Grade 10 C - Text A: Sports Activities are Healthy and Necessary for Students

Sports activities in schools are not just an optional pastime; they are a vital part of a student’s
overall development. Academic success is important, but without physical health and mental
balance, students cannot perform to their full potential. Engaging in sports provides exercise
that keeps students active, reduces obesity, and builds stamina, which in turn helps them
focus better in the classroom.
Beyond physical fitness, sports nurture essential life skills. Team games like football,
basketball, and cricket teach cooperation, leadership, and discipline. Individual activities such
as athletics or swimming promote self-motivation and resilience. These qualities prepare
students not only for academic challenges but also for future responsibilities in society.
Sports also act as a healthy outlet for stress. With increasing pressure from studies and exams,
many students feel overwhelmed. A session of physical activity refreshes the mind, improves
mood, and enhances concentration. Furthermore, schools that prioritize sports create
opportunities for students to discover and nurture hidden talents, possibly even paving the
way for professional careers.
Critics often claim sports consume time better spent on studies. However, studies show that
active students tend to perform better academically, as a strong body supports a sharp mind.
Sports and academics should complement each other, not compete.
In conclusion, sports activities are not luxuries but necessities in schools. They shape well-
rounded, confident, and healthy individuals who can excel both in classrooms and in life.

Text B: Sports Activities are a Waste of Time and Money

Although many schools promote sports as essential, in reality, they are more of a distraction
than a necessity. The primary purpose of schools is to provide quality education. Introducing
elaborate sports activities often takes away valuable classroom hours that could be spent on
mathematics, science, or language learning. Students already face tight schedules, and
allocating time for games often reduces their study focus and academic achievement.
Sports are also a financial burden. Schools spend large sums on playgrounds, equipment,
coaches, and uniforms. For families who can barely afford tuition, additional fees for sports
events and kits cause unnecessary pressure. These funds could instead be invested in modern
laboratories, libraries, or digital resources that benefit all students equally, not just the
athletically inclined.
Moreover, sports expose students to risks. Injuries such as sprains, fractures, and concussions
are common and can negatively impact both health and studies. While proponents argue that
sports teach teamwork and discipline, such values can also be cultivated through safer, less
costly activities like debates, science fairs, or cultural programmes.
Another concern is that sports create unhealthy competition. A few talented athletes receive
recognition, while the majority are left feeling inferior. This breeds division rather than unity
among students. Furthermore, professional sports as a career remain unrealistic for most, so
investing heavily in such activities seems impractical.
In conclusion, sports activities in schools are neither essential nor wise. They drain time,
money, and energy that could be better used to strengthen academics and intellectual growth.

Task
Question 1
Your school is considering whether to increase the time given to sports activities in the
weekly timetable. You decide to write an email to your school principal, giving your views on
this proposal.
Write an email to your school principal about whether or not you think schools should
increase the time given to sports activities.
In your email you should:
 evaluate the ideas and opinions in both texts
 give your own views about the proposal, based on what you have read in the texts.
Base your email on what you have read in both texts but be careful to use your own words.
Address both of the bullet points.
Begin your email with a suitable subject line and greeting (e.g., Subject: Proposal on Sports
Activities / Dear Principal,), and supply a suitable ending.
Write about 250 to 350 words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 15 marks for the
quality of your writing. [25]
Answer:
Subject: Proposal on Increasing Sports Activities in School
Dear Principal,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share my views on the recent proposal to
increase the time allocated to sports activities in our weekly timetable. After reading two
contrasting opinions on this matter, I would like to evaluate them and give my own
perspective.
Supporters of the proposal argue that sports are essential for students’ health and growth.
They point out that physical activity helps reduce stress, improves stamina, and refreshes the
mind, allowing us to focus better in academics. Sports also teach valuable life skills such as
teamwork, cooperation, and leadership, which cannot always be learned inside the classroom.
In fact, many believe that school sports are not just recreation but a way of shaping well-
rounded and confident individuals.
On the other hand, critics feel that sports consume precious study hours and add to school
expenses. They argue that playgrounds, equipment, and coaching require funds which could
otherwise be spent on improving classrooms or digital resources. Furthermore, injuries,
unhealthy competition, and peer pressure are also seen as risks, and many parents are
concerned about whether these activities are truly worthwhile.
Personally, I believe that while these concerns are valid, the benefits of sports far outweigh
the drawbacks. To address financial and safety issues, the school could focus on low-cost,
safe, and inclusive activities such as athletics, simple fitness routines, or inter-class matches.
This way, every student gets the chance to participate without unnecessary expenses, while
still enjoying the physical and mental benefits of sports.
At the end of the day, academics and sports should complement each other. An active, healthy
student is much more likely to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Thank you for considering my views.
Yours sincerely,
Syed Talha Amir
How to Write an A* Email in O Level 1123 Exam
1. Understand the Task
 You are being asked to:
1. Evaluate the ideas from both texts (not copy, but show understanding).
2. Give your own views on the proposal.
 Marks: 10 for content (using ideas effectively) + 15 for language (accuracy, tone,
style).

