Work and organisations

Time allowed: 40 minutes. Write one essay in English. Begin by reading the short introduction to the issue and the three perspectives on it. Essay Task: Respond to the question in the introduction with a well-organized essay. Make your own position clear and explain how it connects with, differs from or builds on at least one of the perspectives provided. Back up your ideas with logical reasoning and concrete examples, arrange them in an order a reader can follow, and express them in clear, correct standard written English. You may adopt one of the perspectives completely, combine parts of several, or argue a view not listed; the essay is evaluated on the quality of its thinking and writing, not on the side it takes. Planning Your Essay (optional; notes are not scored): What does a job teach that school does not, and what does it cost? Does the number of hours change your answer? What example from your own life or community could test these ideas?

Jobs During the School Year

Many high school students hold part-time jobs while school is in session, working evenings and weekends at restaurants, stores and other businesses. Some families and employers see these jobs as valuable preparation for adult working life; others worry that hours spent at work come at the expense of homework, sleep and school activities. Should high school students hold part-time jobs during the school year?

Perspective One A job teaches responsibility that school cannot: arriving on time, dealing with customers and being trusted with real tasks. Students who work now become more capable employees later.

Perspective Two School is a student's full-time job. Every hour behind a counter is an hour not spent studying, sleeping or taking part in clubs and sports, and grades are what open doors to future opportunities.

Perspective Three Whether a job helps or harms depends on the number of hours and the flexibility of the employer. A few well-scheduled hours can be good for a student; a schedule that ignores exams and school events is not.