EF p 196. A Discursive Essay: Do Smartphones Really Improve Our Lives? Cloze

Smartphones dominate the field of personal communications and nowadays virtually everyone owns (1)_____________. They have many clear benefits, (2)________ do they really make our lives better? 

Perhaps the greatest benefit of smartphones is that they (3)___________ us to access an incredible amount of information. They are not just phones – we can also use them (4)_________ maps, encyclopaedias, novels, entertainment systems, and much (5)____________. We live in an age of information, and smartphones help us to make the (6)__________ of it all. 

In (7)_____________, they allow us to live our lives spontaneously. (8)__________ you need a taxi, have to book a restaurant table, or want to identify stars in the night sky, you can do it straight away. 

(9)_____________, they keep us in touch with our friends and family, and the social role they play in a fast-moving society is hugely important. 

(10)______________, there are strong arguments to suggest that what appear to be the advantages of smartphones can also have downsides. One drawback is the cost – monthly contracts are (11)______________ from cheap and smartphones tend to become obsolete quickly, (12)_____________ people feel they need to buy the latest model. 

What is (13)______________, they are a constant distraction, (14)___________ they encourage people to spend hours checking social networking sites (15)____________ they could be doing something more useful. 

But perhaps the (16)____________ significant downside is for working people. (17)___________ the one hand, smartphones offer great convenience, (18)___________ they also mean that employees can (19)__________ contacted by their boss or by customers at any time, (20)________ while they are on holiday. 

On the (21)______________, smartphones are a wonderful tool, but they have both (22)_____________ and cons and they have to be (23)__________ wisely. It is very important that we control (24)___________, and not the other way (25)_____________.

KEY

1. one

2. but

3. allow

4. as

5. more

6. most

7. addition

8. Whether

9. Finally

10. However

11. far

12. so

13. more

14. as

15. when

16. most

17. On

18. but

19. be

20. even

21. whole

22. pros

23. used

24. them

25. round

Open World p 35: Essay about the impacts of tourism. Written mediation task. Cloze

 

Read the instructions for the task. With the information given, produce a text using your own words. (approximately 200 words)

Task description
 

You have had a class discussion on the impacts of tourism. Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay for your class based on two texts that you have recently read and to analyse the positive and negative impacts of tourism. Include your own opinions on this subject.

Write your essay

1) TEXT 1

Modern Tourism 

Global tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening diversification in the latter decades of the twentieth century. It has made it possible for us to travel the world and broaden our horizons, diminishing our attachment to cultural stereotypes. And this cultural value is not the only aspect to be considered. The more people travel around the world, the greater the economic benefits to host countries. Destinations around the world which might otherwise have stagnated financially can flourish as tourists explore attractions and natural landscapes which are often the key reason for the initial interest in the area.

2) TEXT 2

Impacts of Tourism

It appears that people travelling around the world are oblivious to the detrimental effects of mass tourism. This can be clearly seen in the case of industry leaders undercutting small local businesses in popular tourist destinations. Governments around the world appear to neglect this issue and actively promote mass tourism for financial reasons.

And as tourism numbers grow, so does environmental degradation due to air travel emissions and land pollution. Only serious action from local authorities is likely to resolve economic and environmental issues arising from the tourism industry.

 

undercut somebody/something to sell goods or services at a lower price than your competitors.

E.g.

to undercut somebody’s prices     

We were able to undercut our European rivals by 5% 

Impacts of Modern Tourism

Travel and tourism have had massive impacts (1)_________ the world. Not only (2)__________ they have lasting effects on the traveller but also on local people in the host countries (3)__________ are visited. (4)__________, careful consideration should be given to this issue focusing both (5)________ the benefits and drawbacks of modern tourism. 

On one hand, it should be pointed out that the worldwide boom (6)_________ travel in recent decades has had positive impacts in two main areas. Firstly, it has had cultural value by broadening our (7)_________ and reducing our preconceptions about people from other places. (8)__________, few people would disagree that it has greatly improved the economic conditions in many places that are tourist destinations. In my view, we should not forget the additional benefits in (9)_________ of overseas investment and development of infrastructure also.
On the other hand, we should raise the (10)__________ that tourists often do not appreciate the negative repercussions of their decision to travel. Besides, this is also a problem that is conveniently ignored by the authorities of many countries in (11)_________ to stimulate the local economy. Things (12)__________ as they are, large services providers often flood the market as a result of this at the (13)__________ of smaller businesses.
Opponents of tourism also argue that pollution and damage (14)___________ the natural world rises hand-in-hand with the surge (15)_________ the numbers of tourists visiting an area.

