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
Essay writing at B2 level is no different from B2 letter writing in that candidates are still expected to write formally, give good, clear arguments and develop their ideas using a variety of grammatical structures and vocabulary expected at this level.
To see what the different types of essays are and how they may be structured, read B2 Writing: The Basics.
Let us deal with the following question:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the Internet in education? Is the Internet a useful educational tool or does it pose too many risks? Give examples to support your opinions.
Read the following sample essay, keeping in mind what has already been said in "What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog?".
Please note that this essay is approximately 300 words and is therefore much longer than what is expected at B2 level.
For more help with B2-level English Exams, click on the image below.
It is an undeniable fact that technology is changing the way we view and do work on a day-to-day basis. To be more precise, the Internet has revolutionized the way we obtain information and is an especially useful tool in schools. And yet, although many would be quick to highlight the advantages of using the Internet in classrooms, many point out the drawbacks associated with it.
On
the one hand, those who think it unwise to hook computers up to the Internet in
schools state two reasons in support of their opinion. The first is that children
will spend too much time browsing the Net instead of scanning it for specific
information related to homework given or the lesson at hand. Another reason is
that many sites are unreliable either because the information contained has
been written by non-experts, which means it could be wrong, or because the
sites themselves are suitable for adults only, not youngsters.
On
the other hand, being connected to the Internet presents a number of benefits
for students. Teachers have a tool at their disposal that will add variety to
their lessons and motivate their students because it is a fact that the
majority of teens enjoy working on a computer. Getting used to this will also
help students become familiar with the technology they will use at university
or at work in the future. Lastly, no matter what is said about the accuracy of
the information found on the Net, teachers can always guide students to find
suitable sources of facts while security programs can lock students out of
potentially dangerous websites.
All
in all, despite the risks posed, the Internet is a motivational tool that, when
used wisely, offers a treasure trove of information to students. With the
proper guidance and assistance, the latter will learn more than just what they
see written in textbooks.