UNIT 4 p33
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
- the beSt ti^e of your 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.