Plan this advantages and disadvantages essay about crime with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some schools now teach students self-defence and personal safety as part of the curriculum.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Some schools now teach students self-defence and personal safety as part of the curriculum. I believe the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages.
The primary advantage is that students gain practical skills and confidence. Learning how to escape from a grip, to stay alert in public places and to react in a threatening situation can help young people to protect themselves, especially girls and smaller children who are more vulnerable to attack. Lessons usually cover more than physical techniques: they teach students to recognise danger, avoid risky situations and seek help, as well as how to deal with bullying and online threats. A confident student who knows how to behave assertively is less likely to become a target. Self-defence training is also good exercise and develops discipline, concentration and respect, in the same way as other martial arts. In some countries, programmes of this kind have been associated with reduced bullying and improved self-esteem.
On the other hand, there are possible disadvantages. Schools have limited time, and adding another subject may reduce lessons in core areas. Physical training carries a risk of injury, and some students may misuse their skills to fight or to bully others. There is also a concern that focusing on self-defence suggests that victims are responsible for preventing attacks, rather than tackling the behaviour of aggressors. Qualified instructors and equipment add to costs.
These problems can be managed. Classes can be taught by trained professionals, with strict safety rules and an emphasis on avoiding conflict and respecting others, and they can be integrated with existing physical education lessons.
In conclusion, teaching self-defence builds confidence, awareness and fitness, and with careful supervision its drawbacks are manageable. I therefore think the benefits are greater.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| self-defence | methods of protecting yourself |
| personal safety | keeping yourself from harm |
| curriculum | subjects taught at school |
| build confidence | make someone feel more sure of themselves |
| physical education | school sport lessons |
| bullying | repeated unkind behaviour to weaker people |
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