I
UNIT 4 pjj
FOR AND AGAINST
1 Read the text. Replace the underlined words and phrases with those in the box.
in my opinion,	One advantage is that	For instance
One disadvantage is that	pros and cons	All things considered
Finally	In conclusion	In fact,
Another point is that	Moreover	
CHILDHOOD
- tWe beft tiMe of yoMr Life
1 Some people say that childhood is the best time of your life. However, being a child has both advantages and disadvantages.
2 On the plus side, you have very few responsibilities. For example, you don't have to go to work, pay bills, or do the shopping, cooking, or cleaning. This means you have plenty of free time to do whatever you want - watch TV; play on the computer; go out with friends; play sports, or pursue other hobbies. On top of that, public transport, cinema, and sports centres cost much less for children. All in all, being a child is an exciting, action-packed time in life.
3 However, for every plus there is a minus. For one thing, you have to spend all day, Monday to Friday, at school. Studying usually means you have to do homework, and you have to take exams. What is more, you may have a lot of free time, but you are rarely allowed to do whatever you want. You usually have to ask your parents if you can do things, from going shopping in town to staying out late or going to a party. Last of all although there are often cheaper prices for children, things are still expensive - and parents are not always generous with pocket money. There's never enough to do everything you want. The reality is that sometimes there's not enough to do anything at all!
To sum up. although some people see childhood as the best time in life, I think that children have no real choice, independence, or money. Nevertheless, it is true that choice, money, and independence all bring responsibilities and restrictions - which increase with age.
2 There are four paragraphs. What is the purpose of each one?
3 Match the pros with the cons.
Pros	Cons
1 don't have to go to work 2 can go out to parties with friends 3 don't have to cook and clean 4 costs less to do things	are never given enough pocket money have to do homework and take exams have to go to school Monday to Friday need to ask your parents' permission
You are going to write a 'for and against' essay. Write a list of pros and cons for one of these topics.
1 Getting older
2 Having a university degree
3 Having children while young
Use your ideas from exercise 4 to write four paragraphs. Write about 250 words.
WRITING
Composition (argument) 1
In Part 2 of Paper 2, you may be asked to write a composition. One type of composition asks you to write about the advantages and disadvantages of a particular topic. You must organize what you are going to say before you start writing.
A Below is a composition on the advantages and disadvantages of living in the country. Fill each of the numbered spaces with one of the following words or phrases. Try not to use the same expression twice.
First of all/Firstly
In addition/ Moreover/Furthermore So/As a result/Therefore However/On the other hand/In contrast In conclusion/To sum up/On the whole
Living in the country is something that people from the city often dream about. (1) , in reality it has both its advantages and disadvantages.
There are certainly many advantages to living in
the country. (2)_, you can enjoy peace
and quiet. (3)_, people tend to be
friendlier and more open. A further advantage is that there is less traffic, so it is safer for young children.
(4)_, there are certain drawbacks to
life outside the city. (5)_, because
there are fewer people, you are likely to have
fewer friends. (6)_, entertainment is
difficult to find, particularly in the evening. Furthermore, the fact that there are fewer shops and services means that it is harder to find work.
(7)_, you may have to travel a long
way to work, which can be extremely expensive.
(8)_, it can be seen that the country is
more suitable for some people than others.
(9)_, it is often the best place for those
who are retired or who have young children.
(10)_, young, single people who have a
career are better provided for in the city.
B Match these headings to the four paragraphs.
Disadvantages Advantages Conclusion Introduction
C Make a list of all the advantages and
disadvantages mentioned in the composition.
D The following notes, on the advantages and disadvantages of television, are mixed up. Put the notes into two lists. An example is given.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
stops people feeling lonely
stops people feeling lonely bad for the eyes can be educational
stops people from talking to each other discourages people from taking exercise cheap
makes reading seem less attractive good for old people living alone can create problems in the family good for children
stops people from going to the theatre, cinema, etc. bad for the sports industry
Can you add any more advantages or disadvantages to these lists?
E Here are some other useful expressions for this kind of composition.
One of the advantages/disadvantages of... is,,. There are advantages and disadvantages to,.. The (main) advantage/disadvantage of... is ... The main drawback/problem with... is ... A further advantage (of)/problem (with) ...is
F Read these notes before you write a composition on one of the topics in G.
1 Make two lists - one of advantages, one of disadvantages.
2 Decide in what order you will mention the points.
3 Decide what to say in the introduction and the conclusion.
4 Use some of the words and phrases in A and E above to link your composition.
G Write your composition in four paragraphs, leaving a line between each one. You should write between 120 and 180 words.
1 Your teacher has asked you to write a composition with the following title:
TV: is it a good thing?
2 Your teacher has asked you to write a composition answering the following question:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living at home with your parents?