1 In pairs, read the Fact Box and answer the questions.
1 Do any of the facts surprise you? If so, which ones? If not, why not?
2 Would you agree that families have less quality time together than in the past?
3 Are families less close than they used to be?
Students’ own answers
2 Read one student’s answer to the essay question given below and compare it with your ideas from Exercise 1.
Some people think that families are not as close as they used to be. Do you agree?
•Write about … • mobile technology • changes in working life • your own ideas
Students’ own answers
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ARE FAMILIES AS CLOSE AS THEY USED TO BE? Many people today feel that relationships between members of the same family are not as close as they were a few generations ago. Changes in our working lives and the advent of technology have certainly altered how families interact, but I would argue that families generally remain as close as they ever were. Increasingly, parents are seeking a greater work-life balance. This means that even in a family where both parents work, they are often able to ensure that at least one parent is available to take their children to after-school activities or to attend shows and concerts at the school. A better work-life balance also enables families to spend more quality time together. It is commonly accepted that the time needed to run a household has also decreased over the last few decades as more and more labour-saving devices have been invented. A striking example of this is the humble washing machine, which Hans Rosling, a well-known Swedish statistician, called ‘the greatest invention of the industrial revolution’ because of the way that it liberated parents to spend more time with their children. Prior to its invention, it was usual to spend an entire day doing laundry. Going online can be seen as a way of bringing families together as well as a distraction. Whereas in the past family members living apart would have to write letters and often wait a long time for a reply, nowadays there are many more ways to keep in touch, such as social media and video calls. Overall, I believe that family members do communicate with each other more than in the past, whether through technology or face-to-face. In conclusion, I would say that while society may have changed, families remain as close as they were, aided by technology and greater flexibility in working patterns. |
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FACT BOX Internet use in Jordan . Around 50% of children in Jordan can access the internet. |
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3 Read the essay again. Which paragraphs are about the topics listed in the essay question?
Paragraph 4 is about mobile technology.
Paragraph 2 is about changes in working life.
Paragraph 3 includes the writer’s own idea: how modern labour-saving technology allows family members to spend more time together.
4 Study the Writing box and answer the questions.
1 What is the thesis of the essay? Families remain as close as they ever were.
2 What arguments does the writer give to support the thesis?
Greater work-life balance means parents are more available to their children and able to spend more quality time together. Greater automation of housework has had a similar effect. The Internet and social media give more opportunities for families to communicate with each other when at a distance.
3 How does the thesis relate to the conclusion?
The conclusion restates the thesis: … while society may have changed, families remain as close as they were, aided by technology and greater flexibility in working patterns.
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WRITING| An opinion essay |
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Content and organisation Introduction: Summarise the topic of the essay, using your own words as far as possible, and state your position (thesis) with regard to the topic. Main body: Include two or three paragraphs setting out your arguments. You must include the two topics given in the essay question, plus an idea of your own. Each paragraph should be about one main idea. Conclusion: Summarise the main points of the essay and restate your opinion or thesis on the topic. Style and register • Use semi-formal or quite formal register. • Give your personal opinion using: Personally, ... /In my opinion, ... /My personal conviction is that ... /1... /2... /3... . Include more impersonal views using: It is often argued that … /It is often held that ... /It is widely believed that ... /4... /5... /6... . • Try to use a variety of linkers: Nevertheless, …, In addition, …, Therefore, |
5 Complete the Writing box with the underlined phrases from the essay.
1 I would argue that …
2 I believe that …
3 I would say that …
4 Many people today feel that …
5 It is commonly accepted that …
6 … can be seen as …
6 CRITICAL THINKING Study Active Writing. Then underline the topic sentences in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 of the model essay in Exercise 2.
Paragraph 2: Topic sentence: Increasingly, parents are seeking a greater work-life balance.
The main idea is that parents have more availability for their family nowadays because of flexible working practices.
Paragraph 3: Topic sentence: It is commonly accepted that the time needed to run a household has also decreased over the last few decades as more and more labour-saving devices have been invented.
The main idea is that technology has made running a household less time-consuming than in the past, allowing more family time.
Paragraph 4: Topic sentence: Going online can be seen as a way of bringing families together as well as a distraction. The main idea is that mobile technology and the Internet can connect families more, rather than pulling them apart.
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ACTIVE WRITING| Topic sentences • In academic writing, each paragraph has a ‘topic sentence’ which contains the main idea of the paragraph. The other sentences should support the topic sentence, giving further details, reasons or examples. A coherent paragraph will have sentences in logical order.
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7 For each topic sentence below, write a paragraph with two supporting sentences.
1 Social media is often seen as a key reason people are interacting less face-to-face.
2 Working parents are simply too busy to spend time with their family.
Students’ own answers
8 WRITING TASK Read the essay question below and write your essay. Make notes to support your opinion.
People in your family are more influential in your life than your friends, or any other influence. Do you agree?
Use the Graphic Organiser to help you plan your writing.
Students’ own answers