Unit 4. Challenges — Teacher’s Copy

Teacher’s notes — Unit 4: Opinion writing (Challenges / problems)

Text type. Opinion paragraph about a challenge — names the problem, explains it, offers a solution.

Key teaching points

Although is introduced here as a one-sentence contrast structure. Contrast it with However (two sentences). Both appear in Part A.
The sample paragraph uses a personal example (“I often spend too much time on social media”). Encourage students to do the same in Part E.
Exercise 2 asks students to identify the topic and concluding sentences — good metacognitive practice before Unit 5.
In print, Exercise 2 asks students to underline and circle. Here the sentences are numbered and students choose a number, which marks itself; the thinking is identical.
Every word in the Units 3 & 4 review now comes from one of the two units’ vocabulary banks, so students who revise the banks meet nothing unfamiliar.

Common student error. Confusing Although and However. Drilling with parallel sentences helps: Although I was tired, I finished my work. / I was tired. However, I finished my work.

Understand

About this text type

What is opinion writing about a problem or challenge?

An opinion paragraph about a challenge states your view about why something is difficult, explains why it is a challenge, and may offer a solution or give advice.

Purpose. to express your view about a challenge and persuade the reader to take it seriously.

Key features

Name the challenge clearly and state your opinion about it in the topic sentence.
Use contrast linkers (although, however, despite) to show different sides of the issue.
Support your opinion with at least two reasons or examples.
End with advice, a solution, or a personal recommendation.

Remember — your paragraph has three parts

Topic sentence. Name the challenge and state your opinion. Use I think / In my opinion, … is one of the biggest challenges…
Body sentences. Give 2 reasons. Use because / As a result, / For example, / However,
Concluding sentence. Give advice or a final thought. Use In conclusion, / To sum up,

Study

Grammar & vocabulary

Vocabulary bank

Word / phrase	Meaning	Example sentence
challenge	something difficult that needs effort and courage to deal with	Time management is a major challenge for university students.
overcome	to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty	With support and planning, you can overcome most challenges.
stress	a feeling of worry, anxiety or mental pressure	Exam season causes a lot of stress for many students.
manage	to deal successfully with a difficult situation	It is very hard to manage a busy schedule without good planning.
pressure	a feeling of being forced to perform well or succeed	There is enormous pressure on students to achieve high grades.
affect	to have an impact on someone or something	Chronic stress can seriously affect your sleep and concentration.
solution	a way to fix or resolve a problem	A simple solution is to make a weekly to-do list every Monday.
balance	keeping different areas of life at the right level	It is vital to balance study, work, and personal time.

Grammar because / Although / However / As a result,

Structure	Example
… because + reason	Many students feel anxious because they have too much work.
Although + clause, …	Although the challenge is serious, they can overcome it with planning.
… However, …	University life is exciting. However, it can also be extremely stressful.
… As a result, …	Students do not sleep enough. As a result, they feel tired in class.

Useful linking words Notice the example sentences — they show you exactly how to use each word.

Linking word	When to use it	Example sentence
because	To explain the reason for something	Many students feel stressed because they have too much work.
Although	To show a contrast within one sentence	Although the challenge is serious, they can overcome it with planning.
However,	To introduce a contrasting idea in a new sentence	University is exciting. However, it is also very stressful.
As a result,	To show the consequence or effect of something	He did not sleep enough. As a result, he was tired all day.
In conclusion,	To summarise and end the paragraph	In conclusion, time management is a skill we must all learn.

Extra practice · Part A Choose the best linking word or phrase for each sentence.

1Many students feel tired ?they stay up late at night.

because — The gap is in the middle of one sentence, not between two. Only one of these can join a reason to a result inside a single sentence.

2?online classes are convenient, some students prefer face-to-face lessons.

Although — The two halves disagree — convenient, but still not preferred. That is a contrast, not a consequence.

3She did not study regularly for the exam. ?, she received a low grade.

As a result — The low grade is the consequence of not studying — it is not an instance of it.

4Learning a foreign language is difficult. ?, it can also be very rewarding.

However — Difficult and rewarding pull against each other, and this is not the last sentence.

5?, students should balance their studies and free time carefully.

In conclusion — This sentence gives final advice, so it closes the paragraph.

Part B Rewrite each pair of sentences using the linker in brackets. Keep the meaning the same.

1Many students feel stressed. They have too much homework. because

Model. Many students feel stressed because they have too much homework.

2The weather was very cold. They still went camping. Although

Model. Although the weather was very cold, they still went camping.

