Building on Week 3
Balanced opinionThis week you practise the same text type with new topics. Try to give a clear reason and an example for every opinion. Remember the plan: introduction – view 1 – view 2 – conclusion with your opinion.
Reminder: a balanced opinion text gives two different opinions with reasons, and then your own opinion at the end.
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 |
Vocabulary check
Mysteries and Living SpaceMatch the words
Match each word (1–6) with its meaning (a–f). Choose the correct letter.
| Word | Answer | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. to solve | a. full of people | |
| 2. peaceful | b. to find the answer to a problem | |
| 3. crowded | c. the areas around the edge of a city | |
| 4. a mystery | d. calm and quiet | |
| 5. imagination | e. something strange that we cannot explain | |
| 6. the suburbs | f. the ability to form pictures and ideas in your mind |
Complete the sentences
Now complete each sentence with a word from the box. Change the form if necessary.
Complete the text
Complete the balanced opinion text below with the phrases and linking words from the box. Use each one once.
People often argue about the best place to live. (1) love the busy life of a big city, while (2) prefer the quiet of the countryside. (3), there are good reasons to live in a city. Cities have more jobs, and shops and hospitals are close. (4), there is good public transport. (5), a young person in the city can meet friends easily after work, (6) everything is nearby. (7), the countryside also has clear advantages. The air is fresh and the streets are quiet. (8), life there can be difficult, as shops and schools are often far away. (9), both the city and the countryside have good and bad points. (10), young people are usually happier in the city, but families often prefer the countryside.
Sample answer
Read, listen, then studyQuestion: Some people love reading about mysteries and unexplained events. Others think it is a waste of time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Read the text and the listening transcript below, and then study the sample answer.
Read
Reading
Mysteries have always interested people. Books, films, and television programmes about ghosts, strange creatures, and unsolved crimes are extremely popular. Many people enjoy these stories because they are exciting and make them think. A good mystery keeps us guessing until the very end. Reading about mysteries can also improve the imagination and encourage people to ask questions about the world. However, not everyone agrees that mysteries are useful. Some people say that many stories are not true and give people false ideas. They worry that people may start to believe in things that do not exist. They believe it is better to spend time learning real facts. In their opinion, science can explain most things, and there is no need to believe in mysteries. They prefer documentaries and books that teach them about history, nature, and the real world. Perhaps the truth is that mysteries are useful when we enjoy them in the right way. A good mystery story can make us curious and teach us to think, as long as we remember that it is only a story. The problem starts when people stop asking questions and believe everything without any proof. Many great scientists began as curious children who loved a good mystery, and that curiosity led them to important discoveries later in life.
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
In my view, mysteries are good for the mind. When I was young, I read every detective book I could find, and I think it made me a better problem-solver. A good mystery teaches you to look at the details and think carefully before you decide. It also taught me to be patient and to enjoy reading. On the other hand, my brother completely disagrees. He says that watching shows about aliens and ghosts is a waste of time. He prefers documentaries about history and science, because he wants to learn real facts. We often argue about this, but we both agree on one thing: you should not believe everything you read or see. It is good to enjoy a mystery, but it is also important to ask whether the story is really true. I think the most important thing is to keep an open but careful mind. It is fun to wonder about strange events, and this kind of thinking can even help scientists discover new things. At the same time, we should always look for real evidence before we decide that something is true. In our family, our little arguments are friendly, and they actually help us to think more carefully about what we believe.
Study the sample answer
Are Mysteries Worth Our Time?
Stories about mysteries and unexplained events are very popular. Some people love them, while others believe they are a waste of time. This essay will discuss both views.
On the one hand, many people enjoy mysteries. Firstly, the stories are exciting and make us think. Moreover, they improve the imagination. For example, reading detective books can teach people to look at details and solve problems. They also learn to stay patient and to enjoy reading quietly, which is a useful habit in many parts of life.
On the other hand, some people think mysteries are not useful. They argue that many stories are not true, so they can give people false ideas. For example, some viewers start to believe in ghosts or aliens because they have seen them on television. In addition, these people prefer to spend their time learning real facts from science. In their opinion, the hours people spend on false stories could be used to learn something true and useful.
