WRITING TASK 2

Tiêu chí:
- Hoàn thành nhiệm vụ
- Mạch lạc gắn kết
- Từ vựng
- Ngữ pháp

Các dạng đề:

1. Dạng 1: The best/ The only

Eg: Some people think that the best way to ensure road safety is to increase the
minimum legal age for driving cars or riding motorbikes. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
Eg: Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later. Many think
that having these people to give a talk to school students is the best way to tell
them about the dangers of committing a crime. Do you agree or disagree?
Eg: The only way to improve safety of our roads is to give much stricter
punishments for driving offences. To hat extent do you agree or disagree?

 The best: hơn những cái khác (dù nhiều điểm xấu)
Tốt nhưng không chắc chắn là nhất
Logic làm bài: Tốt và những thứ không tốt bằng
 The only: không có những cái khác
Logic làm bài: không phải the only way: còn những cái khác

2. Dạng 2: A vs B (better/ more)

Eg: It is better for people to be unemployed than people to be employed but they
do not enjoy the job. Do you agree or disagree?

1
Eg: Some people believe that reading stories from a book is better than watching
TV or playing computer games for children. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
Eg: Some people believe that it is more important to teach children the literature of
their own country than other countries. Do you agree or disagree?
 Phải có tiêu chí để so sánh: A>B; A<B; A=B

3. Dạng 3: Should
Eg: As a part of education, students should spend a period of time living in another
country to learn its language and culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Eg: Governments should invest in teaching science subjects rather than in other
subjects for their countries to develop. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Eg: Students should be taught academic knowledge so that they can pass exams,
while skills such as cooking, or dressing should not be taught. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
 Tốt cho A + Tốt cho B; Xấu cho A + xấu cho B

4. Dạng 4: … and …
Eg: Some pouple think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed down. Others
however believe that zoos ca be useful in protecting wild animals. Discuss both
opinions and give your own opinion.
Eg: Some people argue that we should do research on our family history. Others
agree with the view that we should focus on the present and future generations.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Eg: When a new town is planned, it is more important to develop public parks and
sports facilities than shopping centres for people to spend their free time in. To
what extent do you agre
 Chú ý đến cả 2 vế cạnh “and” => giải thích và triển khai ý đầy đủ

5. Dạng 5: Advantages and Disadvantages

2
Eg: Research shows that business meetings, discussions and training are happening
online nowadays. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Eg: In many places, people's lifestyle is changing rapidly, and this affects family
relationships. Do you think the advantages of those developments outweigh the
disadvantages?
Eg: Some people do not go directly to college but travel or work for a short time.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

6. Dạng 6: Positive/ Negative development

Eg: Some universities offer online courses as an alternative to classes delivered on
campus. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Eg: Scientists say that in the future humanity will speak the same language. Do you
think this is a positive or negative social development?
Eg: Space travel has been possible for some time and some people believe that
space tourism could be developed in the future. Do you think it is a positive or
negative development?

7. Dạng 7: Problems – Solutions

Eg: Nowadays, more and more older people who need employment compete with
the younger people for the same jobs. What problems does this cause? What are
the solutions?
Eg: People living in large cities today face many problems in their everyday life.
What are these problems? Should governments encourage people to move to
smaller regional towns?
Eg: Nowadays, more and more older people who need employment compete with
the younger people for the same jobs. What problems does this cause? What are
the solutions?

Causes – Solutions
Eg: Some universities offer online courses as an alternative to classes delivered on
campus. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
3
Eg: Scientists say that in the future humanity will speak the same language. Do you
think this is a positive or negative social development?
Eg: Space travel has been possible for some time and some people believe that
space tourism could be developed in the future. Do you think it is a positive or
negative development?

Causes – Effects
Eg: These days people in some countries are living in a "throw-away" society
which means people use things in a short time then throw them away. What are the
causes and the problems?
Eg: In recent years, more and more people tend to live individually. What are the
causes of this trend? Does this have a positive or negative effect on society?
Eg: It is observed that in many countries not enough students are choosing to study
science subjects. What are the causes? And what will be the effects on society?

8. Dạng 8: 2 part question

Eg: Young people are now spending more and more time and money following
fashion trends. What is your opinion? Is this a positive or negative development?
Eg: Parents often give children everything they ask for and do what they like. Is it
good for children? What are the consequences when they grow up?
Eg: Today parents spend little free time with their children. Why is it the case?
Who are more affected: parents or children?
Eg: In many countries, governments spend a large amount of money on improving
Internet access. Why is it happening and do you think it is the most appropriate use
of government money?
Eg: An increasing number of advertisements on TV aim at children. What are the
effects of television advertising? Should television advertising be controlled?
Eg: To what extent crime is the product of human nature? Is it possible to stop it?

Direct question

4
Eg: Who do you think should fund this research: private companies, individuals or
the goverment?
Eg: In today's world of advanced science and technology, we still greatly value our
artists such as musicians, painters and writers. What can arts tell us about life that
science and technology cannot?

