What is this type of writing?
Balanced opinionIn a balanced opinion text, you present two different views on a topic and give reasons for each. Then, in the conclusion, you give your own opinion. People agree or disagree – so this is about opinions, not just good and bad points.
Strategy – how to organise your text
1. Introduction: introduce the topic and say that there are different opinions.
2. Body 1: one view + reasons and examples (“On the one hand… Some people believe…”).
3. Body 2: the other view + reasons and examples (“On the other hand… Others argue…”).
4. Conclusion: summarise both views, then state YOUR own opinion clearly.
Clues – recognise this task
- Do you agree or disagree?
- To what extent do you agree?
- Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
- Some people think…; others believe…
Useful phrases
Introducing the topic
There are different opinions about… / This is a topic that people often discuss. / This essay will look at both views.
e.g. There are different opinions about whether students should wear a school uniform.
One view
On the one hand… / Some people believe that… / Supporters argue that…
e.g. On the one hand, some people believe that homework helps students to learn.
The other view
On the other hand… / However, others think that… / Opponents claim that…
e.g. On the other hand, others argue that students already have too much homework.
Your opinion
In my opinion… / I personally believe… / From my point of view…
e.g. In my opinion, a small amount of homework is useful, but too much is harmful.
Concluding
In conclusion… / To sum up… / All things considered…
e.g. In conclusion, there are good arguments on both sides of this question.
Useful linking devices for this text type
Contrast, reason, and opinion linkers are the most important here.
| Function | Linkers |
|---|---|
| Contrast | On the one hand / On the other hand, However, In contrast, while, whereas |
| Reason | because, since, as, This is because…, One reason for this is… |
| Example | For example, For instance, such as |
| Opinion | In my opinion, I believe, From my point of view, Personally |
Teacher’s note – Balanced opinion
Students should give two views, each with a reason and an example. The writer’s own opinion should appear only in the conclusion, not in the body paragraphs.
Vocabulary check
Water and A Healthy LifeVocabulary check
From Water and A Healthy Life.
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| healthy / unhealthy | good / bad for your body |
| a balanced diet | meals with the right kinds of food |
| to ban | to officially stop something |
| fresh | recently made or picked; not old |
| sugar / fat | things that are unhealthy in large amounts |
| to waste | to use something badly or throw it away |
| tap water | water that comes from the tap at home |
| pollution | dirty air, water, or land |
Vocabulary practice
Complete each sentence with a word or phrase from the box. Change the form if necessary.
Put the text in order
The balanced opinion text below is mixed up. Read parts A–G, then use the arrows to put them in the correct order to make one complete text (introduction → first view → second view → conclusion with your own opinion).
- ?AFor example, students who play games or go running at lunchtime often return to class with more energy, and they are able to concentrate much better during the afternoon lessons.
- ?BIn addition, not every student enjoys sport. Some people worry that weaker students might start to dislike school if they are forced to exercise in front of others every single day.
- ?CMany schools are now thinking about asking every student to do some sport each day. This is a popular idea, but people do not agree about it, and there are good arguments on both sides.
- ?DIn my opinion, a little exercise each day is a good thing, but students should be allowed to choose an activity that they really enjoy, so that sport stays fun.
- ?EOn the one hand, many people strongly support daily sport at school. They say that regular exercise keeps young people fit and healthy and helps them to feel calmer and less stressed.
- ?FIn conclusion, there are clearly strong arguments both for and against the idea of doing sport every day at school, and schools must think carefully before they decide.
- ?GOn the other hand, other people are against the idea. They argue that students already have very little free time, as well as a lot of homework to finish every evening.
Sample answer
Read, listen, then studyQuestion: Some schools want to serve only healthy food and ban snacks like crisps and sweets. Do you agree? Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Read the text and the listening transcript below, and then study the sample answer.
Read
Reading
Many schools are thinking about banning unhealthy food. Supporters of this idea have strong reasons. They say that children eat too much sugar and fat, which causes health problems such as weight gain and bad teeth. Children who eat badly may also feel tired and find it hard to concentrate in class. If schools serve only healthy meals, children will eat better and learn good habits for life. However, other people are against the idea. They argue that children should learn to make their own choices, not simply follow rules. They believe that banning food does not teach children anything. They also say that many children will just buy snacks outside school or bring them from home, so the ban will not really work. Some parents feel that the school should not control what their children eat. For these reasons, they think education is more useful than a strict ban. In the end, both groups want the same thing: healthy and happy children. The real question is how to reach this goal. Some believe that rules work best, while others believe that good teaching is more powerful than any ban. Many schools now try to use both ideas at the same time.
Listen and read the transcript
Listening
Audio file not found — check that the audio folder sits next to this page.
Play it twice.
