The Discussion Essay (A Review)

How many parts are there in a discussion essay?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 2

Answer explanation

An essay, any essay, is made up of three parts: intro, body, conclusion.

If you are asked to write a discussion essay, you should give both sides of the argument and your own opinion.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• IT DEPENDS

Answer explanation

There are two types of discussion essays - one where you present ONLY the arguments for both sides and one where you are asked to give your opinion. Always read the question carefully to know what you are to do.

Based on your understanding of discussion essays, which tasks below are discussion tasks?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Once your task asks that you present both sides of an argument, you are being asked to write a discussion essay.

The introduction of your essay lays the foundation for the rest of the essay. What TWO things must your introduction have?

Answer explanation

Your introduction must, firstly, paraphrase the information given in the question and, secondly, must include a thesis statement (it answers the question or "what to do" part of the task).

How do you show connections between your paragraphs and at the sentence level?

Answer explanation

Linking words a.k.a. transitional phrases are used to show how ideas are connected. Are the ideas in support of the one that came before; is it different; are you ending the essay or are you giving an example?

Which linking word best completes this sentence?

Being able to speak English is essential when looking for a job. _____, it is useful when travelling abroad.

• However

• Nevertheless

• Therefore

• Furthermore

Which linking word best completes this sentence?

___________the high risk involved, many scientists chase tornadoes so they can study them more closely.

• But

• Though

• Despite

Which linking word best completes this sentence?

So you can see there are both advantages and disadvantages of the new system for organising the timetable. _____________, I would say it would be better to stick with the current system.

• On the whole

• And

• Lastly

Choose the BEST paraphrase of this sentence:

Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, has been an important market and trading place for hundreds of years.

• Tashkent and Uzbekistan are important places to trade hundreds of things in the market.

• The Uzbekistan capital city of Tashkent has been a major market and trading place for centuries.

• Uzbekistan is a popular place for markets and for hundreds of years Tashkent has been trading its capital goods.

Which is the best paraphrase of the following sentence?

Dragonflies have six legs, but they can’t walk.

• Dragonflies have six legs but cannot walk, and I think that this is odd.

• Dragonflies have six legs.

• Although Dragonflies have six legs, they cannot walk at all.

• Even though they have six legs, dragonflies can’t walk.