ENGLISH
FOR-and-AGAINS ESSAY
April 2012
1. Match the four topic sentences below with the corresponding paragraph a.
Furthermore, people who move to a foreign country may be regarded with suspicion and treated unfairly.
b.
On the other hand, living abroad can be a way to escape a variety of problems presented in one's country of birth One argument in favour of staying in one's native country is that the problems of adapting to a new way of
c.
life cannot always be overcome. d.
Finally, it may be said that by living in a foreign country, people are able to establish a greater understanding between nations.
LIVING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY CANNOT BE BETTER THAN LIVING IN YOUR OWN
DISCUSS
How many people have, at one time or another, considered moving abroad - perhaps to somewhere where the climate is milder or the job opportunities are more favourable? Yet, although the advantages of such a move seem, at first sight, to be tempting, they have to be considered alongside the drawbacks. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________. The fact of the matter is that, even in cases where the language is the same, there are other changes, such as cultural differences, which an outsider might find difficult to adjust to. Even the weather can force some people to return to their country of origin. For example, take an Inuit and an Amazonian Indian. They would almost certainly find it impossible to adapt to the extreme climates of each other's native homes. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________. In countries with a large number of immigrants, they may stand out as being 'different' and even strange. As a consequence, the host country may react in a variety of ways, from open hostility and racism to depriving the immigrants of the right to equal pay. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________. For example, war, political or religious intolerance, and natural catastrophes are among the reasons for people seeking a new home in a foreign land. In such cases, people are often able to start a new life abroad with greater freedom and a higher standard of living. __________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________. That is to say, by working and living among foreigners, some of the barriers between countries can be broken down, helping to create a more peaceful world. Needless to say, better diplomatic relations would be of benefit to all. To sum up, it would seem that there are a great number of difficulties involved in settling in a new country, and clearly not everybody is suited to such major upheaval in their lives. However, it would be nice to think that greater integration could, perhaps, help break down prejudices and encourage world peace. 2. Fill in the table with useful expressions and linking words/phrases used in the text. To introduce points/arguments for or against To introduce examples To make contrasting points To express reality To emphasize a point To explain/clarify a point To list points To conclude 3. Give your opinion about this text. Is it well organised? Why/why not? in Successful Writing Proficiency (adapted)
ENGLISH
Worksheet 8
APRIL 2012
1. Match the four topic sentences below with the corresponding paragraph
LIVING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY CANNOT BE BETTER THAN LIVING IN YOUR OWN
DISCUSS
How many people have, at one time or another, considered moving abroad - perhaps to somewhere where the climate is milder or the job opportunities are more favourable? Yet, although the advantages of such a move seem, at first sight, to be tempting, they have to be considered alongside the drawbacks.
RHETORICAL QUESTION
c. One argument in favour of staying in one's native country is that the problems of adapting to a new way
of life cannot always be overcome. The fact of the matter is that, even in cases where the language is the same, there are other changes, such as cultural differences, which an outsider might find difficult to adjust to. Even the weather can force some people to return to their country of origin. For example, take an Inuit and an Amazonian Indian. They would almost certainly find it impossible to adapt to the extreme climates of each other's native homes. a. Furthermore, people who move to a foreign country may be regarded with suspicion and treated
unfairly. In countries with a large number of immigrants, they may stand out as being 'different' and even strange. As a consequence, the host country may react in a variety of ways, from open hostility and racism to depriving the immigrants of the right to equal pay. b. On the other hand, living abroad can be a way to escape a variety of problems presented in one's
country of birth.
For example, war, political or religious intolerance, and natural catastrophes are among the
reasons for people seeking a new home in a foreign land. In such cases, people are often able to start a new life abroad with greater freedom and a higher standard of living. d. Finally, it may be said that by living in a foreign country, people are able to establish a greater
understanding between nations. That is to say, by working and living among foreigners, some of the barriers between countries can be broken down, helping to create a more peaceful world. Needless to say, better diplomatic relations would be of benefit to all. To sum up, it would seem that there are a great number of difficulties involved in settling in a new country, and clearly not everybody is suited to such major upheaval in their lives. However, it would be nice to think that greater integration could, perhaps, help break down prejudices and encourage world peace. GIVING THE READER SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
2. Fill in the table with useful expressions and linking words/phrases used in the text. To introduce points/arguments for or against To introduce examples To make contrasting points To express reality To emphasize a point To explain/clarify a point To list points To conclude
One argument in favour of For example, take a / such as / In such cases yet, although, On the other hand, However, even The fact of the matter almost certainly, Needless to say, That is to say, Finally To sum up, it would seem that (balanced opinion)
3. Give your opinion about the text. Is it well organised? Why/why not?