Writing Task 2 Model Answers
WRITING
4. Appearance
Some people believe that you should judge others on their appearance, while others think that appearance is not important.
What is your opinion?
Essay Plan:
Opinion: Partially agree with both sides.
Main Idea 1: In some situations a good appearance is not important.
Sub-idea A: We don’t need a good appearance when with family and close friends.
Sub-idea B: Some jobs, especially remote jobs, don’t require a good appearance.
Main Idea 2: Some professional situations require a good appearance.
Sub-idea A: A good appearance is needed to show that you are serious and hard-working.
Sub-idea B: A scruffy appearance suggests you are not good to work with.
Model Answer:
It is sometimes argued that appearance is very important and indicates if a person has a good or bad character. In my opinion, while the way a person dresses and takes care of his or her appearance are important in certain situations where it is necessary to make a good impression, in others, they shouldn't matter.
In some contexts a good appearance does not particularly matter. If a person is with friends or relatives then it should not be important if he or she wears scruffy clothes or is not well-groomed. When you are with people who know you well, there is no need to impress anyone and you should not be judged on the image you present. Similarly, if you work in a job where it isn’t necessary to interact with customers, appearance is not so crucial, so for example, a computer programmer who works remotely, doesn’t have any pressing need to be clean-shaven or have a clean-cut look. Simply being tidy and clean is generally enough. However, of course, there are some situations where a good appearance is more important.
There are times when impressions count. This is often the case in professional situations. For instance, at a job interview, at a conference, or at any other work related event where you are likely to meet customers or colleagues, smart clothes and a good appearance play an important role. They will show people that you are concerned with what they think of you and that therefore, you are the kind of person who will work hard to be useful and productive. In contrast, unkempt hair or messy clothing suggests a lack of respect for others, and may give the impression that you could be unhelpful and difficult to work with. Naturally, this could have a detrimental effect on your business or career.
In conclusion, having a good appearance matters if you want to show people who don’t know you that you are a serious and conscientious person. If, on the other hand, you’re with people who already understand your character, looking good is not an important consideration.
*To see definitions and examples of the vocabulary in bold, along with practice exercises, go to Topic Vocabulary & Exercises.