This essay discusses the reasons for this and why it is a progressive
development.

1. have become - present perfect for recent change

BP1

There are two main reasons for the tendency for many nations to appear culturally
similar. The major force is immigration. In recent years many countries 1. have
become multicultural societies 2. due to migration patterns. New immigrants bring
with them their customs, 3. which become rooted in the new society. For instance,
4. when people go out to eat in a capital city, they can enjoy cuisine from all
corners of the world. Additionally, globalization is permeating most industries. This
process makes a wider range of goods and services globally available.
McDonalds, Starbucks, and 7-Eleven outlets are an evident part of many cultures
worldwide.

1. have become - present perfect for a recent change

2. due to - complex sentence for reasons
3. which - non defining relative clause for extra information
4. when + present simple + present simple - to explain an idea (cause and result)
BP2

On the whole this is a beneficial trend. First of all, this is enriching our lives. It is much
more interesting to live in a multicultural society. This is because 1. when people go
out to relax, they can experience a wide range of entertainment that, in the past,
could only be enjoyed by travelling. Moreover, 2. by different cultures sharing their
goods and services, society has access to a much wider range of solutions and
services to fulfill its needs. For example, many people in western countries are
benefiting from Chinese medicine to remedy previously incurable ailments. This
would not be possible without the sharing of traditions.

1. when + present simple + present simple - to explain an idea (cause and result)
2. By + ing, + result clause - to explain a cause and result
In conclusion, the driving forces behind cultural similarity throughout the world are
migration patterns and globalization. This should be perceived as a favourable
development 1. because it is making our lives more interesting and giving us a
wider range of goods to choose from.

● 1. Complex sentence with 'because'

 Vocabulary
There are two main reasons for the tendency for many nations to appear culturally
similar. The major force is immigration. These days many countries have become
multicultural societies due to migration patterns over the last few decades. New
immigrants bring with them their customs, which become rooted in the new
society. For instance, when people go out to eat in a capital city, they can
experience cuisine from all corners of the world. Additionally, globalization is
permeating most industries. This process makes a wider range of goods and
services globally available. McDonalds, Starbucks, and 7-Eleven outlets are an
evident part of many cultures worldwide.

● the tendency for + object + inf - something happens often

● multicultural societies - communities with people from many nations and
cultures
● migration patterns - people moving around the world
● to be rooted in - to be ingrained in / to become a part of something
● to permeate - to gradually move into every part of something
On the whole this is a beneficial trend. First of all, this is enriching our lives. It is much
more interesting to live in a multicultural society. This is because when people go
out to relax, they can experience a wide range of entertainment that, in the past,
could only be enjoyed by travelling. Moreover, by different cultures sharing their
goods and services, society has access to a much wider range of solutions and
services to fulfill its needs. For example, many people in western countries are
benefiting from Chinese medicine to remedy previously incurable ailments. This
would not be possible without the sharing of traditions.

to remedy - to fix/cure
incurable - cannot cure
ailments - diseases
In conclusion, the driving forces behind cultural similarity throughout the world are
migration patterns and globalization. This should be perceived as a favourable
development because it is making our lives more interesting and giving us a wider
range of goods to choose from.

● the driving forces behind - a force that moves something/ a motivator

● migration patterns - the pattern or process of people moving around the
world
● a favourable development - a positive trend
In current times, the beliefs and traditions of many areas appear to have become alike. This essay discusses the
reasons for this and why it is a progressive development.

There are two main reasons for the tendency for many nations to appear culturally similar. The major force is
immigration. In recent years many countries have become multicultural societies due to migration patterns. New immigrants
bring with them their customs, which become rooted in the new society. For instance, when people go out to eat in
a capital city, they can enjoy cuisine from all corners of the world. Additionally, globalization is permeating most
industries. This process makes a wider range of goods and services globally available. McDonalds, Starbucks, and
7-Eleven outlets are an evident part of many cultures worldwide.

On the whole this is a beneficial trend. First of all, this is enriching our lives. It is much more interesting to live in a
multicultural society. This is because when people go out to relax, they can experience a wide range of
entertainment that, in the past, could only be enjoyed by travelling. Moreover, by different cultures sharing their
goods and services, society has access to a much wider range of solutions and services to fulfill its needs. For
example, many people in western countries are benefiting from Chinese medicine to remedy previously incurable
ailments. This would not be possible without the sharing of traditions.

In conclusion, the driving forces behind cultural similarity throughout the world are migration patterns and
globalization. This should be perceived as a favourable development because it is making our lives more interesting
and giving us a wider range of goods to choose from.