Introduction

In this digital era, people often choose to shop online rather than at a mall or a store. The convenience of this cannot be denied and many believe that high street shopping may eventually be phased out. I personally do not think this will happen because human interaction and being able to see items before purchasing is too valuable.

Body paragraph 1 — problems with online shopping

There are numerous issues related to online shopping. It can be a huge inconvenience to have to wait a long time for goods then have to return them because they are damaged or unsatisfactory in some other way. It can also be difficult to get an accurate idea of the size and colour of clothes, which obviously cannot be tried on before purchasing. Other items like jewellery, artworks, and household goods often look different on the screen to what they do in reality. Hence, although online shopping is meant to save time and be more convenient, it can actually have the opposite effect.

Notice: the writer uses Hence to link back to the argument at the end of the paragraph.

Body paragraph 2 — benefits of high street

Alongside these issues lie the numerous benefits of high street shopping. Contrary to shopping online, we can try on clothes and see items before purchasing. Moreover, we can buy them immediately. However, in my opinion, the most important aspect of high street shopping is the human touch. In a store we can have friendly interaction with staff and sometimes other shoppers. Furthermore, we can go shopping with friends, having meals together, and even catching a movie when shopping is finished.

Notice: Contrary to, Moreover, and Furthermore are used to add and contrast ideas without repetition.

Body paragraph 3 — concession

On the other hand, there are many advantages of online shopping. It can be extremely convenient for busy people to order goods online. Many people who have little time or energy due to long working hours can order weekly groceries or even full meals online. Additionally, in the case of goods that are not available locally, online shopping can be invaluable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although there are undeniable benefits of online shopping, I believe it can be inconvenient, and the human side of high street shopping means it will never die. Instead, we should celebrate the fact that we can benefit from both ways of shopping.

Introduction

Some countries provide free university education, however, most countries demand a lot of money for it, rendering it almost unattainable for young people from lower-income families. There are many reasons why I believe that university education should be free but the two most important are that it provides equal opportunity for everyone and relieves students of financial pressure, leaving them free to focus on their education.

Notice: the introduction clearly signals two reasons upfront — this prepares the examiner for what is coming.

Body paragraph 1 — equal opportunity

Education improves our chances in life and I believe it should be prioritised by governments and made freely available to everyone regardless of socio-economic background or age. Not only do children from lower class backgrounds get a chance to follow their passions and have a better chance at a prosperous career, they also have a chance to lift their families out of poverty. Consequently, poorer students will have a strong motivation to study hard. As a result, providing free education for everyone is beneficial for individuals and their families, higher education establishments and ultimately society in general.

Body paragraph 2 — financial pressure and mental health

Secondly, today’s university students often suffer huge financial pressures. Most either feel they have to perform at a high level to please their fee-paying parents or they have to get a part time job which can cause high stress and exhaustion. This in turn can lead to more serious mental illnesses like depression or, in extreme cases, suicide. Thus, if we abolish tuition fees we also create a better environment for studying and protect our young students from high pressure and mental illness.

Body paragraph 3 — counter-argument + refutation

One strong argument for keeping tuition fees is that students may not value their education enough if it is free, and will be less motivated to study hard. However, students still have to compete for their place in the workforce and need good qualifications to get desirable jobs. Furthermore, poorer students will have the added motivation of helping raise themselves and their families out of poverty. Hence, abolishing tuition fees is unlikely to result in lack of motivation, quite the contrary.

Notice: the writer presents the opposing argument fairly, then directly refutes it — a sign of a strong, confident essay.

Conclusion

To conclude, charging high fees for university education creates inequality and contributes to high stress levels for students. Providing a free education for all would create more equal opportunities and help eliminate the potential of serious mental health issues in our young students, ultimately leading to higher educated, more equal, happier, healthier societies.

Introduction

It is often claimed that, historically, children enjoyed more free time outdoors with their friends getting lots of physical exercise, whereas nowadays more and more children are being forced to work with private teachers after school. There are definitely advantages to having a private tutor, especially if the child is falling behind, but on the whole I believe this to be a negative development because tuition is expensive and could be robbing children of time crucial to their overall growth.

Body paragraph 1 — advantage (minority side)

In a competitive world, parents understandably want to give their children the best chance in life, and many believe getting a tutor can help students develop through their weaker areas. For example, if a student struggles with maths at school, private tuition just once or twice a week can pull the student through sufficiently to pass essential exams. It may also boost the child’s confidence. Hence, private tuition could be an important boost for a struggling child.

Body paragraph 2 — disadvantages (main side — 2 points)

The above argument is a powerful one, however, I would argue that there are more disadvantages than advantages of private tuition. Firstly, it costs a lot of money. To really benefit, parents need to choose a tutor who is trustworthy, well-qualified, and experienced, which can result in parents over-stretching themselves financially. Furthermore, the child may become stressed and exhausted trying to please their parents. Hence, it might not be worth the money. Secondly, and more importantly, it is crucial that children have enough time to develop in areas other than study — in particular, physical and creative activity with friends. The more a child studies outside school, the more they are being robbed of that valuable time.

