Topic: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

A person should never make an important

decision alone. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people prefer to make all of their critical decisions without first consulting with others. I, on
the other hand, feel that we should never make important decisions on our own. I feel this way for two
reasons, which I will explore in the following essay.

First of all, while we might think our lives are unique, there is always someone close to us that has
been faced with the same decision. By consulting someone who has made a similar decision in the
past, we can more carefully weigh our options. For example, when I graduated from high school five
years ago I was forced to choose between enrolling in either a trade school or a university. I knew that
a trade school would lead to more reliable employment in the future, but I also knew that a university
would provide a more stimulating intellectual environment. I did not think that my old-fashioned and
practical-minded parents would have struggled with such a dilemma in their youth, but when I talked it
out with my father I found out that despite his tendencies towards conservatism and practical ways, as
a young man he had given consideration to studying the liberal arts. As we talked about his
motivations, and some of the regrets associated with his ultimate choice, I was able to more fully
consider all of my own options.

Secondly, I feel that when we make decisions alone, we are more likely to make rash and
impulsive moves. Talking about a problem with another person takes time, and thus our decision
making process is slowed down. For example, when I decided to buy a new car last year I made
purchase the very same day that the idea popped into my head. It seemed like a good idea at the time
because gas prices were low and there was plenty of parking available on campus. However, when I
told one of my classmates about my purchase she reminded me that gas prices always shoot up when
we least expect them to, and that parking was easy only to find at that time because it was summer
vacation and fewer students were on campus. Had I talked about these issues before buying the car I
might have reconsidered whether or not it was a good idea.

In conclusion, I strongly believe that it is never a smart idea to make decisions without first talking
to someone about them. This is because there is always someone in our life who has had to deal with a
similar situation, and because talking about issues prevents us from acting impulsively.

(435 words)
 A child can decide to buy his favourite candy, he can make a decision to get the books he is
longing for, and he can also determine to make friends with other kids. However, can he make an
important decision alone? For example, which school is better for him to attend? Which road through
life will he take? In my opinion, a child should never make an important decision alone? There are
several reasons which support my position.

First of all, he has less life experience than his parents. The way he views life is idealistic, but in
fact, the society is not as simple or as kind as he might think. However his parents know our society
better, they have done much, and they have seen much, and so they may think differently. In other
words, when they face an important decision, they will consider all kinds of factors, such as the knock-
on effects and the potential outcomes, while a child would not have the real-world experience needed
to be able to do this.

Second, the ideas of a child might not be correct. Some TV programmes, movies or YouTube
channels promote ways of thinking that lead young people astray. So, it is up to the parents to
counteract the effects of this type of media. They should educate the child about how to tell the bad
from the good. In this way, they can make sure their child will not make a wrong decision. However,
when the child has grown up and when he is not a child any longer, should we let him make an
important decision alone? In my opinion, yes, I think it is the right time for him to make an important
decision alone.

A person can never depend on his parents or friends forever. Everyone has his own way to go,
and no one can help you all the time. As the English saying goes: "God only help those who can help
themselves." He must learn how to make smart decisions by himself. Maybe at first, he will not feel
comfortable, maybe it will not be the correct choice, but I think that this is an important stage of
growing up. If the choice is wring, then because the important decision was made by him alone, he
cannot blame someone else for his misfortune. He must take responsibility for himself and his actions.
This too is one of the lessons we must learn when growing up.

In conclusion, when a child makes an important decision, he should listen to his parents, but
when he grows up, he should learn to make decisions alone.

(441 words)
 It goes without saying that how to make a decision is always an issue of much controversy.
Some people claim that one should never make an important decision alone, while others believe that
it is not true. My opinion is that it is always beneficial to consult other people such as family, relatives,
friends or colleagues before making any decision. My view is based on the following reasons.

First, from personal point of view, if one makes important personal decisions himself/herself
without consulting with other people, especially with his/her parents, it may cause some problems in
his/her life later on. For example, if one student is studying in a high school, and he needs to find a
part-time job to have some extra money, so he gets a job. With his extra money he can buy things he
likes which his friends who are still studying cannot such as a mobile phone, iPod or even cigarettes.
One day, he might come up with an idea to drop out of school since he might feel his life is already
comfortable enough with that small amount of money, and he is happy with his job. At that time if he
just made the decision himself without discussing it with his parents or seeking their advice, it would be
a big regret for him later on as after years he might still be a worker with a low income while his friends
who became engineers or doctors have more lucrative careers.