Các cấu trúc quan trọng:

1. If + S + V, S + V
- Loại 0 (diễn tả thói quen, sự thật hiển nhiên)
If + S + V, S + V (Thường sử dụng)
- Loại 1 phải chắc chắn mới sử dụng (sử dụng khi điều kiện có thực ở hiện tại)
If + S + V, S + will/can/shall.. + V
- Loại 2 (sử dụng điều kiện không có thực và trái ngược với thực tế ở thời điểm
hiện tại)
If + S + V-ed, S + would/could/should + V-inf
- Đảo ngữ loại 3 (điều kiện không có thật trong quá khứ với kết quả giả định)
Had + S1 + (not) + V-ed/PII, S2 + would/could + have + (not) + V-ed/ PII .

2. By + V-ing, S + V
(Bằng cách làm gì đó, ai đó đã làm được gì đó)

3. In order to + V, S + V
(Để làm được gì đó, ai đó đã làm gì đó)

 3 cấu trúc đưa ra kết quả

5
Reasons:
1. Because/ as/ since + S + V, S +V
Eg: Because/ as/ since university education is very expensive, poor people cannot
pursue it.
2. Given = considering + N/ Given that + S +V, S +V.
Eg: Given = considering the unaffordability of university education, poor people
cannot pursue it.
3. This is because...
4. Due to/ thanks to...
5. With...

Flexibility:
• If higher education were free, poor people could get a degree, leading to higher
chances of employment.
 Rút gọn của mệnh đề which lead to…
- Các câu dưới đây bằng nghĩa câu If…
• By providing free higher education, the government could allow poor people to
get a degree, leading to higher chances of employment for these people.
• Because poor people cannot find a good job due to their low education levels, the
provision of free tertiary education could enhance their chances of employment.
• Given poor people's difficulty in finding a job due to their low education levels,
the provision of free tertiary education could enhance their chances of
employment.

6
Các cấu trúc khác:
• In order to provide tree education, the government would have to reallocate
resources from other important areas such as healthcare and infrastructure. This
would have negative impacts on the well-being of citizens and the economy of the
country.
• Although S + V, S + V.
Eg: Although a free system could help the poor, it would negatively affect the
people and the economy of the country.
• Instead of + V-ing (Thay vì làm gì đấy thì ai đó làm được gì…)
• Nominalization (Danh từ hoá)

Necessary words/ phrases:

 Allow/ help/ enable
 Result in/ lead to
 Affect/ have a positive/ negative impact on sth/ some one
 …, which
 This
 These
 Such

Paragraph structure:
• There are compelling reasons to argue that homework does play an important
role in a child's learning process. The key reason is that since children are
challenged to work through tasks alone and at their own pace, homework
encourages independent learning and helps them foster a strong work ethic.
These virtues that can allow them to succeed when they are adults. Furthermore,
by giving students homework, teachers can make sure that a child's after-school
hours are at least spent on something worthwhile. Otherwise, perhaps addiction to
frivolous activities like gaming or watching TV is unavoidable, which affects both
their well-being and their performance at school.

7
 3 TYPES OF PARAGRAPH

1. 1 Idea (explain => example => discuss/ example-led/ contrast)

(Topic sentence → explanation -> example → discuss → link)

The media should include more stories which report good news. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Firstly, the so-called bad news can be beneficial. This is because it can alarm the
public of existing and looming problems in their communities. Take, for example,
a piece of news on a tragic traffic accident in which a family of 4 lost their lives
because the father was driving under the influence of alcohol. Undoubtedly, if
people are constantly exposed to this Kind of news, they are much more likely to
avoid drunk driving or try to dissuade their drunk friends trom driving. Therefore,
by reporting tragic deaths caused by dangerous driving, or cases of cold-blooded
murderers, media companies can help the general public avoid countless problems
in life.

To add further credence to my assertion, I note the negative impact on the media
industry if they tried to include more positive stories. In my view, since most
people are predisposed to reading shocking news about robbery embezzlement, or
the downfall of a certain business, this tendency renders good news unattractive,
regardless of how meaningful a piece of news might be. Consider Song Dep,
which was a Vietnamese TV show reporting only inspiring stories about people
who maintain a positive outlook on life even in the face of adversity. Due to the
failure to attract the day it was hid. Thus, the news andustry should consinue its
practice to ensure its profitability.

(Topic sentence → example... → link)

8
The news media has too much influence in people’s lives today and this is a
negative development. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Firstly, the power to manipulate people’s opinion of the news media is evident.
Take, for example, Hoang Son, who commited a mass murder against his own
family. However, after he turned himself in and gave his testimony, countless
articles started sharing about him being sexually assaulted as a child by his own
father. He is believed to have been suffering from PTSD ever since. This, coupled
with being pressured by his brother into giving up his rights to his family
inheritance, forced him to into commit such an abhorrent act. With the media
depicting him as the victim, a large section of the public empathized with his
henious act, directing their criticism towards the deaths. This example clearly
underlines how much influence the media has on people's lives.

