WRITING TASK 2

LESSON 09
Lesson focus - Advantages and Disadvantages

Dạng bài viết Advantages/Disadvantages là một trong những dạng bài viết thường gặp trong
kỳ thi IELTS Writing Task 2. Trong dạng bài viết này, bạn được yêu cầu đưa ra ý kiến của mình về
một chủ đề cụ thể và phân tích các lợi và bất lợi của vấn đề đó.
Để viết một bài viết Advantages/Disadvantages hiệu quả, bạn cần phải có ý tưởng rõ ràng về
chủ đề, các lợi ích và bất lợi, và khả năng tổ chức và phát triển các ý tưởng của mình. Với dạng đề này,
bạn cần phải phân tích cả lợi ích(advantages) và bất lợi(disadvantages) của vấn đề được nhắc đến
trong đề bài

Example
In some countries, more and more adults are living with their parents after graduating from
college, university, or even after finding a job. Do the advantages of this outweigh the
disadvantages?
Many university students live with their families, while others live away from home because
their universities are in different places. What are the advantages and disadvantages of
both situations?

I. Cấu trúc

Introduction Body 1 Body 2 Conclusion

- Paraphrase topic Discuss về vế yếu Discuss vế mạnh Nêu ý kiến của mình
- Thesis statement hơn hơn (nghiêng về ý nào)
In some countries, more and more adults are living with their parents after graduating from college,
university, or even after finding a job. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

1. Introduction
Câu số 01: Giới thiệu chủ đề (TOPIC) đang được bàn luận bằng việc paraphrase đề bài
Câu số 02: Thesis statement
⇨ Cách 1: While this development may bring about some benefits, I would argue they are
eclipsed the drawbacks.
⇨Cách 2: In my perspective, the drawbacks of this trend clearly surpass/exceed/overshadow
its benefits

 In recent years, the number of adults still living with their parents has been on the
rise. While this development may bring about some benefits, I would argue they
are eclipsed the drawbacks.

2. Bodies
Body 1( bên yếu hơn)
Topic On the one hand, it is understandable why……can be beneficial/ problematic
sentence (to somebody) to some extent

Point One advantage/disadvantage of (topic) is that + S + V

Additionally, In addition, Secondly

Explain This is due to the fact that S + V

This results in Noun
As a result, Therefore, In other words, For example….
Expand As a result, Therefore, In other words, For example….
This is detrimental to noun phrases, as S + V
Compared to, In contrast

 On the one hand, there are tangible advantages when grown–ups stay in their own homes
with their parents. One of the primary advantages is that this can build stronger bonds
between family members. This is because there are abundant opportunities for regular
 face-to-face interactions and intimate conversations when living together. This kind of
conversation will help develop a close-knit family where members could give timely
support to each other. This ideal scenario seems less likely if, however, the son is settling
down in a new home, with a different timetable from members of his family and only
speaking with his parents on occasion over the phone.
 Secondly, their living expenses can be reduced. While other adults have to pay for rents,
bills and other necessities, in this case, the costs can be shared between family members.
Consequently, young adults can save some money for other purposes such as further
study or investment.
Body 2( bên mạnh hơn)
Topic Withstanding the aforementioned benefits/ drawbacks, I believe that the
sentence benefits/ drawbacks of …… are more significant.
Point One advantage/disadvantage of (topic) is that + S + V
Additionally, In addition

Explain This is due to the fact that S + V

This results in Noun
As a result, Therefore, In other words, For example….
Expand As a result, Therefore, In other words, For example….
This is detrimental to noun phrases, as S + V
Compared to, In contrast

 On the other hand, I opine that there exist detrimental impacts on those who do not live
independently. The first disadvantage is that the young can be over-reliant on their
family. With the help of parents, the young may not have to do household tasks such as
doing laundry or washing up, which can later be huge obstacles when they have to move
out.
 Furthermore, the autonomy and self-efficacy of youngsters can also diminish. This is
because being with overprotective parents can deprive adults of the development of
problem-solving and decision-making skills. Compared to other counterparts, they are
less confident when choosing between different options. Indeed, many helicopter parents,
such as those in Vietnam, closely monitor their children, failing to guide them properly in
how to gather relevant information, and evaluate possible options for a final sound
decision, preventing them from leading a self-sufficient life.

3. Conclusion
In conclusion, it seems to me that the disadvantages/advantages of ……… are more considerable than
its advantages/disadvantages.
  In conclusion, it seems to me that the disadvantages/advantages of living with parents
after graduating and having a job are more considerable than its
advantages/disadvantages.