Clearly, there are different views on the impacts of tourism. By and (16)_____________, tourism has grown massively in recent years. To a (17)_________ extent this has had positive effects on tourist destinations. (18)___________, in my opinion, the growth of tourism has serious negative impacts also. In (19)__________, both travellers and governments must be responsible to limit any harm (20)________ everyone’s benefit.

 

KEY

 

1. upon/on

 

 

 

2. do 

 

 

 

3. that/which 

 

 

 

4. Thus/Therefore/ So 

 

 

 

5. on 

 

 

 

6. in 

 

 

 

7. minds 

 

 

 

8. Furthermore/Moreover/Additionally 

 

 

 

9. terms

in terms of:

in relation to. Sp. en terminos de/ desde el punto de vista.

E.g.

Femininity is still defined in terms of beauty.  

It’s a mistake to think of Florida only in terms of its tourist attractions.  

 

 

 

10. issue 

 

 

 

11. order 

 

 

 

12. being

"Things being as they are" usually means "Because things are not different from what they are". Sp. así las cosas.  

 

 

 

13. expense

at the expense of somebody/something 

if something is done at the expense of someone or something else, it is only achieved by doing something that could harm the other person or thing. En detrimento de, a costa de. 

E.g.

the growth in short breaks, at the expense of longer package holidays  

 

 

 

14. to 

hand in hand, hand-in-hand adv    together. Sp.   codo con codo E.g.    

Poverty and social unrest usually go hand in hand. Sp. La pobreza y la inestabilidad social van siempre codo con codo.

 

 

 

15. in 

 

 

 

16. large

by and large      ​

used when you are saying something that is generally, but not completely, true.

E.g.         

By and large, I enjoyed my time at school.

 

 

 

17. certain  

 

 

 

18. However/ Nevertheless/ Nonetheless 

 

 

 

19. conclusion 

 

 

 

20. for

If you say that someone is doing something for the benefit of a particular person, you mean that they are doing it for that person. 

E.g. 

You need people working for the benefit of the community. 

He doesn't have to go through this elaborate display for my benefit!  

Speakout Advanced p 49. Problem Solution Essay Outline. Extra Writing

I. Introduction
1. Get the reader’s attention by using a “hook”. (e.g. Imagine… or ask a rhetorical questions: How many people are killed with guns every year?)

2. State the problem. (thesis)

E.g. There is a (big, substantial, terrible, annoying) problem of _____________________ in (the world, our city, the United States, among teenagers, our schools) today.

Reference to research/ facts and figures:
E.g. The figures illustrate/ This illustrates one of today's most important issues: gun control.
This (fact) represents a growing problem.
 It will suffice to say that/ Suffice it to say that the latest research in this field shows that increased crime

suffice (it) to say (that)…: used to suggest that although you could say more, what you do say will be enough to explain what you mean. E.g. I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete disaster.

Tell who is affected by (involved in) the problem.
Tell how those groups or people are affected.

Describe the causes of the problem
One of the causes of these figures/ this problem is...
This is largely due to...
Another reason is the...

Describe the consequences of the problem 
The country has an extremely violent past and this has resulted in an ingrained need to protect oneself...
This has led to...
This has brought about a change...
bring something about to make something happen.
One of the consequences of this is...



II. 1st Solution
1. State your first solution
E.g. To begin with…… OR One solution to this problem is…….
2. Explain how your solution will work & how it relates to the problem – use the 3e’s explain, expand, example
How can countries reduce the number of gun deaths? A complete ban on guns is barely imaginable in the US. However, there are a number of other options. These include developing better systems for introducing tougher prison sentences for people who own guns illegally.
The problem is that these solutions have already been proposed, passed into law and denounced as failures.
III. 2nd Solution
1. State your second solution
E.g. Another solution to the problem of __________________ is……. OR In addition ….
One possible solution that has not been tried yet is... This would mean that...
There are a number of (other) options. These include...
2. Explain how your solution will work & how it relates to the problem – use the 3e’s explain, expand, example

IV. 3rd Solution
1. State your third solution
E.g. Finally,…. OR Lastly….

2. Explain how your solution will work & how it relates to the problem – use the 3e’s explain, expand, example

V. Conclusion
1. Provides closure to your essay
E.g. As you can see there is a terrible problem of ___________________ in ____________________ today. OR It is clear….
In conclusion, the solution proposed here is one for the future.
To sum up, ...
The purpose/aim of this essay was to ...
The idea would/ would not bring an end to... However,

2. End with a “zinger” that makes the reader think or smile (e.g. compelling statement, readers personal connection, question for the reader to think about)
Until guns are completely banned, it is unlikely that...


