3.DISCUSS OPINION

I.STRUCTURE

Mở bài
+ Câu thứ nhất: giới thiệu chủ đề của đề bài một cách ngắn gọn
(bằng cách paraphrase lại câu của đề bài)
+ Câu thứ hai: đề cập đến cả 2 quan điểm và đưa ra quan điểm của bạn
(ví dụ bạn theo quan điểm 2)
Thân bài
+ Nêu các ý hỗ trợ cho quan điểm 1
+ Nêu các ý hỗ trợ cho quan điểm 2 (thể hiện rõ ràng là bạn ủng hộ quan điểm này)
Kết luận
Tóm tắt cả 2 quan điểm và ý kiến của của bạn
Example:
1. (18/4/2015) Some people think that schools should reward students who show the best academic results, while others believe that it is more important to reward students who show improvements. Discuss both views and give your own opinion
2. (18/02/2016) New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?


II.FORMULAR
1.Discuss both views and give your opinion?

(It is true that the question of whether to … or … remains a source of controversy in the … field) While a number of people believe that …, I would argue that …
On the one hand …
– Firstly, … For instance
– Secondly…
On the other hand, I believe that ..
– For example…
– Another reason is that…
In conclusion, although both views certainly have some validity, it seems to me that it is better to …

2. Discuss the advs and disadvs and give your own opinion?

(It is true that these days … )
While I accept that there are benefits and drawbacks of this …, I would argue that it is better to …
The trend/option/decision ….is disadvantageous to some extent.
– The main shortcoming is that …
– In addition,..
On the other hand, I believe that…because of some undeniable advantages.
– Firstly,…
– Secondle,…
In conclusion, it seems to me that there are many advantages for …, although this …has some notable disadvantages.

3. Do the advs outweigh the disadvs?

(It is true that ….)
Despite some obvious disadvantages of this trend, I would argue that these are outweighed by the advantages.
On the one hand, there are two major drawbacks when…
– Firstly …For example..
– Secondly…
On the other hand, I believe that the benefits are more significant than such disadvantages.
– One reason for this view is that
– Another reason is that
In conclusion, it seems to me that the advantages of this … are more significant than the disadvantages


III.EXAMPLES

Essay 1: Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

Answer
People’s opinions differ as to whether or not school children should be given homework. While there are some strong arguments against THE SETTING OF HOMEWORK (việc giao bài tập về nhà), I still believe that it is a necessary aspect of education.

There are several reasons why people might argue that homework IS AN UNNECESSARY BURDEN ON CHILDREN (là một gánh nặng không cần thiết đối với trẻ em). Firstly, there is evidence to support the idea that homework does nothing to IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES (cải thiện kết quả giáo dục). Countries such as Finland, where school children are not given homework, regularly TOP INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL LEAGUE TABLES (đứng đầu bảng xếp hạng giáo dục quốc tế) and outperform nations where setting homework is the norm. Secondly, many parents would agree that the school day is already long enough, and leaves their children too tired to do further study when they return home. Finally, it is recognised that play time is just as beneficial as study time from the perspective of brain development.

In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that homework HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN (đóng một vai trò quan trọng trong) the schooling of children. The main benefit of homework is that it ENCOURAGES INDEPENDENT LEARNING AND PROBLEM SOLVING (khuyến khích học tập và giải quyết vấn đề một cách độc lập), as children are challenged to work through tasks alone and at their own pace. In doing so, students must apply the knowledge that they have learnt in the classroom. For example, by doing mathematics exercises at home, students consolidate their understanding of the concepts taught by their teacher at school. In my view, it is important for children to DEVELOP AN INDEPENDENT STUDY HABIT (tạo thói quen tự nghiên cứu học hỏi) because this prepares them to work alone as adults.

In conclusion, homework certainly has its drawbacks, but I believe that the benefits outweigh them in the long term.
Source: IELTS Simon


Essay 2: Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Answer
People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard to what they can study at university. While some argue that it would be better for students TO BE FORCED INTO CERTAIN KEY SUBJECT AREAS (phải bắt buộc học các môn học chính nhất định). I believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.

There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only offer subjects that will be useful in the future. They may assert that university courses like medicine, engineering and information technology are more likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it can be argued that these courses PROVIDE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES (cung cấp nhiều cơ hội việc làm hơn), CAREER PROGRESSION (thăng tiến trong sự nghiệp), BETTER SALARIES (mức lương cao hơn), and therefore AN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE (chất lượng cuộc sống được cải thiện) for students who take them. On the societal level, by forcing people to choose particular university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in the economy are covered. Finally, a focus on technology in HIGHER EDUCATION (giáo dục đại học) could LEAD TO NEW INVENTIONS (tạo ra những phát minh mới), ECONOMIC GROWTH (tăng trưởng kinh tế), and GREATER FUTURE PROSPERITY (sự thịnh vượng hơn trong tương lai).

In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should BE FREE TO CHOOSE THEIR PREFERRED AREAS OF STUDY (các lĩnh vực nghiên cứu – được tự do lựa chọn ngành học họ yêu thích hơn). In my opinion, society will benefit more if our students are passionate about what they are learning. Besides, nobody can really predict which AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE (các lĩnh vực kiến thức) will be most useful to society in the future, and it may be that employers begin to VALUE CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS (đánh giá cao kỹ năng tư duy sáng tạo) above practical or technical skills. IF THIS WERE THE CASE (nếu điều này xảy ra), perhaps we would need more students of art, history and philosophy than of science or technology.