The media's ability to manipulate public opinion is very damaging to society.

Consider the infamous 2016 genocide in Cambodia, during which over 100.000
people were woefully killed on the basis of race. Facebook, on which certain
people with certain religions and interests can be targeted easily, was used by the
leaders of the two parties involved to induce and spread violence and provoke
conflicts. Undoubtedly, due to geographical constraints, propagating certain beliefs
among a population used to take years or even decades in the past. However,
thousands or even millions of people now could be affected by a piece of news
almost at the same time. This makes the media an extremely powerful and
dangerous weapon.

(Contrast)

Some people believe that reading stories from a book is better than watching
TV or playing computer games for children. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?
9
Firstly, reading stories undoubtedly helps children enrich their language ability,
which has been proven to help them absorb knowledge better. Of course, one
might argue that when young people watch TV shows or movies, they can also
learn new words, expressions and grammar structures. However, spoken language
is not as diverse as written language. As for gaming, those playing computer games
may be asked to read a text to know what they need to do to win or what their next
mission is. Nevertheless, the text only revolves around the context of the game,
which does not expose young gamers to as many aspects of life as stories do.

In addition, reading fairy tales or fictional or even real-life stories allows children
to have better imagination. This is because when reading, they have to conjure up
images of, say, a wonderous world, or a homeless person's suffering or joyous
moments on their own. This can boost their creativity in ways that watching TV
and playing digital games cannot. To be specific, when watching a certain TV
program, which is the product of someone else's imagination, children only observe
what is happening on the screen, which does not require them to think at all.
Similarly, in order to win, gamers do need to use different tactics and strategies,
but these tend to be the fruit of their experience rather than creativity.
2. 2 ideas. Topic sentence → supporting 1 → discuss (exan.ple/
result/ discussion/reason/ contrast) → supporting 2 → discuss

The media should include more stories which report good news. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Admittedly, there are good reasons to say that the press should include more good
news. The key argument here is that reading positive pieces of news allows
people to have a more positive outlook on life. By reading news about successful
entrepreneurs who thrive in the face of adversity, readers of news can learn to
persevere and stay positive during tough times. Furthermore, exposure to positive,

10
emotional stories helps people connect and empathize with others, fostering
stronger social bonds. People living in such a milieu are more likely to help each
other, which is a clear ber everyone.

However, there are stronger reasons to believe that the news industry should
continue to report the most news-worthy stories. Chief of these is that the
domination of bad news can allow the public become cognizant of existing and
looming problems in their communities. For example, by reporting tragic deaths
caused by dangerous driving, or cases of cold-blooded murderers, media
companies can help people avoid these problems in their life. In addition, since
most people are predisposed to reading shocking news about robbery,
embezzlement, or the downfall of a certain business, this tendency renders good
news much less attractive. Thus, if a news company tried to report more good
news, this would perhaps have a negative influence on its profitability.

There are good reasons to say that the news industry exerts too much influence on
the ordinary people's lives. Chief of these is that our conversations these days tend
to revolve around what the news media reports. This can be seen in the way people
primarily talk about trendy clothes, sports, celebrities or politics because these
often receive extensive media coverage. Added to this is the fact that news
reporters could manipulate public opinion. For example, if a certain fact from a
story is omitted, readers are left to wonder what actually happened or manipulated
into thinking in a certain way.

There are also compelling reasons to argue that the increasing bearing the news
media has is a worrying development. The key reason is that it can be used to
propagate misleading information, which could subvert the stability of our society.
We see this in the way some news companies capitalized on and normalized the
dangers associated with Corona Virus, causing conflicts and many demonstrations
against the stay-at-home order, which is issued to keep them safe. In addition, the
influence of news companies may even be weaponized. For instance, leaders of
11
two opposing parties in Cambodia used Facebook to induce and spread violence
and provoke conflicts that killed thousands of people in this country in 2016.

12
 3. Counter-argument: Point → explain → counter

Some people say that we do not need printed newspaper anymore.To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Granted, one might argue that traditional newspapers are obsolete.This is

predicated on the assumption that anyone with a mobile phone or a laptop with an
access to the internet can easily keep abreast of what is happening in the world.
However, this line of reasoning is not sound because it tails to factor in the
unaffordability of the technological gadgets involved. Since large number people
are still living under the poverty line, it is unreasonable to expect them to spend
several hundreds of dollars on such devices and pay another amount every month
to get access to online news. These people clearly rely on newspapers to find
information about what is going on in their own communities and across the globe.

The best way to solve world's environmental problem is to increase the cost of
fuel. Do you ayree or disagree?
Of course, one might argue that increasing the prices of fuel could help solve
environmental issues. This is predicated on the assumption that such a measure
would force some people, especially money-conscious ones, to give up their
private vehicles for public transport. This according to this theory, ultimately
results in less fuel being. consumed and lower levels of toxic gases being released
into the air. However, this line of reasoning is not sound because the amount of
greeenhouse gases emitted by personal vehicles is negligible, compared to that of
industrial plants or even cow farts. This very fact renders the effects of increasing
the price of petrol on the environment insignificant.

