In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
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Sample C2 level Essay
The following is a sample essay based on the Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) writing section. The question can be found on page 112 of the ECPE Book 1 Practice Examinations textbook published by the Hellenic American Union.
What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog?
Sample C2 level Essay
The following is a sample essay based on the Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) writing section. The question can be found on page 112 of the ECPE Book 1 Practice Examinations textbook published by the Hellenic American Union.
In most countries in the developed
world there is concern over the amount of advertising aimed at children. Should
this kind of advertising be regulated and if so, what measures should be
implemented? Discuss, giving reasons for your answer.
Not a
day goes by without our switching on the television and being bombarded by
innumerable commercials. Advertising on billboards, at bus stops and on the
radio are also recruited by advertising firms as a means of persuading
consumers to buy a particular brand. Children especially are the focus of such
firms, so a child who turns on the TV to watch a cartoon becomes highly vulnerable
to marketing gimmicks employed by advertising agencies, making it all the more necessary
for regulations to be put into place to protect minors, though some would disagree
with the implementation of restrictions.
Those,
on the one hand, who affirm that advertising should not be regulated point out
that we live in a free society, therefore all businesses have the right to be
heard, toy companies included. Hiring advertisers to familiarize the public
with one’s products is legal, thus advertising for these products is also
something that should be allowed in equal measure to advertising for any other
focus group. Why should limitations be placed on children’s commercials but not
on alcoholic beverages? If parents think that their children are being
excessively exposed to ads, they should monitor their children’s viewing, or if
they are afraid their children will wantonly purchase any products advertised,
then it is their job either to refuse to buy a toy or game console, or they can
give their children pocket money so a child can budget and choose to buy one of
the many products seen on TV.
On the
other hand, opponents state that ads aimed at children are as addictive as
cigarette ads, which already have strict controls placed over them. Children
are not aware of financial matters as they do not realize how difficult it is
to find work and make ends meet, nor do they understand the marketing tactics
advertisers use to entice customers to buy. This leads to a difficult situation
at home, with children nagging each time they are exposed to a series of
commercials. Indeed, those who ask that restrictions be placed on children’s
ads conclude that the sheer number of ads on TV is a form of brainwashing, so
regulations must be set down.
What
can be done about this dilemma, in fact, is not simple. Restricting companies
and advertising agencies is unconstitutional. We live in a free economy and as
long as that is the case, companies have the right to advertise their
merchandise. It is parents who should be responsible for their child’s
behavior, by refusing them a toy seen advertised or teaching them to budget
their weekly allowance. The only concern that must be addressed through
legislation is prohibiting violent or offensive material from being shown, but
that no doubt has already been anticipated, legally speaking.
All things considered, temptations will always
be present and children need to learn from an early age to deal with them.
Placing unreasonably strict limits on advertising agencies is unconstitutional,
and in view of the fact that it is a parent’s task to educate his or her
children, teaching a minor to curb consumerism and be reasonable when it comes
to financial decisions is the most effective way to dispel any worries with
regard to children’s advertising.
word count: approx. 530 words