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Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
Exit 5
Understanding the instructions
 Focus on the question form and vocabulary
 Focus on the task
Advantages and disadvantages essay 1:
riding bicycles/driving cars
 Focus on structure and content
 Focus on connecting words and expressions
 Focus on key sentences
Advantages and disadvantages essay:
controlled practice (family size)
Advantages and disadvantages essay 2:
fast food
 Focus on the question
 Focus on organization and content
 Focus on language and content
Plan an advantages & disadvantages essay
 Paragraph plan
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 1
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Understanding the instructions
Focus on the question form and vocabulary
Question form
One of the consequences of the increasing opportunities for foreign travel is
that people are spending more of their holidays abroad rather than at home.
Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the
disadvantages?
You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your
arguments with examples and relevant evidence.
Exercise 1
In1this question, there are three sentences.
1. Which two sentences tell you what you have to do?
2. Which sentence gives you the topic to discuss?
Key vocabulary
Exercise 2
1
Underline
these words in the question, and copy them next to the meanings:
advantage
consequence
support
relevant evidence
outweigh
development
rather than
disadvantage
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Vocabulary
advantage
disadvantage
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Meaning
a good thing about something
an alternative, a different thing
to be more important than something
a good or bad result of something
something that shows that something is true
a bad thing about something
a change
to help something or someone
Page 2
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Focus on the task
Exercise 3
1
1. What is the development you have to discuss?
2. Do you have to give advantages and disadvantages?
3. Do you have to support your ideas with examples and reasons?
4. Do you have to give your opinion?
Look at the first sentence of the instructions again.
Exercise 4
1. What is the development?
2. Write three advantages and three disadvantages of the development:
Advantages
a
Disadvantages
d
b
e
c
f
It is important to explain why you think they are advantages or disadvantages.
You can explain why, or give an example which shows why.
3. Write your reasons or examples in the table below:
a
b
c
d
e
f
4. What is your opinion? Do you think the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages, or the opposite?
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 3
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Advantages and disadvantage essay 1:
riding bicycles/driving cars
Focus on structure and content
You are going to study a model answer for the advantages/disadvantages
essay question. It is designed to show you an example of how to organize your
ideas in an advantages/disadvantages essay. By studying the model answer
carefully, you can learn how to write an advantages/disadvantages essay on
any topic.
Exercise 1
1. Look at the model answer. How many paragraphs are there?
2. Write the focus of each paragraph P1 – P4 in the paragraph focus column:
Paragraph focus:
conclusion
advantages
disadvantages
introduction
3. Circle the correct answers to questions a – n in the ‘sentences’ column:
Paragraph focus
P1
P2
P3
P4
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Sentences
a Number of sentences: 1/2/3/4
b Does the writer give an opinion here? yes/no
c Which one is the topic sentence? 1/2
d How many things is the writer going to do? 1/2/3
e Is there a topic sentence? yes/no
f
How many advantages are given? 2/3/4/5
g How many reasons or examples are given? 2/3/4
h Is there an example or reason for each advantage?
yes/no
i
Is there a topic sentence? yes/no
j
How many disadvantages are given? 2/3/4/5
k How many reasons or examples are given? 2/3/4
l
Is there an example or reason for each disadvantage?
yes/no
m Does the writer give an opinion here? yes/no
n Are new reasons given or are they the same as before?
new/the same
Page 4
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
One of the consequences of the increasing price of petrol is that many
people are using bicycles as a method of transport instead of cars.
Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the
disadvantages?
Model answer
In some countries like Holland, a lot of people nowadays choose to ride bikes
rather than drive cars. In this essay, I will discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of riding a bicycle compared to driving a car, and I will give my
personal opinion.
There are several advantages of riding bicycles compared to driving cars. The
main benefit is that they are cheap. They do not cost much to buy and they
do not need petrol or servicing, which cost a lot of money. Another
advantage is that riding a bicycle is healthier than driving a car. You use your
legs and get good exercise, which keeps you fit and helps prevent obesity.
Finally, they are much greener than cars, because they do not use fuel. This
means that they do not cause pollution.
However, there are also a number of disadvantages of riding bikes. A major
drawback is that bicycles are slower than cars, and they can only carry one
person. This means that you cannot go very far on a bicycle, and you cannot
take your family. A second disadvantage is that they are not very useful in
bad weather. For example, in the UAE it is usually too hot to cycle. Another
problem is that riding a bike can be dangerous. For instance, car drivers in
some countries do not slow down when they pass a bicycle.
In conclusion, I personally feel that the advantages of riding a bicycle
outweigh the disadvantages. If everyone rode bicycles, they would save
money, be healthier, and help save the planet.
