Introduction

The pie charts illustrate the outcome of a survey into children’s leisure pursuits, categorised by gender.

Overview

Overall, boys and girls differ widely in their preferences, with only three common interests: listening to music, playing computer games and reading. While boys favour computer games, girls mainly lean towards dancing.

Body 1 — shared activities + contrast

In detail, although both boys and girls are engaged in computer games, computer games are by far the most popular activity among boys, at 34% compared to 16% of girls. In contrast, the gap between them reverses in reading, which attracts over one-fifth of girls as opposed to merely 2% of boys. Listening to music is equally preferred, with the numbers for both girls and boys standing at 10%.

Body 2 — gender-specific activities

However, pronounced gender-based differences are observed in the remaining activities. Basketball is popular among just over a quarter of boys, making it the second most prominent activity for boys, followed by soccer at 17%. Skateboarding represents only 11%. Among girls, dancing accounts for the largest share, at 27%, compared with 11% for gymnastics. Finally, netball constitutes 15% of the total.

Introduction — paraphrase + balanced stance

Intellectual competence is of the utmost significance to a leader. In my view, while every leader should have intellectual capability, an individual without communication skills and moral integrity cannot retain their position in the long term.

Body 1 — why you agree (main side)

On the one hand, leaders frequently analyse complex information, weighing and anticipating both favourable and adverse consequences of decisions simultaneously. Leaders bear responsibility for organisational setbacks, suggesting they should possess advanced cognitive judgement and strategic foresight. For instance, before signing a high-profile player, a football manager must weigh the immediate boost to the team’s performance against the strain on the club’s budget and the risk of unsettling the existing squad; a misjudgement in either direction can cost the club an entire season. Therefore, intellectual competence is essential for leaders, given that they shoulder the principal burden of responsibility.

Body 2 — the “but” side (conditions / other qualities)

However, leadership efficacy also depends on interpersonal and ethical attributes. First, even highly intelligent leaders are prone to failure in the absence of sound communication abilities. To clarify, when leaders struggle to articulate their vision to those under their command, their followers may not fully grasp the scope of the objective or may misinterpret their role in it. Therefore, a leader should be able to convey their vision to all team members or persuade stakeholders, which necessitates effective articulation of strategic vision.

Moreover, without ethical integrity, a leader is unlikely to maintain authority over time. This is attributable to the fact that ethical misconduct gradually erodes trust and organisational stability. For instance, if a team leader takes credit for subordinates’ work, employees may feel undervalued and disengaged. Over time, reduced morale and increased turnover weaken the organisation’s performance and undermine the leader’s authority.

Conclusion — restate both sides (no new ideas)

To conclude, intellectual capacity is undeniably fundamental to effective leadership, as leaders must exercise strategic judgement and informed decision-making, especially given that they assume ultimate accountability for organisational outcomes. Nevertheless, it does not constitute a complete framework without refined interpersonal communication skills and adherence to moral codes; in their absence, a leader’s legitimacy and long-term effectiveness can be significantly undermined.

Introduction — paraphrase both sides + your opinion

According to some, cooking skills should be incorporated into the school curriculum, whereas others contend that parents should assume this responsibility. In my view, a combination of both approaches would yield the most comprehensive results, as long as schools do not assign cooking tasks as homework.

Body 1 — first view (schools should teach cooking)

On the one hand, some maintain that teaching cooking in schools contributes to equal access to essential life skills. To clarify, the ability to cook independently is an essential life skill that is not cultivated in every household. Structural factors such as demanding work schedules, reliance on convenience foods, and limited culinary knowledge among parents may restrict opportunities for children to acquire this competence. Hence, in order to reduce students’ dependence on processed fast food once they relocate for university studies, basic culinary education at schools can ensure that all students acquire this domestic capability.

Body 2 — second view (parents should teach at home)

On the other hand, others contend that preparing meals together can foster communication and emotional bonding between parents and children. Since learning cooking skills at home requires teamwork between parents and children, it encourages regular interaction and cooperation within the household. Through shared tasks such as preparing ingredients, following recipes, and organising kitchen work, parents can pass down practical knowledge while engaging in meaningful conversations. Over time, these routine interactions can foster stronger emotional connections and reinforce family cohesion.