3He did not sleep enough last night. He was very tired in class today. As a result,

Model. He did not sleep enough last night. As a result, he was very tired in class today.

4University life can be challenging. Many students enjoy it. However,

Model. University life can be challenging. However, many students enjoy it.

5She practised speaking English every day. Her speaking skills improved quickly. As a result,

Model. She practised speaking English every day. As a result, her speaking skills improved quickly.

Analyse

Sample paragraph

Read the paragraph, then use the panel beside it to see how it is built. Click any row to light up that sentence.

The Challenge of Managing Time

In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges for young people today is managing their time well. Students have many competing demands every day — attending classes, completing assignments, preparing for exams, and spending time with friends. As a result, many of them feel constantly tired, stressed, and overwhelmed, which negatively affects both their academic performance and their mental health. For example, I often spend too much time on social media in the evenings, and then I do not have enough time to finish my assignments properly. This makes me feel anxious and unprepared the following morning. Although this challenge is very common, I believe students can solve it with a little organisation and self-discipline. Students can use simple but effective strategies such as making a to-do list at the start of each week, setting clear daily priorities, and limiting phone use during study time. In conclusion, time management is one of the most difficult but most important skills a student can develop, and everyone should try to practise it every single day.

Topic sentenceBody sentencesConcluding sentence

Discussion Talk to your partner.

What challenge does the writer describe? Do you personally face this challenge?
What solution does the writer suggest? Do you think it is realistic and useful?
Find the contrast linker Although in the paragraph. What two ideas does it connect?

The challenge. Managing time well. Answers about their own experience will vary — push for a specific situation (a deadline, a week, an app) rather than “yes, me too”.
The solution. A weekly to-do list, clear daily priorities, and limiting phone use during study time. Students often say lists are unrealistic; that disagreement is useful, as long as they say why and offer something better.
<em>Although</em>. It connects “this challenge is very common” with “students can solve it with organisation and self-discipline” — a concession followed by the writer’s real point. Contrast this with However, which would need two separate sentences.

Practise

Controlled exercises

Exercise 1 Connect the two sentences using the word given. Write the new sentence.

1Students feel tired. / They do not sleep enough. because

Model. Students feel tired because they do not sleep enough.

2University life is very busy. / It is also exciting. Although

Model. Although university life is very busy, it is also exciting.

3Many students skip breakfast. / They feel hungry in class. As a result,

Model. Many students skip breakfast. As a result, they feel hungry in class.

Exercise 2 Read the paragraph. Which sentence does each job?

Peer Pressure

1 I believe that peer pressure is one of the biggest challenges for teenagers today. 2 When young people want to fit in with their friends, they sometimes make decisions that go against their own values. 3 For example, they might stay out too late or ignore their studies in order to seem popular. 4 This can seriously affect their school results and their well-being. 5 However, teenagers who have supportive families and good friends around them are much better able to resist pressure and make their own choices. 6 In conclusion, peer pressure is a serious and very real challenge, but with the right support, young people can learn to stay true to themselves.

1The topic sentence is sentence .

1 — It names the challenge and states the writer’s opinion, with no linking word in front of it.

2The concluding sentence is sentence .

6 — It adds no new information — it restates the challenge and ends on a hopeful note.

Exercise 3 Using the same paragraph above, complete the table.

1Topic / main idea

Model. Peer pressure is one of the biggest challenges for teenagers.

2Example of peer pressure

Model. Staying out late or ignoring studies to seem popular with friends.

3Negative effect

Model. Seriously affects school results and personal well-being.

4Possible solution

Model. Having supportive families and good friends helps teenagers resist pressure.

5Final opinion

Model. With the right support, young people can learn to stay true to themselves.

Write

Your own paragraph

What is one challenge that young people face today? Write a paragraph of at least 130 words.

One paragraph · three parts · minimum 130 words.

My plan Notes first — then write.

Topic sentence idea (name the challenge)Body idea 1Body idea 2Concluding sentence

Self-check Tick each box when you are sure.

Topic sentence. I introduced my main idea in my own words — I did not copy the question.
Linking words. I used at least three different linking words to connect my sentences.
Example. I included at least one example using For example, / For instance, / such as.
Concluding sentence. I ended with a sentence that summarises my main idea. I used In conclusion, / To sum up, / Overall,
Proofreading. I read my paragraph again and checked my spelling and punctuation.

0 of 5 checked.

My paragraph

0 / 130 words

Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your paragraph before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.

Sample answer For modelling and for calibrating your marking.