13
 4. Topic sentence -> explain -> acknowledge -> counter

Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is
often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the
dangers of committing a crime. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Firstly, teenagers are more likely to accept advice from someone who can speak
from experience. Reformed offenders can tell young people about how they
became involved in crime, the dangers of a criminal lifestyle, and what life in
prison is really like. The vivid and perhaps shocking nature of these stories is likely
to have a powerful impact on young people. Granted, one might argue that
adolescents, who are still very impressionable, might idolize ex-criminals and try
to imitate their crimes. However, after hearing about how much suffering they and
their loved-ones experienced when they were serving a prison term, as we see, for
example, in cases where convicts are not allowed to visit their dying family
members, I doubt that anyone would choose to go down the criminal path.

◦ The best way to reduce the amount of traffic in cities today is by

reducing the need for people to travel from home for work, education or
shopping.
◦ To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Facilitating public transport appears to be a superior alternative solution. Since

means of public transport that are not road-based, such as sky trains or subways,
are largely underdeveloped in most cities, developing these can help people
commute without causing congestion. For example, by investing significantly in
building elevated and underground railways, Japan has managed to reduce traffic
volume considerably, easing congestion on roads. Granted, using these means of
transport could be expensive, but government subsidies would lower the prices of

14
tickets, which will incentivize people to abandon their personal vehicles and
subsequently reduce pressure on roads.

15
 TỪ NỐI
1. This is because + S + V (Điều này là bởi vì)
Eg: This is because it can alarm the public of existing and looming problems in
their communities.
2. Take, for example, S + V (lấy ví dụ)
Eg: Take, for example, a piece of news on a tragic traffic accident in which a
family of 4 lost their lives because the father was driving under the influence of
alcohol.
3. Consider + someone (nhắc tới ai đó)
Eg: Consider Song Dep, which was a Vietnamese TV show reporting only
inspiring stories about people who maintain a positive outlook on life even in the
face of adversity.
4. Due to + Noun/Noun phrase, S + V
Eg: Due to lack of knowledge, James bought fake and poor quality cosmetics. (Do
thiếu hiểu biết nên Jame đã mua phải mỹ phẩm giả, kém chất lượng.)
5. Due to the fact that + S + V, S + V
Eg: Due to the fact that I was sick, I had to take the day off from work. (Bởi vì bị
ốm nên tôi phải xin nghỉ việc cả ngày.)
6. Of course, S + V (Tất nhiên là …)
7. As for + so/sth, S + V (Về phần/ vấn đề gì đó)
Eg: As for gaming, those playing computer games may be asked to read a text to
know what they need to do to win or what their next mission is.
8. Nevertheless, S + V (Tuy nhiên; trái ngược,…)
Eg: Nevertheless, the text only revolves around the context of the game, which
does not expose young gamers to as many aspects of life as stories do.
9. To be specific, S + V (Cụ thể, …)
Eg: To be specific, when watching a certain TV program, which is the product of
someone else's imagination, children only observe what is happening on the
screen, which does not require them to think at all.
10. Similarly, S + V (Tương tự, …)

16
Eg: Similarly, in order to win, gamers do need to use different tactics and
strategies, but these tend to be the fruit of their experience rather than creativity.
11. Admittedly, there are good reasons to say that S + V (Phải thừa nhận
rằng có những lý do chính đáng để nói rằng …)
12. The key argument here is that S + V (Lập luận chính ở đây là …)
13. Furthermore, S + V (Hơn nữa … (bổ sung thông tin và nhấn mạnh vào ý
quan trọng hơn))
14. Chief of these is that S + V (Điều ảnh hưởng/quan trọng nhất là…)
15. There are stronger reasons to believe that S + V (Có những lý do mạnh
mẽ hơn để tin rằng…)
16. Added to this is the fact that S + V (Thêm vào đó, thực tế đã cho thấy …)
17. The key reasons is that S + V (Lý do chính ở đây là …)
18. There are also compelling reasons to argue that S + V (Cũng có những lý
do thuyết phục để tranh luận rằng)
19. The primary benifit is …

Áp dụng nhiều cho bài agree or disagree

20. Granted, one might argue that [S + V => paraphrase lại đề bài] => Đương
nhiên, người ta có thể lập luận rằng …
21. This is predicated on the assumption that [S + V => giải thích lý do cẩu
lập luận trong đề bài] => Điều này dựa trên giả định rằng …
22. However, this line of reasoning is not sound because [S + V => phản
biện] => Tuy nhiên, lập luận này không hợp lý vì …

17
18
19
20
DẠNG 2: A vs B (better/ more)

Eg1: Some people believe that reading stories from a book is better than
watching TV or playing computer games for children. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?