(260 words)
Exercise 2
What synonyms (words which mean the same thing) for advantage and
disadvantage are used? Fill in the table:
advantage
disadvantage
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 5
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Focus on connecting words and expressions
Exercise 3
Copy the connecting words and expressions in bold from the model answer
into the table below. Include the punctuation and capital letters. Then write
the connecting words in gaps 1 – 13 below, including the punctuation.
Putting advantages
in order
Putting disadvantages
in order
Giving
examples
Connecting
sentences
Concluding
…There are several advantages of riding bicycles compared to driving cars.
(1)___________________they are cheap. They do not cost much to buy and
they do not need petrol or servicing, which cost a lot of money.
(2)___________________ riding a bicycle is healthier than driving a car. You
use your legs and get good exercise, (3) _____________keeps you fit and helps
prevent obesity. (4) _____________ they are much greener than cars
(5)_____________they do not use fuel. This means that they do not cause
pollution.
(6) _____________there are also a number of disadvantages of riding bikes.
(7)___________________bicycles are slower than cars (8) ___________they
can only carry one person. This means that you cannot go very far on a bicycle
(9)_____________you cannot take your family. (10)__________________they
are not very useful in bad weather. (11)_____________in the UAE it is usually
too hot to cycle. (12)___________________ riding a bike can be dangerous.
(13) _____________car drivers in some countries do not slow down when they
pass a bicycle.
(14) _____________I personally feel that the advantages of riding a bicycle
outweigh the disadvantages…
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 6
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Focus on key sentences
There are four sentences in the model answer that you can use in your essay.
You will need to change the topic.
Exercise 4
Sentence 1: In this essay, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
riding a bicycle compared to driving a car, and I will give my personal opinion.
1. Which words will you have to change?
2. What is the grammar of the verbs after of and to?
3. Put this sentence in order, correct the verb forms and add the punctuation:
this/discuss/the/of/vegetarian/personal/a/essay/I/opinion/compared/to
disadvantages/be/in/and/will/advantages/be/eat/and/meat/I/give/will/my
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Sentence 2: There are several advantages of riding bicycles compared to
driving cars.
4. Which words will you need to change? Is the grammar the same as before?
5. Write a sentence for private medical care/public hospitals (add verbs):
________________________________________________________________
Sentence 3: However, there are also a number of disadvantages of riding
bikes.
6. Write a sentence for read newspapers, using correct grammar and spelling:
________________________________________________________________
Sentence 4: In conclusion, I personally feel that the advantages of riding a
bicycle outweigh the disadvantages.
7. Write a sentence for save money, using correct grammar and spelling:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 7
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Advantages/disadvantages essay:
controlled practice (family size)
One consequence of the worldwide trend towards smaller families with
fewer children is that more old people have to support themselves, or rely
on the state to provide care.
Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the
disadvantages?
Exercise 1
1. Underline the key words.
2. What is the development?
3. Write three advantages and three disadvantages of the development:
Advantages
a
Disadvantages
d
b
e
c
f
Exercise 2
Look at these sentences from the riding bicycles/driving cars model answer
and decide if they are reasons (R) or examples (E):
1
2
3
4
5
6
Sentences
This means that they do not cause pollution.
They do not cost much to buy and they do not need petrol or
servicing, which cost a lot of money.
For instance, car drivers in some countries do not slow down
when they pass a bicycle.
You use your legs and get good exercise, which keeps you fit
and helps prevent obesity.
This means that you cannot go very far on a bicycle, and you
cannot take your family.
For example, in the UAE it is usually too hot to cycle.
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
R or E?
Page 8
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Exercise 3
1. Look at the sentences in Exercise 2 again. In sentences 1 and 5, underline
the three words that are used to show that this is a reason.
2. Now write one reason or example for each of your advantages and
disadvantages a - f in Exercise 1:
Sentences
R or E?
a
b
c
d
e
f
Look at the last sentence from the bicycle essay. It is a complex sentence
called a second conditional, and it is a very good way to finish your essay.
If everyone rode bicycles, they would save money, be healthier, and help
save the planet.
If + past simple (comma), would + base form of verb (to save, to be, to help)
3. What is your opinion? Do you think the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages, or the opposite?
4. Now use your ideas to write the complete essay. Remember:
 Follow the plan on page 13
 Use good connecting words from page 6
 Use the four sentences on page 7
 You can finish with a second conditional sentence
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 9
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Advantages/disadvantages essay 2:
fast food
Focus on the question
Exercise 1
Read the advantages and disadvantages essay question carefully and answer
questions 1 – 7:
In many countries, people eat fast food several times a week, rather than
cooking for themselves.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Underline the key words.
What is the development?
Is this true of your country, the UAE?
