Levels of consumer debt are increasing across the world. To address this, a new compulsory subject should be introduced in secondary schools: how to manage personal finances. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

1. , given the growing amount of individual debt around the world, there is no better time to learn about the negative effects of personal debt than at school. Students would be less likely to borrow what they could not afford, and more likely to stay in credit when they reach adulthood.

2. , I believe that teaching teenagers how to manage their money within the school curriculum would be vital in allowing them to become financially independent, even before the age of 18. They would feel more confident in being able to control their daily or monthly expenditure, and less reliant entirely on their parents for support or 'top-up' money.

3 , some would argue that teenagers are often too immature to become truly financially responsible, and so the classes would be a waste of teaching time.

4. Others point out that teaching the concept of financial responsibility as a new subject would unfairly favour those students who are good at maths, and even that it would be just another way for them to get the best grades.

5. , in my experience, neither of these last two points are particularly valid. Most teenagers are keen to become financially independent as soon as they possibly can, while even the best mathematicians can experience difficulties with money at some point.

08. Look at the arguments in exercise 6 and the numbered gaps. Which of the discourse markers in each group of three does NOT work in the corresponding gaps? Why?

1. First / Primarily / To begin with

2. Secondly/ Following / Next

3. That said/ On the other hand/ Alternatively

5. Despite of this/ In spite of this/ Despite this

Suggested answer

1. First and To begin with announce the writer's first argument of a series. Primarily is incorrect, as this is an adverb which highlights or
emphasises a point in comparison with (an)other(s).

2. Secondly introduces the second point, Next introduces a subsequent point. Following is lexically/grammatically incorrect. Following (on from) this would work in its place.

3. That said and On the other hand both introduce a contrasting or opposing argument. Alternatively is incorrect, as this is an adverb which offers the reader another option or possibility.

5. Despite of this is grammatically incorrect; the other two options are correct.

09. Both paragraphs A and B would lose credit in the way they answer the Task 2 question here. Why?

A. While the financial rewards in some professions are considerable, this does not always cancel out the difficulties that people working in these areas encounter, such as a loss of privacy. Furthermore, they often need to be away from home and their families for long periods. That said, there are so many people around the world who would love to be famous or rich, and it requires a huge amount of hard work and dedication.

B. Undoubtedly, those working in high-profile professions can earn astonishing amounts of money. However, this often comes at a price, whether that involves the loss of privacy for celebrities, or long working days in the case of financiers. Other people may believe the opposite, but in my eyes they are mistaken.

Suggested answer

Paragraph A: The topic sentence has established the main idea of the paragraph: that the considerable financial rewards are not worth the problems that are caused in these professionals' lives as a result. The candidate then introduces a contrasting idea with the discourse marker That said, but their counter-argument does not follow on clearly or logically from the previous two sentences. The examiner would struggle to establish what argument the candidate is making.

Paragraph B: There is no real consideration or evaluation of the opposing idea, just a statement of belief from the writer that their opinion is correct.

10. Rewrite the end of paragraph A from the previous exercise starting at the point shown, so that it finishes with a logical counter-argument.

Sample answer

That said, there is an argument that those at the very top of their profession were aware of these potential outcomes when they began their careers, and so any sympathy for their problems should be limited