номер 4, страница 61 - гдз по английскому языку 5-11 класс учебник Latham-Koenig, Oxenden

4 WRITING

p.124 Writing A discursive essay (1): A balanced argument Analyse a model essay about smartphone use, and write a discursive essay.

Writing A discursive essay (1): A balanced

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

• constructing an argument on both sides

• writing an effective introduction and conclusion

• using appropriate discourse markers to contrast and balance points

ANALYSING A MODEL TEXT

a

You have been asked to write the following essay:

Do smartphones really improve our lives?

With a partner, discuss three reasons why you think smartphones make our lives better and three reasons why they do not. Order them 1-3 according to their importance, with 1 as the most important.

b

Read the essay and check if the writer has mentioned some or all of your arguments. Where does the writer put the main argument in each paragraph?

Do smartphones really improve our lives?

Introduction

Arguments in favour

Perhaps the greatest benefit of smartphones is that they allow us to access an incredible amount of information. They are not just phones – we can also use them as maps, encyclopaedias, novels, entertainment systems, and much more. We live in an age of information, and smartphones help us to make the most of it all. In addition, they allow us to live our lives spontaneously. Whether you need a taxi, have to book a restaurant table, or want to identify stars in the night sky, you can do it straight away. Finally, they keep us in touch with our friends and family, and the social role they play in a fast-moving society is hugely important.

Arguments against

However, there are strong arguments to suggest that what appear to be the advantages of smartphones can also have downsides. One drawback is the cost – monthly contracts are far from cheap and smartphones tend to become obsolete quickly, so people feel they need to buy the latest model. What is more, they are a constant distraction, as they encourage people to spend hours checking social networking sites when they could be doing something more useful. But perhaps the most significant downside is for working people. On the one hand, smartphones offer great convenience, but they also mean that employees can be contacted by their boss or by customers at any time, even while they are on holiday.

Conclusion

Introductions and conclusions

• In an essay, it is important that the introduction engages the reader. A good introductory paragraph describes the present situation and gives supporting evidence. It should introduce the topic, but should not include the specific points that you are going to mention in the body of the text. It should refer to the statement or question you have been asked to discuss. This can often be done in the form of a question to the reader, which the subsequent paragraphs should answer.

• The conclusion should briefly sum up the arguments you have made and can include your personal opinion. The opinion you express should follow logically from the arguments you have presented. It is important that this is not just a repetition of your arguments. It is a summary of what you believe your arguments have proved.

c

Read the Introductions and conclusions box. Then look at the three introductory paragraphs below and choose which one you think is best for the essay. Compare with a partner. Discuss why you think it is the best and why the other two are less suitable. Then do the same with the concluding paragraphs.

Introductions

1 Smartphones dominate the field of personal communications and nowadays virtually everyone owns one. They have many clear benefits, but do they really make our lives better?

2 Smartphones clearly have important advantages and disadvantages. In this essay, I am first going to analyse the advantages of this technology and then I will outline some important disadvantages, before finally drawing my conclusions.

3 Can you imagine life without your smartphone? Probably not, as this fantastic technology has become such a crucial tool for our work and social lives. So how did we manage before smartphones were invented?

argument

Conclusions

1 To sum up, smartphones have both advantages and disadvantages, but all things considered, I believe that their influence is mostly beneficial – after all, we could not live without them.

2 In conclusion, smartphones have improved our lives considerably in my view, especially if you want to use the internet. It is very useful, for example, if you are in a shop and you decide to buy something online instead.

3 On the whole, smartphones are a wonderful tool, but they have both pros and cons and they have to be used wisely. It is very important that we control them, and not the other way round.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

d

Complete the missing words. Some (but not all) are in the model essay.

Expressing the main points in an argument

+

1 The greatest b __________ is that...

2 First and most im __________, smartphones give us an incredible amount of information.

-

3 One dr __________ of smartphones is the cost...

4 Another significant d __________ to smartphones is that employees can always be contacted.

Adding supporting information to a main argument, or introducing other related arguments

f __________ is that...

Weighing up arguments

PLANNING WHAT TO WRITE

a

Look at the essay title below and, with a partner, brainstorm the pros and cons of the topic. Then decide on the three main arguments for each side that are relevant to the title.

The growth of online shopping has greatly improved life for the consumer.

b

Write an introduction for the essay. Follow this pattern:

1 Write an introductory sentence about how important online shopping is.

2 Write a second sentence supporting the first one.

3 Ask the main question that you intend to answer in the essay.

c

Compare your introduction with a partner. Together, make a final version.

