IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Part 1

1.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Part 1
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of this issue.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this issue.
What are the positive and negative aspects of this issue?

2.

Essay question:
Some people think that it is beneficial for children to do paid
work, while others think that it can be harmful for children.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of children doing
paid work?
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Vocabulary
an advantage
it is advantageous
a benefit
it is beneficial
x can gain (…) from
a positive aspect
an upside
a disadvantage of
a drawback of
an obstacle of/to
a difficulty of
an issue
a problem
a downside
a negative aspect
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Advantages of children doing paid work
Main Idea 1: learn the value of money
Supporting idea: it teaches them hard work=money
Main Idea 2: learn to manage money
Supporting Idea: example = older children part-time job = save = afford
Main Idea 3: responsibility and independence
Supporting Idea: adults ready for society
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5.

Disadvantages of children doing paid work
Main Idea 1: exploitation/slave labour
Supporting Idea 1: example: developing countries
Supporting Idea 2: no legal protection + hard work (manual)
Supporting Idea 3: negligible wages (negligible from v. neglect)
Main Idea 2: don’t focus on school work
Supporting Idea: importance of grades = future
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4 options for writing supporting ideas for your essay:
1. Example: for example, for instance
2. Explanation: in other words
3. Result: As a result,...; This might result in …; This will/might/can/may lead to
…
4. Cause: The reason for this is …; owing to , due to, because of
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Background statement (Paraphrase)
Given: Some people think that it is beneficial for children to do
paid work, while others think that it can be harmful for children.
Paraphrased: Although paid work is thought by some to be a
useful experience for children, other people consider that it can
be detrimental. (Sentence 1)
Paraphrase:
1. replace words (beneficial - useful experience, harmful -
detrimental)
2. change grammar (people think - it is thought)
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Thesis statement (answer to the question)
1. This essay will explore the advantages and disadvantages of this issue. - wrong
2. There are benefits and drawbacks of children doing paid work. - acceptable
3. Children can learn about earning money and gain independence from doing paid
work but there are also drawbacks to be taken into account. (There is no need
to introduce all advantages and disadvantages, only some of them). - correct
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9.

Introduction
Although paid work is thought by some to be a useful
experience for children, other people consider that it can
be detrimental. Children can learn about earning money
and gain independence from doing paid work but there
are also drawbacks to be taken into account. (44 words)
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BP1
On the one hand, there are a number of advantages to children doing paid work.
Firstly, one benefit of children doing paid work is that they understand the value of
money. This al
so teaches them not to waste money as they realise the work needed to
earn it. Secondly, having a paid job is advantageous because children take their first steps
in learning how to manage and save money. Many older children, for instance, have a part
time job in order to save up for something they would otherwise be unable to afford.
Thirdly, working teaches children responsibility and independence. Eventually, these skills
help children to develop into self-supporting adults ready to enter society and the
workforce.
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BP2
On the other hand, there are two possible issues. One problem when children have
a job is that it potentially exposes them to exploitation through slave labour. For
example, in some developing countries children are made to work full time but due
to their age are not protected by law. As a result, they are paid negligible wages for
work that can be tough, manual work. Another possible issue is that the time
children spend working prevents them from focusing on their school work. Having a
good education is the key to a successful future so being employed as a child can
result in a poor academic performance which can be harmful in the long run.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, while children can benefit from some work experience, it can also
lead to exploitation or lower grades at school. (Here we do the opposite from what
we did in the introduction: we didn’t introduce the advantages, but introduced
some disadvantages.
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