Body 3 — your personal opinion

From my perspective, both approaches can reasonably be adopted at the same time. First, since children do not always completely understand what is taught in class, parents may need to reinforce this learning at home. By supervising and practising cooking activities with their children, parents can help consolidate what has been learned and ensure that these skills are effectively internalised. However, given that students are often overwhelmed by existing homework demands, learning these skills should occur at a comfortable pace rather than through additional cooking-related homework.

Conclusion — restate your opinion (no new ideas)

To conclude, despite divergent views on the responsibility for culinary education, an integrated approach involving both teachers and parents would ensure that school-based culinary literacy is complemented through domestic practice, provided that additional homework obligations are avoided.

Introduction — paraphrase + clear judgment

In some places, shops with longer opening hours and no weekend closures are becoming more and more prevalent. I am convinced that this trend is largely a positive development, provided that potential negative implications are regulated.

Body 1 — why it is positive (reason 1)

To begin, with extended opening hours, consumer traffic is distributed more evenly. To clarify, since people are aware that they do not have to rush to shopping centres before they close, they opt to shop at their convenience. This not only contributes to shorter queues but also eases traffic congestion. In contrast to locations where the opening and closing hours of numerous shops overlap, a smaller influx of individuals hurries to shops, knowing that they are not compelled to complete their shopping by a certain time.

Body 1 continued — why it is positive (reason 2)

Moreover, longer business hours require additional staffing. This is attributable to the fact that a 24/7 work schedule cannot be pragmatically implemented without a sufficient number of shop assistants and cashiers. This, in turn, prompts shop owners to create vacancies for both daytime and evening shifts to accommodate consumers who shop at different times of the day. As a result, new employment opportunities emerge for both locals and students who are mostly interested in part-time job offers.

Body 2 — limits / when it becomes negative (use if)

However, if certain precautionary measures are not taken, these benefits are compromised. First, if many shops receive new commodities by truck during night hours, the noise from transport and working staff can be a hindrance to people’s rest. Coupled with increased traffic at night, people in the neighbourhood may be disturbed. If not regulated by the authorities, the ubiquity of shops with long opening hours can interrupt people’s otherwise improved shopping experience. Furthermore, constant availability may promote impulse buying and excessive consumption. This can also negate the benefit of increased job options for students, who sometimes lack the maturity to resist consumerism’s appeal. Only by restricting late-night promotions aimed at young people can this potential negative outcome be averted.

Conclusion — restate judgment + conditions

To conclude, having many shops that operate beyond regular business hours may be considered a positive trend overall, as it reduces congestion in cities and increases the number of available jobs. However, unless several countermeasures, such as regulating night-time deliveries and restricting late-night promotions, are implemented, consumerism and night-time disturbance could seriously undermine these benefits.

Introduction — paraphrase + “it depends”

In the majority of countries, due to people opting to shop in major retail establishments located outside town centres, small-scale shops eventually cease to operate. This results in a rise in private vehicle usage and limited access for those without a car. I am convinced that whether the merits of this trend outweigh its demerits largely depends on certain circumstances.

Body 1 — when advantages outweigh (case where positives win)

On the one hand, this change can produce favourable outcomes that are more significant than its potential drawbacks in certain cases. For instance, many such chain stores offer their own bus services that run through different regions of a town and carry passengers to stores outside the town at no extra charge as long as they shop. In this scenario, people without a car are not excluded from taking advantage of cheaper products or discounts in these stores. Moreover, it allows individuals to purchase a monthly supply in a single trip, which saves both time and money compared with shopping after every other workday. In these instances, the possible negative effects of this trend are negligible by comparison.

Body 2 — when disadvantages outweigh (opposite case)

On the other hand, this can prove to be catastrophic if company-operated buses are not available. The most likely issue would be traffic jams, for many people drive to these venues at the same time, especially during rush hours. In cities where traffic is not properly regulated or the road infrastructure is poorly designed, people waste their time and money rather than achieve time and cost efficiency. Another adverse effect, as a result of an upsurge in automobile usage, is elevated levels of harmful gases released into the air, thereby increasing air pollution.

Conclusion — answer the “outweigh” question clearly

To conclude, in my view, the potential benefits of people shopping mostly in suburban shopping complexes may outweigh the drawbacks, depending on certain conditions: when such facilities offer their dedicated bus services, people can enjoy traffic-free trips and reasonably priced commodities. Otherwise, people are likely to have to endure prolonged driving and degradation in air quality in cities.