TIPS for writing a discursive essay giving both sides of an argument:

• Brainstorm points for and against, and decide which two or three you think are the most important.

• Use a neutral or formal style.

• Write a clear introduction which engages the reader.

• An essay is not just a list of ideas and opinions. Link your ideas in a logical sequence. Use phrases to order, contrast, and weigh up the points in your argument.

• Make sure your conclusion is a summary of what you have previously said and refers back to what you were asked to write about.

WRITING

Write an essay of between 220 and 260 words on the topic above.

DRAFT your essay.

• Paragraph 1: Use your introduction.

• Paragraph 2: Give arguments in favour of online shopping.

• Paragraph 3: Give arguments against online shopping.

• Paragraph 4: Write your conclusion, saying whether you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, or vice versa.

EDIT the essay, making sure you've covered the main points, cutting any irrelevant information, and making sure it's the right length.

CHECK the essay for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and register.

Проанализируйте образец текста, выберите лучшие вступления и заключения, заполните пропуски в полезных фразах, а также спланируйте и напишите эссе на тему роста онлайн-шопинга.

Ответ:

ANALYSING A MODEL TEXT

a. With a partner, discuss three reasons why you think smartphones make our lives better and three reasons why they do not. Order them 1–3 according to their importance, with 1 as the most important.

(Обсудите с партнером три причины, по которым, по вашему мнению, смартфоны делают нашу жизнь лучше, и три причины, по которым это не так. Расставьте их в порядке от 1 до 3 в зависимости от их важности, где 1 — самая важная.)

b. Read the essay and check if the writer has mentioned some or all of your arguments. Where does the writer put the main argument in each paragraph?

(Прочитайте эссе и проверьте, упомянул ли автор некоторые или все ваши аргументы. Где автор размещает основной аргумент в каждом абзаце?)

The writer mentioned all of my arguments or similar ones. The main argument in each paragraph is placed in the first sentence. For example, "Perhaps the greatest benefit of smartphones is that they allow us to access an incredible amount of information." and "However, there are strong arguments to suggest that what appear to be the advantages of smartphones can also have downsides."

(Автор упомянул все мои аргументы или похожие. Основной аргумент в каждом абзаце расположен в первом предложении. Например: «Возможно, величайшее преимущество смартфонов заключается в том, что они позволяют нам получать доступ к невероятному количеству информации» и «Однако существуют веские аргументы, предполагающие, что то, что кажется преимуществами смартфонов, может иметь и обратную сторону».)

c. Read the Introductions and conclusions box. Then look at the three introductory paragraphs below and choose which one you think is best for the essay. ... Then do the same with the concluding paragraphs.

(Прочитайте рамку «Вступления и заключения». Затем посмотрите на три вступительных абзаца ниже и выберите, какой из них, по вашему мнению, лучше всего подходит для эссе. ... Затем сделайте то же самое с заключительными абзацами.)

Introductions (Вступления):

The best introduction is number 1. It clearly introduces the topic, states that there are two sides to the argument ('benefits' and 'do they really make our lives better?'), and engages the reader with a question. Number 2 is too formulaic, and number 3 is a bit too informal.

(Лучшее вступление — номер 1. Оно четко представляет тему, утверждает, что у аргумента есть две стороны («преимущества» и «действительно ли они делают нашу жизнь лучше?»), и вовлекает читателя с помощью вопроса. Номер 2 слишком шаблонный, а номер 3 — немного неформальный.)

Conclusions (Заключения):

The best conclusion is number 1. It effectively summarises the main point (that there are pros and cons), gives a clear opinion ("I believe that their influence is mostly beneficial"), and ends with a strong final statement. Number 2 introduces a new idea (online shopping), which should be avoided in a conclusion.

(Лучшее заключение — номер 1. Оно эффективно подводит итог основной мысли (о наличии плюсов и минусов), выражает четкое мнение («Я считаю, что их влияние в основном положительное») и завершается сильным финальным утверждением. Номер 2 вводит новую идею (онлайн-шоппинг), чего следует избегать в заключении.)

USEFUL LANGUAGE

d. Complete the missing words. Some (but not all) are in the model essay.

(Вставьте пропущенные слова. Некоторые (но не все) из них есть в образце эссе.)

