How to write an essay in English? Outline, structure and sample essay. How to write an essay in English (preparation for the Unified State Exam)

Without much embellishment, we can say that in the Unified State Examination in English, the essay is the most difficult task. How can you correctly express your thought, give it logical arguments, support them with examples and explanations, and at the same time format the text correctly and without errors, and also not go beyond the limit on the number of words? In this article we will try to analyze the structure of the essay and give tips on improving the quality of your essay.

Let's start from the end. The essay you write will be assessed according to the following criteria:

The maximum number of points you can receive for an essay is 14 points.

Before thinking about how to properly fulfill each criterion, first let's make our English essay testable. The most important thing here is volume.

Formally, your English essay should be within 200-250 words. This should not be taken literally and panic if you have written 198 words. However, keep in mind that the essay will not be checked if the number of words in it is less than 180. If you get more than 275 words, then the examiner will count 250 words from the beginning of the essay, mark out the rest and check everything down to the line. That is, in the first scenario you lose the entire essay; with the second, you will most likely lose the conclusion, which is also important.

First of all, your English essay must cover ALL the aspects outlined in the assignment, and must also be written in an appropriate (neutral) style. It should be logically divided into paragraphs and correspond to the plan proposed in the assignment.

In order not to get confused in the process of writing your essay, you need to spend 5-7 minutes thinking about the plan and preparing all the arguments. Traditionally, we will divide the essay into five paragraphs.

Paragraph 1. Introduction

There should be a problem statement here. Since the statement of the problem is already stated in the assignment, your task is to correctly retell it. It is RETELL, not paraphrase.

Advice: Do not re-read the task 10 times until the wording is hammered into your head. Then writing the introduction in your own words will be very, very difficult. Read the situation given in the task once or twice, make sure you understand it correctly. Close the finished situation and try to retell it in English exactly as you understood it, as if you were telling a friend about it who did not understand what was being said. ATTENTION: after you have done this, be sure to open the situation and make sure that your retelling essentially coincides with the situation given to you. Now you can move on.

Instead of banal “ Some people think, ... Others think, ...” can be used:

Some people claim that ..., while others argue that ...

After you have described the essence of the problem, you can ask the question directly, which you will answer in your essay. For example: “What is better: ... or ...?”, “What should we do: ... or ...?” etc. In 2018, a clarification was issued that classified rhetorical questions as stylistic errors. That's why we don't use them.

The last sentence of the introductory paragraph should state the purpose of your essay. This can be done, for example, like this:

In this essay I will try to look upon this issue.
In this essay I will try to express my opinion on this issue.
In this essay I would like to express my point of view on this issue.
In this essay I will try to answer this question. (This is the simplest option, if it is difficult for you to remember the previous two, remember it)

Paragraph 2. Your opinion

It is most logical to start this paragraph by expressing your position on this issue. Useful phrases (be sure to follow this punctuation!):

In my opinion...
From my point of view, ...
To my mind...
Personally, I think that...
I am certain that... (Please note! We do not abbreviate: we write I am...)
As far as I am concerned, ...

Next, you need to give 2-3 arguments confirming your point of view. There can be any arguments, as long as you interpret them correctly. That is, such that it would be difficult to argue with them (within reasonable limits, of course).

Advice: It is better to give 2 arguments and justify them in detail and give examples to support them, than 3 short and not fully developed ones. Remember that the essay has a word limit.

Here we must not forget about the means of logical connection of sentences. The first argument is good to start with:

Firstly...
To start with, ...
To begin with, ...
First of all...

After you have formulated the first argument, you need to confirm it and/or give an example to support it. Here are the simplest models of how this can be done:

<аргумент>,because...
<аргумент>. That's why...
<аргумент>. For example, ...

If you started with the word “Firstly,...”, then the second argument should begin with the word Secondly...

If the first argument came with the phrases “To start with, ...”, “To begin with, ...”, then the second one can begin with the following words:

Moreover...
Furthermore,...
Besides...
In addition...

The second argument must also be supported by an example or proof.

Paragraph 3. Opposite opinion

You will begin the paragraph by stating an opposing opinion on the proposed topic or issue. You can do it like this:

Others believe that...
Some people argue that...
However, some people think that...

