Pre-TOEFL writing, Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. - rewrite -

Writing Topic

Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

☆Let’s Think

The key words and phrases of this topic are “Some young children”, “a great amount of their time”, and “practicing sports”. Such children may play sports more than four days a week.

This topic requires you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of children playing sports. It does not ask you whether you think it is good for children to spend much time on sports, but of course you may as well state your opinion on it.

☆Hints for Points

Advantages  (Ideas taken from a site https://www.families.com/blog/10-benefits-of-playing-sports)

1.    Playing sports is fun. It gives your child something to do and a group to belong to. They have a group of friends that has the same goals and interests.

2.    Physical activities are a good way to relieve stress and reduce depression.

3.    Sports help kids develop discipline. They learn to set goals and then work to achieve those goals. They learn that by working hard they can accomplish the things that they want to in their lives.

4.    Kids who play sports quickly learn that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. They learn to be a good sport in both situations. It also helps them learn to deal with disappointment and go on.

5.    Sports help develop teamwork and leadership skills. Kids quickly learn that they have to work together as a team to win the game.

6.    Regular exercise increases quality of life. Children who exercise are more likely to continue the practice into adulthood.

Disadvantages

1.    Injuries: Children who play sports are more likely to have severe physical injuries in games or as a result of over use of a certain part of their body.

2.    Stress: Young children may suffer from the trauma after negative events related to sports such as bullying from older children or undue parental expectations.

3.    Time-commitment: Some sports teams require teammates to spend too much time on exercise and they lose time to do other activities like reading books or playing in nature freely.

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】There are advantages and disadvantages for children spending a large amount of their time playing sports. I think it is good for them in general.

【Advantages】Sports help develop children’s mind and body and help their socialization.

【Disadvantages】Children can suffer from injuries or exhaustion. They might also be bullied.

【Your Opinion】There are more good points than bad points, and bad points can be taken care of. As long as children enjoy playing sports, I think it is good for them.

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】Parents can use sports as part of education of their children.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Advantages】

【Disadvantages】

【Your Opinion (optional)】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】