1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities.
Essay topic : Talk to your partner. What are the advantages and disadvantages?
In most parts of the world, cities are becoming larger because people are moving there from the countryside.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities.

2. Talk to your partner. What are the advantages you can see?

3. Talk to your partner. What are the disadvantages you can see?

4. Brainstorm ideas and make a plan for your essay.
In most parts of the world, cities are becoming larger because people are moving there from the countryside. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities.
Advantage 1
Disadvantage 1
Example/ Explain
Example/ Explain
Result
Result
Advantage 2
Disadvantage 2
Example/ Explain
Example/ Explain
Result
Result

5. Introduction structure
In most parts of the world, cities are becoming larger because people are moving there from the countryside.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities.
1. G__________________ B_____________________
2. E__________________ T_____________________
3. T_______________
4. I____ t_______ e___________, I w_________ d_______________
t__________ p_______ a_____ c_______ of…
General Background
Essay Topic
Thesis (main idea/opinion)
In this essay, I will discuss the pros and cons of ...

6. What’s the general background?
Introduction: Building the general statement and paraphrasing the essay topic.
In most parts of the world, cities are becoming larger because people are moving there from the countryside.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities.
What’s the general background?
world development / population increase / people want a better life
Can you keep the same meaning, but use different words?
cities
larger
countryside
advantages
disadvantages
major urban areas
bigger
small towns and villages, rural areas
benefits, pros, positive effects
problems, cons, negative effects

7. Essay question and introduction paragraph
In most parts of the world, cities are becoming larger because people are moving there from the countryside. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities.
Nowadays, the world’s population is increasing rapidly and people want a higher standard of living. Because of this, many people have moved from small towns and villages to live in major urban areas. However, city life is not always better. In this essay, I will discuss the positive and negative effects of living in cities.

8. Advantage paragraph
On one hand, there are many advantages to living in a city. Firstly, the opportunities for work and promotion are much better than in the countryside. For example, all major companies are based in big cities, so people who want to get a high-level job in a big company need to live in a city. Another benefit of city life is that cities have more facilities for people to use, such as good hospitals and schools. As a result, many families live in major cities because they need good healthcare and education for their children.

9. Disadvantage paragraph
On the other hand, city life definitely has some disadvantages. The most important issue is that the environment is often not clean. Because so many people live so close together, there is usually more pollution in big cities than in small towns. For instance, many big cities have problems with noise and air pollution from traffic. Because of this, cities can be unhealthy places to live. Secondly, crime is a serious problem in most major cities. This is because criminals have many more places to hide in large cities than in small towns. Consequently, cities can be dangerous places for the people who live there.

10. Conclusion paragraph
In conclusion, there are both pros and cons to living in a city. Cities give people the chance to find a good career and have the facilities that most families need. However, they are often polluted and dangerous. If people want to live in cities, they should be careful to keep their families healthy and safe.

11. Writing Portfolio Task 4
Many students have to live in hostels because they study at universities and colleges far away from their hometowns. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in student accommodation?
Advantages
Disadvantages
…save travelling time
…….feel homesick
…can study together with friends
…….noisy environment