Task 2

Task Objective Can you make a statement? Can you defend that statement? Task 2

Question Type Task 2

Example Some people prefer to buy prepared food from the restaurants. Others prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your response. Task 2

Example Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Having class discussions makes students learn more. Use specific and examples to support your answer. Task 2

Topics Education Media Technology Culture Life Work Leisure Success Task 2

Timing 15 sec Prepare 45 sec Response Task 2

Skills In the 15 sec preparation time….. Jot down 3 key words on your paper. Choice Reason 1 Reason 2 Task 2

Response Structure 1 Choice A+ B- A+ B- Task 2

Response Structure 2 Choice B- Detail A+ Detail Task 2

Example Some people thinks it is more fun to spend time with friends in restaurants and cafes. Others think it is more fun to spend time with friends at home. Which do you think is better? Explain why. Task 2

My mind map Home A+: Save $ A + B- A+: Freedom A+ B- Task 2

My response I rather hang out with my friends at home, cuz that saves money. Going out always means spending money. I’m still a student so my budget doesn’t allow me to go out very often. Besides, I think staying at home means a lot more freedom. You can talk, laugh and turn up the music volume as loud as you want. However, at restaurants and cafes you might get a noise complaint because of that. (contrast) Task 2

ETS Sample Response mind map Cafes B-: Home is boring small Nothing to do A+:Better atmosphere Music Meet people Task 2

Sample response from ETS (4 out of 4) I actually only spend time with my friends at restaurants and cafes, almost never at home because my apartment is very small and there’s just almost nothing to do. On the other side, cafes and restaurants are much more…….there are more people. The atmosphere is usually good. And maybe there are some music playing or …Usually we meet and discuss things, meet other people and meet people we do not know, possibility. There’s always a chance to get to know someone. And it is always exciting. For me, it is much more excited than just staying at home. Umm… and in the environment that I know and I’m familiar with, I thinks it’s boring. Task 2

Agree or Disagree Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Music and art should have the same value as other subjects at school such as math and science. Give specific reasons and examples to support your ideas.

Take Your Stand Reason1 Reason2 agree Reason1 Reason2 disagree

Brainstorming: disagree Build our character Make you a better person Make you more valuable Part of core programs at university Give more career opportunity Task 2

Format Topic Sentence: I think music and art should have the same value as other courses. Supporting Details: (1)Music and art are parts of our culture. Example: build character, make you more valuable (2) Music and art are part of some core programs at universities. Example: give students more career opportunities

Sample Answer I think music and art should have the same value as other courses. Firstly, they are part of our society. Appreciating music and art can make you well-rounded. On the other hand, if all we studied was math and science, we’d be like robots and never appreciate the beauty of our world. Secondly, studies have shown that people with comprehensive educations are more valuable in the workforce. Many universities now require students to take a core curriculum before they pick a major. This gives them some knowledge in many areas and provides them with flexibility in choosing their careers. For these reasons, I believe art and music should have the same value as other courses.

Take Your Stand Reason1 Reason2 agree Reason1 Reason2 disagree

Brainstorming: agree Won’t help you find a job Not very practical Not fair to untalented people Affect chance of college entrance Affect chance of graduation Task 2

Forma t Topic Sentence: I believe music and art shouldn’t have the same value as other courses. Supporting Details: (1)They won’t help a person find a job in the future. Example: no practical application (2) The classes are not fair to untalented people. Example: many people have no talent for music or art

Sample Answer I believe art and music shouldn’t have the same value as other courses. First of all, they have no practical use in the real world. Simply put, no one cares if I can play the piano or draw well when I apply for a job, so art and music shouldn’t be considered important classes. Another important thing is that some people have no talent for art and music, so giving grades in these classes is unfair. If a student with little artistic or musical talent got a bad grade in a class, it might affect his chances of getting into college or even graduating from college. Therefore, for these reasons, I think art and music shouldn’t have the same value as other courses.

Task 2

1. Stress Task 2

2. Health Mental health: stay positive/optimistic Physical health: work out regularly in the gym Stay fit/healthy Get rid of diseases/illness Build up muscles/ upper-body strength Task 2

3. Communication Be sociable Inter-personal relations Have shared interests/hobbies Hang out together Kill time Don’t feel lonely anymore. Task 2

4. Culture Learn a different culture Food culture Cultural diversity Cultural background Broaden/ widen horizon Know more about the outside world. Develop a different perspective/ view of the world Exchange ideas and opinions Task 2

5. Money Take a part-time job Take part in an internship A job related to my major Pay for the expensive tuition Cover the rent of the apartment Economical Task 2

6. Interest Interest is the best teacher Enjoy life To do something I really like makes me happy. It was difficult to do a good job without interest and motivation The source of enthusiasm and passion Good mood and higher efficiency Task 2

7. Time It saves tons of time. It only takes ____ hours/minutes/seconds Higher efficiency Waste time I don’t think I’ll spend that much time on it. Task 2

Example 1 Some students prefer to review their notes regularly; while others prefer to review their notes just before test. Which do you prefer and explain why? Task 2

Sample Answer Regularly 1. Save time. Specifically, it only takes me 30 minutes to remember what I learned if I review my notes frequently. However, if I review just before the test, I will spend 5 hours recalling the knowledge. 2. Less Stress. I will freak out if I have to cram tons of knowledge into my head before test.

Example 2 Some students prefer to study alone. Others prefer to study with a group of students. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your response. Task 2

Sample Answer Group 1. Save time. Everyone is responsible for a different part, and then we exchange our thoughts. More efficiency. 2. Make friends. Task 2

Example 3 Some people believe that universities should focus their money on academic studies. Others believe that universities should also use their funds to provide students with more entertainments such as movies and concerts. What is your opinion and why? Task 2

Sample Answer Entertainment 1. Reduce the stress 2. Friends: help students to get sociable and improve inter- personal communication skills. 3. Develop an hobby: Interest is the best teacher Task 2

Example 4 Some students prefer to go to universities or colleges in their own cities or towns. Others students prefer to go to universities or colleges in new cities or towns. Which do you prefer and why? Include details and examples in your explanation. Task 2

Sample Answer Different city 1. Learn a different culture/custom 2. Develop communication skill. Task 2

Example 5 Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better for children to grow up in countryside than in big cities. Use specific reasons to support your answer Task 2

Sample Answer Countryside 1. Less stress 2. Health Task 2

Example 6 Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. Task 2

Sample Answer Home. 1. Save money 2. Healthy: Food hygiene 。 3. Cooking is a good way to relax. To take your mind off your work/ Take the stress off your shoulder Task 2

Homework 1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All high school students should take economic classes.(Education) 2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Advertising has too much influence on what people buy.(Media) 3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The internet plays an important rule in your life. Use specific examples and details in your explanation.(Technology) 4. Some people often feel homesick when they are away from home. What would you do to deal with homesick?(Culture)

Homework 5. Some people borrow money to buy things in need, others save up money until they can afford it. Which one would you do? why?(life) 6. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students should do part-time jobs before attending college.(work) 7. Some people prefer to read newspapers or magazines everyday instead of watching TV or listening to radio all the time. Which one do you prefer and why?(leisure) 8. In a group setting, which one do you prefer, being a leader or a follower? Use details or examples to explain your answer.(success)