PTE Academic · Write Essay · Target 90

The 36-Essay Bullet Bank

Every line is exam-ready — copy it straight into your main template. The mono tag is your memory anchor (2 words to recall the whole sentence). Tag colour = the line's role in your Colour-Key template.

■ Blue — Basic sentence ■ Green — Supporting sentence ■ Orange — Example ■ Purple — Concluding / opinion

The Main Template — Band 9

Your full essay skeleton. Fixed lines are italic — copy them word-for-word. Coloured slots are where the bullet-bank lines go, matched by tag colour.

Introduction — fixed

It has long been a subject of discussion whether ‘copy the statement of the question as it is’ or not. In my opinion, the former notion has several elements that deserve attention, and I will explain why using pertinent arguments.

Body Paragraph 1

To begin with, basic sentence (Blue). supporting sentence (Green). Moreover, basic sentence (Blue). supporting sentence (Green). For example, your own example (Orange). Hence, summary of this paragraph (Purple).

Body Paragraph 2

Moving on further / In contrast, basic sentence (Blue). supporting sentence (Green). Furthermore, basic sentence (Blue). supporting sentence (Green). For example, your own example (Orange). Therefore, summary of this paragraph (Purple).

Conclusion — fixed opener

From what has been discussed above, it can be concluded that one line summarising the key points from both paragraphs (Purple).

Key rules
  • 1+1 Rule: every basic sentence (Blue) is followed by a supporting sentence (Green) that explains it.
  • Examples must be your own — personal examples are allowed.
  • Hence/Therefore lines should summarise what was discussed in that paragraph.
  • The conclusion should summarise key points from both paragraphs in one line.

Question 01

Unemployment among young people is a serious problem. One solution suggested is to shorten the working week. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages? Should this policy apply to just young workers or the whole workforce?

Youth unemployment · shorter working week

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • unemployment — un-employ-ment
  • vacancies — not "vacancys"
  • psychological — silent "p", "-ch-"
  • administrative — "-strative"
  • discrimination — double "i-i"
  • expenditure — "-diture"
↑ Index

Question 02

People who are famous entertainers or sportspeople should give up the right to privacy, as this is the price of fame. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion with your experiences.

Celebrity privacy · price of fame

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • surveillance — "-eill-", very commonly misspelt
  • scrutiny — not "scrutany"
  • dignity
  • anxiety — "x" then "iety"
  • transparency — "-ency"
  • accountability — double "c": ac-count-ability
↑ Index

Question 03

In many towns and cities, large shopping malls are replacing small local shops. Do you think this is a positive development? Give your reasons and examples.

Shopping malls vs small local shops

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • convenience — "-ience"
  • neighbourhood — "-bour-" (AU/UK spelling)
  • entertainment — "-tain-"
  • distinctive
  • sustainable — "-ain-"
  • closures — not "closeures"
↑ Index

Question 04

Age restrictions are placed on many activities. It is believed that people should not do things until they reach the right age, such as getting married, driving, voting, or buying certain products. Give an example, state which minimum age you think it should be, and share your own experience.

Age restrictions · driving at 18

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • judgement — AU/UK keeps the "e"; US "judgment" also accepted — pick one and stay consistent
  • adherence — "-herence"
  • maturity
  • regulations
  • overconfidence — one word
  • abruptly — ab-rupt-ly
↑ Index

Question 05

For a less developed country, the disadvantages of tourism are as great as the advantages. Please explain this statement and give your opinion.

Tourism in less developed countries

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • infrastructure — "-structure"
  • handicrafts — one word
  • overcrowding
  • expenditure
  • heritage — "-tage"
  • traditions
↑ Index

Question 06

What are the problems and the benefits for high school students of studying plays and other works for theatre that were written centuries ago? Do you agree with it? Use your own experience to discuss it.

Studying centuries-old plays

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • archaic — "ch" pronounced "k"
  • dilemmas — double "m"
  • comprehension
  • interpretation — "-pre-", not "-per-"
  • theatre — "-re" (AU/UK)
  • invaluable — means "extremely valuable"
↑ Index

Question 07

Some people prefer to live in cities, while some people prefer to live in the countryside. Which is better for you? Give your reasons or experience.

City life vs countryside life

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • opportunities — double "p", single "r": op-por-tunities
  • infrastructure
  • convenience
  • progression — double "s"
  • specialists
  • countryside — one word
↑ Index

Question 08

Some people think learning a foreign language at school should be compulsory. To what extent do you agree? Use your experience or examples to support your viewpoint. (Variant: What can make learning a new foreign language unimportant?)

