Building on Week 6
Advantage – disadvantageThis week you practise the same text type with a new topic. Try to make your writing more cohesive: connect your sentences smoothly and use a wider range of linking words. Keep the introduction – advantages – disadvantages – conclusion plan.
Reminder: write the advantages in one body paragraph and the disadvantages in the next. Give your opinion only in the conclusion.
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
ExpertsMatch the words
Match each word (1–6) with its meaning (a–f). Choose the correct letter.
| Word | Answer | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. experience | a. a person who knows a lot about one subject | |
| 2. an expert | b. knowledge you get from doing something for a long time | |
| 3. advice | c. very good at doing something | |
| 4. to specialise | d. an opinion about what someone should do | |
| 5. reliable | e. to study or work in one particular area | |
| 6. skilled | f. that you can trust |
Complete the sentences
Now 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.
Working from home (1). On the positive side, it has several benefits. (2) is that workers save a lot of time, because they do not have to travel to an office every day. (3), they can work in comfortable clothes and plan their own day. (4), a parent who works from home can be near their children and still finish their job. (5), working from home also has some problems. (6) is that people can feel lonely, because they do not see their colleagues. (7), it is sometimes hard to concentrate at home, where there are many other things to do. (8), some workers do too little or too much, and they find it difficult to stop working in the evening. (9), working from home has clear good points and bad points. (10), it is a good choice for some jobs, but workers must be organised and keep in touch with other people.
Sample answer
Read, listen, then studyQuestion: What are the advantages and disadvantages of becoming an expert in only one subject?
Read the text and the listening transcript below, then study the sample answer.
Read
Reading
Today, many people choose to become experts in one narrow subject. There are clear advantages to this. An expert understands their field very deeply and can solve difficult problems that other people cannot. Companies need these people and trust their work. Experts are also respected, and they often earn good salaries because their skills are rare. However, there are also disadvantages. Someone who studies only one subject may know very little about other areas of life. This can make it harder to understand the bigger picture. If their job disappears because of new technology, it can be hard for them to find new work. Some experts also find their work boring after many years, because they always do the same kind of task. For these reasons, many people say it is wise to be an expert in one subject but also to learn some general skills. Because the world is changing so quickly, many people now try to combine deep knowledge with a few general skills. They become an expert in one area but also learn how to communicate, work in a team, and use new technology. This makes them more useful at work and helps them to adapt if their job changes in the future.
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 our company, we employ many experts, and I can see both sides. Our top engineer knows everything about one type of machine, and when there is a serious problem, she is the only person who can fix it. That is a huge advantage, and we pay her well for her skill. On the other hand, she sometimes finds it hard to understand the wider business, because she only thinks about her machines. She does not always see how her work affects other teams. We also worry about what will happen when she retires, because no one else has her knowledge. In my opinion, it is good to be an expert, but it is also wise to learn some general skills, so that you can work well with other people and adapt when things change. In my experience, the best workers are experts who are also willing to keep learning. They know one subject very well, but they are curious about other areas too. When experts share their knowledge and listen to others, the whole company becomes stronger, and the experts themselves enjoy their work much more. That is why, in our company, we now ask our experts to spend a little time each month teaching their skills to younger workers.
Study the sample answer
Becoming an Expert in One Subject
Many people today choose to become experts in only one subject. This has both advantages and disadvantages.
On the positive side, being an expert has clear benefits. Firstly, an expert understands their field deeply and can solve problems that others cannot. Secondly, experts are respected and often earn good salaries. For example, a skilled engineer may be the only person who can fix a serious problem. People with this kind of deep knowledge are hard to replace, so companies value them very highly.
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. One disadvantage is that experts may know very little about other areas of life. In addition, if their job disappears, it can be hard to find new work, and some experts find their work boring after many years. They may also miss the chance to try new and different kinds of work.
In conclusion, although being an expert can be limiting, it brings deep knowledge and respect. In my opinion, it is good to be an expert in one subject, but we should also learn some general skills. In this way, we can enjoy the rewards of deep knowledge while staying ready for a changing world. That, I believe, is the wisest path to follow.
