TEMPLATE FOR WRITING

To what extent do you agree?

YES/ NO?

INTRODUCTION: HOOK- BACKGROUND – THESIS STATEMENT

CÁCH VIẾT 1: CÂN BẰNG GIỮA AGREE VÀ DISAGREE (BALANCED OPINION)

Introduction: Introduce the topic___ . While I agree that___, I believe that___

Body paragraph 1: On the one hand, I agree that__________________ (support the statement) .
Body paragraph 2: On the other hand, I believe that_______________(give examples or arguments
to point out that the statement is wrong)___ .
Conclusion: In conclusion, while___(restate the statement)___ , I do not believe that ___(you reject
the statement in some cases)__ .

Topic 1: When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?

Many people choose their jobs based on the size of the salary offered. While I agree that money is a
critical factor when deciding on a career, I believe that other factors are equally important.

On the one hand, I agree that money is necessary in order for people to meet their basic needs. For
example, we all need money to pay for housing, food, bills, health care, and education. Most people
consider it a priority to at least earn a salary that allows them to cover these needs and have a
reasonable quality of life. If people chose their jobs based on enjoyment or other non-financial
factors, they might find it difficult to support themselves. Artists and musicians, for instance, are
known for choosing a career path that they love, but that does not always provide them with enough
money to live comfortably and raise a family.

Nevertheless, I believe that other considerations are just as important as what we earn in our
jobs. Firstly, personal relationships and the atmosphere in a workplace are extremely important when
choosing a job. Having a good manager or friendly colleagues, for example, can make a huge
difference to workers’ levels of happiness and general quality of life. Secondly, many people’s
feelings of job satisfaction come from their professional achievements, the skills they learn, and the
position they reach, rather than the money they earn. Finally, some people choose a career because
they want to help others and contribute something positive to society.

In conclusion, while salaries certainly affect people’s choice of profession, I do not believe
that money outweighs all other motivators.

(275 words, band 9)

CÁCH VIẾT THỨ 2: CHỈ NGHIÊNG VỀ MỘT MẶT (STRONG OPINION/ONE-SIDED

ESSAYS)
Introduction: Introduce the topic. Personally, I completely disagree/agree with this view.
Body paragraph 1: For a variety of reasons,__________. Firstly, secondly, for example, finally

Compiled by Chang Duyen/Fb:Tiếng Anh Cô Chang Duyên/0982468881 1

 Body paragraph 2: Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that______.
Conclusion: In conclusion, I believe that_____________.

Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes that
support the state education system. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Khi bạn chọn cách viết này thì bạn không cần đề cập đến mặt đối lập nữa. Cấu trúc bài viết vẫn gồm
4 phần: mở bài, 2 body, kết luận.

1. Introduction: 1 sentence to introduce the topic, 1 sentence to make your opinion clear (e.g. I
completely disagree...)
2. Main paragraph: support your opinion with a reason
3. Main paragraph: support your opinion with another reason
4. Conclusion: repeat/summarise your opinion

Topic 1: Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes
that support the state education system. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should not need to
contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely disagree with this view.

For a variety of reasons, it would be wrong to reduce taxes for families who pay for private
education. Firstly, it would be difficult to calculate the correct amount of tax reduction for these
families, and staff would be required to manage this complex process. Secondly, we all pay a certain
amount of tax for public services that we may not use. For example, most people are fortunate
enough not to have to call the police or fire brigade at any time in their lives, but they would not
expect a tax reduction for this. Finally, if wealthy families were given a tax discount for sending their
children to private schools, we might have a situation where poorer people pay higher taxes than the
rich.

In my opinion, we should all be happy to pay our share of the money that supports public schools. It
is beneficial for all members of society to have a high quality education system with equal
opportunities for all young people. This will result in a well-educated workforce, and in turn a more
productive and prosperous nation. Parents of children in private schools may also see the advantages
of this in their own lives. For example, a company owner will need well qualified and competent
staff, and a well-funded education system can provide such employees.