This is followed by 1-2 arguments confirming the opposite opinion. I advise you to initially think about two. And how much to write in the end: 1 or 2 – decide in the process, based on the resulting size of your essay.

Advice: You will have to challenge opposing arguments later, so when you come up with them initially, think about how you will challenge them. If you have nothing to object to an invented argument, it is better to immediately replace it with another, so as not to have to do this while writing an essay. It's also limited!

Tip: When challenging arguments, you should not repeat anything written in the second paragraph. Therefore, if you cannot come up with a counterargument without repeating yourself, try to come up with something else. Alternatively, you can come up with other arguments in favor while the essay is not yet written. In any case, it is better to think about this initially while you are planning your essay, rather than during the writing process!

Paragraph 4. Your counterarguments

The point of this paragraph is to explain why you disagree with the opposing opinion. You can start a paragraph, for example, with a sentence:

I cannot agree with this opinion because ...
I am afraid I cannot agree with this idea because ...
“I am afraid” rather than “I"m afraid” sounds a little strange, but it’s better not to shorten it, because you can pay for it with precious points.

ATTENTION: if you gave two arguments in the previous paragraph, then you must refute both. They can be distinguished by the following phrases:

As for...,
Speaking about...,
As far as... is concerned,

Advice: When refuting opposing arguments, it is best to suggest ways to solve them, rather than prove their ineffectiveness. For example, if someone believes that pets are dangerous, then one should not argue that they are, in fact, harmless. It is better to turn this disadvantage into an advantage, saying that they are excellent guards in country houses.

Paragraph 5. Conclusion

The most common mistake many students make is that in conclusion they simply express their opinion. This is not enough. After all, the conclusion applies to the entire essay, not just the second paragraph.

Thus, in the conclusion you need to summarize everything that was said in the essay and express your point of view. You can also give your recommendations on the existing problem. The most important thing is that the conclusion should not contain any new information.

In conclusion...
To sum up...
To conclude...

Next, we let the reader understand that there are two points of view on this problem, and despite the opposite point of view, we still adhere to ours. For example, this can be done according to the following scheme:

Despite the fact that ..., I am convinced that ...
Taking into consideration different opinions on this issue, I believe that ...

Language design of the essay

After you have written your Unified State Exam essay in English, be sure to review it again for possible errors. From my experience of the most common mistakes, I advise you to pay attention to the following things.

An essay or topic in English is an important part of writing. Writing an essay helps you expand your vocabulary and practice complex grammatical structures. Essay is one of the most important and difficult tasks in English proficiency exams. It is found both in the Unified State Exam and in international exams -, etc. Writing an essay in English is more difficult than a letter or email, therefore the requirements for essays are much higher. It must correspond to the narrative style chosen in advance, cover the topic in detail and be strictly structured, not to mention the fact that grammatical errors are unacceptable in the essay. Depending on the topic and purpose, compositions or essays in English can be of several types.

Types of essays

Descriptive

Main goal: describe the main features of an object, process, phenomenon.

This type of essay allows for an emotional, expressive style that includes a large amount of detail. When writing such a text, forget about brevity and conciseness. Use your imagination to describe exactly what you want.

Analytical

Main goal: analyze and critically evaluate the stated topic.

Among all types of essays, this one stands out due to its increased requirements for the structure of the text and the logic of the narrative. In an analytical essay, it is important to strictly organize information and present it consistently. Linking words also play an important role here, allowing the reader to follow your train of thought.

Essay-reasoning

Main goal: to present arguments for and against a position.

The features of this essay include a large number of examples given and the disclosure of different ideas and views. To write such an essay, it is important to conduct thorough research on the chosen topic.

Persuasive

The main goal: to convince readers of your point of view.

This type of essay involves a correspondence discussion with readers. The author’s task here is to argue his position as convincingly as possible so that readers agree with it. To achieve this goal, it is possible to manipulate the emotions of readers, but the main tools should be logical structure and accurate facts.

Compare and Contrast

Main Objective: Discuss the main differences and similarities between the selected objects. In this topic, the author will have to sort different things or concepts into categories. This type of essay is useful when you need to analyze the differences between objects.

