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1. Pre-Writing Strategies (3–5 mins)
A. Choose Your Position
2. Model Essay (300 Words) Topic: "Should schools abolish homework?" Introduction (50 words): "Childhood is a time for exploration, yet homework often chains students to desks. While some argue homework reinforces learning, I believe it harms social development and mental health. Schools should limit assignments to foster balanced growth." Body 1 (100 words): "The primary reason homework should be reduced is its impact on social skills. If children spend evenings on assignments, they miss out on play and interaction. Without peer engagement, they struggle with teamwork and communication—skills critical for adulthood. Critics claim homework teaches discipline, but excessive work breeds resentment, not responsibility. For example, my cousin’s grades improved when her school cut homework, as she joined a debate club and gained confidence." Body 2 (100 words): "Secondly, homework’s academic benefits are overstated. Studies show diminishing returns beyond 30 minutes nightly. When students cram, they retain little and sacrifice sleep, harming performance. Some argue homework prepares students for exams, but rote practice ignores creative thinking. A Stanford study found students in homework-free schools scored higher in problem-solving. Quality classroom time, not repetitive tasks, drives real learning." Conclusion (50 words): "While homework has merits, its costs outweigh benefits. I’ve shown how it stifles social growth and inefficiently reinforces learning. Schools must prioritize well-rounded development. After all, education should light fires, not fill buckets." 3. Post-Writing Assessment Content:
4. Advanced Tips
"Should governments fund space exploration?" Outline:
Final Reminder: Prioritize clarity and persuasion over complexity. Use the last 3 minutes to fix grammar/spelling!
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1. Pre-Reading & Writing Strategies
Step 1: Read & Annotate (2 mins)
2. Model Summary (300-Word Text → 1 Sentence) Original Text: [See culture shock example above] A common experience for international students is the adjustment period when they move to a new environment and have to adapt to completely different educational, cultural or social settings, or a new language. Students can expect to feel anything from excitement and wonder to frustration and confusion, from anywhere between several weeks to several months. The common term for this is 'culture shock' and it typically stems from the challenges of learning what is appropriate in your new surroundings and what is not. The positive news is that this learning helps most people to develop a more flexible and open attitude, and with this you will be better able to meet these challenges and benefit from them. Typically, there are three distinct phases: the honeymoon, distress and recovery. In the initial phase, you enjoy the novelty of everything, feeling excited and confident. Before long, the second phase sets in and you begin to miss your usual way of life and question or even criticise the new environment. Being immersed in a different language starts to exhaust you, and your health may suffer. Fortunately, when you make it to the final phase the result is usually regained confidence and comfortable adjustment. You may even surprise yourself and find a new preference for some aspects of your new home. In order to reduce the experience of culture shock, there are some simple practices you can follow. Firstly, remember it is very common and there will be others who are going through something similar. You’ll also benefit from sharing your experiences with friends and family. Make sure you keep to a healthy diet and exercise routine and get plenty of rest and recreation. Lastly, join some social clubs and make sure to explore your new home and learn as much as you can about it. Summary (45 words): "Culture shock, a transitional phase for international students, involves three stages—honeymoon, distress, and recovery—triggered by unfamiliar settings, but adopting strategies like social support, self-care, and cultural exploration can ease adaptation and foster resilience." Key Techniques:
Lay out all the sentences you wish to combine
The Great Lake Superior, celebrated by Canadians as the biggest of the Great lakes and largest freshwater lake in the world, is facing many contamination problems due to dumping and acid rain so, according to conservationists, it needs a massive cleanup, which can only be achieved by massive government spending. 3. Post-Writing Assessment Content:
4. Practice Task Text Excerpt (Climate Change): "Rising global temperatures are primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions, notably CO2 from fossil fuels. Impacts include extreme weather, sea-level rise, and ecosystem collapse. Solutions require renewable energy adoption, reforestation, and international policy cooperation." Your Turn: Write a 1-sentence summary (5–75 words). Compare to this model: "Climate change, caused by fossil fuel emissions, leads to severe environmental disruptions like extreme weather, but transitioning to renewables, restoring forests, and global policy coordination can mitigate its effects." 5. Advanced Tips
1. Pre-Reading Strategies (1–2 mins)
A. Triple-Phase Preview:
2. Advanced Elimination Techniques Step 1: First Pass Elimination
For remaining options:
3. Challenging Model Task (300-word Text) Text (Excerpt on AI Ethics): "Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises transformative benefits, from medical diagnostics to climate modeling. However, its deployment raises ethical dilemmas. A 2023 Stanford study revealed that 67% of AI systems exhibit bias against marginalized groups, often due to flawed training data. While some argue that AI’s efficiency justifies its risks, critics warn that unchecked automation could erode human agency. For instance, LinkedIn’s algorithm was found to prioritize male candidates for high-paying roles. Regulatory bodies like the EU now mandate ‘right to explanation’ clauses, requiring AI decisions to be interpretable. Yet, enforcement remains inconsistent globally. Proponents counter that AI, if designed inclusively, can reduce human prejudice—a claim supported by MIT’s 2022 trial where bias-aware algorithms improved hiring diversity by 40%." Question: Which statements reflect concerns raised in the text?
Answer at the end 4. Post-Task Assessment Content Accuracy:
5. Reflection Prompts
6. Pro Tips for High Difficulty
"Which reflect the author’s implicit stance?"
Final Reminder: Treat this task like a detective game—your job is to prove answers with text evidence, not assumptions! Correct Answers:
1. Pre-Reading & Task Strategies
A. Skim & Map (30 sec)
2. Model Task (300-Word Passage) Title: The Impact of Urban Green Spaces Urban green spaces, such as parks and community gardens, significantly enhance residents' well-being. A 2022 WHO study found that cities with ≥25% green coverage reported 30% lower rates of anxiety disorders. These areas reduce air pollution by absorbing CO2 and provide habitats for biodiversity. For example, Berlin’s Tempelhofer Feld, a repurposed airport turned park, hosts over 500 plant species and offsets 4,000 tons of CO2 annually. However, unequal access persists. Low-income neighborhoods often lack green infrastructure due to zoning laws prioritizing commercial development. In London, affluent areas have 5× more parks per capita than disadvantaged ones. This disparity exacerbates health inequalities, as green spaces are linked to lower obesity and cardiovascular disease rates. To address this, cities like Singapore mandate green roofs on new buildings, while Melbourne allocates 40% of its budget to park maintenance. Such policies not only improve equity but also boost property values by up to 15%, proving that environmental and economic benefits are intertwined. Questions:
3. Post-Task Assessment ✅ Accuracy:
4. Reflection Prompts
5. Pro Tips
Q: What does Singapore’s policy exemplify?
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AuthorNevin Blumer is Director of TPS and has been instructing students in PTE Academic since its inception in 2009. He has a Masters in Applied Linguistics and a BEd at UVic as well as a TESL Diploma recognized by Languages Canada Archives
September 2025
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