Better
There is an opinion that children benefit more if they read books rather than
playing video games or watching TV programs. Personally, I agree with this view
for several reasons.
Firstly, reading stories undoubtedly helps children enrich their language
ability, which has been proven to help them absorb knowledge better. Of course,
one might argue that when young people watch TV shows or movies, they can also
learn new words, expressions and grammar structures. However, spoken language
is not as diverse as written language. As for gaming, those playing computer games
may asked to read a text to know what they need to do to win or what their next
mission is. Nevertheless, the text only revolves around the context of the game,
which does not expose young gamers to as many aspects of life as stories do.
In addition, reading fairy tales or fictional or even real-life stories allows
children to have better imagination. This is because when reading, they have to
conjure up images of, say, a wonderous world, or a homeless person's suffering or
joyous moments on their own. This can boost their creativity in ways that watching
TV or playing digital games cannot. To be specific, when watching a certain TV
program, which is the product of someone else's imagination, children only
observe what is happening on the screen, which does not require them to think at
all. Similarly, in order to win, gamers do need to use different tactics and strategies,
but these tend to be the fruit of their experience rather than creativity.
In conclusion, reading stories is superior because it enables children to have
better language skills and promotes creative thinking skills. These benefits are not
as pronounced or even not found in playing video games or watching TV.
21
 Not necessarily better
There is an opinion that children benefit more if they read books rather than
playing video games or watching TV programs. Personally, I disagree with this
view, for these activities allow children to gain different skills and broaden their
understanding in different aspects of life.
There are good reasons to say that reading stories is more beneficial to
children than playing computer games or watching TV. The key reason is that
reading undoubtedly helps children enrich their vocabulary, which, in turn,
enhances their ability to absorb knowledge. As a result, they are likely to have a
strong academic performance in the future. In addition, reading books allows
children to have better imagination since they have to conjure up images on their
own when they read, say, a story. This can boost their creativity, which is a buffer
against unemployment in today's workplace, where automation is terminating
countless jobs in various industries.
There are stronger reasons to argue that reading stories is not necessarily
better than gaming or watching TV. The most important reason is that when
children play computer games, they need to constantly think of strategies to win.
This has a positive impact on their decision-making skills. Furthermore, since most
programs on TV confer certain educational values, children can learn that which is
not featured in children's stories. For example, by watching a documentary called
'the Planet Earth', viewers can have intimate knowledge about how wild animals
live and hunt and how we are polluting the environment. These things are rarely
included in any stories found in children's books.
In conclusion, I disagree with the idea that reading books is better for
children than playing computer games or watching TV. This is because each of
these pastimes teaches children different important skills and areas of knowledge.

22
 A vs B (both)
Eg2: Some people think that schools should reward students with the best
academic results, while others believe it is more important to reward students
who show improvements. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Schools have always tried to incentivize their students to study harder.
Although this can be achieved by rewarding students who excel in their studies, I
believe that those who make progress should also be rewarded.
Admittedly, there are justifiable reasons to believe that elite students should
be rewarded exclusively. Chief of these is that since they have diligently applied
themselves to their studies, they deserve the praises and privileges. This may
encourage these students and others to study harder to win the rewards, propelling
overall academic gains. Added to this is the fact that this kind of competition is
seen in almost every aspect of life where only the best individuals are rewarded. If
students are used to this reality and thrive in the face of fierce competition, this
will enable them to achieve success in later life.
However, there are more compelling reasons to say that schools should also
reward students who show improvements. The key reason is that only a few smart
students can come first and receive the rewards. This unequivocally causes others
to think that their effort is to no avail because they cannot surpass those
outstanding individuals. As a result, they are prone to feeling overwhelmed and
disheartened and gradually lose the incentive to study. Furthermore, emphasizing
improvement not only encourages all students to be diligent in their studies, but
also helps students understand that they need to constantly improve themselves,
irrespective of how well they have been or are performing.The constant desire to
outdo themselves surely benefits them more than the competitive determination to
win against all others.
In conclusion, even though it is arguably just to reward top students
exclusively, schools should do this in tandem with rewarding those who show signs
of improvement. This way, every student, those with best performance included, is
motivated to exert themselves harder.