Causal

Main purpose: Explain how and why certain causes will lead to certain results.

This essay suggests two options for constructing the text: one result and several reasons that caused it; or one cause that led to several results. This type of essay is often used in topics about ecology and politics.

Essay structure

A standard essay in English consists of different types information that is located in special sections of the text. Even in a short topic, three such sections are required: introduction, basic information or “body” and conclusion.

Introduction

The introductory paragraph of the topic should contain the formulation of the thesis and general outline make it clear to the reader what the essay will be about. The introduction should end with a word or phrase that takes the reader into the first paragraph of the next section of the essay.

Body

First paragraph

The first paragraph of the essay should contain the strongest argument, the most expressive example, or the most suitable illustration. The first sentence of this paragraph should continue the introduction. The main idea of ​​the paragraph should be contained there or in the second sentence.

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Second paragraph

The second paragraph should contain the second strongest argument or illustrative example. In terms of content, it continues the first paragraph, supplementing it with new information.

Third paragraph

The third paragraph uses the weakest argument or illustrative example. The main information of the essay is also supplemented here, but it is no longer as important as in the first two paragraphs of the main part. The last sentence of the third paragraph should refer the reader to the conclusion.

Example in English

Translation

In a similar way, we are all like Edison in our own way. Whenever we learn a new skill - be it riding a bike, driving a car, or cooking a cake - we learn from our mistakes. Few, if any, are ready to go from training wheels to a marathon in a single day but these early experiences (these so-called mistakes) can help us improve our performance over time. You cannot make a cake without breaking a few eggs and, likewise, we learn by doing and doing inevitably means making mistakes.

In a way, we are all like Edison in our own journey. Whenever we learn a new skill—whether it's riding a bike, driving a car, or baking a cake—we learn from our mistakes. Few, if any, can go from beginner to pro, but these experiences (called mistakes) can help us improve our performance over time. You can't make a pie without breaking a few eggs, and besides, we learn by doing, and every action involves making mistakes.

Conclusion

The final paragraph is the last in order, but by no means the last in importance. This is your last chance to convey your thoughts and position to the reader, so once again try to clearly and logically formulate the main message of the essay. Don't drag out your final paragraph—three or four sentences will be enough.

Useful phrases for each part

Introduction

This topic discusses– This essay examines...
The definition of… will be given– The definition... will be given...
The topic focused on– This topic is focused on...
In this essay- In this essay.
The key aspect discussed– Key aspect of the discussion.
Views on … range from– Views on... range from...
The central theme- Central theme.
Emphasised are- It is emphasized that...

Body

For example- For example
As can be seen in- As you can see in...
An illustration of- In the illustration...
As demonstrated by– As demonstrated in...
Is observed– Under consideration
Another essential point– Another important aspect
Additionally- In addition
More importantly– What is even more important
In the same way- At the same time

Conclusion

In summary- Generally.
In conclusion- In conclusion.
In brief- In short.
To summarize- To sum it up.
To sum up- To sum it up.
To conclude– In conclusion
Thus- Thus.
Hence- From here.
It has been shown that- It has been shown that...
In short- In short.

Linking words and introductory words for essays in the table

English word/phrase	Translation	Usage
In order to	in order to	Used to begin explaining the purpose of an essay or a specific argument.
In other words	in other words	Helps to express thoughts more clearly, simply, and understandably.
To put it another way	on the other side	Synonymous with "in other words".
What is to say	that is	Allows you to add more detail to your explanation.
Moreover	moreover
What's more	moreover	Allows you to provide more arguments to support the author's point of view.
Likewise	like this	Allows you to describe something that confirms that the author is right.
Another key thing to remember	one more thing to remember	A synonym for “as well,” which can be used to add additional detail to a description.
As well as	and also	A semantic synonym for the conjunction “and”, which helps add new information.
Coupled with	along with	Used when considering two or more parameters simultaneously.
However	however	Used to start a phrase that contradicts the previous one.
On the other hand	on the other side	Used to show a contrary opinion to what has just been expressed, or to look at an issue from a different angle.
By contrast/in comparison	opposite/compared	Helps to consider the similarities and differences of compared objects.
Despite this	despite this	Used to show an opinion that exists contrary to the previous statement.
Significantly	significantly	Used to indicate statements whose meaning may not be immediately clear.

