What is this type of writing?
Advantage – disadvantageIn this text, you write about the good points (advantages) and the bad points (disadvantages) of a topic. You stay neutral in the body and may give your opinion only at the end.
Strategy – how to organise your text
1. Introduction: introduce the topic and say it has both good and bad sides.
2. Body 1: write about the advantages. Use “One advantage is… / Another benefit is…”
3. Body 2: write about the disadvantages. Use “One drawback is… / On the negative side…”
4. Conclusion: weigh both sides. You may give your opinion here.
Tip: two ways to organise
Plan A: all advantages, then all disadvantages (good for one topic).
Plan B: compare option A, then option B (good when two things are compared).
Clues – recognise this task
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of…?
- Write about the pros and cons of…
- Are there any benefits or drawbacks to…?
Useful phrases
Introducing the topic
… has both advantages and disadvantages. / … has good points as well as bad points.
e.g. Working from home has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
One (main) advantage is… / Another benefit is… / On the positive side…
e.g. One main advantage is that you save a lot of travelling time.
Disadvantages
One drawback is… / A disadvantage is… / On the negative side… / The main problem is…
e.g. One drawback is that you can feel lonely without your colleagues.
Concluding
In conclusion… / To sum up… / Weighing both sides… / In my opinion…
e.g. Weighing both sides, I believe the benefits are greater than the problems.
Useful linking devices for this text type
Use listing, addition, contrast, and example linkers.
| Function | Linkers |
|---|---|
| Listing | Firstly, Secondly, Finally |
| Addition | Moreover, Furthermore, In addition, Also |
| Contrast | However, On the other hand, On the negative side |
| Result / example | As a result, Therefore; For example, For instance |
Vocabulary check
No Limits and ConnectionsVocabulary check
From No Limits and Connections.
| Word / phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to connect | to join people or things together |
| to communicate | to share information or feelings |
| convenient | easy and useful |
| a challenge | something difficult that tests you |
| to overcome | to deal with a problem successfully |
| to share | to give part of something to others |
| addicted | not able to stop doing something |
| to compare | to look at how things are similar or different |
Vocabulary practice
Complete each sentence with a word from the box. Change the form if necessary.
Complete the text
Complete the text below with the words and phrases from the box. Use each one once. The text is about the advantages and disadvantages of a topic.
The smartphone (1). On the positive side, there are many benefits. (2) is that we can contact our family and friends at any time, wherever we are. (3), we can use a smartphone to find information, take photos, and pay for things quickly. (4), a student who is lost in a new city can use a map app to find the right road in seconds. (5), smartphones also have some clear disadvantages. (6) is that many people look at their phones too much and stop talking to the people around them. (7), many people check their phones late at night. (8), they feel tired the next day and cannot concentrate. Phones can also be expensive, and they are easy to break or lose. (9), the smartphone is a powerful tool with both good and bad sides. (10), smartphones make our lives easier, as long as we learn to put them down and enjoy the real world.
Sample answer
Read, listen, then studyQuestion: What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media?
Read the text and the listening transcript below, then study the sample answer.
Read
Reading
Social media is now part of daily life for millions of people, and it has clear advantages. Firstly, it helps us stay in contact with friends and family all over the world for free. We can send messages and photos in seconds, even to people who live very far away. Secondly, it is a fast way to share news, photos, and ideas. Many people also use social media to find jobs or to grow their own businesses, because they can reach thousands of customers easily. However, there are also disadvantages. People can spend too many hours looking at their phones instead of living in the real world. In addition, not everything online is true, and false news spreads quickly. Some users also feel unhappy when they compare their lives to others, because online people often look happier and richer than they really are. Because of these problems, more and more people are learning to use social media in a healthy way. They turn off notifications, follow only useful accounts, and take regular breaks from their phones. Used carefully, social media can be a powerful tool that brings people together, but it should never take the place of real life and real friends.
Listen and read the transcript
Listening
Audio file not found — check that the audio folder sits next to this page.
Play it twice, then read the transcript.
