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 |
Teacher’s note – Advantages & disadvantages
Look for advantages first, then disadvantages, with linkers such as One major advantage, Another benefit, One drawback, As a result. A short opinion may appear only in the conclusion.
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.
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. Students do not have the transcript.
Transcript
I started rock climbing five years ago, and it has changed me. The first time I reached the top of a real mountain, I sat down and looked at the valley below, and I felt that I could overcome any challenge in my life. That feeling of excitement and freedom is difficult to describe. I am also much fitter than before, and the people at my climbing club have become some of my closest friends. Of course, there is another side. Last spring a friend fell during an easy climb and broke his arm in two places, and he was in hospital for a week. Accidents happen even to careful people, and in this sport an accident can be very serious. The cost surprised me too: my first rope, shoes and helmet cost as much as a summer holiday, and a weekend course is expensive. I also spend nearly every free weekend on the rocks, so I see my family much less than I used to. Would I tell other people to try it? Yes, but carefully. Start slowly, learn from a good teacher, always check and wear the right equipment, and never take silly risks to impress your friends. If you do that, you can enjoy the excitement and keep the danger as low as possible.
Take notes
| Extreme sports | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings & character | ||
| Safety | ||
| Fitness & friends | ||
| Money | ||
| Advice |
| Extreme sports | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Feelings & character | a strong feeling of excitement, freedom and pride; people become braver and more confident (the speaker felt able to overcome any challenge) | — |
| Safety | — | danger: accidents can cause bad injuries or even death (the speaker’s friend broke his arm on an easy climb) |
| Fitness & friends | a good way to stay fit and to meet people with the same interests (the speaker’s climbing club) | they take up a lot of free time, so less time for family and friends (the speaker climbs nearly every weekend) |
| Money | — | expensive: special equipment and training, which not everyone can afford (the speaker’s first rope, shoes and helmet cost as much as a holiday) |
| Advice | if people are careful, they can still enjoy the excitement and the benefits | start slowly, learn from a good teacher, wear the right equipment, take no silly risks |
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 · 213 words
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Extreme Sports
Extreme sports, such as climbing, surfing, and skydiving, are becoming more and more popular. Like most activities, doing extreme sports has both advantages and disadvantages. This essay will look at both sides.
On the positive side, there are several benefits. One major advantage is that extreme sports are exciting and make people feel truly alive. Another benefit is that they keep the body strong and help people to become braver and more confident. For example, a person who learns to climb a mountain often feels that they can overcome any challenge in life.
On the other hand, extreme sports also have some clear disadvantages. One drawback is that they can be very dangerous, and people are sometimes badly hurt. For example, a climber can fall even on an easy route and spend a week in hospital. In addition, the special equipment and training can be expensive. As a result, not everyone can afford to try these sports. Finally, they can take up so much free time that people see their families less.
In conclusion, extreme sports have both good and bad sides. In my opinion, they are a wonderful way to enjoy life and build confidence, but people must always learn the rules, use the right equipment, and stay as safe as possible.
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. Students do not have the transcript.
Transcript
My best friend moved to another country three years ago, and the internet has kept our friendship alive. We message every day, and we can share photos and news in seconds. Last month she video-called me from her new kitchen to show me the paint colour, and it cost us nothing at all. I am quite a shy person, and I have to admit that I find writing easier than talking, because I have time to think before I reply. But there are problems too. In the winter we had a silly argument because of one message. I made a joke, and without my face or my voice it sounded like an insult, and she did not speak to me for three days. I also noticed something strange last year: I have hundreds of friends online, but on some evenings I still felt lonely. Words on a screen can feel cold. Then she came back for two weeks in the summer. We sat in a café for a whole afternoon, and it was worth a thousand messages. So now we do both. We chat online during the week, and we meet face to face whenever we can. In my opinion, technology should help a friendship, not take the place of it.
Take notes
| Friendships online | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cost & speed | ||
| Communication | ||
| Distance | ||
| Feelings | ||
| Best answer |
| Friendships online | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cost & speed | convenient and cheap; photos and news can be shared in seconds (a video call cost nothing) | — |
| Communication | you can talk every day, at any time, without travelling; shy people have time to think before they reply | messages can be misunderstood: no face or voice, so a joke can sound like an insult (a three-day argument) |
| Distance | people stay close even when they live in different countries (the speaker’s best friend moved abroad) | — |
| Feelings | — | online friendships can feel less real; some people feel lonely although they have hundreds of online friends |
| Best answer | chat online during the week | meet face to face when you can; technology should help friendship, not replace it |
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 · 211 words
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Friendships
Today, many people keep in touch with their friends mostly online. This way of staying connected has both advantages and disadvantages. This essay will look at both sides.
On the positive side, there are many benefits. One major advantage is that we can talk to our friends at any time, even when they live far away. Another benefit is that online messages are cheap and fast, so we never lose touch. For example, a person can share photos and news with friends in another country in just a few seconds.
On the other hand, online friendships also have some problems. One drawback is that messages on a screen can feel cold, because we cannot see a real smile or hear a real voice. For example, a friendly joke in a message can sound like an insult and start a silly argument. In addition, some people have hundreds of online friends but still feel lonely, because these friendships can feel less real.
In conclusion, keeping in touch online has clear good and bad points. In my opinion, the best idea is to use both: we should enjoy talking online, but we should also meet our friends in person whenever we can, because a real meeting is often warmer than a thousand messages.
Answer key at a glance
Prints with the page| Practice 1 — Answers | 1 connect · 2 challenge · 3 overcome · 4 share · 5 addicted · 6 compare |
| Practice 2 — Answers | (1) has both advantages and disadvantages · (2) One major advantage · (3) Moreover · (4) For example · (5) However · (6) One drawback · (7) In addition · (8) As a result · (9) In conclusion · (10) In my opinion |