Extending Responses
AdvancedAnswer + reason + example.
- Extension formula: direct answer, because + reason, For example + case, then conditions.
- Nuanced stances score higher: 'I support it under sensible conditions' beats 'Yes'.
- Give one success story and one failure story; balance persuades.
文體小知識：Go beyond yes/no.
§Text Passage
1Do you think students should have part-time jobs? That's an interesting question. Personally, I have thought about this question since last summer. I believe part-time jobs can be valuable, but only in moderation. Many parents worry that a job will take time away from homework.
2For example, working in a bookstore taught my cousin to communicate with customers. She learned to stay patient, solve problems and even handle difficult complaints. She now speaks to strangers with confidence, and she even earned a small scholarship. On the other hand, too many hours would affect her studies. Last term, a classmate worked twenty hours a week and his grades dropped sharply. But without proper rest, even a good experience turns into a burden.
3So overall, I support part-time work if it stays within weekends and school holidays. That way, students gain experience without sacrificing grades. They also learn to manage money, which schools rarely teach. Moreover, a small income can reduce the burden on their families. Besides, employers often prefer graduates with some work experience. My cousin told me that time management was the hardest lesson of all.
4Of course, parents and schools should set clear limits. For instance, no more than fifteen hours a week, and never during exam periods. A weekend job during the long summer holiday seems the safest choice. If the job starts affecting health or homework, it is time to stop. So yes, I support it — under sensible conditions. In short, work can be a teacher, as long as study remains the priority.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Do you think students should have part-time jobs?
你覺得學生應不應該做兼職？
That's an interesting question.
這條問題很有意思。
Personally, I have thought about this question since last summer.
其實我自己從去年暑假開始就一直在想這個問題。
I believe part-time jobs can be valuable, but only in moderation.
我認為兼職可以有價值，但要適可而止。
Many parents worry that a job will take time away from homework.
許多家長擔心兼職會佔用做功課的時間。
For example, working in a bookstore taught my cousin to communicate with customers.
例如在書店打工，教會我表妹怎樣與顧客溝通。
She learned to stay patient, solve problems and even handle difficult complaints.
她學會保持耐性、解決問題，甚至處理棘手的投訴。
She now speaks to strangers with confidence, and she even earned a small scholarship.
她現在與陌生人說話都有自信，還拿到一個小獎學金。
On the other hand, too many hours would affect her studies.
另一方面，工作時間太長會影響學業。
Last term, a classmate worked twenty hours a week and his grades dropped sharply.
上學期有個同學每星期足足做了二十小時，成績立即大跌。
But without proper rest, even a good experience turns into a burden.
但如果沒有適當休息，再好的經驗都會變成負擔。
So overall, I support part-time work if it stays within weekends and school holidays.
所以總括來說，如果局限在週末與假期，我支持做兼職。
That way, students gain experience without sacrificing grades.
這樣學生拿到經驗，又不必犧牲成績。
They also learn to manage money, which schools rarely teach.
他們還學會理財，這是學校很少教的。
Moreover, a small income can reduce the burden on their families.
而且，一點收入可以減輕家人負擔。
Besides, employers often prefer graduates with some work experience.
況且，僱主通常都喜歡有些工作經驗的畢業生。
She told me that time management was the hardest lesson of all.
表姐跟我說，時間管理才是最難學的一課。
Of course, parents and schools should set clear limits.
當然，家長與學校應該訂立清晰的界線。
For instance, no more than fifteen hours a week, and never during exam periods.
例如每星期不超過十五小時，考試期間更不准做。
A weekend job during the long summer holiday seems the safest choice.
在漫長的暑假做週末工似乎是最穩妥的選擇。
If the job starts affecting health or homework, it is time to stop.
如果兼職開始影響健康或者功課，就是時候停止。
So yes, I support it — under sensible conditions.
所以，我支持——但要在合理條件之下。
In short, work can be a teacher, as long as study remains the priority.
總之，只要讀書仍然是第一位，工作都可以是一位老師。
1Summary 重點摘要
Answer + reason + example.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Expand.
Why.
Example.
Detail.
Feel.
Because.
For example.
Like.
3Step by step Steps
- AnswerAnswer directly, no circling: “Personally, I believe part-time jobs can be valuable, but only in moderation” — one measured stand, upgraded from a bare yes / no in a single sentence.
- ReasonGive reasons with because: why support it? Experience, money skills, confidence; why set limits? Study comes first — one because per point, layer by layer.
- ExampleAdd examples with for example: a positive one (a cousin who learned customer skills, handled complaints and won a scholarship at a bookstore) plus a negative (a classmate working twenty hours a week whose grades dropped) — one of each keeps the answer balanced and strong.
- LengthStart from three to five sentences: answer → reason → example → condition, at least four layers; too short (“Yes, I like it.”) earns nothing, and too long drifts off topic.
- Stack with connectorsStack layers with connectors: Moreover (money management), Besides (family burden), Of course (limits needed) — every connector must carry new information, never a repeat of yourself.
- Concrete conditionsMake the closing conditions concrete: no more than fifteen hours a week, never during exam periods, a summer job as the safest choice — conditions with numbers make answers memorable.
- Closing lineEnd with a memorable line: “Work can be a teacher, as long as study remains the priority” — one sentence that sums up your stance and stays with the examiner.
5Worked example Example
The model answer to 'Do you think students should have part-time jobs?' shows how to extend a one-word reply into a full response. Break down its layers.
- Step 1: The opening upgrades the question: 'valuable, but only in moderation' — a conditional stance, not a bare yes.
- Step 2: The positive example is personal: a cousin who learned customer service, patience and confidence, and even earned a small scholarship.
- Step 3: The negative balances it: 'On the other hand', a classmate working twenty hours a week whose grades dropped sharply.
- Step 4: Connectives build the case: 'So overall' restates the stance (weekends and holidays), 'Moreover' adds money management, 'Besides' the family burden.
- Step 5: Boundaries and a quotable close: fifteen hours maximum, never in exam periods — 'work can be a teacher, as long as study remains the priority'.
- Answer: The answer extends in five layers. It opens above yes/no level with a conditional stance: part-time work is 'valuable, but only in moderation'. The positive evidence is vivid — a cousin who learned to communicate with customers, handle complaints and win a small scholarship at a bookshop. A balancing example follows: a classmate working twenty hours a week whose grades fell sharply, introduced by 'On the other hand'. Connectives then stack the argument: 'So overall' limits work to weekends and holidays, 'Moreover' notes money management schools never teach, 'Besides' the relief for family budgets. Clear boundaries follow — fifteen hours a week, never during exams, stop if health suffers — before the quotable ending: work can be a teacher, as long as study remains the priority.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What?
Q2Structure?
Q3Length?
Q4How?
Q5Example?
Q6Tip?
8Recap Recap
- Extension formula: direct answer, because + reason, For example + case, then conditions.
- Nuanced stances score higher: 'I support it under sensible conditions' beats 'Yes'.
- Give one success story and one failure story; balance persuades.
- Stack layers with connectives: Moreover, Besides, Of course — each adds new information.
- End with a quotable line plus concrete limits (hours, when to stop) for a memorable answer.