In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made for people who
choose private education.

(269 words, band 9)

Ví dụ:
Topic 1: Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities. However, I do not
agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender in every university subject.

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 Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealistic. Student
numbers on any course depend on the applications that the institution receives. If a university decided
to fill courses with equal numbers of males and females, it would need enough applicants of each
gender. In reality, many courses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be
practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract more female
applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent of the places needed to go to
males.

Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be unfair to base
admission to university courses on gender. Universities should continue to select the best candidates
for each course according to their qualifications. In this way, both men and women have the same
opportunities, and applicants know that they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good
grades at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it would be wrong to
reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.

In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and I believe that it
would be both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on gender.

(268 words, band 9) (source: [Link])

Ví dụ 1:
Governments should not have to provide care or financial support for elderly people because it is
the responsibility of each person to prepare for retirement and support him or herself. To what
extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

1) Introduction (strong opinion):

People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior citizens. I
completely disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no support from the state.

2) Introduction (more balanced opinion):

People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior citizens. Although I
accept that we all have a responsibility to save money for retirement, I disagree with the idea that
elderly people should receive no support from the state.

Ví dụ 2 (Đề bài giống hệt ở bên trên nhưng có thể viết theo 2 cách)

After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather
than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

1) Introduction for a strong opinion:

Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place
more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I support the view that job satisfaction and a
sense of fulfillment are much more important than money.

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 2) Introduction for a balanced opinion

Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place
more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I believe that both criteria should be given
equal consideration.

CÁCH VIẾT THỨ 3: CHỈ NGHIÊNG VỀ MỘT MẶT NHƯNG KÈM THEO COUNTER-
ARGUMENT (Tạm gọi là Counter-argument essays)
Introduction: It is true that/ it is sometimes argued that____. I completely disagree/agree with this
idea.
Body paragraph 1: The argument in favor of________would be that_________. However, I believe
this to be a very shortsighted view. ______________
Body paragraph 2: __________(Second reason why you agree/disagree)_____________.
Conclusion: In conclusion, I believe that___________, and it would be___________.

Topic 1: Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
COUNTER-ARGUMENT

It is sometimes argued that tourists from overseas should be charged more than local residents to
visit important sites and monuments. I completely disagree with this idea for the following reasons.

The argument in favour of higher prices for foreign tourists would be that cultural or historical
attractions often depend on state subsidies to keep them going, which means that the resident
population already pays money to these sites through the tax system. However, I believe this to be a
very shortsighted view. Foreign tourists contribute to the economy of the host country with the
money they spend on a wide range of goods and services, including food, souvenirs, accommodation
and travel. The governments and inhabitants of every country should be happy to subsidise important
tourist sites and encourage people from the rest of the world to visit them.

If travellers realised that they would have to pay more to visit historical and cultural attractions in a
particular nation, they would perhaps decide not to go to that country on holiday. To take the UK as
an example, the tourism industry and many related jobs rely on visitors coming to the country to see
places like Windsor Castle or Saint Paul’s Cathedral. These two sites charge the same price
regardless of nationality, and this helps to promote the nation’s cultural heritage. If overseas
tourists stopped coming due to higher prices, there would be a risk of insufficient funding for the
maintenance of these important buildings.

In conclusion, I believe that every effort should be made to attract tourists from overseas, and it
would be counterproductive to make them pay more than local residents.
(269 words, band 9)

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 TEMPLATES FOR OPINION ESSAY

Introduction
There is currently a contentious argument over whether XYZ [XYZ is the topic]

I totally agree/disagree with this opinion because

[reason 1 + reason 2]

Paragraph 2
The main reason why I believe/don’t believe XYZ is because… [reason 1]

Paragraph 3
Another reason why I support/don’t support the notion that XYZ is due to the fact that… [reason 2]

Conclusion
In conclusion, I completely agree/disagree that XYZ because [rephrase reason 1] and [rephrase reason
2].