Secondly, from the reality of the world point of view, a true leader is always the one who seeks
for proper advice before making any important decisions. This is because he knows that his decisions
do not only affect to himself but to other people around. For example, in the case of North Korea, the
leader of the country instead of following policies to foster their own country's economy, improve their
citizens' lives, and listen to their people's desires, they follow nuclear programs and always put other
countries in fear of a nuclear war. The consequences are that the country's economy is stagnant; their
people have to live in poverty, every year so many people have died of famine; and they are an
international outcast. It is all because of the way that their leader choose to make decisions.

In conclusion, my opinion is that we each have to make our own important decisions by ourselves after
all; no one can help us to do that. However, before doing that, it is important to learn how to listen to
others' advice and always seek good opinions before making any important decisions. This is not only
good for ourselves, but also for other people around us.

(453 words)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r4Q6qDWLkU#action=share

 Do you agree with the woman’s opinion about how tough decisions can be made?
 Do you agree that the process of making a tough decision is just as important as the decision itself?
 Can you think of a situation in which you have had to make a tough decision in the workplace?
 How would you answer the question that the woman is discussing: What is the hardest decision you’ve
ever had to make? What was it and how did you make the decision?

Expressions about making decisions

 To change one’s mind – “First I decided to go to university in France, but then I changed my mind.”
 To have second thoughts – “I am having second thoughts about getting married, what should I do?”
 To take into consideration – “Thank you for your views, I will take them into consideration”
 To make up one’s mind – “There are so many choices, it is difficult to make up my mind about the right
one.”
 To give it a lot of thought – “I have given it a lot of thought and I have decided to accept the job offer.”
 To be in two minds about something – “I am in two minds about what to do. On the one hand, John is very
confident and sensible, but on the other hand, he doesn’t have a lot of experience in this industry.”
 To make a rash decision – “I made a rash decision and now I wish I never came here.”
 To make a tentative decision – “I have made a tentative decision and after the meeting I will provide
confirmation.”
 To weigh up one’s options – “I haven’t decided yet, I am still weighing up my options.”
 To keep one’s options open – “I just want to keep my options open for now, I still have 6 months to
decide.”

Conversation Questions

 Are you good at making decisions or are you usually indecisive?

 Do you make decisions quickly or slowly?
 Do you give things a lot of thought before making a decision?
 Do you have a strategy or method for making important decisions?
 Do you ever ask the opinions of others before making important decisions?
 Have you ever made a rash decision and later regretted it?
 Have you ever been in two minds about what to do in a situation?
 Have you ever made a big decision and then changed your mind?
 Have you ever had second thoughts about something?
 Are you good at weighing up your options before deciding on something?
 Do you like to keep your options open or do you prefer to decide on something quickly?
 Do you ever have to make decisions in the workplace?
 How is a good business decision made?
 What is a decision you made with good consequences?
 Have you ever made a decision with bad consequences?
 Have you ever made an irrational decision?
 Making Decisions

What decision would you make in the following situations? Try to use some of the new expressions you
have learnt.
 The bank machine gives you an extra $100. Do you keep it or do you tell the bank about the error?
 Your boss stole a small sum from the company and asks you to lie and say it was a technical error that
caused the money to go into his account. If you tell the truth, you will lose your job. What do you do?
 Your caught your friend cheating on an exam. Do you tell the examiner?
 At a restaurant, you notice your friend’s wife having a romantic dinner with another man. Do you tell your
friend, and possibly ruin his marriage, or do you mind your own business?
 The principal of the school where you are teaching tells you that in order to get more funding from the
state, you have to incorrectly report the income amounts of each of your students' families. Should you be
honest in your paperwork, or should you just do as your principal tells you?
 Your friend is on her way out the door for an important date and asks whether you like her blouse (you
don’t!). Do you tell her the truth?