Transitional Words and Phrases
Examples/Explanation: for instance, specifically, such as, to illustrate
Addition: furthermore, in addition, additionally, as well, moreover
Emphasis: most importantly, most important of all, indeed, in fact

Models:
A
The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before. What are the most serious problems associated with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?

The enormous growth in the use of the internet over the last decade has led to radical changes to the way that people consume and share information. Although serious problems have arisen as a result of this, there are solutions.

One of the first problems of the internet is the ease with which children can access potentially dangerous sites. For example, pornography sites are easily accessible to them because they can register with a site and claim to be an adult. There is no doubt that this affects their thoughts and development, which is a negative impact for the children and for society. Another major problem is the growth of online fraud and hacking. These days, there are constant news stories about government and company websites that have been hacked, resulting in sensitive information falling into the hands of criminals.

It is important that action is taken to combat these problems. Governments should ensure that adequate legislation and controls are in place that will prevent young people from accessing dangerous sites, such as requiring more than simply confirming that you are an adult to view a site.

Parents also have a part to play. They need to closely monitor the activities of their children and restrict their access to certain sites, which can now be done through various computer programs. Companies must also improve their onsite IT security systems to make fraud and hacking much more difficult by undertaking thorough reviews of their current systems for weaknesses.

To conclude, the internet is an amazing technological innovation that has transformed people’s lives, but not without negative impacts. However, with the right action by individuals, governments and businesses, it can be made a safe place for everyone. (285 words).



B

Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st Century and sea levels are continuing to rise at alarming rates. What problems are associated with this and what are some possible solutions.

Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century and ocean levels are increasing dramatically. This essay will first suggest that the biggest problem caused by this phenomenon is the flooding of homes and then submit building flood protection as the most viable solution, followed by a reasoned conclusion.

The foremost problem caused by sea levels creeping up is the flooding of peoples’ residences. Millions of people all over the world live in coastal areas and if the sea rises by even a few feet, they will be inundated with water and lose their property. Shelter is one of the most basic of human needs and widespread flooding would cause millions of people to become homeless, not to mention losing all of their possessions. The devastation brought about by this was clear for all to see during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which millions of people were displaced.

A possible solution to this problem would be to build flood barriers. Flood defences, such as dikes, dams and floodgates, could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby stopping the water reaching populated areas. The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the world and also one of the most vulnerable to flooding and they have successfully employed various flood defence systems.

To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost challenges we face and it will ultimately lead to many of the worlds’ cities being left underwater, but a possible solution could be to utilise the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland. It is predicted that more and more countries will be forced to take such measures to avoid a watery catastrophe. (298 words)

Speakout Advanced p 27. Expressing Opinions. Extra Vocabulary

Ways of giving your opinion

I think	the most usual and general way of giving your opinion
I reckon	a more informal way of giving your opinion
In my opinion/In my view	a more formal way of giving your opinion
It seems to me/All things considered	used for giving your opinion when you have thought carefully about a situation
If you ask me	used for giving an often critical opinion
To tell you the truth/To be honest/frank	a way of giving your opinion when you know that people may not like what you say
Personally	used for emphasizing that you are giving your own opinion
To my mind/As far as I'm concerned	used for giving your own opinion, when you realize that other people may not agree with you

Examples:

I think if you work hard you'll do very well in the exam.

It'll be cheaper to take the plane, I reckon.

In my view, it was a big mistake not to try to buy the company last year.
In my opinion, everyone should have some understanding of science. 
Everyone should, in my opinion, have some understanding of science.

It seems to me that John's plans for the website are very convincing. ♦ All things considered, I think we were wise to cancel our flights.

If you ask me, both Paul and Simon are being extremely immature.

To be honest/To tell you the truth/To be frank, I thought the show was pretty awful.

Personally, I think you should apologize to your brother.

To my mind, the way she behaved was inconsiderate. ♦ As far as I'm concerned, tennis is a much more interesting sport than football.