Notice the language
- Body 1 lists the advantages; Body 2 lists the disadvantages.
- Linking words (Firstly, Secondly, In addition) make the text cohesive.
- The opinion is saved for the conclusion.
Writing task 1
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “Write about the advantages and disadvantages of learning from online experts instead of from teachers.”
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
The internet is full of experts who share their knowledge. Today, you can learn almost anything from online videos and courses. This has many advantages. Online lessons are often cheap or free, and you can study at any time, in any place. You can also watch a difficult lesson again and again until you understand it. In addition, you can choose from experts all over the world, not just the teachers in your own town. However, learning online also has disadvantages. There is no teacher in the room to answer your questions immediately or to correct your mistakes. If you do not understand something, you may stay confused. It is also easy to lose motivation when you study alone, because no one checks your work. Finally, not every expert online is truly qualified, so some information may be wrong or out of date. For these reasons, many people believe that online learning works best together with a real teacher. Because of this, many students now choose a mix of both. They watch online lessons to learn new ideas at their own speed, and they also meet a teacher or a study group to ask questions and stay motivated. This combination often gives the best results, because it uses the good points of both methods.
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 learned almost all of my computer skills from online experts. The courses were free, and I could study late at night after work, which was perfect for me. The best part was that I could stop a difficult lesson and watch it again and again until I really understood it. I also followed a teacher from another continent whose explanations were far clearer than anything available in my own town. There were problems, though. Anyone can put a video online, and I once spent a whole month following advice that was five years out of date, so I had to learn everything again. Nobody was there to correct me, so I practised one skill in completely the wrong way for weeks. When I did not understand something, there was no teacher in the room to ask, and I sometimes stayed confused for days. Worst of all, after about a month alone I nearly gave up, because nobody checked my work or noticed whether I studied at all. So this year I changed my method. I still watch online lessons to meet new ideas at my own speed, but I also go to a small evening class and a study group. I ask my teacher when I am stuck, and the group keeps me going on the days when I do not feel like studying. Together, the two methods work much better than either one alone.
Take notes
| Learning from online experts | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cost & time | ||
| Repeating | ||
| Choice | ||
| Mistakes & motivation | ||
| Best answer |
| Learning from online experts | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cost & time | often cheap or free; you can study at any time, in any place (the speaker studied late at night after work) | — |
| Repeating | you can watch a difficult lesson again and again until you understand, at your own speed | there is no teacher in the room to answer your questions, so you may stay confused (for days) |
| Choice | experts from all over the world, not just the teachers in your own town (a clearer teacher from another continent) | not every expert is qualified; information may be wrong or out of date (a month of five-year-old advice) |
| Mistakes & motivation | — | no one corrects your mistakes (one skill practised wrongly for weeks); no one checks your work, so it is easy to give up |
| Best answer | watch online lessons for new ideas | also meet a teacher or a study group for questions and motivation (the speaker’s evening class) |
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 · 230 words
Learning from Online Experts
These days, many people learn new skills from online experts instead of from teachers in a classroom. Learning in this way 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 you can learn at any time and in any place, often for free. Another benefit is that you can watch a difficult lesson again and again until you understand it. For example, a student can stop a video and repeat the difficult parts as many times as they need. Moreover, you can choose from experts all over the world, not just the teachers in your own town.
On the other hand, learning from online experts also has some problems. One drawback is that anyone can put a video online, so the advice is not always reliable. For example, a learner may follow out-of-date advice for weeks without knowing it. In addition, you cannot ask questions easily, and there is no one to check your mistakes. As a result, students sometimes learn things in the wrong way, and some of them lose motivation.
In conclusion, online experts have both good and bad sides. In my opinion, they are a useful and modern way to learn, but it is wise to choose reliable experts and to ask a real teacher for help when you need it.
Writing task 2
Read, listen, take notes, writeQuestion: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of always following expert advice?”