Criteria for assessing essays in international exams in the table

International exams (using the example of IELTS) Unified State Exam

In this exam, the essay, which is part of the Writing section, is scored on four criteria.

Format and rules for writing an essay “expressing opinion”

The essay “expressing opinion” is written in a formal (business) style.
In this type of essay, you need to express your point of view on a given topic, as well as bring other people’s points of view opposite to yours and explain why you disagree with them. Your opinion should be clearly stated and supported by examples or evidence.
The volume of the essay is 200-250 words (minimum 180 words, maximum 275)
The essay should actively use constructions such as “In my opinion”, “I think”, “I believe”
It is necessary to use introductory words and constructions like “On the one hand, on the other hand”..., linking words (Nevertheless, Moreover, Despite...)
It is prohibited to use abbreviations such as “I’m”, “they’re”, “don’t”, “can’t” (otherwise the score for organizing the essay will be reduced)
The “expressing opinion” essay has a strict structure, changing which when writing the essay will lead to a decrease in score. The essay “expressing opinion” consists of 4 paragraphs:

1) Introduction(intro)

In the introduction, you must clearly formulate the topic-problem, indicating that there are two opposing points of view on the problem (Some people claim that mobile phones are very useful devices while others argue that life could be less stressful without them.) and express your opinion without using too many personal constructs
However, the first sentence should not repeat the given topic of the essay word for word. Recommended ending of the first paragraph: Now I would like to express my point of view on the problem of …

2) Main part

1 paragraph. Give 2-3 arguments supporting your point of view, supporting them with examples or evidence.
In the second paragraph you should adhere to only ONE point of view, for example: Mobile phones in my opinion are very useful devices. OR I consider the mobile phone to be a harmful and useless invention.
You must provide 2-3 arguments with evidence to support your opinion

2 paragraph. Give opposing points of view (1-2), and explain why you DO NOT agree with them. Example: However, some people think that mobile phones not only keep you in touch with your relatives and friends but also provide you with a great number of facilities. I can’t agree with this statement because…
Your counterarguments to the opinions of other people should not repeat the 2nd paragraph.

3) Conclusion

It is necessary to conclude, referring to the topic given in the 1st paragraph, that there are 2 points of view on the problem, and also confirm your own point of view.
For example: “There are different points of view on this problem. I think that...” or “Taking everything into consideration, there are two different points of view on this problem. I believe that…

Useful vocabulary for composition"expressing opinion"

1 paragraph Introductory phrases

• It is popularly believed that….
• People often claim that... Some people argue that...
• A lot of people think that…
• It is often suggested/believed that…
• Many people are in favor of the idea that... Many people are convinced that...
• Some people are against…

2 paragraph. Phrases expressing your point of view:

• I would like to explain my point of view on this situation.
• I would like to express my opinion on this problem.

Phrases characterizing the advantages of the problem under discussion:

• As already stated I’m in favor of… for a number of reasons…
• There are many things to be said in favor of…
• The best/ thing about……. is...

Phrases listing points of view:

• Firstly, /First of all….
• In the first place
• To start with, / To begin with,
• Secondly, Thirdly, Finally,
• Last but not least,

Phrases that add new arguments:

• Furthermore, /Moreover, /What is more,
• As well as…. /In addition to this/that…
• Besides, /…….also….
• Not only…., but…… as well.
• Apart from this/that….
• not to mention the fact that

3 paragraph.

