Task 7 — Expressing Opinions

Should children have smartphones?171 words

The question of whether children should have smartphones really has two fair sides, and I think it's worth weighing both. On one hand, there are strong arguments for it. A phone lets parents reach their child at any time, which brings real peace of mind, and it opens up educational apps and quick access to information. For example, my niece uses hers to message her mum after school and to look up homework help. On the other hand, there are serious arguments against. Smartphones can be deeply addictive, exposing children to social media pressure and inappropriate content, and they often distract from sleep, study, and face-to-face friendships. I've seen younger kids glued to screens at family dinners, barely speaking. Weighing these two sides, I come down in favour of children having phones, but only simple ones with strict limits and parental controls. The safety and learning benefits are real, yet they only outweigh the risks if the usage is genuinely supervised. So my answer is a cautious yes, with clear boundaries.

Big city or small town to live in?175 words

Whether it's better to live in a big city or a small town genuinely depends on what you value, and both sides have real merit. On one side, big cities offer far more job opportunities, better public transport, and endless culture, from restaurants to museums. When I lived in a large city, I could find work easily and there was always something to do. On the other side, small towns offer a slower pace, lower costs, cleaner air, and a stronger sense of community, where people actually know their neighbours. My grandparents live in a small town and their quality of daily life looks wonderfully calm. Weighing both, I personally lean toward the big city, at least while I'm young and building my career, because the opportunities and energy matter most to me right now. However, I fully understand why someone raising a family or seeking peace would choose the town. So my honest conclusion is that the city wins for this stage of my life, though the ideal answer really shifts with your priorities.