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
When we have a problem, we often ask an expert for advice. This has obvious advantages. Experts have studied their subject for many years, so their advice is usually reliable and can save us from making serious mistakes. For example, a doctor’s advice can protect our health, and a lawyer’s advice can keep us out of trouble. Following good advice can save us time, money, and worry. However, always following expert advice also has disadvantages. If we never think for ourselves, we may stop using our own judgement and become too dependent on others. Experts can also disagree with each other, which is confusing, and they are not always right. Sometimes, an expert may not understand our personal situation as well as we do. For these reasons, it is wise to listen to experts, but also to ask questions and make our own final decision. The best way to use expert advice is to treat it as help, not as an order. We should listen carefully, ask why the expert thinks this, and compare different opinions. Then we can make a decision that fits our own situation. In this way, we get the benefit of the expert’s knowledge without losing our own judgement.
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
When we bought our first flat, we knew nothing, so we paid a lawyer to check the papers. It was the best money we have ever spent. She found a serious problem with the documents that we would never have noticed, and she saved us months of trouble and a great deal of money. I remember that we also felt much more certain about our decision, simply because somebody with twenty years of experience agreed with us. A year later, though, I learned the other lesson. We asked two experts about the old heating system, and they told us completely different things. One said replace everything immediately; the other said repair it and wait five years. That was very confusing, and it made me realise that experts are not always right. Neither of them knew that my father is a plumber and could help us, or that we were saving for a baby. They did not understand our situation as well as we did. So in the end we asked both of them why they thought so, we compared their answers, and we made the final decision ourselves. That is how I use expert advice now: as help, not as an order. I listen carefully, but I try not to stop thinking for myself, because it is my life and I have to live with the result.
Take notes
| Following expert advice | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge | ||
| Safety | ||
| Practical | ||
| Confidence | ||
| Best answer |
| Following expert advice | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge | experts have studied their subject for years, so their advice is usually reliable (a lawyer with twenty years of experience) | experts are not always right, and they often disagree, which is confusing (two opposite answers about the heating) |
| Safety | good advice protects us from serious mistakes, e.g. a doctor or a lawyer (the lawyer found a serious problem in the papers) | — |
| Practical | it saves us time, money and worry (months of trouble and a lot of money saved) | an expert may not understand our personal situation as well as we do (they did not know about the plumber father or the baby) |
| Confidence | we feel more certain about our decision | if we never think for ourselves, we become too dependent and lose our own judgement |
| Best answer | treat expert advice as help, not as an order | ask why, compare different opinions, then make our own final decision |
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 · 216 words
Should We Always Follow Expert Advice?
In our lives, we often receive advice from experts such as doctors, teachers, and scientists. Always following expert advice has both advantages and disadvantages. This essay will look at both sides.
On the positive side, there are clear benefits. One major advantage is that experts have studied their subject for many years, so their advice is usually reliable. Another benefit is that following good advice can protect us from serious mistakes. For example, a lawyer who checks the papers before we buy a flat may find a problem that we would never notice.
On the other hand, always following expert advice can also cause problems. One drawback is that experts do not always agree with each other, so it can be hard to know who is right. For example, two builders may give completely different advice about the same old heating system. In addition, if we never think for ourselves, we may become too dependent on others. As a result, we can stop using our own judgement.
In conclusion, expert advice has both good and bad sides. In my opinion, we should listen to experts carefully and take their advice seriously, but we should also ask questions and make the final decision ourselves. After all, we are the ones who have to live with the result.
Answer key at a glance
Prints with the page| Part 1 — Answers | 1 b · 2 a · 3 d · 4 e · 5 f · 6 c |
| Part 2 — Answers | 1 experience · 2 expert · 3 advice · 4 specialise · 5 reliable · 6 skilled |
| Part 3 — Answers | (1) has both advantages and disadvantages · (2) One advantage · (3) Moreover · (4) For example · (5) On the other hand · (6) One disadvantage · (7) In addition · (8) As a result · (9) To sum up · (10) In my opinion |