In conclusion, there are good arguments on both sides. In my opinion, reading about mysteries is enjoyable and good for the imagination, as long as we remember that not every story is true. A good mystery can open our minds and make us curious, but we should always look for real evidence before we believe it.
Notice the language
- “On the one hand… On the other hand…” clearly separate the two views.
- Each opinion has a reason (Firstly…, because…) and an example.
- The conclusion gives the writer’s balanced opinion.
Writing task 1
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “Some people prefer to live in a small flat in the city. Others prefer a large house in the countryside. 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
Where to live is an important decision. Some people love living in a small flat in the city centre. Everything is close, so they can walk to shops, work, and cafés. There is always something to do, and public transport is usually good. City flats are also easy to clean and often have good security, which makes people feel safe. Other people prefer a large house in the countryside. They enjoy the fresh air, the quiet, and the space for a garden. Children can play safely outside, and families can keep pets. Life in the country is often slower and more relaxing. However, country houses are far from many services, and people usually need a car to travel anywhere. Shops, schools, and hospitals can be a long way away. In the end, the best choice depends on what kind of life each person wants. Today, some people try to enjoy the best of both worlds. They live in a small flat in the city during the week, when they need to be near work, and they visit the countryside at weekends. This is not possible for everyone, but it shows that there is no single right answer. The best home is the one that fits a person’s life.
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 have lived in both kinds of home, so I know the good and the bad points of each. For five years I rented a very small flat in the city centre. It took me ten minutes to clean, the building had a security door, and I felt safe coming home late. After work I could meet friends in a café without planning anything, because everything was close. I did not own a car, and I never needed one. Then my sister moved with her two children to a large house in the countryside. When I visit, I always sleep well: the air is fresh, the nights are quiet, and the children play in the garden with the dog all afternoon. But life there is not easy. The nearest supermarket is twenty minutes away by car, the doctor is even further, and the children’s school bus leaves at half past six in the morning. Without a car, they simply could not live there. For me, the best answer is a mixture. I stay in my small flat during the week, because I need to be near my work, and I take the train to my sister’s village at weekends. I know that this is not possible for everyone. In the end, the best home is the one that fits the life you actually live.
Take notes
| Where to live | City flat | Country house |
|---|---|---|
| Services | ||
| Transport | ||
| The home | ||
| Daily life | ||
| Middle way |
| Where to live | City flat | Country house |
|---|---|---|
| Services | shops, work and cafés are close; you can walk everywhere; the speaker met friends in a café without planning | shops, schools and hospitals can be a long way away; the supermarket is twenty minutes by car and the doctor is even further |
| Transport | public transport is usually good, so you do not need a car; the speaker never needed one | people usually need a car to travel anywhere; the children’s school bus leaves at 6.30 a.m. |
| The home | small and easy to clean (ten minutes); good security, so the speaker felt safe coming home late | large, with space for a garden and for pets; the children play in the garden with the dog |
| Daily life | busy: there is always something to do | fresh air, quiet and more relaxing; the speaker always sleeps well there |
| Middle way | a small flat in the city during the week, near work | visits to the countryside at weekends (the speaker takes the train to the sister’s village) |
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 · 222 words
City Flat or Country House?
Some people prefer to live in a small flat in the city, while others prefer a large house in the countryside. Both choices have good points, and people often disagree about which is better. This essay will look at both views.
On the one hand, life in a city flat is very convenient. Shops, schools, and hospitals are usually close, and there is good public transport, so you do not always need a car. For example, a young worker in the city can meet friends easily after work, because everything is nearby. In addition, a small flat is quick to clean, and there is always something interesting to do.
On the other hand, a house in the countryside also has clear advantages. The air is fresh, the nights are quiet, and there is more space for children to play. For example, children can play in the garden with their pets all afternoon, and many adults find that they sleep much better there.
In conclusion, both the city and the countryside have good and bad points. Country life is peaceful, but it can be difficult without a car, because shops and schools are often far away. In my opinion, a small flat in the city is better for young people, but a large house in the countryside is better for families with children.