Compulsory foreign language learning

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • compulsory — "-sory", not "-sary"
  • pronunciation — "-nun-", NOT "pronounciation"
  • multilingual
  • cognitive
  • bilingual
  • necessity — one "c", double "s"
↑ Index

Question 09

Some people argue that experience is the best teacher, saying life experiences teach people more effectively than books or formal education can. How far do you agree with this statement? Give your reason or provide your personal experience.

Experience is the best teacher

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • adaptability
  • theoretical — "-ret-"
  • discipline — "-sc-"
  • foundational
  • replicate
  • consequences — "-quen-"
↑ Index

Question 10

Imagine you have been assigned to the study of climate change. Which area of climate change would you focus on, and why? Use examples.

Climate change · chosen focus area

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • greenhouse — one word
  • renewable
  • biodiversity
  • scarcity — "-city"
  • emissions — double "s"
  • pollution
↑ Index

Question 11

While artificial intelligence becomes so advanced, people can use computers to translate foreign languages. This makes learning a foreign language unnecessary. To what extent do you agree?

AI translation vs language learning

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • artificial — "-ficial"
  • nuances — "nu-ances"
  • humour — AU/UK "-our"
  • accessible — double "c", double "s"
  • flexibility
  • accessible — double "c", double "s"
↑ Index

Question 12

As cities expand, governments should look forward to creating better networks of public transport available for everyone, rather than building more roads for the vehicle-owning population. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Public transport vs building roads

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • congestion — "-gestion"
  • commuting — double "m"
  • sustainability
  • connectivity — double "n"
  • logistics
  • dependency — "-ency"
↑ Index

Question 13

Should marketing in companies which produce consumer goods, like food and clothing, place emphasis on the reputation of the company or on short-term strategies like discounts and special offers? Why?

Reputation vs discounts in marketing

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • reputation
  • loyalty — "-alty"
  • perceived — "ei" after "c"
  • competitive — "-petitive"
  • margins
  • strategies — "-gies"
↑ Index

Question 14

Many countries spend large amounts of money on the restoration of historic buildings rather than on modern housing. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Support your writing with your experience or examples.

Historic buildings vs modern housing

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • restoration
  • architectural — "-tect-"
  • heritage — "-tage"
  • efficiency — double "f", "-iency"
  • contemporary — "-porary"
  • expenditure
↑ Index

Question 15

In some companies, employers involve workers in the decision-making process about products and services. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a policy?

Workers in decision-making

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • participative
  • satisfaction
  • organisational — AU "-isa-"; keep consistent
  • impractical
  • profitability — one "t" after "profi"
  • commitment — double "m", double "t"
↑ Index

Question 16

With the increase of digital media available online, the role of the library has become obsolete. Universities should only procure new digital media rather than constantly update textbooks. Discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of this position and give your own point of view.

Digital media vs traditional libraries

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • obsolete — from the question; "-lete"
  • procure — from the question; means "obtain"
  • databases
  • retention
  • inequality
  • independent — "-ent", not "-ant"
↑ Index

Question 17

"In the future, people will work fewer hours at their jobs than they do now." Do you agree with the statement? Please support your opinion with your own experience.

Fewer working hours in future

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • automation
  • hybrid — "y" then "i"
  • productivity
  • efficient — double "f"
  • eliminating
  • reliance — "-iance"
↑ Index

Question 18

Medical technology is responsible for increasing the average life expectancy. Do you think it is a curse or a blessing?

Medical technology · curse or blessing

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • diagnostics — "-gnos-"
  • chronic — "ch"
  • minimally invasive — double "l" in minimally
  • life expectancy — "-ancy"
  • proactively
  • ageing — AU/UK keeps the "e"
↑ Index

Question 19

The information revolution brought about by modern mass communications has both positive and negative consequences for individuals and society. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Give reasons with your own experience.

Information revolution · both sides

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • misinformation — one word
  • connectivity
  • cybercrime — one word
  • identity theft
  • excessive — "xc" then double "s": ex-cess-ive
  • isolation
↑ Index

Question 20

Should parents be held legally responsible for the actions of their children?

Parents' legal responsibility

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • negligence — "-gence"
  • adolescents — "-scents"
  • juvenile
  • accountable
  • supervision
  • antisocial — one word
↑ Index

Question 21

Climate change is a concerning global issue. Who has responsibilities to solve the problem — governments, big companies, or individuals?

Climate change · shared responsibility

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • responsibilities — "-ibilities"
  • legislation
  • emissions
  • renewable
  • substantial
  • environment — "-ron-", don't drop the "n"
↑ Index

Question 22

Some people say there should be a maximum wage for high-paying jobs. Do you support that? Give your point of view or your own experience.

