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Lesson
Writing Task 2: "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
This question needs a judgement, not just a list. Learn how to weigh both sides and build towards a clear answer, then write an essay about studying abroad.
A list is not an answer
"Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" asks you to decide. An essay that only lists both sides has not answered the question.
A reliable structure
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase + your answer: I believe the benefits clearly outweigh the drawbacks. |
| Body 1 | The disadvantages (the weaker side), presented fairly |
| Body 2 | The advantages (the stronger side), developed more fully |
| Conclusion | Repeat your judgement and why one side is stronger |
Develop each idea
A Band 6–7 idea has four steps: claim → reason → example → result.
Claim: Studying abroad improves language skills dramatically.
Reason: Students have to use the language every day, not just in class.
Example: A student in Canada must speak English to rent a flat, open a bank account and make friends.
Result: Within a year, many reach a level that would take much longer at home.
Reason: Students have to use the language every day, not just in class.
Example: A student in Canada must speak English to rent a flat, open a bank account and make friends.
Result: Within a year, many reach a level that would take much longer at home.
Weighing language
Although X is a real concern, Y is more significant because… · On balance,… · The long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term costs.
Practise freely
Questions 1–4
These sentences make up one developed idea. What does each sentence do? Choose A–D.
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For instance, a student in Australia who works part-time in a café learns to deal with customers, deadlines and colleagues from many backgrounds.
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Living abroad also makes young people far more independent.
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As a result, they often return home with a confidence that employers value highly.
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This is because they must manage money, cook, and solve problems without their family nearby.
Questions 5–7
Choose the best answer.
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Which introduction answers an "outweigh" question?
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Which sentence weighs one side against the other?
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In which paragraph should you develop your stronger side most fully?
Your turn: write the essay
An increasing number of students choose to study in a foreign country. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Write at least 250 words.
Check your answer
Model answer
Every year, more young people leave their home countries to attend university abroad. Although this choice involves considerable costs and personal challenges, I believe the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
There are undeniable drawbacks. The most obvious is cost: tuition fees for international students are often several times higher than those paid by local students, and living expenses in cities such as London or Sydney can place a heavy burden on families. In addition, many students experience homesickness and loneliness, particularly during their first months, which can affect both their wellbeing and their studies. Some also struggle to adapt to an unfamiliar academic culture, in which independent research may be valued far more than memorising textbooks.
However, the benefits are more significant and longer-lasting. First, living in another country improves language skills far more quickly than classroom study, because students must use the language for everything from renting a flat to making friends. Second, studying abroad makes young people more independent. Without their families nearby, they learn to manage money, solve problems and adapt to unfamiliar situations, and they often return with a confidence that employers value highly. Finally, international graduates build networks of friends and contacts from many countries, which can open doors throughout their careers.
While the financial cost is real, it is a short-term investment, and homesickness usually fades as students settle in. By contrast, fluency, independence and an international outlook last a lifetime. For these reasons, I am convinced that, for students who can afford it, the advantages of studying abroad far outweigh the disadvantages.
(259 words)
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64 academic collocations for Writing Task 2
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