Writing task 2
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “Some people think old, mysterious places should be protected. Others think the land should be used for new buildings. 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
Many countries have old, mysterious places, such as ancient ruins, stone circles, and abandoned castles. Some people believe these places must be protected. They say that such sites are part of our history and help us understand the past. These places also bring many tourists, who spend money in the local area and create jobs. For these people, losing an old site would be like losing a part of who we are. Others, however, think differently. They argue that these old places take up valuable land. In growing cities, this land could be used to build new homes, schools, and hospitals. They say that many people need somewhere to live, and that helping people today is more important than keeping empty ruins that few people visit. They also point out that protecting old sites can be very expensive. For these reasons, they believe that some old places should make way for modern buildings. Some countries have found a clever solution to this problem. They protect the most important old places and turn them into museums or parks, while they build modern homes on the land that is less special. In this way, they keep their history alive but still give people the new buildings they need.
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
There is a ruined castle on the hill above my town, and I have loved it since I was a child. When I have a difficult week, I walk up there in the evening. It is quiet, the view is beautiful, and the old walls give me a real sense of peace. In summer, tourists come from all over the country to see it. My friend’s café near the gate is full every day in July and August, and she employs three extra people for the season. My brother sees it differently. He has been looking for a flat for two years and cannot find one that he can afford. He says that empty ruins do not give anybody a home, and that the money we spend on the walls could build a school. He may be right about the cost, because the council pays a great deal every year just to keep the stones safe. In the end, our town found a solution that I like. They protected the castle and turned the land around it into a small museum and a park, and they built the new flats on a field further down the hill. When they built two blocks too close to the walls a few years ago, everybody agreed that it spoiled the beauty of the town. So now the past and the new homes live side by side.
Take notes
| Old places | Protect them | Use the land |
|---|---|---|
| History | ||
| Money | ||
| Land | ||
| People today | ||
| Middle way |
| Old places | Protect them | Use the land |
|---|---|---|
| History | part of our history; they help us understand the past; losing an old site is like losing part of who we are | few people visit empty ruins |
| Money | tourists spend money in the local area and create jobs; the café by the castle gate is full all summer and hires three extra people | protecting old sites can be very expensive; the council pays a great deal every year |
| Land | building too close to old walls can spoil the beauty of a town | in growing cities the land could be used for homes, schools and hospitals |
| People today | old places give people a sense of peace (the speaker walks up to the castle after a difficult week) | helping people who need somewhere to live matters more (the speaker’s brother cannot afford a flat) |
| Middle way | protect the most important places and turn them into museums or parks | build modern homes on the land that is less special |
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 · 218 words
Protect Old Places or Build New Ones?
In many towns, people argue about old, mysterious places. Some people believe these places should be protected, while others think the land should be used for new buildings. This essay will look at both views.
On the one hand, many people want to protect old places. They believe that these places are part of our history, and that once they are gone, we can never get them back. For example, an old castle can bring many tourists, and a café near its gate may need extra workers every summer. In addition, these places give people a sense of peace.
On the other hand, others argue that growing towns need new buildings. They say that people need more houses, schools, and hospitals. For example, a young person who cannot find an affordable flat may feel that empty ruins are less important than new homes. Moreover, protecting old places can be very expensive, because the local council has to pay for repairs every year.
In conclusion, there are strong arguments on both sides. However, building too close to old places can destroy the beauty of a town. In my opinion, towns should protect their most important old places, but they should also be allowed to build what people really need, so that the past and the future can live together.
Answer key at a glance
Prints with the page| Part 1 — Answers | 1 b · 2 d · 3 a · 4 e · 5 f · 6 c |
| Part 2 — Answers | 1 solve · 2 peaceful · 3 crowded · 4 mystery · 5 imagination · 6 suburbs |
| Part 3 — Answers | (1) Some people · (2) others · (3) On the one hand · (4) In addition · (5) For example · (6) because · (7) On the other hand · (8) However · (9) In conclusion · (10) In my opinion |