all families should have a cat.

of and they can’t kill children. I think

than dogs. They are easier to take care

In summary, cats are much better pets

families with small children.

can see, cats are a much safer choice for

because dogs are very strong. As you

angry, then the dog can bite and kill him

On the other hand, if a baby makes a dog

little because cats are small and weak.

scratch him. This only hurts the baby a

a cat angry, then the cat may bite or

children. For example, if a baby makes

The second reason is cats can’t kill

work for a pet.

must give them a bath. This is too much

themselves. When dogs are dirty, you

wastes a lot of time. Also, cats clean

two or three times a day. This is dirty and

yard or you have to take them for a walk

litter box. On the other hand, dogs use the

take care of. For example, cats use a

The first reason is cats are easier to

than dogs.

will explain why I think cats are better

pets than cats. I disagree. In this essay I

Some people think dogs make better

By Ahmed

Cats are Better Pets than DogsDogs are the Best

By Halima

Some people think dogs make better

pets than cats. I agree. In this essay, I

will give two reasons why I think dogs

are better.

The first reason why I think dogs

are better is they are great

companions. For example, they love

to go for long walks and play. Because

of this, their owners always get a lot of

exercise and also have fun. As you can

see, dogs help people stay healthy and

happy.

The second reason is dogs help

people. For example, dogs can be

trained to help people. When there’s

an earthquake, dogs often help find

people in the rubble. Also, dogs protect

the house. If a thief tries to break in,

the dog will bark and scare the thief

away. You will always feel safe when

you have dog.

In conclusion, dogs make the best pets.

They are great companions and

they provide protection. If you are

looking for a pet, I suggest you

seriously consider a dog.

Which is Better? Model Essays

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organization of this kind of essay.Look at Halima’s essay again and then take notes as your teacher explains the general

consider getting a dog.

for a pet, I suggest you seriously

provide protection. If you are looking

They are great companions and they

In conclusion, dogs make the best pets.

feel safe when you have dog.

scare the thief away. You will always tries to break in, the dog will bark and Also, dogs protect the house. If a thief dogs often help find people in the rubble. people. When there’s an earthquake, For example, dogs can be trained to help The second reason is dogs help people.

healthy and happy.

fun. Therefore, dogs help people stay

always get a lot of exercise and also have

and play. Because of this, their owners

example, they love to go for long walks

better is they are great companions. For

The first reason why I think dogs are

why I think dogs are better.

this essay, I will give two reasons

better pets than cats. I agree. In

Some people think dogs make

Which is Better? Taking Notes

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Which is better: Co-ed schools or Single-sex schools?

Which is better: taking a taxi or taking a bus?

For more practice, here are two more essay prompts for you to write about:

Which is Better? Practice Essays

Numbers Giving Examples Using Points or Ideas Giving Points or Ideas Adding Points or Ideas Too much, Not Enough Modal Verbs for Opinions Opinion Phrases Opinion Verbs

Vocabulary

Logical Organizers

Organization

Complex Sentence Compound Sentences

Grammar

Reference Section for Opinion Essays

Go back and look at Halima and Ahmed’s essays. Do both students use compound sentences in their essays?

Compound sentences connect two sentences by using: and, but, or, so.

1. Most students speak English very well. However, they can’t write it very well.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Halima likes English class. She also likes Math class.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Ahmed passed Level 1 with an A+. Therefore, he took the challenge exam.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Ahmed tried his best on the challenge exam. However, he didn’t do well.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Students can study hard. They can do nothing. It’s their choice.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Physical Education classes are fun. Also, they give the body energy.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Practice:

Students study English. They also love it.

Many foreigners in the UAE speak Arabic. However, they don’t know how to write it.

Students can take a Physical Education class. Students can take an Art class. They have a choice.

Level 2 students work hard everyday. Therefore, they will probably get good grades.

Look at the simple sentences below and compare them with the sentences above:

Students study English and they love it.

Many foreigners in the UAE speak Arabic but they don’t know how to write it.

Students can take a Physical Education class or they can take an Art class.

Level 2 students work hard every day so they will probably get good grades.

