Michael's Writing

@michael_writing

@michael_writing

@michael_writing

Q: It is better to learn the way people lived in the past through films and video records than written documents. To what extent do you agree or disagree? A: Some people believe that learning history from films is superior to studying it from books or written texts. I partially agree with this viewpoint because it is easier to imagine, feel and understand events on video, while texts can be a good source of valid and detailed information. To begin with, the reason to learn past events from videos could be that, by doing so, we can feel, imagine and understand history better. This is mainly because our brain processes visual information faster, and there is no need to think much ourselves since everything is presented on the screen. The actors, the editing, the soundtracks helps us better feel the the environment, characters and emotions. That is why instead of avoiding innovation, we could embrace it and use it for our advantage to make learning more engaging. For instance, the movie "The Pianist" did an exceptionally great job in conveying the atmosphere of World War 2, and anyone watching will definitely experience everything on their own. On the other hand, texts can be a siginificantly more reliable source of information when learning histor. Unlike movies, documents are written, checked and maintained by experts in the field to ensure credibility. This entire process of multi-step verification and validation makes them a reliable resource for learning about past events. For these reasons, documents can be a superior form of studying history compared to movies when it comes to detailed and precise information on certain topics. For example, history books, although not much entertaining, are always entirely focused on precision and credibility. In conclusion, while studying past events from films and videos can provide us with a better visual understanding of said events, I believe this is not enough of a reason to replace textbooks and historical documents, which give us a broader and more detailed knowledge. @michael_writing

I'll be sharing some of my students' essays here, they've become so good that they can be used as samples now. I'm proud 🙂.

Q: Online education is becoming increasingly popular nowadays. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this format? A: With the development of technology, a new format of learning has emerged which is entirely conducted online. This new format sure…

Q: Online education is becoming increasingly popular nowadays. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this format? A: With the development of technology, a new format of learning has emerged which is entirely conducted online. This new format sure has offered many benefits, the most noticeable one of which is its great convenience, however, the drawbacks such as lack of engagement must not be neglected. To begin with, one of the core advantages of studying online is that this way is remarkably convenient as opposed to traditional learning. The reason is the lack of necessity to visit a venue in order to attend the lesson, so both the teacher and the students save a great deal of time choosing to study online. Besides, this format is greatly flexible since it is possible to learn anytime from any place, as long as you have the proper connection. For these reasons, online education appears to be superior in several ways. The recent rise in popularity of online IELTS lessons can be a case in point – many students are turning to online courses because of the convenience and effectiveness of those. On the other hand, the main drawback of this format appears to be the complete lack of engagement between the tutor and the learners. Since students are not physcially present during the lessons, it is challenging for the teachers to encourage them to study and to be disciplined. This, in turn, may lead to students being distracted from the learning process, or even allow them to cheat on their tests since there is no direct monitoring. This means that, despite the benefits, online education, just like anything else, is not perfect and has its own disadvantages. For instance, a school student, if learning online, can freely miss the classess or just search the test answers on the internet and get away with cheating, simply because there is no one to control this. In conclusion, the recent advancements made online learning possible and it proved to have both advantages and disadvantages. The selling-point of online education is the convenience it has offered, while the weakness is lack of proper engagement between the learners and the tutors. (345 words) #task2 #bymichael #booster2 @Michael_Blog

This is way better than what I wrote in my real exam, so it's probably even worth an 8.5! Save it and send the analysis in the comments! #bymichael #task2 #2amessays @Michael_Blog

Q: Some people think that it is best to live in a horizontal city while others think of a vertical city. Discuss both views and give your opinion. A: Active urbanization all over the world has sparked a debate on urban planning, raising questions about whether horizontal or vertical cities are more favorable to live in. Despite vertical cities appearing to be superior from an economic perspective, I am of the opinion that the horizontal option is more advantageous from societal and economic viewpoints. The obvious advantages of vertical cities are certainly efficiency in terms of land usage and the amenities commonly present in this type of city. By optimally utilizing limited urban space, vertical cities can accommodate significantly larger populations and provide living and working spaces without relying on horizontal expansion. Moreover, this kind of city can consolidate various services and amenities in one area through convenient access to facilities such as shops, restaurants, or recreational venues. The centralized design of nearly all systems in vertical cities further promotes the efficient use of natural and man-made resources. On the other hand, a horizontal design seems to foster social interaction and is certainly more eco-friendly. As a result of low population density, horizontal cities strengthen the sense of community as residents have a close connection to their neighbors. Additionally, since these cities typically feature low-rise buildings and spread-out infrastructure, the ample space allows for more green areas such as parks and gardens, contributing to the environment and a higher quality of life. This in turn causes less congestion and increases the ease of movement for both pedestrians and cyclists, supporting the environment even more. Upon careful consideration of both urban plans, I think the horizontal one is more favorable. Although vertical cities occupy less land and appear to be more convenient, in my opinion, this design overlooks the environmental repercussions that may occur in the future, leaving generations to come in trouble. I believe there is and will be an abundance of land to expand cities horizontally for a long time, and sacrificing the environment solely for the sake of land would be foolish. In conclusion, in spite of several benefits of vertical cities, I firmly believe that the horizontal design is more advantageous since this approach promotes community interaction and provides ample green areas. (356 words) #task2 #bymichael #2amessays @Michael_Blog