More phrases:

Another reason why so many people have such a poor understanding of science is, I believe, the lack of adequate funding for science in schools. 

Smith argues that science is separate from culture. My own view is that science belongs with literature, art, philosophy and religion as an integral part of our culture. 

In this writer's opinion, the more the public know about science, the less they will fear and distrust it.

Note: We use from my point of view to express how we see something or how it affects us personally. When we are expressing our beliefs or opinions, we use in my opinion or in my view. 
E.g. From my point of view, driving is not a good option. I get very tired if I drive more than about two hours. I spent two months working in England. From my point of view, that was the easiest way to learn English. (How the speaker is personally affected by something)
In my opinion/In my view, in 100 years’ time people will still be wearing jeans. In my view, everyone should stay in school until they are 18. (A general opinion about the clothes people will be wearing in 100 years’ time.)


Reporting someone's opinion
Photography is, according to Vidal, the art form of untalented people. 

For Vidal, photography is the art form of untalented people.

His view is that photography is not art but merely the mechanical reproduction of images. 

Smith takes the view that photography is both an art and a science. 

In Brown's view, photography should be treated as a legitimate art in its own right.

James is of the opinion that a good painter can always be a good photographer if he or she so decides.

 Emerson believed that a photograph should only reflect what the human eye can see.

Some critics argue that Picasso remained a great master all his life.

Others maintain that there is a significant deterioration in quality in his post-war work. 

Picasso himself claimed that good art is created, but great art is stolen.

As Smith has noted, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art. 

As the author points out, Picasso borrowed imagery from African art.

The writer challenges the notion that Picasso's sculpture was secondary to his painting.

It has been suggested that Picasso's painting was influenced by jazz music. 

Giving opinions using impersonal language
It is vital that more is done to prevent the illegal trade in wild animals. ◇ (Compare: We have to do more to stop people trading wild animals illegally.) 

Journalists play a vital/crucial role in educating the public.

Public trust is a crucial issue for all news organizations. 

The ability to write well is essential for any journalist. 

The Internet has become an indispensable /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/ tool for reporters.

In journalism, accuracy is paramount. / …is of paramount importance. 

It is imperative that journalists maintain the highest possible standards of reporting.

This case emphasizes/highlights the importance of honest communication between managers and employees.

Effective communication skills are essential/crucial/vital. 

It should be noted that this study considers only verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is not dealt with here.

It is important to remember that/An important point to remember is that non-verbal communication plays a key role in getting your message across. 

Communication is not only about the words you use but also your body language and, especially/above all, the effectiveness with which you listen.

I would like to draw attention to the role of listening in effective communication.

Choose your words carefully: in particular, avoid confusing and ambiguous language.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must learn to listen as well as to speak. 

It is clear that more needs to be done to protect biodiversity. ◇ (Compare: We clearly need to do more to protect biodiversity.)

It is unfortunate that the practice of keeping monkeys as pets still continues. ◇ (Compare: It's absolutely terrible that people still keep monkeys as pets.)

It is difficult for many people to understand the reasons why certain individuals choose to hunt animals for sport. ◇ (Compare: I can't understand why anyone would want to kill animals for fun.)

Unfortunately, it would seem that not enough is being done to support tiger conservation. ◇ (Compare: Governments aren't doing enough to help tiger conservation.)

There is no doubt that the greatest threat to polar bears comes from global warming. ◇ (Compare: I believe that the greatest threat…) 

Making an opinion sound less definite 
Most cybercrime involves traditional crimes, such as theft and fraud, being committed in new ways. Phishing is perhaps/possibly/probably the best-known example of this. 

It seems/appears that the more personal data which organizations collect, the more opportunity there is for this data to be lost or stolen.

It seems clear that introducing national ID cards would do little to prevent identity theft. 

It could be argued that the introduction of national ID cards might actually make identity theft easier.

It is possible that/It may be that the only way to protect ourselves against DNA identity theft is to avoid the creation of national DNA databases. 

  

How to write a DISCURSIVE ESSAY.

A discursive essay seeks to explain all possible views and positions in a given topic, subject, or issue at hand. You should decide which side you are supporting. This type of essay intends to present both sides of the argument.