Listening transcript
As a parent, I can see both sides of this question. On the one hand, I want my son to eat well, and I am happy that his school now serves fresh fruit and vegetables. Since the change, he is healthier and more awake in class. He has even started to ask for fruit at home, which surprised me. On the other hand, I do not think a strict ban is the answer. Last week, he simply bought sweets from the shop next to the school, so the rule did not really change his habits. I think children need to understand why healthy food is important, not just be told no. In my opinion, schools should offer healthy food and explain why it matters, but they should not control everything the children eat. If children learn to choose well, they will make good decisions even when no one is watching. I have talked about this with other parents, and most of them feel the same way. We want schools to help, but we do not want them to take all the power away from families. A good school works together with parents, so that the same healthy message is taught at school and at home.
Study the sample answer
Should Schools Ban Unhealthy Food?
In many countries, schools are deciding whether to ban unhealthy food. Some people believe this is a good idea, while others think it is wrong. This essay will look at both views.
On the one hand, there are good reasons to ban unhealthy food. Firstly, children eat too much sugar and fat, which causes health problems. Moreover, if schools serve healthy meals, children learn good habits for life. For example, a school near my home now offers fresh fruit, and the pupils are healthier. They also have more energy and concentrate better in their lessons.
On the other hand, many people are against a strict ban. They argue that children should learn to make their own choices. In addition, a ban may not really work. For example, one parent says that their son simply buys sweets from the shop next to the school. For this reason, they believe that good teaching is more useful than a simple rule.
In conclusion, there are strong arguments on both sides. In my opinion, schools should offer healthy food and teach children why it is important, but they should not try to control everything that pupils eat. In my view, schools should guide children, but children must also learn to make sensible choices for themselves.
Notice the language
- The introduction names both views: “Some people believe… while others think…”.
- Each body paragraph gives a reason AND an example.
- The writer’s own opinion appears only in the conclusion.
Writing task 1
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “Bottled water should be banned to protect the environment. Do you agree or disagree?”
Read the text and take notes. Listen to the recording twice and take notes. Then write your text using ideas from both. Minimum 200 words.
Read Take notes in the table.
Reading
Every year, people buy billions of plastic water bottles, and many countries are now discussing whether to ban them. People who support a ban say that plastic bottles cause terrible pollution. Millions of bottles end up in the sea, where they harm fish and birds. The plastic stays in nature for hundreds of years. Supporters also argue that tap water is cheap, safe, and just as healthy in most cities, so there is no need to buy water in bottles. However, others are against a ban. They say that in some places the tap water is not clean, so bottled water is necessary for health. They also point out that bottled water is convenient for travel and sport, and that many bottles can be recycled. Some people add that a ban would cause problems for the companies that make and sell bottled water, and many workers could lose their jobs. For these reasons, they believe the answer is better recycling, not a complete ban. Many experts say that the best answer may be somewhere in the middle. Instead of a total ban, governments could put a small tax on plastic bottles and build more public taps where people can fill their own bottles for free. In this way, people would still have a choice, but plastic waste would slowly go down.
Listen Twice — add notes to the table.
Listening
Audio file not found — check that the audio folder sits next to this page.
Play it twice. Students do not have the transcript.
Transcript
I stopped buying bottled water about two years ago, after I joined a beach clean-up with my students. In one morning we collected more than three hundred plastic bottles from a single beach, and some of them were older than I am. In my town the tap water is clean and safe, so honestly there is no good reason to pay for water in a plastic bottle. I now carry my own bottle and fill it at home. However, I do not think that a complete ban is fair or simple. My aunt lives in a village where the tap water is not clean, and for her family bottled water is necessary for their health. My cousin works in a factory that fills the bottles, and she is worried that a ban would cost her and her colleagues their jobs. When I travel or play sport, I also understand why people want something light and convenient to carry. In my opinion, the middle way is the best answer. Last year our council put new public taps in the park and near the sports centre, and I see people filling their bottles there every day. A small tax on plastic bottles would also make people think twice. In this way, people still have a choice, but the amount of plastic waste slowly goes down.
Take notes
| Banning bottled water | Agree (ban it) | Disagree (keep it) |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | ||
| Health | ||
| Cost & convenience | ||
| Jobs & business | ||
| Middle way |
| Banning bottled water | Agree (ban it) | Disagree (keep it) |
|---|---|---|
| Environment | millions of bottles end up in the sea and harm fish and birds; plastic stays for hundreds of years; the speaker collected 300+ bottles from one beach in a morning | many bottles can be recycled, so better recycling is the real answer |
| Health | tap water is safe and just as healthy in most cities (clean in the speaker’s town) | in some places tap water is not clean, so bottled water is necessary (the speaker’s aunt’s village) |
| Cost & convenience | tap water is cheap, so there is no need to buy water in bottles | bottled water is light and convenient for travel and sport |
| Jobs & business | — | companies would suffer and many workers could lose their jobs (the speaker’s cousin) |
| Middle way | a small tax on plastic bottles would make people think twice | more public taps, so people still have a choice and no complete ban is needed |
Now write your text Minimum 200 words.
Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your text before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.
Sample answer · 210 words
Should We Ban Bottled Water?
Every year, people buy billions of plastic water bottles, and many countries are now thinking about banning them. Some people believe that a ban is a good idea, while others think it is wrong. This essay will look at both views.