Notice: Firstly… Secondly clearly signal two separate disadvantages within one paragraph.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it might be a good idea to get a private tutor if the child is really struggling to keep up with a subject. However, parents should only consider this if they can comfortably afford it and should ensure the child is not being pressured and is getting enough time for physical exercise with friends.

Introduction

In the recent past, parents believed that their adolescent sons and daughters should focus only on studies. These days, however, many families are coming to see the benefits of their older teens working part-time. In my opinion, although having a job could divert a student’s focus away from schoolwork, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks because teenagers can learn to become more independent and develop skills that will help them in their future life.

Body paragraph 1 — disadvantage (minority side)

Many people understandably believe that teenagers need all their time for studying and thus should not sacrifice it on working. School teens have to concentrate hard in class, do homework, and study to pass exams. If teenagers try to do a part-time job, they may be too tired to focus in class. Obviously, the more time a teenager dedicates to a part-time job, the less time they have for schoolwork.

Body paragraph 2 — advantages (main side — 2 points)

I believe, however, that the advantages of teenagers working part-time outweigh the drawbacks. Firstly, earning even a small amount of money can give teenagers a taste of independence. Being able to save money or purchase something using their own earnings not only eases the financial burden of the parents, it also gives the teenager satisfaction while not having to rely on them. Hence, teenagers begin to experience independence, which will help guide them into adulthood. Secondly, teenagers can begin to learn important skills for their future life. For example, juggling a part-time job with schoolwork forces adolescents into developing time management skills at an earlier age, which may help attract prospective employers.

Conclusion

To conclude, having a part-time job can give teenagers an advantage in life because they can become independent and develop more skills at an early age. This leads them more gently into their future working lives while giving them an advantage over their non-working peers.

Introduction

Some people think there should be a mandatory retirement age, while others believe that there should be no limits to how long a person is allowed to work. I agree with the second point of view.

Body paragraph 1 — viewpoint 1 (mandatory retirement)

Some people believe that workers should have to retire at a specific age, usually 62 or 65. The reason may be that after a certain age, people cannot perform their jobs as well because they lose some of the physical and intellectual abilities they had when they were younger. This is apparent in physically demanding jobs such as construction, where older workers cannot keep pace with younger, more able-bodied employees.

Body paragraph 2 — viewpoint 2 (writer’s view)

On the other hand, there are people who think that everyone should be able to work as long as they choose. For some people, continuing to work is a necessity because they need money. Other people want to work because they enjoy it and it gives meaning to their lives. In addition, older people have a lot of knowledge from years of experience. Therefore, they can make important contributions that younger people cannot.

Notice: the writer presents viewpoint 2 objectively first, then adds their personal position in paragraph 3 — this keeps the structure very clear.

Body paragraph 3 — personal opinion with development

Personally, I am against a mandatory retirement age. There cannot be one retirement age for everyone because every person’s circumstances are different. For example, a 70-year-old person may be full of energy and in excellent health, while a 50-year-old person could be sick all the time. One person may want to rest after years of work while another finds meaning from continuing their job. Finally, people who need money should not be prevented from earning a salary simply because of some arbitrary retirement age.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are good reasons for having a mandatory retirement age, I think it is more important to realise that each individual situation is different. People should be allowed to plan their retirement for the time that suits them best.

Introduction

Some students spend time studying in a foreign country to learn more about the world; others prefer to complete their studies in their own country. In my opinion, studying abroad can contribute a lot to students’ skill development, and it can even help students to become more desirable to future employers.

Body paragraph 1 — viewpoint 1 (studying abroad)

Studying abroad allows students to gain knowledge beyond what they learn studying in their home countries. By spending time in a foreign country, they can learn valuable skills and new ways of thinking and living. For example, they may learn different approaches to life, work, and problem-solving.

Body paragraph 2 — viewpoint 2 (studying locally)

However, others argue that it is more advantageous to study in their home country. They may feel that spending time abroad will prevent them from networking and forming connections with like-minded peers at home. Indeed, by studying locally, students may make connections and friendships that can help them gain job opportunities when they start their careers.

Body paragraph 3 — writer’s view with refutation

While I acknowledge that students want to be well prepared for their careers, I do not believe that studying in their home country is the best way to achieve that. We live in an increasingly globalised world, and many companies are looking for employees with foreign language skills and international experience. Students who have studied abroad may also be more adaptable and open-minded — highly desirable skills for employers.

Notice: While I acknowledge that… is an excellent phrase for conceding the opposing view before arguing your own.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while I understand that some people choose to study domestically, I believe that studying abroad helps students learn more about the world and makes them more desirable to future employers.