What is fast food? Think of three examples of companies which sell it.
What is your opinion of fast food? Is it generally positive or negative?
How many words do you have to write?
Write three advantages and three disadvantages of the development:
Advantages
a
Disadvantages
d
b
e
c
f
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 10
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Focus on organization and content
Exercise 2
Put the sentences for each paragraph in order:
Introduction [number sentences 1 – 2]
In this essay, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of eating fast
food compared to cooking at home, and I will give my personal opinion.
In some countries like America, a lot of people nowadays choose to eat fast
food rather than cook meals at home.
Advantages [number sentences 1 – 7]
For example, in many families nowadays both parents have to work, so there
is nobody at home to spend time cooking.
This means that almost everyone can afford to buy it.
Finally, fast food is very tasty.
There are several advantages of eating fast food compared to cooking for yourself.
The main benefit is that it saves time.
For instance, Kentucky Fried Chicken, which is a famous brand, is delicious.
Another advantage is that fast food is cheap.
Disadvantages [number sentences 1 – 7]
A major drawback is that most fast food is unhealthy if you eat it too often.
However, there are a number of disadvantages of eating fast food.
For instance, a meal with a soft drink in MacDonald`s is high in fat, salt and sugar.
A second disadvantage is that it stops people eating together in the
traditional way at a family table.
This is because local restaurants making traditional specialties cannot survive
the competition from big companies like Burger King.
For example, fast food is often eaten walking along the street or sitting at a desk.
Another problem is that fast food destroys the unique differences between
cultures.
Conclusion [number sentences 1 – 2]
If everyone ate fast food, they would have more money and more time to
spend doing what they like.
In conclusion, I personally feel that the advantages of eating fast food
outweigh the disadvantages.
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 11
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Model answer
In some countries like America, a lot of people nowadays choose to eat fast
food rather than cook meals at home. In this essay, I will discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of eating fast food compared to cooking at home, and I will
give my personal opinion.
There are several advantages of eating fast food compared to cooking for
yourself. The main benefit is that it saves time. For example, in many families
nowadays both parents have to work, so there is nobody at home to spend time
cooking. Another advantage is that fast food is cheap. This means that almost
everyone can afford to buy it. Finally, fast food is very tasty. For instance,
Kentucky Fried Chicken, which is a famous brand, is delicious.
However, there are also a number of disadvantages of eating fast food. A major
drawback is that most fast food is unhealthy if you eat it too often. For instance,
a meal with a soft drink in MacDonald`s is high in fat, salt and sugar. A second
disadvantage is that it stops people eating together in the traditional way at a
family table. For example, fast food is often eaten walking along the street or
sitting at a desk. Another problem is that fast food destroys the unique
differences between cultures. This is because local restaurants making
traditional specialties cannot survive the competition from big companies like
Burger King.
In conclusion, I personally feel that the advantages of eating fast food outweigh
the disadvantages. If everyone ate fast food, they would have more money and
more time to spend doing what they like.
(268 words)
Focus on language and content
Exercise 3
Read the model answer carefully and answer questions 1 – 5:
1. Underline all the connecting words and expressions in the model answer.
2. Copy the four sentences from this text that you learned on page 7:
Sentence 1: (begins with In…)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 12
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Sentence 2: (begins with There…)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Sentence 3: (begins with However,…)
________________________________________________________________
Sentence 4: (begins with In…)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. Find the 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages.
4. Find all the reasons and examples. How many of each are there?
5. Look at the last sentence. What are the highlighted words and
punctuation? What kind of sentence is it?
If everyone ate fast food, they would have more money and more time to
spend doing what they like.
Spanish ‘paella’ is a traditional rice dish under threat from fast food…
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Page 13
Exit 5
Advantages and disadvantages essay
Plan an advantages/disadvantages essay
To get an IELTS band 5 in the Task Achievement and Organization sections:
 make a quick content plan and then follow the paragraph plan
 answer the question and write 250 words, using good connecting words
Paragraph plan
(Note: the highlighted sentences are the four you studied on page 7)
Paragraph focus
P1 Introduction
P2 Advantages with
examples and/or
reasons
P3 Disadvantages
with examples
and/or reasons
P4 Conclusion
Gary Pathare, DMC Foundations 2014
Sentences
1 Topic sentence
2 Tell the reader what to expect
1 Topic sentence
2 First advantage
3 Example or reason
4 Second advantage
5 Example or reason
6 Third advantage
7 Example or reason
1 Topic sentence
2 First disadvantage
3 Example or reason
4 Second disadvantage
5 Example or reason
6 Third disadvantage
7 Example or reason
1 Your opinion
2 A reason for your opinion (can be a second
conditional sentence)
Page 14