• Some people believe that… however they fail to understand that…
• they fail to consider that… they forget that…
• Some people argue that…. I can't agree with it as...
• I disagree with this point of view (statement, opinion) because …
• It has become fashionable for some people to argue that…
• Contrary to what most people believe, I think that…
• As opposed to the above ideas…I believe that…

4 paragraph. Closing phrases:

• In conclusion,
• On the whole,
• To conclude
• To sum up
• All in all,
• All things considered
• Finally,
• Lastly
• Taking everything into account,
• Taking everything into consideration

Expression of personal opinion:

• In my opinion this subject is very controversial
• In my view…
• To my mind...
• To my way of thinking…
• Personally I believe that…
• I feel strongly that...
• It seems to me that...
• As far as I am concerned…

Criteria for assessing the completion of tasks C2

	Solving a communication problem (CONTENTS)	ORGANIZATION OF THE TEXTS		Grammar	Spelling and punctuation
	The task is completed in full: the content reflects all aspects specified in the task; the style of speech is chosen correctly, taking into account the purpose of the statement and the addressee; the norms of politeness accepted in the language are observed.	The statement is logical: the means of logical connection are chosen correctly; the text is divided into paragraphs; the format of the statement is chosen correctly	The vocabulary used is appropriate to the task at hand; There are practically no violations in the use of vocabulary. (1-2 errors)	Grammatical structures are used in accordance with the task at hand. Virtually no errors. (1-2 errors)
	The task is completed: some aspects specified in the task are not fully disclosed; there are individual violations of the stylistic design of speech; generally accepted norms of politeness in the language are observed	The statement is basically logical; there are some disadvantages when using logical communication means; there are some disadvantages when dividing the text into paragraphs; there are some violations of the format of the statement	The vocabulary used corresponds to the task, however, there are some inaccuracies in the use of words or the vocabulary is limited. But the vocabulary is used correctly (3-7 errors)	There are a number of grammatical errors that do not impede understanding of the text (3-7 errors)	There are practically no spelling errors. The text is divided into sentences with correct punctuation (1-2 errors)
	The task has not been completed completely: the content does not reflect all aspects specified in the task; There are often violations of style; generally the accepted norms of politeness in the language are not observed	The statement is not always logical: there are shortcomings or errors in the use of means of logical communication, their choice is limited; division of text into paragraphs is illogical or absent; there are numerous errors in the format of the statement	An unreasonably limited vocabulary was used; There are frequent violations in the use of vocabulary, some of which may make it difficult to understand the text	Either elementary-level errors are common, or errors are few in number but make it difficult to understand the text. (8-12 errors)	There are a number of spelling or punctuation errors that make the text significantly more difficult to understand (3-10 errors)
	The task was not completed: the content does not reflect those aspects specified in the task or does not correspond to the required volume (200-250 words) Note: the minimum number of words is 180, the maximum is 275. If the essay has 179 words - “0” for content, if there are more than 276 words, then only 250 words from the beginning are checked.	There is no logic in the construction of the statement; the format of the statement is not respected	An extremely limited vocabulary does not allow you to complete the task (cannot be placed if there is no “0” for content)	Grammar rules are not followed (more than 12 errors)	Spelling and punctuation rules are not followed More than 10 errors

Essay sample

Many cities in Europe do everything to promote bicycles as an ecologically clean type of transportation; however the governor of St. Petersburg signed a decree according to which bicycles will not be allowed in the city centre.

Do you agree that bicycles should be banned in the center of St. Petersburg?

Write 200-250 words

Use the following plan:

1. Introduction. (State the problem)

2. Express your opinion and give reasons for it.

3. Give other people's arguments and explain why they are wrong.

4. Make a conclusion

In European cities people ride bicycles a lot because they are aware that bikes help to save fuel and reduce pollution in cities. However, the governor of Saint-Petersburg decided to ban bicycles in the city center and I fully agree with it. I would like to explain my point of view on it.

In my opinion, the governor is absolutely right. In the first place, our roads are not adapted for biking as in Europe; they are too narrow and there are no separate lanes for bicycles. Moreover, bikes do not help the traffic situation but even sometimes make it worse as bicyclists often break traffic rules and cause accidents. In addition, the weather in St. Petersburg is not good for bicycle commuting. In winter roads are covered with ice, in autumn and in spring rains are frequent and roads are wet, so it is very difficult for cyclists to move.

On the other hand, some say that bikes are undoubtedly useful for our health, I can not agree with it completely as there are a lot of road accidents where cyclists are injured. Some people may argue that bikes are ecologically clean, but you can also put special purifying facilities on cars which are faster and more comfortable as transport.