PURPOSE: to persuade

A point of view and thesis statement are required for both argumentative and discursive essays. We may use the analogy of a court case. Consider the thesis statement as the defence and the antithesis as the prosecution. There is no point in holding a trial without a verdict. In terms of spoken text, consider your discursive essay as a debate in which both sides are presented. Without a final adjudication, the debate has little purpose. Remember the purpose of an exposition (argumentative or discursive) is to persuade, if the writer has no clear viewpoint, then it is impossible to persuade the reader. 

Example: 

TITLE:
‘There’s no need to write letters any more. Telephoning is a better way of communicating with people.’

STRUCTURE: 

1. Introduction – a short paragraph stating both points of view and a thesis statement. (The thesis indicates your point of view)

It’s certainly quicker to telephone than to write a letter but it may not always be the best way to communicate. The use depends, like so many other things in life, on the circumstances.

2. Points For – one paragraph giving reasons in favour. These reasons should be supported by evidence and examples. (This will develop the antithesis)

Telephoning is ideal if you want immediate action. You wouldn’t want to write to the plumber if you had water pouring through your ceiling, for example. It’s also the obvious choice if you need a quick answer to a question like ‘What time is the next train to Oxford?’ or ‘Did I leave my wallet in your shop?’ Many problems can be solved more easily and decisions taken more quickly if you can discuss them with someone on the phone rather than wait for a reply to a letter. Finally, few people would disagree that telephoning is a pleasant way to keep in touch with friends and family.

3. Points Against – one paragraph giving reasons against. These reasons should be supported by evidence and examples. (This will develop the thesis)

On the other hand, there can be a number of disadvantages to telephoning. In the first place, some problems are too complicated to explain on the phone, especially if they involve facts and figures, and it may be clearer if you set them out in a letter. Secondly, it might be important to have a record of what you say, especially if it’s a booking or a complaint. Last but not least, telephoning, especially long-distance, can be terribly expensive.

4. Further support and follow a logical argument.

The nice thing about receiving letters is that you can keep them and re-read them. Who wouldn’t rather have a six-page letter full of news from a friend abroad than a two-minute telephone call on a bad line?

5. Conclusion – a brief paragraph stating your point of view (thesis) based on the reasons and evidence you have given.

To sum up, letter writing is far from dead, in my view. Each form of communication has its advantages and disadvantages: the important thing to recognise is which is more appropriate for what you want to say, and to whom.

ANOTHER DISCURSIVE ESSAY: 

‘The Future is Bright’

The future is a mystery to everyone. Some people would argue that the future is bright because modern technology will soon be able to solve most problems in our society. Other people think that modern technology will bring about the destruction of the world. If we consider the recent negative environmental and social trends in the world today it is impossible to be optimistic about the future.

It can be argued that modern technology has solved many of the world’s problems, and may continue to do so in the future. We have made rapid progress, especially in the fields of medicine, communication and transport.[ Scientists are now able to cure or prevent many of the diseases that previously affected millions of people. For example, polio can be eliminated simply by vaccination.[ As well as this there has been an explosion in the area of information technology and communication. This also makes it easier to conduct business in any part of the world.[ Along with the advances made in communication, transport has also been improved all over the world. Even in developing countries, many people now own private transport or are able to travel quickly and easily using public transport. Therefore, it is sometimes claimed that technology will provide mankind with the universal panacea of the future.

However, modern technology also brings many disadvantages.[ Pollution is one result of increased technology and industrialization. The effects of this can be seen in the destruction of the ozone layer as well as global warming. [Improvements in technology have also increased the effectiveness of weapons, especially weapons of mass destruction. [As a direct result of modern technology, certainly in the future new diseases will appear. [Although transport has improved, it brings with it the danger of air pollution and traffic congestion. [Overpopulation and starvation will increase in the future because natural resources are limited and undoubtedly the amount of fertile land is decreasing steadily.

In conclusion, it is clear that for most people in the world the future is not bright because mankind is destroying the environment through unsustainable development. Modern technology can solve some problems but without careful planning the future looks bleak.

NOTES 

TOPICS

Typical discussion topics include statements which you are asked to agree or disagree with (e.g. There’s too much violence on television.) and invitations to discuss aspects of a subject

APPROACH

Generally, the important thing is to consider the various aspects of the topic before giving a balanced opinion. Occasionally, you may be asked directly for a personal opinion (e.g What’s the best way to bring up children?), but even here you would need to consider some different views so that you can contrast them with your own.