2. Plan Before Writing (3–4 minutes)

 Jot down main points from Text A and Text B.
 Decide your stance (agree, disagree, or balanced).
 Outline structure:
o Subject line & greeting.

o Introduction (why you’re writing).

o Paragraph 1: evaluation of Text A.

o Paragraph 2: evaluation of Text B.

o Paragraph 3: your opinion.

o Polite ending.

3. Structure & Organisation

✔ Subject line → clear and relevant (“Proposal on Sports Activities”).
✔ Formal greeting → “Dear Principal,”.
✔ Body → 3–4 well-developed paragraphs.
✔ Closing line → respectful & appropriate.
✔ Sign-off → “Yours sincerely,” + full name.

4. Language & Style Techniques

✅ Formal but polite tone

 Avoid slang or contractions (don’t, can’t).

 Use polite expressions:
o “I am writing to share my views…”
 o “With respect, I feel…”

o “Thank you for considering my opinion.”

✅ Paraphrasing

 Don’t copy from the text. Rewrite in your own words.

 Example:
o Text: “Sports improve stamina and reduce obesity.”

o Paraphrase: “Engaging in regular sports keeps students active and fit,

preventing health issues while boosting energy levels.”
✅ Connectives for balance

Show evaluation by linking ideas logically:

 On the one hand… / On the other hand…
 However… / In contrast…
 At the same time… / Ultimately…
✅ Evaluative comments

Go beyond summarising → give judgement.

 “While it is true that sports require financial investment, I believe schools can make
choices that minimise costs without sacrificing benefits.”
 “Although injuries can happen, this is equally true of any activity, and with proper
safety measures risks can be reduced.”
✅ High-level vocabulary

Use precise words: enriching, worthwhile, burdensome, invigorating, superficial, practical,

holistic.

5. Techniques to Score High in Content (10/10)

 Cover both texts fairly (don’t ignore one).
 Don’t just list — show balance and comparison.
 Add your own justified view (this is crucial for top band).

6. Techniques to Score High in Language (15/15)

  Accuracy: no grammar or spelling mistakes.
 Variety: use different sentence types (complex, compound).
 Cohesion: link ideas smoothly with connectives.
 Tone: keep it consistent — formal, polite, respectful.

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Copying phrases directly from the text.
❌ Writing too short (<250 words) or too long (>350 words).
❌ Being too informal (e.g., “Hey Sir, sports are cool!”).
❌ Forgetting subject line, greeting, or sign-off.
❌ Only giving your opinion without evaluating both texts.

Secret to an A*
 Balance = cover both texts equally.
 Evaluation = comment, not just copy.
 Voice = polite, confident, and clear.
 Accuracy = grammar, spelling, and punctuation flawless.

10 Vocabulary Words (Formal & Academic)

 1. Holistic – considering the whole person (mind + body)
2. Integral – essential, necessary part of something
3. Wholesome – beneficial for health and character
4. Resilience – ability to recover from challenges
5. Productivity – efficiency in learning or work
6. Pragmatic – practical and realistic
7. Detrimental – harmful or damaging
8. Enrichment – improvement or enhancement
9. Justifiable – reasonable, valid
10. Disproportionate – too large or too small in comparison

10 Idioms / Formal Expressions

(Polite, formal, and suitable for an email — not slangy)
1. Strike a balance – find a fair middle ground
2. A step in the right direction – a positive development
3. Spare no effort – work very hard to achieve something
4. Food for thought – something important to consider
5. Weigh the pros and cons – consider both sides of an argument
6. A double-edged sword – something with both advantages and disadvantages
7. In the long run – over time; eventually
8. A matter of concern – something that should worry us
9. The best of both worlds – a solution that combines two benefits
10. Room for improvement – areas that can be made better

Example Sentences for the Email:

 “Sports are an integral part of a student’s holistic growth and should not be
overlooked.”
 “Of course, increasing sports time may be a double-edged sword, as it could reduce
study hours while improving health.”
 “This proposal is certainly food for thought, and if implemented wisely, it could be a
step in the right direction.”
 “We must weigh the pros and cons before making a decision, ensuring students get
the best of both worlds—academics and fitness.”