Full sample answer

In recent years, the number of adults still living with their parents has been on the rise. While
this development may bring about some benefits, I would argue they are eclipsed the drawbacks.
On the one hand, there are tangible advantages when grown–ups stay in their own homes with
their parents. One of the primary advantages is that this can build stronger bonds between
family members. This is because there are abundant opportunities for regular face-to-face
interactions and intimate conversations when living together. This kind of conversation will
help develop a close-knit family where members could give timely support to each other. This
ideal scenario seems less likely if, however, the son is settling down in a new home, with a
different timetable from members of his family and only speaking with his parents on occasion
over the phone. Secondly, their living expenses can be reduced. While other adults have to pay
for rents, bills and other necessities, in this case, the costs can be shared between family
members. Consequently, young people can save some money for other purposes such as further
study or investment.
On the other hand, I opine that there exist detrimental impacts on those who do not live
independently. The first disadvantage is that the young can be over-reliant on their family. With
the help of parents, the young may not have to do household tasks such as doing laundry or
washing up, which can later be huge obstacles when they have to move out. Furthermore, the
autonomy and self-efficacy of youngsters can also diminish. This is because being with
overprotective parents can deprive adults of the development of problem-solving and decision-
making skills. Compared to other counterparts, they are less confident when choosing between
different options. Indeed, many helicopter parents, such as those in Vietnam, closely monitor
their children, failing to guide them properly in how to gather relevant information, and evaluate
possible options for a final sound decision, preventing them from leading a self-sufficient life.
In conclusion, it seems to me that the advantages of living with parents after graduating and
having a job are more considerable than its disadvantages.
Vocabulary
Phrase Meaning
on the rise Đang tăng lên
Overprotective quá đùm bọc
grown–ups người lớn, người trưởng thành
build stronger bonds between family Thắt chặt tình cảm gia đình
members
face-to-face interactions Tương tác trực tiếp
intimate conversations Trò chuyện thân mật
 timely support Sự hỗ trợ kịp thời
over-reliant Quá dựa dẫm
household tasks Công việc nhà
obstacles Cản trở
autonomy tự chủ
self-efficacy tự tin vào khả năng bản thân
helicopter parents Bố mẹ bảo bọc con quá mức
sound decision Quyết định đúng đắn, hợp lý
Lead a self-sufficient life Sống một cuộc sống tự túc

PRACTICE
Some people believe that online learning is beneficial for learners, while others disagree. Do
you think the advantages of online studying outweigh the disadvantages?
Vocabulary

Orde Phrase Word Meaning Example

r Form

1. remote Noun Học từ xa "I believe that [remote education]

education phrase is still tremendously beneficial."

2. flexibility Noun Sự linh hoạt và "One advantage of online studying

and phrase thuận tiện is that it offers [flexibility and
convenience convenience] to students."

3. recorded Noun Bài học được ghi "With [recorded lessons], students
lessons phrase hình can access course materials,
assignments, and lectures
anytime and anywhere as long as
they have an internet connection."

4. isolating Adjectiv (cảm giác) Cô độc, "One [drawback of online

e tách biệt learning] is that it can be
isolating."

5. socialize and Verb Giao tiếp và tương "Students may not have the same
interact phrase tác opportunities to [socialize and
interact] with their peers or
instructors as they would in a
traditional classroom setting."
6. sense of Noun Cảm giác cộng "This drawback is crucial for
community phrase đồng students who need a [sense of
community] to thrive."

7. experiments Noun Thí nghiệm "Studying often involves

[experiments], which can be
challenging to replicate online."

8. lack of Noun Không hiểu "Online learning can lead to a

understandi phrase [lack of understanding] and
ng proficiency in conducting
experiments."

9. proficiency Noun Sự thành thạo "Online learning can lead to a lack

of [proficiency] in conducting
experiments."

10. science Noun Học sinh học khoa "Conducting experiments is a

learners phrase học critical skill for [science learners]."

11. limitations Noun Sự hạn chế "I believe the [limitations] such as
inadequate in-person interaction
and experiments make a stronger
case."

12. in-person Noun Tương tác giữa con "Inadequate [in-person

interaction phrase người và con người interaction] is a limitation of
online learning."

1. Outline
Benefits Drawbacks
2. Essay
HOMEWORK
Question: Today people live away from their friends and family to find a job in other cities.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

(IELTS Academic – 26/3/2022)