Pre-TOEFL writing, There is nothing that young people can teach older people.

Writing Topic

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? There is nothing that young people can teach older people. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

☆Let’s Think

When you say “There is nothing that someone can do,” you mean that there is no exception in the absence of the things that someone can do. However, most things have an exception or two.

Young people have some good points that older people lack. Then they may have something that they can teach older people because of the good points.

People keep learning as they live, so the older they get, the more they know. However, people also forget things as they live. Moreover, they usually do not learn things that are unrelated to their lives.

☆Hints for Points

1.    Young people have more information about new things. For example, many older people learn from young people how to use a technology or meaning of some newly coined words or expressions. 

2.    Younger generations are more tolerant than older generations. They have less discriminations against those who are different from them or those who have ideas that are different from theirs.

3.    Young people have the power to believe in something and try to change the world. Thus, they can make older people keep trying and never give up. 

4.    Young mind is softer, so the young can teach older people the importance of gentleness.

☆Sample description:

Young mind is softer, so young people can teach older people the importance of gentleness. As people get old, their minds become hardened by the stress of daily lives. They trust or feel pity for others less often than before. However, seeing a young person with heart-warming attitudes or behaviors, adults are reminded of the existence of plain goodness, or humanity. In other words, they are taught by the young that it is vital not to lose gentleness till they die.

☆Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】I agree/disagree with the statement that there is nothing that young people can teach older people. There are two/three examples that I can give to prove my opinion.

【Point 1】

e.g.

【Point 2】

e.g.

【Point 3/ Follow-up】

e.g.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】