Maximum wage cap

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • inequality
  • distribution
  • executive
  • innovation
  • taxation
  • ambition
↑ Index

Question 23

The mass media, such as TV, radio and newspapers, have an influence on people, particularly on younger generations. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the opinions of teenagers and young people. To what extent do you agree with this? Please give examples.

Mass media & younger generations

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • pivotal — from the question; means "crucial"
  • uncritically
  • persuasive — "-sua-"
  • materialistic
  • influencers
  • attitudes — double "t"
↑ Index

Question 24

Is it harder for children to grow up in the 21st century?

Growing up in the 21st century

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • cyberbullying — one word, double "l": cyber-bull-ying
  • concentration
  • supervision
  • addiction — double "d"
  • competition
  • development
↑ Index

Question 25

Effective study requires time, comfort and peace. It is impossible to study with employment because one may distract the other. To what extent do you think these statements are realistic? Give your opinion with examples.

Study + employment together

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • fatigue — "-gue"
  • concentration
  • employment
  • demanding
  • scheduling
  • disciplined — "-sc-"
↑ Index

Question 26

Many education systems assess students using formal written examinations. Those kinds of exams are a valid method. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give examples from your own experience.

Formal written examinations

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • memorisation — AU "-isa-"
  • examinations
  • collaborative — double "l": col-lab-orative
  • anxiety
  • portfolios
  • assessment — double "s" twice
↑ Index

Question 27

Some people point out that experiential learning (i.e. learning by doing) can work well in formal education. However, others think a traditional form of teaching is the best. Do you think experiential learning can work well in high schools or colleges?

Experiential vs traditional learning

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • experiential — "-ential", NOT "experimental"
  • laboratories
  • conceptual
  • systematic
  • progression
  • internships
↑ Index

Question 28

Some believe the value of travel is overrated. Some brilliant scholars never leave their home bases. People argue whether travel is or is not an essential component of education. To what extent do you agree with it?

Value of travel in education

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • overrated — double "r"
  • immerse — double "m"
  • horizons
  • empathy
  • scholars — "sch-"
  • travelling — AU double "l"
↑ Index

Question 29

Global problems are related to governments and international organisations. What are the problems, and what are your solutions?

Global problems · memory shortcut: CPPW — Climate, Poverty, Pandemic, War

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • Paris Accord — capital A, double "c"
  • cooperation
  • surveillance
  • diplomatic
  • vocational
  • distribution
↑ Index

Question 30

How does the design of buildings affect, positively and negatively, the places where people live and work?

Building design effects

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • ventilation
  • accessibility — double "c", double "s"
  • signage
  • respiratory — "-piratory"
  • collaboration
  • occupants — double "c"
↑ Index

Question 31

Television serves many useful functions. It helps people to relax. Besides, it can also be seen as a companion for the lonely. To what extent do you agree with this? Explain why, with your experience.

Television · relaxation & companionship

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • companionship
  • leisure
  • documentaries
  • versatile
  • genres
  • moderation
↑ Index

Question 32

There are many global problems. What is the most pressing problem? What solutions would you suggest?

Most pressing global problem

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • subjective
  • biodiversity
  • hurricanes — double "r"
  • scarcity — "-city"
  • fossil — double "s"
  • droughts — "-ought"
↑ Index

Question 33

Some universities deduct marks from students' work if it is handed in late. What is your opinion? Suggest some alternative actions.

Late-submission penalties

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • penalties — "-alties"
  • punctuality
  • unnecessary
  • curriculum — double "r", one "l"
  • submissions — double "s" twice
  • hinder
↑ Index

Question 34

Nowadays, people who devote too much time to their jobs leave very little time for their personal and private life. How widespread is the problem? What problems will this shortage of time cause? (Variant: How important is work–life balance, and why do some find it hard to achieve?)

Work–life balance

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • burnout — one word
  • fatigue
  • leisure — "ei"
  • pursuits — "-suits"
  • widespread — one word
  • recharge
↑ Index

Question 35

In our technological world, the number of new inventions has been evolving daily. Please describe a new invention and determine whether it has a beneficial or detrimental impact on society.

New invention · smartphones

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • revolutionised — AU "-ised"
  • indispensable — "-able", not "-ible"
  • detrimental — from the question; means "harmful"
  • beneficial
  • convenience
  • browsers
↑ Index

Question 36

Can laws change human behaviour? (Suggested stance: yes, but only partially.)

Laws & human behaviour

⚠ Spelling watch-list

  • behaviour — AU "-our"
  • compliance — "-iance"
  • enforcement
  • upbringing — one word
  • legislation
  • consequences
↑ Index