Introduction

An increasing number of animal species have become extinct in recent decades. In this essay, I will outline some of the causes for this development and suggest steps that we can take to slow this trend down.

Body paragraph 1 — causes (question 1)

There are multiple causes of this problem. One major cause is the loss of habitat: forests have been cut down, wetlands have been filled in, and grassy plains have been paved over. One tragic example is the rainforests of the Amazon. Many hectares of forest land are cut down daily, destroying the homes of countless species. Another cause is pollution. Farmers use fertilisers and pesticides which wash into rivers and eventually the ocean, poisoning sea creatures. Similarly, factories and cars produce air pollution contributing to global warming, which endangers polar bears and other species. Finally, another cause is hunting. Rhinoceroses are hunted for their horns and elephants for their ivory tusks, leading to a sharp decline in the number of these animals in the wild.

Notice: three causes are clearly signalled with One major cause…, Another cause…, Finally…

Body paragraph 2 — solutions (question 2)

There are certain steps that can be taken to save animals from extinction. Areas such as national parks and animal reserves need to be protected, particularly areas with rich biodiversity. Additionally, concerted efforts should be taken to curb pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, there needs to be more protection for endangered animals. Laws against poaching should be enforced rigorously, and people who hunt animals illegally should be punished.

Notice: each solution directly addresses one of the three causes identified in BP1.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are three prominent reasons for the recent extinction of many animal species: destruction of natural habitat, pollution, and hunting. These three causes can be tackled through a combination of protecting biodiverse areas, curbing pollution and enforcing anti-poaching laws.

Introduction

A generation ago, teaching in a high school was considered an extremely well-respected and popular job. However, in many parts of the world, there has been a sharp drop in the number of young people who want to become high school teachers. I believe this has come about as a result of poor working conditions and a lack of respect for teachers. I would advocate paying teachers better salaries, teaching children to respect their teachers, and improving general working conditions.

Body paragraph 1 — reason 1 + solution 1

One of the main causes is that teachers’ salaries are lower than many other jobs. Teachers’ pay has not kept pace with that of other professions such as law or medicine. In the UK, a doctor with five years’ experience will earn far more than a teacher with the same experience. The solution is for the government to raise teachers’ pay significantly, which would attract more people into the profession.

Body paragraph 2 — reason 2 + solution 2

Another problem is that many children do not behave well in class. Teachers often have to deal with pupils who disobey them, which causes many to give up teaching and puts off potential teachers as well. To tackle this issue, parents must instil in their children a sense of respect for teachers in order to make children behave better in class.

Body paragraph 3 — reason 3 + solution 3

A third cause is that teachers often have too much work to do. Most teachers are snowed under with marking and paperwork, meaning they have to stay late at school and work at home in the evening. As a result, many teachers are tired and stressed. The way forward could be to cut teachers’ hours and take on more teaching assistants, which would make teaching an easier job.

Notice: each paragraph pairs a reason with its matching solution — a very clean and effective double question structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, teaching has become a much less popular job in many countries due to salary, working hours and pupils’ behaviour. I would argue that these obstacles can be overcome through a combination of raising teachers’ pay, instilling respect for teachers, and creating better working conditions.

Introduction

Conducting medical research should be a top priority in any country as the health and well-being of its citizens is paramount. Most would agree that substantial sums need to be spent, but there is controversy as to who should fund this research. Some think private companies or individuals should pay, but I believe that medical research is the government’s responsibility. In my opinion, the answer lies in partial funding by the government itself and by private companies, under strict control of the government.

Body paragraph 1 — government funding

I strongly believe it is a government’s responsibility to conduct research to develop the healthcare system for the well-being of their citizens. Individuals pay taxes and should be able to feel confident that their government will place their health as a top priority. The problem, however, is that government-funded bodies lacking personal interest or high monetary gain typically also lack sufficient motivation. Hence, although the government should be responsible for funding medical research, the researchers may not be driven to do their best work.

Body paragraph 2 — private funding + issues

Conversely, the drive to succeed in the hugely competitive world of private companies can benefit medical research enormously, if properly controlled. Companies who have invested a lot of money ferociously battle against each other, and this motivation can lead to important medical breakthroughs. However, this is not without issues. Citizens suspecting conflicts of interest between rival companies often become overwhelmed and confused — as seen during the controversy over the Covid vaccine. Hence, although private companies can be driven to produce great results, inevitable bias causes individuals to feel distrustful. Stricter government control and more transparency are essential.

Notice: the writer uses a real-world example (Covid vaccine) to support their argument — this is exactly what band 7+ essays do.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while in an ideal world a government would have sole responsibility to fund medical research, it may realistically be better if it were funded by a combination of government and private companies. Governments should control this research tightly to ensure it is always ethical. The health of the individual should always be a priority over the wealth of the private company.