To sum up, there are different points of view on this problem. I believe that bicycles should be banned in the city center where streets are not specially created for them. As I see it, a bike is a kind of transport for short trips in the countryside.

Unified State Exam in English. Letter. Task C2. Video tutorial.

And he will tell you in more detail about such a difficult type at first glance as the “for and against” essay. In the previous article we talked about the so-called , therefore, I propose, first of all, to understand the main question: how do they differ. The names themselves already tell us about the main difference: the main task opinion essays is a reasoned explanation of your point of view regarding the question proposed to you, thus, let me remind you that when writing this type of essay, our task is to accept one of the possible points of view and argue it as structured and consistently as possible. The situation is completely different with writing “for and against” essays: The basic rule to remember when starting to write such an essay is that clearly stating your point of view is not required or even encouraged. The main goal is to maintain an unbiased stance on the issue you are discussing, so your task will be to provide both arguments for and against, hence the name of this type of essay. It is usually much easier to argue for a point of view with which we agree, which is why this type of essay can be considered a little more difficult, because here we need to provide equally strong arguments regarding two opposing points of view.

As for the rules of construction, they will practically not differ from those that were considered when it came to opinion essays, but we will still consider those features that will distinguish this type of essay from any others. So:

1. Introduction paragraph– here you are faced with the main tasks: firstly, you clearly define the topic. Remember that you need to paraphrase the statement that serves as the topic of your essay, but in no case repeat it word for word. Secondly, you should remember that here you are not expressing your point of view, but only stating the fact that the issue under consideration may have several points of view, which you will consider further in your essay.
2. Main body– the main part will usually consist of two paragraphs, each of which will represent one of the possible points of view. Remember to stick strictly to one idea per paragraph. That is, one of them will provide arguments for, while the second will discuss arguments against. And, of course, don’t forget about topic sentences, which were discussed in the previous article.
3. Conclusion– The conclusion is the only part of your essay in which you can still make your point, but you can also remain neutral, continuing the tone of the entire essay.

So, what else do you need to take into account when starting to write “for and against” essays?

• Make a list of arguments for and against so that when you start writing, you already have your ideas formulated, and all you have to do is choose those that you consider more successful or convincing.
• Try to support your arguments with examples.
• Remember that a paragraph cannot consist of only one sentence.
• Use an exclusively formal style.
• Try to use any quotes that are relevant to the topic of your essay.

And, of course, phrases that will help you express your ideas:

• To present ideas: one major advantage / disadvantage, a further advantage / disadvantage, one point of view in favor of / against.
• To list ideas: to start with, to begin with, firstly, secondly, thirdly, finally, in the first place, last but not least.
• To add information to an idea already submitted: apart from this / that, besides, in addition to, furthermore, what is more, there is another side to the issue / question / argument of, not to mention (the fact) that, also, not only...but also / as well.
• To present opposing ideas: it may be said / discussed / claimed that, nonetheless, nevertheless, however, still, yet, but, whereas, despite / in spite of (the fact that), although, though, even though, while, while, regardless of the fact that, even so, on the other hand.
• To give examples: for example, for instance, such as, like, in particular, particularly, especially, this is (clearly) illustrated / shown by the fact that…, the / a clear / striking / typical example of (this)…, the fact that ... shows / illustrates that…
• To conclude: in conclusion, on balance, all things considered, to sum up, all in all, finally / lastly, taking everything into account / consideration, to conclude.

An essay in a foreign language requires high-quality content and a good organizational structure, as well as competent language design.

It is one of the most problematic tasks when passing the unified exam. state exam. In terms of complexity, only listening can compete with it. Therefore, training in essay writing should be especially intense and intensive.

Since 2012, the time allocated for the entire foreign language exam has been increased to 180 minutes. Since the rest of the exam tasks have not been changed, we recommend that you spend additional time on the written part (80 minutes). Moreover, the plan for the assignments is clarified, which can make the task of writing easier.

