Writing Task
Some people believe that children’s free time should be scheduled by their parents, while others argue that children should have the freedom to decide how to spend their own time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Task Analysis
This is a typical “discuss both sides and give your own opinion” task, and we can break it down into two sub tasks. One is to explore both viewpoints, and the other is to share your own perspective. For each side, we can talk about the benefits they bring, which will help us support our balanced view in the conclusion — showing that both sides have advantages and that we need a mix of both approaches rather than just picking one and fighting against the other.
With the overall strategy set, the task repsonse structure becomes clear: four paragraphs, with the introduction and conclusion being direct and each body paragraph focusing on one side.
Writing Sample
The question of whether parents should organize their children’s free time or allow kids to choose by themselves is a topic of ongoing debate. Some support that parents have a responsibility to guide their children, while others feel that children should have the freedom to make their own decions. I tend to agree that a balance between both views is more reasonable.
On one hand, those who support parental control argue that children may not know how to spend their free time effectively. Parents often have more experience and can introduce kids to beneficial activities, such as sports, reading, or art. For example, scheduling time for sports can help children develop teamwork skills and stay healthy. When parents organize these physical exercise, they can ensure their children engage in constructive pursuits rather than wasting time on screens or other unhealthy habits. Furthermore, scheduled free time can create a sense of routine that many families find beneficial. It also allows parents to build important values, like discipline and responsibility. By guiding their children, parents can help them explore a wide range of interests, some of which they might not have considered on their own.
On the other hand, many people are convinced that children should have the right to arrange their spare time. When children are free to discover their interests, they are more likely to develop a sense of responsibility and self-motivation. To be specific, a child who chooses to pursue a hobby like painting or playing an instrument is likely to feel more passionate about it than if it were forced upon them by their parents. Moreover, when children are involved in programs they enjoy, it can boost their mental well-being and self-esteem. They learn to take initiative, plan their time, and even face the consequences of their choices, which are all valuable life skills.
To sum up, though it is important for parents to guide their children, giving kids some space to choose is equally necessary. A combination of both approaches can help children grow into well-rounded individuals who appreciate both organized and independence, and better prepared for their adulthood.
Key Words and Collocations
- Support parental control
- Sense of routine
- Arrange spare time
- Sense of responsibility
- Self-motivation
- Boost mental well-being
- Take initiative
- Valuable life skills
- Well-rounded individuals