Introduction — paraphrase + preview both answers

Some children engage in extensive daily smartphone use. This is attributable to parents’ hectic work schedules and the lack of alternative forms of entertainment. I am convinced that this is largely a favourable development, provided that children use mobile phones under parental supervision.

Body 1 — answers “Why?” (question 1)

The key factor behind children’s prolonged smartphone use is parental fatigue following long work hours. To clarify, in order to cope with modern economic pressures, ranging from healthcare to educational expenses, parents are forced into demanding jobs or multiple professional engagements. Hence, work-related exhaustion leaves them with limited capacity for meaningful parent-child interactions, so they use mobile phones to keep their children occupied. Furthermore, the limited availability of safe and affordable outdoor play areas leads to smartphones substituting for physical recreational outlets. Nowadays, the scarcity of child-exclusive recreational facilities means that children often rely on public parks. However, these areas are also shared with adults, some of whom may pose a danger to children. Compounding this issue, child-only entertainment venues are prohibitively expensive for many families.

Body 2 — answers “Positive or negative?”: the positive sides (question 2)

Nevertheless, this trend is largely positive, as smartphones offer children considerable educational and developmental benefits. To clarify, a wide range of educational applications and videos enable children to acquire knowledge in an engaging manner, from basic arithmetic to foreign languages. For instance, many children develop a reasonable command of English at an early age simply by watching age-appropriate cartoons and tutorials online. Moreover, early exposure to digital devices equips children with the technological literacy that is increasingly indispensable in modern education and employment. Hence, rather than being a mere source of distraction, a smartphone can serve as a valuable learning tool.

Body 3 — the conditions (when the trend stays positive)

However, these benefits materialise only when certain conditions are met, chiefly strict parental supervision. For instance, through parental control software, content inappropriate for children is restricted. Instead, children are granted access only to age-appropriate digital sources, such as educational videos. Meanwhile, such software also enables the imposition of time limits on smartphone use. Under these conditions, parents avert potential risks of phone addiction and the adverse effects resulting from unsuitable online material, such as the normalisation of maladaptive behaviours. This, in turn, renders smartphone use a favourable development.

Conclusion — one line per question

In conclusion, while parents may feel compelled to permit smartphone use due to structural and time constraints, its overall impact remains predominantly positive owing to its educational value, on the condition that strict measures are taken to mitigate risks such as addiction and negative behavioural development.

Introduction — state the problem + preview causes & solutions

Domestic waste output by an average household is rising at an alarming rate. This is attributable to the recently prevailing consumer culture and the lack of recycling. However, through improved recycling systems and awareness campaigns, this pressing issue can be addressed.

Body 1 — causes (two reasons)

The key factor behind escalating residential waste generation is that modern lifestyles encourage people to buy more goods, often with short life cycles. To clarify, mass production and aggressive marketing encourage frequent replacement of products such as electronics, clothing, and household items. Most of these items also come wrapped in plastic, which further increases waste. Furthermore, in some countries, recycling is hindered by limited awareness and infrastructure. For instance, inadequate public awareness of waste separation results in many individuals disposing of recyclable and non-recyclable waste together, without recognising the environmental consequences. Compounding this issue is the lack of clearly designated recycling bins, which further exacerbates improper waste segregation.

Body 2 — solutions (open with contrast linker)

However, to eradicate the root causes of excessive waste, authorities should provide accessible recycling bins and build efficient waste sorting facilities. When supported by educational campaigns promoting responsible disposal behaviour, accessible recycling facilities can substantially reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. Moreover, governments should impose regulations on packaging. To illustrate, governments can limit single-use plastic and require recyclable packaging. Given that direct restrictions on consumer purchasing behaviour would undermine freedom of choice, producer responsibility legislation represents a more pragmatic policy response. These measures maintain a balanced distribution of accountability between consumers and producers.

Conclusion — causes + solutions named (no new ideas)

To conclude, escalating consumer spending, widespread plastic overconsumption, and inadequate recycling infrastructure contribute to rising waste levels. Nonetheless, without undermining consumer autonomy, this pressing issue can be mitigated through regulatory controls on plastic packaging, improved waste management infrastructure, and public awareness initiatives regarding irresponsible waste disposal.