On the one hand, there are strong reasons to ban bottled water. Firstly, plastic bottles cause a lot of pollution, and many of them end up in the sea, where they harm fish and birds. In addition, tap water is cheap and safe in most cities. For example, in my town the tap water is clean, so there is no need to buy water in bottles.
On the other hand, many people are against a ban. They argue that in some places the tap water is not clean, so bottled water is necessary for health. Moreover, bottled water is convenient for travel and sport, and many bottles can be recycled. In addition, a ban could cause many workers to lose their jobs.
In conclusion, there are good arguments on both sides. In my opinion, a total ban is not the best answer. Instead, governments should build more public taps and put a small tax on plastic bottles, so that people still have a choice but waste slowly goes down.
Writing task 2
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “Some people think doing sport is the best way to stay healthy. Others think a good diet is more important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
Read the text and take notes. Listen to the recording twice and take notes. Then write your text using ideas from both. Minimum 200 words.
Read Take notes in the table.
Reading
People often ask what is more important for good health: sport or a good diet. Some people believe that sport is the answer. They say that exercise makes the heart strong, reduces stress, and helps people sleep well. Sport can also be fun and a good way to make friends. In their view, an active person can stay healthy even if they sometimes eat unhealthy food. Other people think that diet matters more. They argue that you are what you eat, and that no amount of exercise can fix a very bad diet. They say that fresh fruit, vegetables, and other good food give the body the energy it needs. They believe that eating fresh, balanced meals is the real secret to a long and healthy life. Of course, many doctors say that the best plan is to do both: eat well and stay active. In this way, the body and the mind both stay strong. Most doctors agree that there is no single secret to good health. Sport and diet work together, and one cannot fully replace the other. A person who eats well but never moves will not be healthy, and a person who exercises but eats badly will also have problems. The best plan is a balanced life with both good food and regular activity.
Listen Twice — add notes to the table.
Listening
Audio file not found — check that the audio folder sits next to this page.
Play it twice. Students do not have the transcript.
Transcript
For many years I believed that sport was the answer to everything. I ran three or four times a week, and I really did feel the difference. I had more energy, I slept much better, and I was far less stressed after a difficult day at work. I also made good friends at my running club, and that was almost as important to me as the exercise itself. The problem was my diet. I told myself that I could eat anything, because I trained so much. I ate fast food several times a week and hardly any vegetables. Then, at a check-up, my doctor said something I have never forgotten: you cannot fix a bad diet with exercise. My sister is the opposite. She cooks fresh, balanced meals every evening, but she never moves, and she often complains that she feels tired and weak. So now we help each other. She comes walking with me twice a week, and she has taught me to cook simple meals with fresh fruit and vegetables. After six months, both of us feel stronger and happier than before. In my opinion, sport and food are like two legs: you cannot walk very far on only one of them.
Take notes
| Staying healthy | Sport is best | Diet is best |
|---|---|---|
| Body | ||
| Mind | ||
| Social side | ||
| Main claim | ||
| Weak point |
| Staying healthy | Sport is best | Diet is best |
|---|---|---|
| Body | exercise makes the heart strong; the speaker had more energy when running | fresh fruit, vegetables and good food give the body the energy it needs |
| Mind | sport reduces stress and helps people sleep well; the speaker slept better and was less stressed | — |
| Social side | sport is fun and a good way to make friends (the speaker’s running club) | — |
| Main claim | an active person can stay healthy even if they sometimes eat unhealthy food | you are what you eat; no amount of exercise can fix a very bad diet (the speaker’s doctor) |
| Weak point | an active person who eats badly will still have problems (the speaker ate fast food) | a person who eats well but never moves will not be healthy (the speaker’s sister feels tired and weak) |
Now write your text Minimum 200 words.
Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your text before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.
Sample answer · 217 words
Sport or Diet?
People often ask what is more important for good health: sport or a good diet. There are different opinions about this question, and both sides have strong arguments. This essay will look at both views.
On the one hand, some people believe that sport is the most important thing. They say that regular exercise makes the heart strong, reduces stress, and helps people sleep well. For example, a person who walks or runs every day usually feels happier and has more energy. In addition, sport can be a good way to make friends.
On the other hand, others argue that a good diet matters more. They believe that no amount of exercise can fix a very bad diet. Moreover, fresh fruit, vegetables, and balanced meals give the body the energy it needs. For example, a person who runs every week but often eats fast food may still feel tired and unwell.
In conclusion, both sport and a good diet are important for our health, and there are good reasons to support each view. In my opinion, the best plan is to do both: eat fresh, balanced food and stay active every day. A person who eats well but never moves will not be healthy either. In this way, both the body and the mind can stay strong.
Answer key at a glance
Prints with the page| Practice 1 — Answers | 1 balanced diet · 2 waste · 3 fresh · 4 ban · 5 tap water · 6 pollution |
| Practice 2 — Correct order | C → E → A → G → B → F → D |