In my opinion, cars should not be allowed into the city centers as they add to pollution and poison the air we breathe. We must also think about the people who live in the center and suffer from the noise made by cars. Moreover, the streets in the center are usually narrow therefore people are often stuck in traffic for many hours and, as a result, arrive late at their destination. Final-ly, with ho cars in city centers, there would be no need for large ugly car parks, which would allow more space for parks. However, many people believe we would not be able to survive without cars because most of the products for shops and other businesses are transported by cars. Besides, they are afraid that public transport would be overloaded. I am sure it is possible to solve these problems by introducing a reliable high frequency tram service as well as developing the underground. As for goods, we could use electric vehicles for their delivery.

To sum up, I believe that a clean, reliable and environmentally friendly public service would encourage people to use public transport and help smooth the transition to a car-free zone.

Learning a foreign language is the best thing to do, learning it in the country where it is spoken. Do you agree

Nowadays people spend lots of money in order to go to an English-speaking country to improve their language skills. But is it really the most effective way of learning a language? In my view, studying in a foreign country has certain drawbacks. Firstly, this way is very expensive as the tuition fee for overseas students is rather high. Besides, when you study abroad, you have to adapt to a very different way of life, which can be quite stressful. What is more, English teachers do not speak Russian so if you don’t know English well, you will not understand their explanation.

It is often assumed that it is better to study a language abroad because you can always use it speaking with native speakers. However, I doubt that we will have lots of opportunities to speak abroad as we do not know many people there. It is also believed that Russian teachers are not as qualified as those in England. I totally disagree with this opinion because Russian teachers can compare two languages ​​and explain grammar rules better.

To sum up, I would argue that the best way to learn a language is to study it in your native country because you can always get the necessary help from your teachers. Moreover, today we have lots of opportunities to improve our skills such as communicating with English pen-friends over the Internet. I think that we should travel abroad so as to practice a language but not to study it.

Foreign languages. Nowadays 2-3 languages ​​are taught in schools. Pros and cons

Most people understand that without knowledge of foreign languages ​​it is difficult to survive in the modern world. Therefore they send their children to schools where they can study two or even three foreign languages. However, is it good to study several languages ​​simultaneously? On the one hand, foreign languages ​​are the main part of our culture so they help us to expand our outlook. We cannot broaden our minds if we see the world only from the perspective of our own culture. In addition, learning languages ​​is a good exercise for the intellect. Moreover, if pupils know at least one foreign language, they learn new languages ​​much faster. On the other hand, many pupils find it confusing to learn two or three languages ​​at a time, especially languages ​​that are similar, because children usually mix up lots of words. Besides, some languages ​​are tricky enough to learn. For example, in English there are more exceptions than rules. In this case, children can be overloaded with homework. More than that, some pupils do not know their native language well and learning several foreign languages ​​could prevent them from mastering their own language.

In conclusion, I want to say that learning languages ​​is extremely beneficial and I would like to know different foreign languages. However, I believe children should not learn too many languages ​​at the same time so as not to get confused. They ought to get a solid base in one language before they start learning a new one. 16. Internet. Pros and cons We live in the age of information technology and nowadays the Internet is nearly as common as the telephone. No doubt that it is a unique invention, which has influenced all areas of our lives. However, some people consider the Internet one of the greatest evils of our time. On the one hand, the Internet is very useful, because it lets us access a world of facts, figures and knowledge. In addition, with the Internet, it is now possible to speak to friends and relatives any-where in the world cheaply and quickly. Other services are also available through the Internet such as booking tickets or buying things. Moreover, the Internet allows a lot of talented people to show the world their achievements and makes it easier to find a job. On the other hand, the Internet can become a disaster for our society, because people spend hours in front of their computers and neglect their everyday duties. Another worry is the activities of cybercriminals. For example, hackers can steal your money or even your property while cyberterrorists may ‘attack’ the world’s computers, causing chaos, and making planes and trains crash. What is more, leaders of different terrorist or oppositional organizations can use the Internet to find new followers.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that despite the criticisms by some and the fears of others, the Internet seems to have changed our world to the better and we must try to make the best use of it.