1. The greatest benefit is that…

2. First and most importantly, smartphones give us an incredible amount of information.

3. One drawback of smartphones is the cost…

4. Another significant downside to smartphones is that employees can always be contacted.

5. In addition,

6. What is more,

7. Not only that, but…

8. Another point in favour is that…

9. On the whole,

10. On balance,

11. All in all,

12. All things considered,

PLANNING WHAT TO WRITE

a. Look at the essay title below and, with a partner, brainstorm the pros and cons of the topic. Then decide on the three main arguments for each side that are relevant to the title. The growth of online shopping has greatly improved life for the consumer.

(Посмотрите на заголовок эссе ниже и вместе с партнером обсудите плюсы и минусы темы. Затем определите три основных аргумента для каждой стороны, которые соответствуют заголовку. Рост онлайн-шопинга значительно улучшил жизнь потребителя.)

b. Write an introduction for the essay.

(Напишите вступление для эссе.)

Online shopping has become an integral part of modern consumerism. It offers unparalleled convenience and choice, transforming how people buy goods and services. But does this growth in online retail truly represent an overall improvement for the consumer?

(Онлайн-шопинг стал неотъемлемой частью современного потребительства. Он предлагает беспрецедентное удобство и выбор, изменяя то, как люди покупают товары и услуги. Но действительно ли этот рост онлайн-торговли представляет собой общее улучшение для потребителя?)

c. Compare your introduction with a partner. Together, make a final version.

(Сравните свое вступление с партнером. Вместе создайте окончательную версию.)

Для ответа на вопрос недостаточно данных.

WRITING

Write an essay of between 220 and 260 words on the topic above.

(Напишите эссе объемом от 220 до 260 слов на указанную выше тему.)

Online shopping has become an integral part of modern consumerism. It offers unparalleled convenience and choice, transforming how people buy goods and services. But does this growth in online retail truly represent an overall improvement for the consumer?

On the one hand, the benefits for the consumer are significant. First and most importantly, online shopping offers incredible convenience. People can purchase items from the comfort of their home at any time, day or night, avoiding crowds and saving time. In addition, the internet provides access to a global marketplace, meaning the variety of products available is far greater than in any physical store. Another point in favour is the ability to easily compare prices from different retailers, ensuring consumers get the best possible deal.

On the other hand, online shopping has notable downsides. One major drawback is the inability to physically inspect products before purchase. This can lead to disappointment if an item’s quality, size, or colour is not as expected. What is more, delivery can be problematic, with potential for delays, damaged goods, or high shipping fees that negate initial savings. A further significant disadvantage is the negative effect on local economies, as the decline of high-street shops leads to job losses and less vibrant communities.

All things considered, while online shopping presents some clear challenges, its advantages for the consumer are undeniable. The convenience, choice, and potential for savings it offers have fundamentally improved the shopping experience for many. Provided that consumers shop carefully, the benefits of online retail appear to outweigh the drawbacks.

(Перевод эссе)

Онлайн-шопинг стал неотъемлемой частью современного потребительства. Он предлагает беспрецедентное удобство и выбор, изменяя то, как люди покупают товары и услуги. Но действительно ли этот рост онлайн-торговли представляет собой общее улучшение для потребителя?

С одной стороны, преимущества для потребителя значительны. Во-первых, и это самое главное, онлайн-шопинг предлагает невероятное удобство. Люди могут покупать товары, не выходя из дома, в любое время дня и ночи, избегая толп и экономя время. Кроме того, интернет предоставляет доступ к глобальному рынку, что означает, что разнообразие доступных товаров намного больше, чем в любом физическом магазине. Еще одним плюсом является возможность легко сравнивать цены у разных продавцов, что гарантирует потребителям получение наилучшего предложения.

С другой стороны, у онлайн-шопинга есть заметные недостатки. Один из главных минусов — невозможность физически осмотреть товары перед покупкой. Это может привести к разочарованию, если качество, размер или цвет товара не соответствуют ожиданиям. Более того, доставка может быть проблематичной, с вероятностью задержек, повреждения товаров или высоких транспортных расходов, которые сводят на нет первоначальную экономию. Еще одним существенным недостатком является негативное влияние на местную экономику, поскольку упадок обычных магазинов приводит к потере рабочих мест и менее оживленным городским центрам.

Принимая все во внимание, хотя онлайн-шопинг и сопряжен с некоторыми очевидными трудностями, его преимущества для потребителя неоспоримы. Удобство, выбор и возможность экономии, которые он предлагает, коренным образом улучшили опыт покупок для многих. При условии, что потребители делают покупки осмотрительно, преимущества онлайн-торговли, по-видимому, перевешивают недостатки.