STRUCTURE

The structure of a discursive composition should be clear and logical. In the first paragraph, introduce the topic and your argument. In the next, deal with one aspect of the topic. Give supporting evidence in following paragraphs if necessary. After that, consider the opposite point of view. In the final paragraph, sum up your argument and give a balanced personal opinion.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

TITLE
It is usually a statement or a question.

Examples:
The mobile phone has made a positive contribution to our lives today
Friendships have become more important than family relationships
The computer has greatly improved our lives today 
Are electric cars a replacement for those powered by fossil fuels?
Is money the most important thing in life? 
 
INTRODUCING THE TOPIC
Many people believe /feel that… / It is often claimed that… / We often hear that…
People’s opinions on … differ widely.

DEVELOPING YOUR ARGUMENT
One of the main advantages of … is that …
In the first place, / Firstly, / To begin with, / To start with, / First of all,
Second, / Secondly, / In the second place, / Thirdly, / Finally, /Lastly, / Last but not least, …
In addition to that, / Apart from that, / Besides,
At first sight … but in fact,
Apparently (al parecer), / the fact is that, / As a matter of fact,
For example… For instance… A case in point is… (un caso que lo explica es)
Clearly, / Obviously, / Needless to say, / As everyone knows,

FOLLOWING A LOGICAL ARGUMENT
Therefore, / Consequently, / As a result, / Thus, / Hence, / For this reason,
For one reason or another, / Up to a point,
In general, / As a rule, / On the whole,
In a way, / In a sense, / In some sense, (e.g. In some sense I agree with you, but not entirely)
In particular, / Especially,
Let alone (aún menos) / Not to mention (por no decir).
In other words… (en otras palabras). In any case… (en cualquier caso)
Things being as they are…

INTRODUCING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Both … and / not only … but also …
In addition, / additionally, / in addition to this, / What is more, / Furthermore, /Moreover,/ likewise,
If this were not enough, / To make matters worse,
Above all, / On top of all this,
In these circumstances, /
With regard to, / For that matter, (respecto a ese asunto)
As for… (en lo que se refiere a).
Another advantage/ disadvantage is 
Besides this
Finally,

EXPRESSING AN OPPOSITE POINT OF VIEW
Although, / However, / At the same time,
After all, /
In spite of + noun phrase/ -ing/ the fact that…
Despite + noun phrase/ -ing/ the fact that…
In contrast,


EXPRESSING BALANCE
Some people… while/whereas others …
On the one hand … on the other hand…
While it is true that… / that maybe so, but, surely…
On the positive side... On the negative side

EXPRESSING OPINIONS
In my view, / In my opinion, / It seems to me that… / As I see it, / To my mind,
I think/feel that … / I can honestly say that…
As far as I am concerned, / As far as I know, / For all I know, / To the best of my knowledge,
It is my firm belief that
I would dispute the claim that
It is probably true to say that
It is true to some extent that
It cannot be denied that
It would be wrong to argue that
There can be no doubt that
It is simply not the case that
It is difficult to accept the idea that

Saying what other people think
It is widely believed that
It is generally agreed that
No one would dispute the fact that
Few people would contest (/kənˈtest/oppose) (the fact) that
Few people would dispute (the fact) that
Some people feel that
Others argue that 
There are those who argue that
It has been suggested that
It is often claimed that
Opponents/ Supporters/ Proponents (supporters) of (bullfighting) argue that

Referring to sources
All the evidence/research suggests/shows that
A recent survey proved that
Judging by the comments made by
Interviews with (students) have revealed that

REACHING CONCLUSIONS / SUMMING UP
In conclusion, / To conclude, / To sum up, / On balance,
All in all, / All things considered,
Taking everything into consideration, there are some good arguments for…

On balance: after considering all the information. E.g. On balance, the company has had a successful year.

Related link:
Here

More examples: 

Students, not the state, should pay university tuition fees.
Twenty years ago, if you went to university in the UK, all of your tuition fees were paid for by the government. Now, however, you have to pay for them yourself. There is currently a lot of debate about
which of these two situations is better. What is more, there are no straightforward answers.

In an ideal world, all education would be free, including tertiary education. Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is that we do not live in an ideal world and there is not an unlimited supply of money.
In addition to this, the more money the government spends, the more it taxes its citizens, and the less money they have.

On the other hand, it could be argued that in a modern democratic society, citizens have some basic rights. For example, many people would agree that universal free healthcare is a basic right: no one should go without medical attention because they can’t afford it. Likewise, a significant number of people also think university fees should be free of charge. After all, they maintain, if healthcare is free, why shouldn’t university be free, too?