23
 Each is better for a certain group
Eg3: It is better for people to be unemployed than people to be employed but
they do not enjoy the job. Do you agree or disagree?
There is an opinion that people are better off being out of work rather than
doing a boring job. Personally, I believe that this idea is only relevant to
individuals with financial means, who can afford to stay at home until they find a
satisfying job. For the vast majority of people, it is more rewarding to do any job,
even one that they do not enjoy.
Granted, many people said that they felt liberated after they had decided to
quit their boring job. They fout that they had more time for family and personal
interests, and so their mental health improved significantly; they also had the time
to learn the skills and knowledge needed for the job that they always wanted.
However, this option is only available to/for people who either are well-off or have
accrued a large enough amount of wealth to sustain their lives during the
unemployment period. Most of us, on the other hand, have little option but to work
whatever job available to provide for ourselves and our families, regardless of how
dissatisfying it might be.
Besides being free of monetary worries, no matter how boring the job is,
working confers many non-financial benefits. Chief of these is that this decision
helps workers cultivate the ability to endure negative feelings, which is a desirable
trait as we should not base our decisions on our emotions alone. Furthermore, each
and every job requires the job-holder to perform certain tasks and work with
his/her colleagues, and this enables people to learn the associated skills and expand
their social network. These skill sets and contacts might come in useful in the
future when they apply for a more fulfilling job.
In conclusion, the decision to stay unemployed rather than to work the job
they dislike should depends on people's financial situation. It is a good option for
those who can subsist their lives and make good use of their unemployment time.
However, most people benefit more if they work, even though they cannot derive
much satisfaction from their job.

24
DẠNG 3: SHOULD

Eg: Education for young people is important in many countries. However,

some people think that the government should spend more money on
education for the adult population who cannot read and write. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?

Governments around the world justifiably focus their resources on the

education of younger generations. However, the staggering high number of
illiterate adults in even arguably the most developed nations such as the US has
heightened public interest in whether more money should be spent on helping
those people learn to read and write. I strongly believe that this is a worthwhile
endeavor as it benefits not only the recipients but also the country as a whole.
Firstly, since adults who are not able to read and write are faced with
tremendous difficulties in both personal and professional life, literacy courses
provide them with necessary knowledge and skills to overcome such problems. For
example, participants of these classes will no longer feel helpless when they need
to read a piece of story for their children before bed or write an email to their
friends. Similarly, they will no they will no longer be deprived of promotion
opportunities at work solely on the basis of their literacy skills, or the lack thereof.
The provision of adult education, thus, liberates individuals with low-literacy
levels and empowers them to succeed both personally and professionally.
Besides this, countries deciding to invest more in adult education will also
reap financial rewards. This is because a better educated workforce can act as a
precursor to fostering economic growth, as seen in countries such as Vietnam,
where a causal link was found in the crusade to eradicate illiteracy and economic
development.
Furthermore, since literate parents are repeatedly found to be better at
rearing their rearing their children, investing in adult education will produce better-

25
raised children. The corollary of this investment would be a sustainable economy
and a better society.
In conclusion, giving access to education for illiterate adults is a sensible
and economically sound initiative and therefore should be adopted more widely.

Some should and some should not

Eg: Some people argue that there is no point in preserving old buildings when
land is so valuable in our cities. Others believe that old buildings are an
important part of our heritage and should be preserved. Discuss both these
views and state your opinion.

Opinions are divided on whether old buildings should be preserved or

demolished to make room for more accommodation or commercial developments.
I believe that the decision depends on the special circumstances of each one.
In areas where more housing is needed, many old structures are not worth
keeping because they either lack interest, or they may be dangerous. With regard to
their historic value, many of them are not interesting architecturally or historically,
and neither are they unique in any way. Another reason for replacing them is that
they may be dangerous, damp, or in other ways unsuitable for modern cities, and
for this reason local people would benefit from new, purpose-built accommodation
or other facilities. These new developments will be superior to the old ones they
replaced. An additional benefit of building new accommodation is that in some
cities, housing in the central areas is prohibitively expensive, so new constructions
will reduce the living costs to ordinary people.
However, even though many old buildings are of no value, as seen above,
there are others that are worth preserving for their historic or architectural interest.
A good example of this in Vietnam is the Royal Palace at Hue, which no one would
dream of destroying because as well as being of great historic importance, it is also
a magnet for tourists. Another important building is Ho Chi Minh's house in the

26
center of Hanoi. This, although it may not be important for its architecture, is of
great value as a historic artefact for the local people.These structures should be
preserved and maintained for their cultural value, regardless of the financial value
of the land they lie on.
In conclusion, although there are many buildings that must be kept for their
cultural or historic value, others should be replaced by housing or other
developments.

Seems 'shouldn't', but 'should'

Eg: New parents should attend parenting courses to ensure the growth of their
children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Of all the worries young couples often have, perhaps the most incessant one
is about whether they are prepared to raise their children. This has led some to
believe that newly-wed couples should attend parenthood preparation courses to
best rear their children, and I personally think that there is little to disagree with in
this observation.
Granted, one might argue that it is unnecessary for young married couples to
take parental lessons to learn childcare skills. This is predicated on the assumptiont
that we can gain these skills from our older family members, such as our parents
and grandparents. According to this theory, our ancestors have done this for
thousands of years without any formal support or the intervention of a taught
course. In addition, what works on a child may not work on others, so perhaps it is
better for adults to get to know their own children. By observing and trying
different strategies, good parents will gradually develop a parenting method that
best facilitates the development of their children.
However, this line of reasoning is not sound since many arguably traditional
child- rearing practices are scientifically proven to be detrimental. Newborn babies
in Vietnam, for example, are often kept away from the sunlight during the first

27
month because this is believed to boost their immune system, while the opposite is
the case. Thus parenting courses are an ideal vehicle to dispel such misconceptions.
Although it is true that we can now read books or online articles about parenting,
there is no way to verify the information. By contrast, young parents can learn
from real experts in childcare when they participate in parental courses.
In conclusion, to ensure the growth of their offspring, newly married parents
should set aside some time to attend parental training courses because such courses
help prospective parents avoid unorthodox and potentially harmful practices, and
unnecessary risks when raising their children.

