Essay: Do you prefer essay exams or multiple choice exams?

[Anna232]

The essay prompt is "Do you prefer essay exams or multiple choice exams?"
I read the samples in the book and noticed that in some essay samples there were no purpose statements. Are enough arguments provided or should I add more examples?
The screenshots are from the book Reading Comprehension and Basic Reading Skills by Maia Meladze. Are the underlined sentences in the introduction purpose statements? The essays aren't very long compared to other exams such as IELTS or TOEFL. I provided three screenshots to show more examples.

Exams are an important part of education(,) and different types of exams test different skills. Two common formats are essay exams and multiple- choice exams. Personally, I prefer multiple-choice exams because they are clearer, less stressful and more practical for me.
First of all, multiple-choice exams are easier to understand. The questions are usually short and direct, and possible answers help guide my thinking(,).
( I think it is better to use a full stop before "even") Even if I am not completely sure about the correct answer I can use logic and eliminate wrong answers.
Another reason I prefer multiple-chpice exams is that they save time. You do not need to spend a lot of time planning answers or worrying about grammar.
In conclusion, essay exams can test deep understanding. I prefer multiple-choice exams because they are faster and less stressful.

 

[teechar]

First, please cite properly (title, author, publisher, year of publication, etc) the source of those scanned pages.

 

[Anna232]

First, please cite properly (title, author, publisher, year of publication, etc) the source of those scanned pages.

Reading Comprehension and Basic Reading Skills by Maia Meladze. Published in 2025 by the publishing house IMC.

 

[teechar]

I've had a quick glance at those pages, and to be honest with you, I don't think much of that book.

1- Much of the phrasing is clearly non-native.
2- I don't agree with the approach suggested by the author. I think reading someone else's essay and then trying to write one on the same topic stifles (rather than stimulates) creativity.

 

[Anna232]

I've had a quick glance at those pages, and to be honest with you, I don't think much of that book.

1- Much of the phrasing is clearly non-native.
2- I don't agree with the approach suggested by the author. I think reading someone else's essay and then trying to write one on the same topic stifles (rather than stimulates) creativity.

I don't like the book at all, and I don't understand if there are any purpose statements. Isn't it wrong to omit them or are the statements that I have underlined purpose statements?

 

[Anna232]

I've had a quick glance at those pages, and to be honest with you, I don't think much of that book.

1- Much of the phrasing is clearly non-native.
2- I don't agree with the approach suggested by the author. I think reading someone else's essay and then trying to write one on the same topic stifles (rather than stimulates) creativity.

Could you tell me what should be improved in my essay?

 

[teechar]

Isn't it wrong to omit them

Yes, it would be.

or are the statements that I have underlined purpose statements?

If you want to get good marks, do not frustrate the examiner by burying such statements in the middle of the essay. Their expected place is the end of the introductory paragraph.

 

[Anna232]

Yes, it would be.

If you want to get good marks, do not frustrate the examiner by burying such statements in the middle of the essay. Their expected place is the end of the introductory paragraph.

Just as they are shown in the samples. Right? Yes, I remember your advice regarding the samples, but I need to have an idea of what is wrong and what isn't.
I think I haven't provided enough examples in my essay.

 

[teechar]

Just as they are shown in the samples. Right?

Do not use the personal pronoun in an IELTS essay.

 

[Anna232]

Do not use the personal pronoun in an IELTS essay.

Sorry, do you mean I talk about myself in my essay?

 

[teechar]

I meant that those samples you posted have lines such as "I am going to state my opinion ..." or "I will state my point of view ..". Don't do that!

 

[Anna232]

I meant that those samples you posted have lines such as "I am going to state my opinion ..." or "I will state my point of view ..". Don't do that!

Are they purpose statements? Is it just IELTS or should I stop using them in other essays too?

 

[teechar]

Is it just IELTS or should I stop using them in other essays too?

You should avoid using the personal pronoun in formal essays, IELTS or otherwise.

 

[Anna232]

You should avoid using the personal pronoun in formal essays, IELTS or otherwise.

OK. Thank you. I didn't know that. That book seems to be suggesting a completely different essay structure. For the structure it suggests, is my essay OK, or is it still too short?

 

[teechar]

For the structure it suggests, is my essay OK, or is it still too short?

As I said, I don't agree with what that book has to say. I don't understand why you appear to want to stick with it.

 

[Anna232]

As I said, I don't agree with what that book has to say. I don't understand why you appear to want to stick with it.

The problem is that it is the official examination guide. I don't want to, I have to

 

[teechar]

The problem is that it is the official examination guide. I don't want to, I have to

IELTS is an international test. Are you preparing for a different one?

 

[Anna232]

IELTS is an international test. Are you preparing for a different one?

Yes, it is a local one.

 

[teechar]

Yes, it is a local one.

Then you have to talk to your teacher to understand what exactly is required/expected by the examiner.
Here are some suggestions for your essay above:

The questions are usually short and direct, and possible having a finite set of answers can help guide my thinking.
Another reason I prefer multiple-choice exams is that they save time. You do not need to spend a lot of time planning answers or worrying about grammar.
In conclusion, [ *] essay exams can test deep understanding. I prefer multiple-choice exams because they are faster and less stressful than essay exams.

* I crossed that out because the body of your essay did not discuss that aspect at all. It does not make sense to write a concluding remark about something which was never discussed in the first place.

 

[Anna232]

Then you have to talk to your teacher to understand what exactly is required/expected by the examiner.

They suggest using this structure and this book.

Here are some suggestions for your essay above:

* I crossed that out because the body of your essay did not discuss that aspect at all. It does not make sense to write a concluding remark about something which was never discussed in the first place.