In my own view, university tuition fees should not be totally free. If they are, many people will go to university just because they don’t know what to do after secondary school. Obviously, this is not the purpose of going to university. At the same time, fees should not be so expensive that they put off people from poor families from carrying on with their studies. Consequently, the best solution would be for the government to subsidise tuition fees, but not to pay for them entirely.


Are electric cars a replacement for those powered by fossil fuels?

Electric cars are currently being developed by many well-known automotive companies. Many people still question whether electric cars are a feasible replacement for petrol and diesel-fuelled vehicles. In this essay, I will explore the opinions for and against the use of electric cars and their replacement of petrol and diesel-fuelled cars.

On one hand, electric cars are environmentally friendly. Not only are they powered by renewable energy sources, but they are clean to run and maintain on the road. To support this opinion, recent studies show that the use of electric cars helps to minimize pollution in urban and rural areas. Clearly, electric cars are one way to tackle ecological concerns and support a ‘greener’ environment.

On the other hand, electric cars are inconvenient to maintain and to dispose of. The driver of an electric vehicle must recharge his car approximately every 100 kilometres. In addition, the plutonium battery of an electric car is toxic to the environment and must be safely disposed of through expensive means. In brief, scientists are still exploring ways to produce these types of vehicles so that they are easier to manufacture, maintain and use safely.

To sum up, it is evident that there are both pros and cons in the development of electric vehicles. Despite the expense of development and the inconvenience of recharging electric cars, I strongly believe that continuing with the research and production of these vehicles is well worth the investment and that we should remain supportive to the use of electric cars and to their development in the future.



Is money the most important thing in life?

Money is certainly something which is often discussed in today's world. Hardly a day goes by without the subject of money being raised in most people's lives. However, it is highly debatable whether it is more important than other considerations, such as health and happiness, which some people consider to be of greater significance.

To begin with, it is often argued that having money enables people to exert influence over others. Wealthy businessmen, for example, are often the most highly respected members of society, and business tycoons are often consulted by world leaders, who then make policies which affect the whole population. As a consequence, money can be seen as the single most important factor in our daily lives. Secondly, from the point of view of the individual, money is vital for survival. Our society is structured in such a way that, without money, people are deprived of the means to obtain proper nutrition and health care. Furthermore, in some cases where state benefits are inadequate, the inability to pay heating bills can indeed become a matter of life and death. This is clearly illustrated by the fact that, according to Social Services, the majority of deaths due to hypothermia each winter occur among low-income groups.

On the other hand, many people claim that undoubtedly health is of greater importance than money. Izaak Walton said “health is a blessing that money cannot buy.” What is more, money is of little consolation to those who are suffering from health problems. Despite the fact that money can pay for the best medical treatment and care available, this is no guarantee of a longer life. In addition, most people would agree that personal happiness easily outweighs money in importance. Even if an individual is extremely rich, this does not necessarily lead to happiness. In some cases, the contrary is true and vast wealth brings with it a whole range of problems and insecurities. Genuine happiness cannot be bought and does not usually have anything to do with financial status.

On the whole, although there are those who would rank money the single most important thing in life, the vast majority would disagree. Money, they argue, has an important part to play but perhaps the world would be a more harmonious place to live in if this were kept in proportion and society put more emphasis on moral issues.

EXERCISES

1. Delete the incorrect alternative in each sentence.

1- He pays his own fees. For this reason / However / Consequently, he wants to complete his degree as

soon as possible.

2- Jane’s family have a lot of money. However / Thus / Nevertheless, they don’t give her much.

3- Everybody failed the exam. Evidently / In addition to this / Obviously, it was too difficult.

4- Healthcare is very expensive in the United States. On the contrary / For this reason / Hence, it’s a

good idea to have health insurance.

5- She lives a long way from the university. Furthermore / Consequently / What’s more, public transport

in the area is very poor.

6- His sister studied Maths at university. Thus / However / In contrast, he studied French.

KEY
1 However

 
2 Thus

 
3 In addition to this

 
4 On the contrary

 
5 Consequently

 
6 Thus



 



Choose one of these options:

1.       It has been said that childhood is the happiest time of one’s life. Do you agree?

2.       What do you think of the idea, expressed in some countries that women should be paid a wage for the work they do in the home?

3.       ‘The most important quality in a partner is a sense of humour’. Do you agree?