To my mind / way of thinking …………….
|
It is my (firm) belief / opinion / view / conviction (that) …………
|
In my view
| My opinion is that,
|
I firmly believe
| I definitely feel / think that
|
I am (not) convinced that / with
| I am inclined to believe that
|
I (do not) agree that / with
| It seems / appears to me
|
It strikes me that
| As far as I am concerned
|
34. Read the model below and complete the paragraph plan on the right, identifying the topic of each paragraph. Has the opposing viewpoint been included, and if so, in which paragraph? Then, replace the linking words or phrases in bold with other synonymous ones.
Throughout this century, the role of women
within society has changed, and the majority of
people feel that this change is for the better.
More women work than ever before, and it is
accepted in Western culture that many women
now have careers. Nonetheless, in my opinion
there is still a great deal of sexual discrimination
against women within society, and the belief that
sexual equality has been achieved is not accurate.
To begin with, many women find it very
difficult to return to work after having children.
The main reason for this is that there are rarely
any provisions for children in the workplace and, in
these cases, women are forced to find someone to
look after the children while they are at work.
Obviously, this can prove to be a time-consuming
and expensive process, yet it must be done if
mothers are to be able to resume their careers.
Secondly, the traditional views of the position of women within society are so deeply ingrained that they have not really changed. For instance, not only is the view that women should stay at home and look after their family still widely held, but it is reinforced through images seen on television programmes and advertisements. An example of this is that few men are ever seen doing housework on television, since this is traditionally thought of as a “woman’s job”.
Thirdly, since families often need two incomes in order to enjoy a good standard of living, a woman finds herself doing two jobs: one at home and one at office. So, it could be said that a woman’s position has, in fact, deteriorated rather than improved, with the result that women carry the burdens of equality but get none of the benefits.
In contrast, there are some people who claim that the problem of sexual discrimination no longer exists. They point out that women do, after all, have legal rights intended to protect them from discrimination. In addition, a few women are now beginning to reach top positions as judges, business leaders and politicians, while a number of other previously all-male professions are opening their ranks to women. Nonetheless, these examples are not the norm and discrimination is still very much with us.
Taking these points into consideration, I would say that the position of women has improved only slightly. While rules and laws have changed, it is the deep-rooted opinions of people within society which are taking a longer time to evolve. Needless to say, until these attitudes have changed, sexual discrimination will remain a problem which we all need to face and fight against.
|
Introduction –
* ______________________
Main Body -
* ______________________
________________________
* ______________________
________________________
* ______________________
________________________
* ______________________
________________________
Conclusion –
* ______________________
________________________
|
35. Give your opinion on the topic “It is the state which must determine the way its citizens live”. Do you agree? Write an essay in about 350 words, using appropriately formal style, useful expressions and linking words or phrases.