GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 366
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Parents are the best teachers.
You should give reasons for your answer using your own ideas and experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Agreement]
It is often pointed out by many that parents are the best teachers one can have. I agree with this opinion because while it is true that teachers, friends, and personal experiences can provide some valuable lessons, parents hold a unique position in shaping an individual’s character and guiding them throughout their lives.
To begin with, parents have a unique position in shaping an individual’s life. Firstly, parents are the first teachers that a child ever has. They play a critical role in instilling values, beliefs, and moral principles in their children. For instance, parents can teach children the value of honesty, hard work, and perseverance, which can serve them well throughout their lives. Since most children mimic their parents and learn from their behaviours, parents have the most significant role in shaping a child’s character and values.
Secondly, parents have an intimate knowledge of their children’s strengths and weaknesses, aspirations, and desires. This knowledge enables them to tailor their guidance to meet the unique needs of their children. For example, when I was struggling with anxiety during my school years, my parents were able to provide me with the emotional support and guidance that I needed to overcome my fears and achieve my goals. I took professional counselling and talked to many friends about this issue. Ultimately, my parents were my best source of hope and help.
In conclusion, the unique position that parents hold in shaping their children’s character, guiding them through their lives, and providing emotional support and guidance makes them invaluable mentors and the best teachers that no other source can match.
Model Answer 2: [Disagreement]
Many argue that parents are the best teachers for their children. While parents play an important role in shaping the lives of their children, I disagree with the statement that parents are the best teachers. In this essay, I will explain why I believe that parents are not always the best educators and that other sources such as teachers, books, good friends, and personal experience can sometimes provide better guidance.
To begin with, parents might not always have the necessary knowledge and expertise to provide the best guidance to their children. For instance, parents may not be able to teach their children technical or specialized skills that are required for certain professions. In such cases, a professional mentor or teacher might be better suited to provide the necessary training and knowledge. Moreover, parents may have biases and prejudices that might influence their guidance, which can hinder the development of their children. For instance, study after study has shown that most parents do not believe that their dear children can get involved in delinquency and immoral acts, and thus ignore early signs of such deeds.
Furthermore, parents might not always be the best teachers because of the emotional bond they share with their children. Parents might find it difficult to provide unbiased advice and criticism to their children, which can hinder their children’s growth and development. For instance, parents may be reluctant to criticize their children for fear of hurting their feelings, which can prevent their children from learning from their mistakes and improving themselves.
Finally, personal experiences, learning from books, and interactions with friends and peers can also provide valuable lessons and insights that parents may not be able to provide. Personal experiences can be valuable because they provide individuals with a hands-on experience of the real world, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and gain practical knowledge. Likewise, books open up new windows of knowledge for us. Friends and peers can also offer a different perspective and challenge our beliefs, which can broaden our horizons and promote personal growth.
In conclusion, while parents are undoubtedly important figures in our lives, I believe that they are not always the best teachers. Teachers, mentors, books, personal experiences, and friends can also provide valuable guidance and insights that are essential for personal growth and development.