Cloning. Pros and cons

Recent advances in genetic biology have led us to quite a doubtful situation. People all over the world argue whether human cloning research should be controlled by the government as solving problems connected with human cloning is definitely not a piece of cake. In my opinion, human cloning experiments are extremely dangerous because there are huge risks of abnormalities in human clones. Moreover, if clones have been made, they will obviously have serious psychological problems connected with their unusual birth. Finally, there is no doubt that human cloning will change our perception of what is the value of a human life as we might change from having children to manufacturing them. However, scientists claim that human cloning could be very beneficial as therapeutic cloning could provide stem cells for regenerative medicine and tissues for transplantation. Besides, re-productive cloning will probably give parents who are both infertile an opportunity to have children. I am afraid that this technology is not safe enough to use on humans. It is also possible that clones will age quicker since the cell used in the cloning procedure has already been used in a real life individual.

To sum up, we must question whether human cloning is really worth it when weighed against the problems it raises. From my point of view, human reproductive cloning should be under the tight control of the government and the UN because it is dangerous to interfere with nature and the consequences can be really disastrous.

Books or computers. Who will win in the future

The latest advances in information technology make people think that schools of the future will use computers instead of printed books. Although electronic books have not been widely accepted yet, they have certain advantages over traditional paper volumes. But will they be able to replace printed books? In my opinion, students will be widely using computers for studying in the future. To begin with, computers can store lots of books in their memory and modern software allows us to quickly find the necessary information. Besides, with the interactive programs on computers studying will be much more exciting. What is more, electronic books will not degrade overtime like their counterparts printed. On the other hand, lots of disbelievers argue that computers will not replace printed books because a printed book is better for human eyes than a computer screen. In addition, books are cheaper and easier to use since they do not need electricity or the Internet connection. I cannot agree with this because modern computer screens emit no radiation and allow us to read even in low light conditions. Of course we will have to pay for electricity but I think it will be cheaper than to pay for printed books, which are very expensive nowadays.

To sum up, I think computers and printed books will peacefully coexist for years to come, but in the future technological progress will make it possible for students to carry laptops or even palmtops instead of traditional bags with lots of heavy books.

Computer games. Pros and cons

People have always had different hobbies but technological progress has caused the appearance of computers and computer games, which can keep a child occupied for hours. However, adults consider computer games a complete waste of time. As for me, I believe computer games are more than mindless entertainment. To begin with, computer games can teach people to achieve their aims as they regularly put obstacles and traps in the way of players which are necessary to overcome in order to progress through the rest of the game. Additionally, computer games can be a valuable source of accidental learning that can be applied to school, home, and social events. Moreover, teachers have also started to appreciate educational games as an opportunity to make their lessons more exciting. Nevertheless, quite a few people are against this activity as they find it rather addictive and harmful for children’s health. They argue that computer games make students neglect their school work. However, if we learn to control our computer use and play games for an hour just to relax after a hard day at school, this will not do us any harm. What is more, modern technology made it possible to eliminate the bad effect of computers on our eyes.

To sum up, I believe that computer games have more advantages than drawbacks. They make us persistent, develop our logical reasoning and help us to escape from everyday problems. The thing is to find a right balance between virtual reality and everyday reality.

Space. Pros and cons of space exploration

Space exploration can mean a major leap for mankind. However, it is often criticized because the price for these space experiments is too high, especially while poverty still exists in many parts of the world. On the one hand, space research is extremely beneficial as it advances technology. As a result of this work, we have lots of inventions, which have made our lives much more comfortable. In addition, through the exploration of space, we could find new elements, minerals or even discover new laws of physics and eventually learn more about ourselves. What is more, space exploration will allow us to establish a human civilization on another planet as a hedge against the catastrophe that might occur on the Earth. On the other hand, the benefits of space exploration are not self-evident, no matter how real they are. It costs billions of dollars to fund the projects of space science whereas this money should rather be spent on meeting the needs of the underprivileged. Besides, some of the technology we develop through space science can be used in a destructive manner if it is in the wrong hands. Finally, a travel to space can be dangerous as we may discover something that is extremely harmful for the living beings on Earth.

To conclude, I want to say that space exploration satisfies the human desire for adventure therefore most people are interested in space research. Nevertheless, I believe our governments should find the right balance between social and space programs.