Simple PTE Essay Template (“Do You Agree or Disagree?” Essays)

This template is for questions asking if you agree or disagree with a given statement.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

1. Introduce the Topic/Issue: Broad context.
2. State the Given Statement: Rephrase the question’s statement.
3. State Your Position: Agree, disagree, or partially agree (thesis).

Paragraph 2: Reason 1 (Body Paragraph 1)

1. Topic Sentence – State Reason 1: First reason for your stance.
2. Elaborate and Explain Reason 1: Why is it valid?
3. Example: Concrete illustration.

Paragraph 3: Reason 2 (Body Paragraph 2)

1. Topic Sentence – State Reason 2: Second distinct reason for your stance.
2. Elaborate and Explain Reason 2: Why is it important?
3. Example: Another concrete illustration (different from P2).

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

1. Summarize Main Reasons: Briefly recap your arguments.
2. Reiterate Your Stance: Firmly restate your overall position.

Key Strengths of this Template:

• Direct Stance: Forces you to take a clear position immediately.
• Structured Argument: Logical paragraph flow for clear arguments.
• Reasons and Examples: Emphasize evidence for persuasiveness.
• PTE-Friendly: Concise and efficient for timed writing.

Sample Answer using the Template: New Topic – Public Money on Health Promotion vs Treating Illnesses

Essay Question: It is more important to spend public money on promoting a healthy lifestyle than on treating illnesses. Do you agree or disagree?

Sample Answer:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

• Sentence 1 (Introduce Topic): Governments worldwide face complex decisions regarding the allocation of public funds, particularly in crucial sectors like healthcare.
• Sentence 2 (State Given Statement): The assertion that prioritizing public spending on promoting healthy lifestyles is more important than treating illnesses is a subject of ongoing debate and diverse viewpoints.
• Sentence 3 (State Position – Agree): I largely agree with this statement and believe that preventative healthcare measures deserve greater financial emphasis.

Paragraph 2: Reason 1 – Long-Term Effectiveness of Prevention (Supporting Agreement)

• Sentence 1 (Topic Sentence – Reason 1): Firstly, focusing on promoting healthy lifestyles offers a more effective long-term solution for public health compared to solely concentrating on treating illnesses.
• Sentence 2 (Elaboration – Prevention Reduces Disease Burden): Investing in preventative measures, such as public health campaigns encouraging exercise and healthy diets, can significantly reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers over time. This proactive approach tackles the root causes of health issues rather than just managing their consequences.
• Sentence 3 (Elaboration – Less Strain on Healthcare System): By preventing illnesses from developing in the first place, governments can also lessen the future burden on healthcare systems, reducing the demand for expensive treatments and hospitalizations in the long run.
• Sentence 4 (Example – Anti-Smoking Campaigns): For instance, successful public anti-smoking campaigns globally have demonstrably reduced smoking rates and, consequently, the incidence of smoking-related illnesses, illustrating the power of preventative public health initiatives.

Paragraph 3: Reason 2 – Improved Quality of Life (Supporting Agreement)

• Sentence 1 (Topic Sentence – Reason 2): Secondly, prioritizing healthy lifestyles not only reduces healthcare costs but also significantly improves the overall quality of life for citizens.
• Sentence 2 (Elaboration – Enhanced Well-being): When governments invest in promoting healthy living, such as creating accessible parks and recreational facilities and funding nutritional education programs, they empower individuals to adopt healthier habits and experience enhanced physical and mental well-being.
• Sentence 3 (Elaboration – Increased Productivity & Happiness): A healthier population is a more productive workforce and a happier society. Promoting well-being from the outset can lead to increased social engagement, reduced absenteeism from work due to illness, and a greater sense of community vitality.
• Sentence 4 (Example – City Parks Investment): Consider cities that have invested heavily in creating green spaces and parks. These initiatives encourage physical activity, reduce stress levels, and provide community spaces, leading to a more vibrant and healthy urban population, indirectly reducing the need for extensive illness treatment later.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

• Sentence 1 (Summarize Reasons): In conclusion, while acknowledging the importance of treating illnesses, the long-term effectiveness of prevention and the significant improvement in quality of life make promoting healthy lifestyles a more strategically valuable area for public spending.
• Sentence 2 (Reiterate Stance – Agree): Therefore, based on these reasons, it is clear that prioritizing public funds towards preventative health measures is a more impactful and forward-thinking approach to public health management than solely focusing on treating illnesses after they arise.

