TOEFL iBt Independent Writing, Should physical exercise be required at school or not? - rewrite -

Writing Topic

There are people who think that physical exercise should be a required activity at school. Others argue that school should be concerned only with academic studies, and that physical exercise is something best left out of school life. Which of these views do you share? Justify your answer with specific reasons.

☆Let’s Think

1.      By the expression “required activity,” the first statement in the writing topic means that

a.    it is recommended that you take P.E. classes.

b.    everyone has to take P.E. classes.

2.      Discuss the first statement of the writing topic.

Possible Inquiries:

◍ How do we decide which subject is required at school?

◍ What are the purposes and benefits of physical exercise?

3.      The second statement of the writing topic means that

a.    physical exercise does not meet the purposes of school education and should be included in optional or extra classes.

b.    physical exercise does not meet the purposes of school education and preferably should be excluded from school activities in any form.

4.      Discuss the second statement of the writing topic.

Possible Inquiries:

◍ Should school be only concerned with academic studies?

◍ What is the purpose of education?

◍ What are the problems with physical exercise?

☆Hints for points

The purpose of education

1.    To promote physical, mental, and social development of individuals.    

2.    To develop every individual to their full potential.

3.    To equip individuals with earning ability.

The purposes or benefits of physical education

1.    Healthy mind and body: Not only can it promote physical fitness and develop motor skills but also it can help students better concentrate on their study if they exercise moderately.

2.    Healthy lifestyle: Students who are not interested in sports can learn to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.

3.    Familiarity with some popular sports: Having some hands on experience with some popular sports will help students enjoy playing or watching them.

4.    Intimacy with classmates and social skills: Playing sports or doing exercise together will help students gain intimacy with other students and develop social skills.

The problems of physical education

1.    No substantial effect: To develop and maintain physical fitness requires regular activity, while most schools have P.E. classes only twice or three times a week, and this is not enough for the purpose. After-school sport activities such as going to gyms or participating in sports clubs actually meet the needs.

2.    Obstacle to going on to college for some students: High school students who are not good at sports or who are unable to attend P.E. classes because of illness or injury cannot receive good grades in P.E., while these grades are usually included in their Grade Point Average (GPA).

☆Let’s Deal with Counterarguments

A counterargument, that is to say a criticism or a question you expect, is a bonus-point icon in an essay writing game. If you venture to take it up and deal with it successfully, your essay will jump up to the upper level and you will be awarded with a good score. On the other hand, if you fail to be aware of an inevitable counterargument, your essay will become vulnerable to the attack on it. Think of the debate for which you had not prepared carefully. The neglected counterargument will be regarded as a flaw in logic. An essay  dealing well with counterarguments shows that you can think and write logically and objectively in English.

◍ In the case of this writing topic, of the two opinions it provides, the one you do not agree with is the counterargument. Here are samples of taking up the counterargument and confirming your point, or giving a counter-counterargument.

Sample 1

Some might say that school should be concerned only with academic studies, and that physical exercise is something best left out of school life.

However, I think P.E. should be required because it fulfills the purpose of education: to promote physical, mental, and social development of individuals.

For example, by playing basketball, you can become physically fit, learn to think quickly, and work as part of a team.

Also, you can make friends with your classmates.

Sample 2

Some might say that physical exercise should be a required activity at school for some reason.

However, physical exercise is one of the practical subjects such as music and art, and music and art are optional in high school.

Therefore, I think physical exercise should be treated as such at least in high school.

◍ Here are examples of some other expected counterarguments. Sentences after the sign ⇔ are examples of points to counter the counterarguments.

Samples of other expected counterarguments in case you think P.E. should be required:

1.    P.E. classes actually have no effect on health and fitness. Twice or three times of P.E. a week is not enough for fitness. ⇔ Working out sometimes is better than never.

2.    Making P.E. required is unfair for physically disadvantaged students in university entrance examinations because GPA includes P.E. grades. ⇔ Paper test results and attendance rates are considered in the evaluation, so including P.E. grades in GPA is not unfair.

3.    P.E. should be optional because some students get embarrassed in front of their classmates. ⇔ This is the same with other students who are not good at other subjects. For example, music, art, or math classes are a torture for some students. The important thing is to protect everyone’s dignity in any classes. Also, while music and art can be optional, like math, P.E. directly benefits one’s daily life, so it should be a required subject.

Samples of other expected counterarguments in case you think P.E. is something best left out of school life:

1.    School is not only for learning subjects but also for mind and physical development. P.E. is necessary for the latter. ⇔  Awareness on health issues has become high nowadays, and there are enough opportunities to exercise outside of the school. Also, it is questionable if sports are necessary for the health. Doing household work, for example, can allow children to do without exercise.

2.    Schools of all levels, from elementary school to university, include P.E. in curriculums. ⇔ Just because something is practiced now does not mean that we should stick with it.

◍ Your Sample Counterargument-treatment

Use either of the following forms if you like.

Form 1

Some might say that school should be concerned only with academic studies, and that physical exercise is something best left out of school life.

However,

For example,

Also,

Form 2

Some might say that physical exercise should be a required activity at school for some reason.

However,

Therefore,