Writing task
Writing – Section 2, 20 minutes (25 marks)
2. It is as important to spend time by yourself as it is to spend time with other people.
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Practise this exact question with personalised feedback on your writing.
Understand the task
This discursive essay prompt chiefly tests balanced reasoning, evidence and examples and logical paragraphing. Develop a balanced viewpoint with examples rather than repeating the proposition.
- balanced reasoning
- evidence and examples
- logical paragraphing
- clear conclusion
Requirements to keep in mind
Writing time: 20 minutes; Marks available: 25; One of TWO compulsory writing sections; Write the argumentative section separately from the fox continuation
Plan your response
- Develop a balanced viewpoint with examples rather than repeating the proposition.
- Plan the response around the task’s specific instructions.
- Use deliberate paragraphing, sentence variety and concrete detail.
- Reserve time for spelling and punctuation checks.
- Compare with the official paper for any accompanying text or picture.
Check your response against the task requirements. Leave time to review sentence clarity, punctuation and spelling.
Original atoply example response
Written by atoply, not an official school answer or mark scheme. Other successful responses are possible.
Reveal example and teaching notes
Spending time alone can be as important as spending time with other people because both experiences help us grow in different ways. Solitude gives us space to think, read, draw or solve a problem without interruption. It can also help us understand our feelings after a difficult day.
However, time with others teaches skills we cannot practise on our own. We learn to listen, cooperate and recognise when someone needs help. Friends and family can also introduce us to ideas we would never discover by ourselves.
Some people enjoy long quiet periods, while others feel energised by company. In my view, neither is automatically better. A healthy balance gives us the freedom to enjoy our own thoughts while remaining connected to the people around us.
Learn from the example
- The response connects a central idea to reasons or qualifications, creating a line of thought rather than a list of opinions.
- In a full response, develop the supporting examples and address a different view before reaching a conclusion that answers the question.