Essay Writing for English Tests
What can we do?
What do you need to prove?
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Can select relevant ideas and information to
answer a question
Can show your knowledge and understanding of
a topic
Can present a logical argument
Can organize your ideas systematically
Can use sophisticated English
Can master basic English grammar and
vocabulary
What is not so important?
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Understanding of the question
Knowledge of the subject
Selecting and presenting ideas appropriately
Language skills
What are the focuses?
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Many people believe that eating meat is not
humane. Do you agree?
Vegetarianism has become a trend in the modern
world, but many people argue that it is harmful to
our future generation. What is your opinion?
A lot of species would extinct unless the majority
of the world population changes to vegetarian
eating. Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
A
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Giving up meat can sometimes be a
warning sign of something serious, like
eating disorder. Experts say many young
women who suffer from anorexia start out
as vegetarians.
B
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As we all know that if children are
overweight because of eating too much
animal fat, they may easily develop heart
disease or other chronic illnesses in the
later life, thus adding burden to the whole
society.
C
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For most of the history, people’s biggest
problem has been getting enough to eat.
Five hundred years ago, all but the richest
people would have had great difficulty
hunting, gathering or farming their own
food. Yet, in the developed world we are
enjoying today, the scenario is just the
opposite.
D
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There is no doubt that over-dieting has
become a serious problem. Many young
females skip breakfast or lunch and eat
unhealthy diets, in some cases, refusing to
eat any meat or rice at all. However, this is
never an effective way to lose weight and
would only end in anorexia and bulimia.
Understanding the question
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Everyone knows that health is the most important
aspect in life. However, it is not uncommon to
find young people slowly killing themselves with
the junk food they eat. Therefore, some people
suggest that the government needs to integrate
healthy eating habit into the school curriculum.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this
opinion? Write to the SCMP to give reasons for
your answer. Include some relevant examples
from your own knowledge or experience.
What is your task?
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To present both sides of the argument?
To either strongly support or strongly
oppose the argument, depending on your
own personal opinion?
To partly support or partly oppose the
argument, depending on your own personal
opinion?
Define the terms (I)
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Many people are willing to spend an
enormous sum of money on fitness centers
to change their appearance. What do you
think are the causes of this trend?
Define the terms (II)
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In well-developed countries, it is not
uncommon to find people slowly killing
themselves with the junk food they eat.
Therefore, some people argue that our
government needs to educate young people
about healthy eating habits. To what extent
do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
What is the problem?
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Meat is very important to us because it is
an essential part of our diet. Everyone
needs it. Nobody can live without meat. I
eat meat and so does my family. Some
people do not eat meat but they are wrong.
Without meat, no one can live. Therefore,
people should not give up eating meat
Brainstorming ideas
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Random (Consider all factors)
Spider web
Format layout
Classification:
Compare and contrast (present vs past; pros
vs cons; west vs east; young vs old etc)