28
 Dạng 5: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
I. STRUCTURE OF ‘ADVANTAGES VS DISADVANTAGES’ ESSAY
Introduction General statement (paragraphs - (A) is connected with/ has some
the prompt) advantages which are more significant than
(VD: Ads >> Thesis statement (explain the the disadvantages.
Disads) purpose of the essay) - (A) is connected with/ has some
(discuss ads & disads + disadvantages which are more serious than
ads>>disads??) the advantages.
- In my opinion, there are more advantages
than disadvantages of (A).

Body 1 Topic sentence = main idea On the one hand, there are two main
(Disadvantages) - Supporting idea 1 disadvantages of ….
+ Supporting sentences
◦ Reason
◦ Result
◦ Example
◦ Constrast (so sánh)
◦ Discussion
- Supporting idea 2
+ Supporting sentences

Body 2 Topic sentence = main idea However, (A) is connected with/ has some
(Advantages) - Supporting idea 1 advantages which are more significant than
+ Supporting sentences the disadvantages.
- Supporting idea 2 Note: ~ thesis statement
 + Supporting sentences

Conclusion Summarise the main idea In conclusion, (thesis statement)

Recommend It is recommended that …
- Advantages = benefits = positive aspects
- Disadvantages = drawbacks =
shortcomings = negative aspects

29
Eg: Look at this lesson’s sample question.
Fast food such as hamburgers and pizzas may be convenient but it can also be
unhealthy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fast food?
Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge.
Write at least 250 words.

Paragraph 1:
- Supporting idea 1: handy
+ Supporting details 1: save more time than home cooking ← no need to go
to the market, cook, wash dishes
- Supporting idea 2: tasty
+ Supporting details 2: strong flavors, attractive seasoning, more tasty than
normal home meals with vegetables
Paragraph 2:
- Supporting idea 1: bad/ harmful for/ destroy people’s health
+ Supporting details 1: high in calories, cholesterol, sugar → overweight ⇒
obesity, diabetes… >< home cooking: safe, clean ingredients, control of
calories/ sugar/ salt intake, nutritions (rich in protein, fiber, vitamins…)
- Supporting idea 2: waste money
+ Supporting details 2: expensive. Eg. hamburger VN ~ 100K-500K at a
normal junk food restaurant in VN ⇒ not cheap for a lot of students/
middle-income people in VN if they eat everyday >< more affordable when
going to the market and cooking at home

30
Eg: Some parents send their children to preschool when they are three or four years
old. Other parents wait until their children are old enough for primary school before
they send them to school.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of sending children to preschool at a
young age.
Thesis: Advantages and disadvantages of sending children to preschool
Paragraph 1: Main idea 1: Chance to develop important skills
Supporting details 1: 1. Social skills: share, negotiate, work as a
group…
2. Skills for primary school: colors, numbers...
Main idea 2: Safe place for children
Supporting details 2: 1. Teachers understand children
2. Teachers can handle emergencies
Paragraph 2: Main idea 1: Separates children from parents since a young age
Supporting details 1: 1. Children not yet ready => unhappy, insecure
2. Better for them to be cared for by relatives
Main idea 2: Preschool can be expensive
Supporting details 2: 1. Hard for some parents to afford
2. Make sacrifices => affects life quality

II. MODEL ESSAY

Read the essay and answer the questions below.
Fast food has become an increasingly popular choice for many people, especially
those who lead a busy lifestyle. This essay will discuss both positive and negative effects
of fast food on people.
On the one hand, there are two main plus points of consuming fast food. The
primary benefit is its convenience. For example, it is quick and easy to grab a burger or
sandwich near train stations or on one’s way to work, and there are often many different
options to choose from. Fast food restaurants are also typically open late, which can be
helpful for people who work long hours. Additionally, fast food is affordable. These
meals are often cheaper than eating at a sit-down restaurant or cooking a meal at home.
Therefore, it can be especially beneficial for families or individuals on a tight budget.

31
 On the other hand, there are also several shortcomings of fast food. The first
disadvantage is the nutritional content of fast food. For instance, many fast food items
are high in calories, fat, and sugar, which can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and
other health issues. Another negative point of fast food is that it poses a negative
impact on the environment. The production and transportation of fast food items
contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and other environmental problems.
The excessive packaging and waste produced by fast food restaurants also contribute to
these issues.
In conclusion, as well as benefits, fast food also brings problems. I would
recommend that people should reduce the amount of fast food that they eat, but I also
think they should still enjoy it on special occasions.