Q: Some students take a gap year after graduating from school to work and travel before they continue their studies. However, some people think that working prepares them more to future life than travelling. To what extent do you agree or disagree? A: It is common for students to have what is known as a gap year upon graduating from school - working or traveling for a year before resuming their studies and applying to a university. This led to a debate about whether it is working which helps them more to get ready for life beyond education or is it traveling the one laying the groundwork. I concur with the idea that employment is a better means of building a foundation for future endeavors since it equips students with practical skills and assists them financially. The idea that exploring new territories is the most beneficial action to take seems favorable due to cultural exposure and language skills students obtain during their travels. Experiencing challenging situations in unknown environments during travel can foster personal growth and independence. When going on journeys to new destinations students are exposed to diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives, which in turn promotes cultural tolerance and a broader understanding of the world. At the same time, students have the opportunity to refine their language skills while traveling since they get a chance to talk to native speakers and learn from them. In spite of the fact that engaging in travel may seem favorable due to these reasons, I believe the advantages of working far outweigh those of traveling. The core benefit of a job during the gap year is undoubtedly practical skills. Students can choose to work in a specific field related to what they are planning to study at an institution, thus providing themselves with hands-on experience in the chosen career path. This enables them to develop practical skills and gain necessary knowledge relevant to what they will be learning at the university, simultaneously benefiting their studies. Moreover, working allows students to earn money and become financially independent, which can significantly aid them when they resume their studies. This way, by the time the gap year is over, a student will already have built a fund to pay the tuition or at least cover some university expenses. In conclusion, taking a gap year is associated either with employment or with going overseas, and the benefits of both are questioned. Although traveling may assist in enhancing soft skills such as mindset and language, I think that hard skills and financial freedom are of greater importance when it comes to spending a gap year effectively. (394 words) #task2 #bymichael #2amessays @Michael_Blog

Q: Competitiveness is a positive quality for people in most societies. How does competitiveness affect individuals? Is this a positive or negative development? A: Being competitive has long been considered a positive trait and it certainly can affect people in various ways. In my opinion, it is a necessary skill to possess for individuals across multiple aspects of life. To begin with, there are various things competitiveness can have an impact on. Firstly, it can serve as a push for individuals to constantly strive for personal growth. When a person knows there is someone who can potentially outstrip them, they tend to develop and sharpen their skills in order not to fall behind. Besides that, however, a constant desire to outperform one another can lead to increased anxiety and a negative spirit in environments where teamwork is as well essential. In a school environment, for example, students could benefit significantly more from assisting each other in their learning process rather than attempting to compare themselves to others and aim for being first. In this case, competitiveness can discourage cooperation and collaboration, which are crucial for collective progress. After weighing in all the pros and cons of competitiveness, I believe it can be considered a positive development despite certain edge cases where it might be odd. The drive to outperform others can motivate individuals to think creatively and find innovative solutions to problems they are facing. This in turn leads to self-improvement and personal growth. Moreover, being competitive also provides people with a sort of platform where they can showcase their skills and accomplishments, allowing them to gain recognition and perhaps even be rewarded for their hard work. In conclusion, competitiveness is a vital characteristic that can influence individuals in different ways. While it can foster stress and anxiety and hinder teamwork in certain environments, it fuels improvement which not only leads to personal but also societal advancement. (292 words) #task2 #bymichael #2amessays @Michael_Blog

Q: Young people who commit serious crimes should be punished in the same way as adults. Do you agree or disagree? A: The question of how governments must punish juvenile offenders remains contentious, and some suggest that they should receive a punishment comparable to that of adults. Despite a few valid justifications for equal punishment, I disagree with the provided statement and believe that states need to develop different measures to deal with youngsters. There are several reasons why young criminals must undergo similar punitive measures as adults when it comes to serious crimes. Firstly, any form of illegal action remains illegal, no matter how old the offender is. Therefore, some believe governments need to stick to the fundamental principle that a violation of the law still carries repercussions. They say the severity and consequences of the wrongdoing must be the determining factors for the final sentence. For instance, a murder is still a murder regardless of the age of the convict, and the fact that a human being has been killed must dictate the punishment. However, I am of the opinion that underage criminals must not be punished in the same manner as their older counterparts. Apparently, many youngsters are unaware of their actions, fail to comprehend the consequences, or perhaps lack impulse control over their behavior. This may be the core reason behind the violation of the law. Additionally, due to the fact that their brains are still developing, they have the potential for rehabilitation. A child may have committed a single crime unintentionally, and, given the appropriate environment, these offenders may potentially be re-educated and reintegrated into society. Therefore, I believe governments must think of other measures for younger lawbreakers. In conclusion, in spite of some justifications for equal measures, I believe offenders of young age should not receive the same treatment as those of older age. Considering the limited understanding and the rehabilitation potential, alternative approaches may be more effective. By addressing the cause rather than the effect, governments can secure a better society for future generations. (319 words) #task2 #bymichael #2amessays @Michael_Blog

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