Task. What is one challenge that young people face today? Write a paragraph of at least 130 words.
156 words · band: strong pass

In my opinion, one of the most serious challenges facing young people today is managing the pressure of academic expectations. Topic sentence: names the challenge + clear opinion Many university students have to balance attending lectures, completing assignments, preparing for exams, and maintaining a social life all at the same time. As a result, a large number of them experience high levels of stress and anxiety, which can seriously affect both their mental health and their academic performance. For example, during exam periods, I often feel so overwhelmed that I find it difficult to sleep or concentrate, which makes everything even harder. As a result + personal example Although this challenge is very common, students can overcome it with a little organisation. Simple strategies such as creating a weekly study plan, taking regular breaks, and asking for help from tutors can make a significant difference. In conclusion, managing academic pressure is one of the most important skills a student can develop, and universities should provide more practical support to help. Although + solution + conclusion

Marking focusChallenge clearly named in the topic sentencebecause / As a result / Although all usedA personal example includedA realistic solution offered before the conclusion

Optional activity

Problem–solution letter

25–30 minutes · Writing → real-world application

Students write a short letter (150 words) to the university president about one challenge students face at their institution.
Requirements: the topic sentence must name the challenge; because and as a result must both appear; one specific example; a realistic solution; and a closing call to action.
In groups, students vote on the most convincing letter and the group representative reads it aloud.

Extension. Discuss as a class: was the argument persuasive? Was the solution realistic?

Vocabulary review — Units 3 & 4

Covers both units

Part A · Gap fill Complete each sentence with a word from the box. You will not need all the words.

balancespaciousefficientrun-downsolutionovercome

Not used: spacious

1Some of the older bus stations are and very uncomfortable to wait in.

run-down — After are you need an adjective meaning “in poor condition, needing repair”.

2Most students can the challenges of university life with careful planning.

overcome — After can you need a base verb meaning to deal with something successfully.

3The best to exam stress is to start revising early and sleep well.

solution — After The best you need a noun — a way of fixing a problem.

4It is essential to studying with rest and leisure to stay healthy.

balance — After to you need a verb. It goes with the pattern … X with Y.

5We need a more bus service — at the moment, the buses are late almost every day.

efficient — After a more you need an adjective meaning “working well without wasting time”.

Part B · Word formation Write the correct form of the word in brackets to complete each sentence.

1Exam season is an extremely time for most university students. (stress)

stressful — You need an adjective before time. Which ending turns a noun into “full of”?

2The metro is fast, clean and remarkably . (efficiency)

efficient — After remarkably you need an adjective, not the noun.

3Learning a new language is a but very rewarding experience. (challenge)

challenging — It sits beside rewarding, so it must take the same adjective ending.

4A well- timetable helps students avoid burnout and stay healthy. (balance)

balanced — After well- you need a past participle used as an adjective.

5Poor time is one of the biggest problems students face at university. (manage)

management — This is the subject of the sentence, so you need a noun — and it pairs with time.

✓

Answer key at a glance

Prints with the page

B · Part A
1 feel tired … stay up late	because
2 online classes convenient … prefer face-to-face	Although
3 did not study … low grade	As a result
4 difficult … rewarding	However
5 balance studies and free time	In conclusion
B · Part B — rewriting
because	Many students feel stressed because they have too much homework.
Although	Although the weather was very cold, they still went camping.
As a result,	He did not sleep enough last night. As a result, he was very tired in class today.
However,	University life can be challenging. However, many students enjoy it.
As a result,	She practised speaking English every day. As a result, her speaking skills improved quickly.
D · Exercise 1 — joining sentences
because	Students feel tired because they do not sleep enough.
Although	Although university life is very busy, it is also exciting.
As a result,	Many students skip breakfast. As a result, they feel hungry in class.
D · Exercise 2 — Peer Pressure
Topic sentence	Sentence 1
Concluding sentence	Sentence 6
D · Exercise 3 — table
Topic / main idea	Peer pressure is one of the biggest challenges for teenagers.
Example of peer pressure	Staying out late or ignoring studies to seem popular with friends.
Negative effect	Seriously affects school results and personal well-being.
Possible solution	Having supportive families and good friends helps resist pressure.
Final opinion	With the right support, young people can learn to stay true to themselves.
R · Review, Part A — gap fill
1	run-down
2	overcome
3	solution
4	balance
5	efficient
Not used	spacious
R · Review, Part B — word formation
1 (stress)	stressful
2 (efficiency)	efficient
3 (challenge)	challenging
4 (balance)	balanced
5 (manage)	management