Sentence Structure: Compound Sentences

Reference Section for Opinion Essays Compound Sentences

present tense. Therefore, it is very important you know and understand how to write in the simple

the simple present tense! Yes, that is correct- simple present tense!MOST UNIVERSITY WRITING! Almost all sentences in your essays will be written in THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT VERB TENSE TO KNOW FOR

Here’s another really valuable thing to know about academic writing:

you can write complex sentences. you can write compound sentences. you can write simple sentences.

Timed Writing, then you must show…If you want to get a good mark in grammar on your Writing Projects and

Go back and look at Halima and Ahmed’s essays. Do they use complex sentences?

Before Ahmed starts his work, he will travel for a year.

If Halima does well in Level 2, she’ll skip Level 3.

When Ahmed finishes university, he will be very happy.

Because Halima got an A+ in Level 1, she took the challenge exam.

In a complex sentence, you can move the clauses, but you will need a comma:

Ahmed will travel for a year before he starts his job.

Halima will skip Level 3 if she does well in Level 2.

Ahmed will be very happy when he finishes university.

Halima took the challenge exam because she got an A+ in Level 1.

although, since, while, as soon as, whenever, unless…There are many subordinating conjunctions: because, if, when, before, after,

Sentence Structure: Complex Sentences

Complex sentences connect two clauses with a subordinating conjunction.

Reference Section for Opinion Essays Complex Sentences

What other connecting words do you know besides the ones on this page? ___________________Do connecting words always come at the beginning of a sentence? ____________________________Do you think they should use a connecting word in every sentence? ___________________________Do they use a connecting word in every sentence? _________________________________________________ Which connecting words do they use? ________________________________________________________________

Look at Halima and Ahmed’s essays and then ask yourself these questions:

allowed to smoke in their own homes.7. I believe that smoking in public should be illegal. ____________________ people should be

there is a food court with many fast food restaurants.6. There is a shop on campus where you can buy snacks and drinks. _________________

banned in schools.5. Fast food is unhealthy for children. _________________ I believe fast food should be

classes it will be very difficult for her to pass the final exam.4. Students are allowed to miss ten classes. _______________ if a student misses so many 3. Recycling helps to save our environment. __________________ it makes our city cleaner.

should limit the time children are allowed to play.2. Computer games teach children some valuable skills. ___________________ parents

have their own mobile phone.1. In an emergency, children need to call their parents. ______________ children need to

letter and a comma!Complete the sentences with one of the three words above. Remember to use a capital

3. Therefore, c. Connects a reason with an opinion or effect [so]2. Furthermore, b. Connects two opposite ideas [but]1. However, a. Shows more information on the same topic [and]

essays):Match each connecting word to its meaning (If you need more help, find them in the model

Writing Exams. help you get a higher mark in “Organization” on your Writing Projects and Timed make your writing more organized and easier to read. are very useful for connecting your ideas. tell the reader what will happen next.

Connecting words…

It is helpful to think of connecting words as signposts.

When you are driving and see this signpost what do you do?

Reference Section for Opinion Essays Connecting WordsReference Section for Opinion Essays Useful VocabularyReference Section for Opinion Essays Useful Vocabulary

have learned.to write your opinion. Then, you will write this again to see what you After you do this pre-writing exercise, your teacher will teach you how

Which is Better?Expressing an Opinion

Which is better: High School or University?

to write your answer to the prompt the best way you know how:Below is a prompt for you to think about and write about. Do your best

and what you need to learn about writing your opinions. Before you begin, it is important for you to see what you already know

In this unit, you will begin learning how to write about your opinions.

3.

2.

1.

Reasons why some people might think dogs are better:

3.

2.

1.

Reasons why some people might think cats are better:

Take some time to think about both sides of this topic

Which is better: cats or dogs?

organize their ideas? What verb tense do they use? What vocabulary do they use?students, Halima and Ahmed. What are their opinions of this topic? How do they On the next page you are going to read two mini-essays about this topic by two

The topic is:

about what your opinion is and how you would write about it.Before you read the model essays, take some time to think organize their ideas when expressing their opinions on a topic. academic writing. On the next page you will see how students Writing your opinions of different topics is a skill you need in

Which is better? Thinking About the Prompt

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