51 Do you agree or disagree with the followingstatement? Parents or other adult relatives should makeimportant decisions for their older (15 to 18 year-old) teenaged children. Use specific reasons and examples tosupport your opinion.

No one knows me as well as my parents. No one wants the bestfor me like my parents. It is natural that I should allow myparents to make important decisions for me. I think all older teenagers (15 to 18 year-olds) shouldtake their parents advice on decisions that concern their education, their social life, and their futurecareers.

My parents have always chosen the best schools for me to attend. They have encouraged me toattend special prep classes to make sure that I was well prepared for the exams. They have givenme tutors to make sure that I understood my subjects well. When it comes to choosing a college, I will trust my parents to make that decision. They know what they can afford and what will giveme a good education.

When I was young, my parents would invite children over to play with me. Over the years, I havebecome very close to these children. They are like my family. We celebrate holidays and birthdaystogether. We even go to the mountains together in the summer. My parents do not want me tofall into the wrong crowd. They do not want me to meet and fall in love with someone they do notknow. I understand that and I want to make them happy.

My father runs a very successful business and my mother is a well-known politician. They are verywell connected and they have many friends who would like me to work for them when I finishschool. This is a very good arrangement for me.

If all children follow their parents’ wishes, they would probably be happier. Parents only want thebest for their children.


52 Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Traveling alone is the only way to travel. If you take someone with you, you take your home withyou. When you travel alone, you meet new people, have new experiences, and learn more aboutyourself.

When I traveled with my friend, I spend all my time with that friend. We eat together and sightseetogether. When I travel alone, I spend my time looking for new friends. It is easy to fine otherpeople, either other tourists or locals, to eat with or have a coffee with. When you share meals withstrangers, they become friends.

When I travel with a friend, my routine is predictable. We maintain the same schedule that we doat home. When I travel alone, I adopt the rhythm of the place I visit. I might take a nap in theafternoon and eat dinner at 11 pm. I might go to a disco and dance all night.

When I travel with a friend, we know how we will react to things. When I travel alone, each newexperience requires a new reaction. If I don’t try new things, I won’t be able to decide if I likesomething or not. Shall I ride an ostrich or eat one?

I think it is always important to do things on your own. You can fine new friends, collect newmemories, and adopt different ways of doing things. Isn’t that the point of travel?