Listening transcript
In my opinion, social media has more good points than bad ones, but we must be careful. The biggest advantage for me is connection: I run a small business, and social media helps me reach hundreds of new customers without spending much money. It is the cheapest and fastest way to tell people about my shop. On the other hand, I have also seen the disadvantages. My teenage daughter sometimes spends five hours a day online, and she becomes sad when she compares herself to others. She forgets to do her homework and to sleep. As a result, we have agreed on some rules at home, such as no phones at dinner. I believe social media is a useful tool if we control it, but it can be harmful if we let it control us. From my experience, the key word is balance. Social media is neither completely good nor completely bad; it depends on how we use it. As a parent and a business owner, I try to enjoy its benefits while I protect my family from its dangers. I believe that is the only sensible way to live with it. I tell my daughter that the phone is a tool, like a car: it is very useful, but only if you learn to control it safely.
Study the sample answer
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media
Social media is now part of daily life for millions of people. It has both advantages and disadvantages.
On the positive side, social media has several benefits. Firstly, it helps us stay in contact with friends and family all over the world for free. Secondly, it is a fast way to share news and ideas. Moreover, many people use it to find jobs or grow a business. It also lets people learn new skills and follow news from all over the world in seconds.
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. One major disadvantage is that people spend too many hours on their phones. In addition, not everything online is true, and some users feel unhappy when they compare their lives to others. Spending too many hours online can also take time away from sleep, study, and real friends.
In conclusion, although social media can waste time and make people sad, it is an excellent way to connect and share. In my opinion, it is a useful tool, as long as we control how much we use it. If we set sensible limits, social media can add a great deal to our lives instead of harming them. The choice is really in our own hands.
Notice the language
- Body 1 = advantages; Body 2 = disadvantages (Plan A).
- “On the positive side… On the other hand…” signal the two parts.
- The writer’s opinion appears only in the conclusion.
Writing task 1
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing extreme sports?”
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
Extreme sports such as rock climbing, skydiving, and surfing are more popular than ever. They have several advantages. They give people a strong feeling of excitement and freedom, and they help people become braver and more confident. When someone finishes a difficult climb, they feel very proud. These sports are also a good way to stay fit and to make friends who enjoy the same activities. However, extreme sports also have disadvantages. The most serious one is danger: accidents can cause bad injuries or even death. For this reason, people must train carefully and follow safety rules. These sports are often expensive, because they need special equipment and training, which not everyone can afford. They can also take up a lot of free time, so people may have less time for family and friends. For these reasons, people should think carefully before they start an extreme sport. Those who want to try an extreme sport should start slowly and learn from a good teacher. They should always wear the right safety equipment and never take silly risks. If they are careful, they can enjoy the excitement and the benefits while they keep the dangers as low as possible.
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. Take notes as you listen.
Take notes
| Extreme sports | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings & character | ||
| Safety | ||
| Fitness & friends | ||
| Money | ||
| Advice |
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.
Writing task 2
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of keeping in touch with friends mostly online?”
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
These days, many friendships exist mainly online. People chat, send messages, and make video calls instead of meeting in person. This way of keeping in touch has advantages. It is convenient and cheap, and it allows people to stay close even when they live in different countries. Friends can talk every day, at any time, without travelling. Shy people sometimes find it easier to talk online, because they have time to think before they reply. However, there are also disadvantages. Online messages can be misunderstood, because we cannot see the other person’s face or hear their voice clearly. A joke can sound like an insult. Some people feel lonely even though they have hundreds of online friends, because online friendships can feel less real. Meeting face to face is often warmer and stronger than typing on a screen. For this reason, many people believe that online friendships are useful, but they cannot fully replace real ones. The best friendships often use both online and offline contact. People can chat online during the week and then meet in person when they can. In this way, they enjoy the speed and ease of the internet, but they also keep the warmth of real meetings. Technology should help our friendships, not replace them.
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. Take notes as you listen.
Take notes
| Friendships online | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cost & speed | ||
| Communication | ||
| Distance | ||
| Feelings | ||
| Best answer |
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.