Given this situation, it seems that [give a final recommendation or opinion]

Model opinion essay

Some people believe that the fast pace and stress of modern life is having a negative effect on families.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

There is currently a contentious argument over whether family life is being harmed by the high-speed
and pressure of contemporary lifestyles. I totally agree with this opinion because the fast pace leads
to less time for families to be together, and stress leads to arguments among family members.
The main reason why I believe family life is being compromised is because families have less time to
be with each other. This is due to family members being busier at work and with their social lives. As
well as this, people have many things they have to do these days such as checking e-mail, updating
their online social status and so less time is left for family life. To illustrate, I spend about two hours
online every night attending to daily correspondence before chatting with my family members,
whereas ten years ago I would spend time with my family as soon as I walked in the door.
Another reason why I support the notion that families are being impacted negatively is that the
pressure of life these days means that even when families do get together arguments are more likely.
This is because everyone feels tired and they are more likely to get irritated and to react to their
heightened emotional levels.
In conclusion, I completely agree that the rapid pace and stressful nature of contemporary lifestyles
are having negative consequences on family relationships. This is because family members have less
time, and when they are together they feel less relaxed. Given this situation, it seems that family
members should try to be more supportive to one another and also parents need to set aside regular
times for families to relax together. [281 words]

Template for the problem and solution essay that follows with gaps for the topic
Note that this is the original form of a two question essay that gets asked and it is essentially the same
as the essay above and follows the same format. The question type is quite commonplace and you can
use the template below for any essay of this type.

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 ……………. is becoming increasingly serious in many nations. Although ……………. Threaten[s]
many societies, its /their effects can also be combated successfully. This essay looks at some of the
problems caused by ……………. on society, and suggests some solutions to the problems.

……………. causes multiple problems. The ……………. effects are very obvious. For
example, ……………. In some cases, such as ……………. even leads to (death). The second effect
is ……………. People who ……………. become …………….

However, the menace of ……………. can be fought. Education is the main way to tackle this issue.
People need to be aware of the effects so that they can avoid this problem. In addition, the
government could also …………….. This is a good approach because …………….

In conclusion, ……………. is a serious issue because it causes harmful effects on people’s health and
people who are ……………. The best approaches to deal with it are to educate people about its
damaging effects, and also for the government to …………….. Although the problem is unlikely to be
entirely eliminated in the short term there are concrete steps to reduce the effects it is having on the
current society.
[about 175 words]

Model essay:

The use of illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, are becoming more and more common in
many countries.
What are some of the problems associated with drug abuse?
What are some of the possible solutions?

Drug abuse is becoming increasingly serious in many nations. Although drugs threaten many
societies, their effects can also be combated successfully. This essay looks at some of the problems
caused by drug use on society, and suggests some solutions to the problems.

Drug abuse causes multiple problems for countries and communities. The medical effects are very
obvious. For example, addicts abuse their bodies and neglect their health, and so eventually require
expensive treatment or hospitalization. In some cases, such as Marilyn Monroe, a drug overdose even
leads to death. The second effect is crime. People who take drugs become crazy and irrational and
often cause harm and danger to themselves and others.

However, the menace of drugs can be fought. Education is the main way to tackle this issue. People
need to be aware of the effects so that they can avoid this problem. In addition, the government could
also use infomercials to educate their citizens. This is a good approach because they can alert all
citizens about the negative aspects of using drugs.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a serious issue because it causes harmful effects on people’s health and
people who are high often commit crimes. The best approaches to deal with it are to educate people
about its damaging effects, and also for the government to ensure all people are aware of the
consequences through public service advertising. Although the problem is unlikely to be entirely
eliminated in the short term these are concrete steps to reduce the effects it is having on the current
society.

[260 words]

Compiled by Chang Duyen/Fb:Tiếng Anh Cô Chang Duyên/0982468881 6