In conclusion, although IT MIGHT SEEM SENSIBLE FOR universities TO (có vẻ hợp lý cho … để…) focus only on the most useful subjects, I personally prefer the current system in which people have the right to study whatever they like.
Source: IELTS Simon


Essay 3: Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Answer

People have different views about the funding of CREATIVE ARTISTS (các nghệ sỹ sáng tạo). While some people disagree with the idea of government support for artists, I believe that money for ART PROJECTS (các dự án nghệ thuật) should come from both governments and other sources.

Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there ARE MANY WORKS OF ART IN PUBLIC SPACES (có nhiều tác phẩm nghệ thuật trong không gian công cộng), such as streets or squares in city centres. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which HAS BEEN REDEVELOPED (đã được phát triển lại) recently. These artworks represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city, and ACT AS LANDMARKS OR TALKING POINTS FOR VISITORS AND TOURISTS (có vai trò như các địa điểm nổi tiếng hoặc nơi trò chuyện dành cho du khách và khách du lịch). Governments and LOCAL COUNCILS (chính quyền địa phương) should pay creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive.

On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government funding for art. The main reason for this view is that governments have more important concerns. For example, STATE BUDGETS (ngân sách nhà nước) need to be spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, among other areas. These PUBLIC SERVICES (dịch vụ công) are vital for a country to FUNCTION PROPERLY (hoạt động đúng mong muốn), whereas the work of creative artists, even in public places, is a luxury. Another reason for this opinion is that artists do a job like any other professional, and they should therefore EARN THEIR OWN MONEY BY SELLING THEIR WORK (kiếm tiền bởi bán công sức của họ).

In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should RELY ON ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT (dựa vào các nguồn tài chính thay thế), but in my opinion government help is sometimes necessary.
Source: IELTS Simon


Essay 4: Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Answer

People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’ progress. While ECONOMIC PROGRESS (tăng trưởng kinh tế) is of course essential, I agree with those who believe that other measures of progress are just as important.

There ARE THREE KEY REASONS (có ba lý do chính) why economic growth IS SEEN AS A FUNDAMENTAL GOAL FOR COUNTRIES (được xem là mục tiêu cơ bản của quốc gia). Firstly, A HEALTHY ECONOMY RESULTS IN JOB CREATION (một nền kinh tế mạnh tạo ra việc làm), A HIGH LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT (tỷ lệ có việc làm cao), and BETTER SALARIES FOR ALL CITIZENS (mức lương cao hơn cho tất cả người dân). Secondly, economic progress ensures that more money is available for governments to SPEND ON INFRASTRUCTURE (sử dụng cho cơ sở hạ tầng) and PUBLIC SERVICES (dịch vụ công). For example, a government with HIGHER REVENUES (thu nhập cao hơn) can INVEST IN THE COUNTRY’S TRANSPORT NETWORK (đầu tư vào mạng lưới giao thông của đất nước), its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can HELP A COUNTRY’S STANDING ON THE GLOBAL STAGE (giúp đất nước có chỗ đứng trên vị thế toàn cầu), IN TERMS OF (về mặt) its POLITICAL INFLUENCE (ảnh hưởng về mặt chính trị) and TRADING POWER (năng lực thương mại).

However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as significant as the economic factors mentioned above. In particular, we should CONSIDER THE AREA OF SOCIAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUALITY AND DEMOCRACY itself (xem xét các khía cạnh công bằng xã hội, nhân quyền, bình đẳng và dân chủ). For example, the treatment of minority groups is often SEEN AS A REFLECTION OF THE MORAL STANDARDS (được xem như sự phản ánh về các tiêu chuẩn đạo đức) and LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIETY (mức độ phát triển của cả một cộng đồng). Perhaps ANOTHER KEY CONSIDERATION (điểm quan trọng khác cần cân nhắc) when JUDGING THE PROGRESS (đánh giá sự tiến bộ) of A MODERN COUNTRY (quốc gia hiện đại) should be how well that country protects the natural environment, and whether it is moving towards ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY (môi trường bền vững). Alternatively, the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, WELL-BEING (sự no ấm) and happiness of its residents.

In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but social, environmental and health criteria are equally significant.
Source: IELTS Simon


IV.MODEL TOPICS

  1. (17/01/2015) Some people think that there should be some strict controls about noise. Others think that they could just make as much noise as they want. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  2. (18/4/2015) Some people think that schools should reward students who show the best academic results, while others believe that it is more important to reward students who show improvements. Discuss both views and give your own opinion
  3. (21/03/2015) Some people believe famous people’s support towards international aid organizations draws attention to problems. Others think celebrities make the problems less important. Discuss both views and give your opinion
  4. (06/12/2014): Some people think that it is best to live in a horizontal city while others think of a vertical city. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  5. (12/07/2014) Nowadays more and more young people hold the important positions in the government. Some people think that is a good thing while others argue that it is not suitable . Discuss both views and give your own opinion
  6. (08/11/2014) Some people believe that crime is a result of social problems and poverty, others think that crime is a result of bad person’s nature. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  7. (12/03/2016): Some people think that it is good for a country’s culture to import foreign movies and TV programmes. Others think that it is better to produce these locally. Discuss both views and give your opinion
  8. (19/03/2016) – People in the community can buy cheaper products nowadays. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
  9. (20/02/2016) Some people believe government should spend money on building train and subway lines to reduce traffic congestion. Others think that building more and wider roads is the better way to reduce traffic congestion. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  10. (21/05/2016) In developing countries, children in rural communities have less access to education. Some people believe that the problem can be solved by providing more schools and teachers, while others think that the problem can be solved by providing computers and Internet access. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
  11. (02/06/2016) It is suggested that everyone wants to have a car, a television and a fridge. Do the disadvantages of this development for society outweigh the advantages?
  12. (18/02/2016) New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?