Explanation of the Sample Answer with the Template

Let’s see how this new sample answer fits the same “Do You Agree or Disagree?” template:

Paragraph 1: Introduction – Explained

• “Governments worldwide face complex decisions regarding the allocation of public funds, particularly in crucial sectors like healthcare.” – Introduce Topic/Issue: Sets a broader context of government spending decisions in healthcare.
• “The assertion that prioritizing public spending on promoting healthy lifestyles is more important than treating illnesses is a subject of ongoing debate and diverse viewpoints.” – State Given Statement: Clearly states the essay’s topic – the prioritization statement about health promotion vs. illness treatment.
• “I largely agree with this statement and believe that preventative healthcare measures deserve greater financial emphasis.” – State Position (Agree): Clearly states agreement and the thesis: preventative healthcare deserves more funding.

Paragraph 2: Reason 1 – Long-Term Effectiveness of Prevention – Explained

• “Firstly, focusing on promoting healthy lifestyles offers a more effective long-term solution for public health compared to solely concentrating on treating illnesses.” – Topic Sentence – Reason 1: Clear topic sentence – long-term effectiveness of prevention is better.
• “Investing in preventative measures, such as public health campaigns encouraging exercise and healthy diets, can significantly reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers over time. This proactive approach tackles the root causes of health issues rather than just managing their consequences.” – Elaboration – Prevention Reduces Disease Burden: Explains how prevention is more effective – reduces chronic diseases by addressing root causes, provides examples of preventative measures (campaigns for exercise/diet).
• “By preventing illnesses from developing in the first place, governments can also lessen the future burden on healthcare systems, reducing the demand for expensive treatments and hospitalizations in the long run.” – Elaboration – Less Strain on Healthcare System: Further elaboration – prevention reduces future healthcare burdens and costs.
• “For instance, successful public anti-smoking campaigns globally have demonstrably reduced smoking rates and, consequently, the incidence of smoking-related illnesses, illustrating the power of preventative public health initiatives.” – Example: Strong example – anti-smoking campaigns – demonstrating the real-world impact of preventative measures.

Paragraph 3: Reason 2 – Improved Quality of Life – Explained

• “Secondly, prioritizing healthy lifestyles not only reduces healthcare costs but also significantly improves the overall quality of life for citizens.” – Topic Sentence – Reason 2: Clear topic sentence – improved quality of life as a benefit of health promotion.
• “When governments invest in promoting healthy living, such as creating accessible parks and recreational facilities and funding nutritional education programs, they empower individuals to adopt healthier habits and experience enhanced physical and mental well-being.” – Elaboration – Enhanced Well-being: Explains how health promotion improves quality of life – through healthier habits and better well-being, provides examples of government actions (parks, education).
• “A healthier population is a more productive workforce and a happier society. Promoting well-being from the outset can lead to increased social engagement, reduced absenteeism from work due to illness, and a greater sense of community vitality.” – Elaboration – Increased Productivity & Happiness: Further elaboration – links health to productivity, happiness, social engagement, and community vitality.
• “Consider cities that have invested heavily in creating green spaces and parks. These initiatives encourage physical activity, reduce stress levels, and provide community spaces, leading to a more vibrant and healthy urban population, indirectly reducing the need for extensive illness treatment later.” – Example: Relevant example – investment in city parks – showing how this leads to a healthier population and reduced need for illness treatment later.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion – Explained

• “In conclusion, while acknowledging the importance of treating illnesses, the long-term effectiveness of prevention and the significant improvement in quality of life make promoting healthy lifestyles a more strategically valuable area for public spending.” – Summarize Reasons: Summarizes both main reasons – long-term effectiveness and improved quality of life, while acknowledging treatment of illness is also important.
• “Therefore, based on these reasons, it is clear that prioritizing public funds towards preventative health measures is a more impactful and forward-thinking approach to public health management than solely focusing on treating illnesses after they arise.” – Reiterate Stance (Agree): Restates agreement firmly, emphasizes that prevention is “more impactful and forward-thinking” and concludes with a clear, strong statement.

In essence, this response demonstrates that:

• The same “Do You Agree or Disagree?” template is versatile and can be applied to different topics.
• The key is to adapt the content within each paragraph to address the specific essay question.
• Maintaining a clear structure, providing relevant reasons, and using examples are crucial, regardless of the topic.

By practicing with this template and applying it to various “Do You Agree or Disagree?” questions, you can become proficient in writing well-structured and effective PTE essays for this common question type. Let me know if you have another essay topic you’d like to try!

Back to

PTE Speaking and Writing
https://www.mihiraa.com/pte-speaking-and-writing/