Pre-TOEFL writing, It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city.

Writing Topic

It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree?. Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

☆Let’s Think

Many people prefer to live in the suburbs when they have children because they have both the good points of the countryside and a big city, mainly access for both nature and good education. This writing topic, however, does not allow you to choose it. Instead, it presents the idea that it is the countryside rather than a big city that is a better choice in terms of child-rearing. If you have to choose, would you rather choose the countryside than a big city?

☆Hints for Points

Brainstorming characteristics of each choice point by point

	life in the countryside	life in a big city
environment	full of nature, good for the health	constantly changing, noisy, polluted
lifestyle	relaxing, slow-paced, monotonous	exciting, fast-paced
convenience	low prices, automobile society, safer	many means of transportation, hospitals, schools, and cultural facilities
relationship	intimate, warm, strong ties	dry, individualistic, freer
people	carefree, relaxed, conservative	many strangers, ambitious, progressive

☆Sample Body Structures

Here are two samples of many ways of dealing with choices in the writing topic to make a framework of the body of your full essay.

Sample Essay Structure 1  Point by point comparison of choices

   (1) Point 1: Comparison of the environment

   (2) Point 2: Comparison of the educational activities

   (3) Your decision

【Introduction = Outline】I would agree with the opinion that it is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Two things should be mainly considered: the environment and education.

【Point 1】Good environment is vital to the mental and physical growth of children. The countryside provides plenty of nature and carefree people which nurture healthy and relaxed children. Many children growing up in a big city often suffer from diseases related to pollution or nervous breakdown due to noise and dry human relationships. My sister had asthma and was absent from school for a long time when my family lived in Tokyo. Then we moved to the country to cure her and she got well in a month.

【Point 2】It is necessary for children to receive a good education. Many good schools concentrate in big cities. Also, educational facilities and good transportation system are abundant in a big city. The countryside has only a few schools, and you are lucky if there is a library within a walking distance.

【My choice】In my opinion, the countryside is better than a big city for the grow of children. Good educational environment can be provided through other means such as the Internet or schooling during vacation while good natural environment is hard to provide if you do not live in the countryside. Moreover, physical strength is the most important to perform well in almost anything.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】Although a big city has many appealing points, I believe that the country is better than a big city for rearing a child.

Sample Essay Structure 2  Developing images of each choice (You write about each choice separately)

    (1) About growing up in the countryside

    (2) About growing up in a big city

    (3) Your decision

【Introduction = Outline】Although I myself have grown up in a suburban city and have had no problem with it, I disagree with the statement that it is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city.

【Point 1】Growing up in the countryside would be good for the child’s health. The air is clean and there are not many people who spread viruses. People are friendly and enjoy intimate relationships. The child would grow up to be a healthy person with a positive mindset.

【Point 2】Although city life may be tough for a child, it offers a lot of opportunity. First of all, the opportunity of education is great in a big city. From kindergarten to university, varieties of good institutions are accessible within a 30-minute train ride. In addition, other educational facilities such as museums and libraries are abundant. The active lifestyle of the city and inspiring communication among city dwellers also stimulate mental growth of the city children.

【follow-up】Comparing the life in the countryside and that of a big city, I find it difficult to say that the countryside is definitely better for child growth than a big city, which has many advantages that are too good to be missed just because of lack of nature.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】If the child is not sickly, taking advantage of the life of a big city is no less a good idea for the growth of the child than benefiting from the good environment in the countryside.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3/ Follow-up】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】