DLC’s Essay: Fast food such as hamburgers and pizzas may be convenient but it
can also be unhealthy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of fast food?

Today, junk food has become a topic of concern in society. Fast food has some
disadvantages which are more serious than the advantages.

On the one hand, there are two main advantages of consuming takeaways. The
primary benefit is that it is handy. For instance, it is easy to buy a burger or pizza
on the way to work, which can be beneficial for people, especially for workers.
They can save more time than home cooking because they do not need to go to the
market, cook and wash dishes. In addition, junk food is tasty. It is often seasoned
to be more attractive by using tomato sauce, oregano and cheese. It makes fast
food more flavorful than normal home meals with vegetables.

On the other hand, there are several shortcomings of fast food. The first
disadvantage is destroying people's health. For example, many fast food items are
high in calories, fat, and sugar, which can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and
other health issues. Meanwhile, home cooking has clean and safe ingredients.
People can completely control the amount of calories they consume. Another
negative point of fast food is that it can waste money. For instance, a hamburger
32
will cost between 100,000 and 200,000 VND at a normal junk food restaurant in
Vietnam. It is not cheap for a lot of students or middle-income Vietnamese people
if they eat everyday. In this case, home cooking is the better choice because buying
fresh ingredients from local markets is more affordable .

In conclusion, as well as benefits, fast food also brings problems. It is

recommended that people should reduce the amount of fast food that they eat.

III. WRITING INTRODUCTION

● The introduction to your essay states the topic and your thesis (direct answer to the
question).
● An introduction should contain:
✔ Background information about the topic or a description of the present
situation. (General Statement)
✔ A brief plan of your essay. (Thesis Statement)
● General Statement – Paraphrase the question
Example: Nowadays, more and more people shop online for their clothes,
stationeries and groceries.
⇨ In the contemporary world, a large number of people make online purchases.
● Thesis Statement – Answer the question directly. You can answer in a specific
way or a more general way. For Advantages and Disadvantages question type, you
can use some of these templates:
✔ This essay will discuss both positive and negative effects of ….
✔ This essay will compare the benefits and downsides of …
● An Introduction needs to have at least 2 sentences.

IV. WRITING BODY PARAGRAPHS

In the Advantages & Disadvantages essay, there are two body paragraphs
The first one is for Advantages, while the second one is for Disadvantages. (or vice
versa) (This can be switched but let’s take this order as an example)
a. Writing the first body paragraph – Advantages

33
The first body paragraph for Advantages & Disadvantages essay would have a structure
like this:

Body 1 ● Topic sentence = main idea of the paragraph

(advantages) ● Supporting idea 1
● Supporting sentences
● Supporting idea 2
● Supporting sentences

- First, you need to write a general topic sentence to tell the readers that the first
paragraph will discuss “Advantages”. You can borrow this template:
“On the one hand, there are two main advantages of [the topic of discussion].
- Next, you should have two supporting ideas per paragraph and at least two supporting
details per supporting idea.
Supporting idea 1 should present the first advantage. You can use these phrases to
introduce the first idea:
“The first benefit is …”
“The primary advantage is…”
Similarly, the Supporting idea 2 also presents the second advantage. You can also use
these phrases to introduce the second idea:
“The second benefit is…”
“Additionally, …”
Remember that each supporting idea must be explained by further supporting sentences.
You can either explain, give examples or use both. Remember: PEEL = Point + Evidence
+ Explanation + Link (to the next point or back to the main point).
b. Writing the second body paragraph – Disadvantages
The second body paragraph for Advantages & Disadvantages essay would have a
structure like this:
Body 2 ● General topic sentence = main idea of the
(advantages) paragraph
● Supporting idea 1
● Supporting sentences

34
 ● Supporting idea 2
● Supporting sentences

- First, you also need to write a general topic sentence to tell the readers what the second
paragraph is about. However, unlike the first paragraph about Advantages, the second one
will discuss “Disadvantages”. Therefore, the template for the general topic sentence
looks slightly different:
“On the other hand, there are also several shortcomings of [the topic of
discussion].
- Next, you should also have two main disadvantages and at least two supporting details
per supporting idea.
Supporting idea 1 should present the first disadvantage. You can use these phrases to
introduce the first idea:
“The first shortcoming is …”
“The primary disadvantage is…”
Similarly, the Supporting idea 2 also presents the second disadvantage. You can also use
these phrases to introduce the second idea:
“The second drawback is…”
“Moreover, …”
To support these ideas, you also need to explain or give examples.

V. WRITING CONCLUSION
● A good conclusion briefly sums up the ideas you developed in your essay. It is a
restatement of the thesis and main ideas you laid out in your introduction.
● A conclusion should contain:
✔ Summary of the main ideas developed in the essay
✔ A recommendation

35
36