Text A: Students Should Be Guided for Their Future

Students are at a stage in life where they need direction and support. They are often unaware
of the complexities of the professional world, making it essential for teachers, parents, and
mentors to guide them. By providing advice on career options, necessary skills, and
educational pathways, students can make informed decisions rather than relying on
guesswork. Guidance also helps avoid costly mistakes, like choosing a career path that does
not match their strengths or interests. Experienced adults can offer insights that students may
not have considered, ensuring a smoother transition into adulthood and their professional
lives. Therefore, students should be guided carefully to set them on the right path for a
successful future.
Text B: Students Should Be Allowed to Decide Their Future on Their Own
Every student has unique dreams, talents, and aspirations that may not align with traditional
advice. Allowing students to choose their future independently fosters a sense of
responsibility and ownership over their lives. While guidance is helpful, excessive control
can limit creativity and personal growth. When students make their own choices, they learn
valuable lessons from both their successes and mistakes. This independence helps them
develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence. Ultimately, the freedom to
chart their own course empowers students to follow their passions and create a future that
resonates with their individuality.

Question
Imagine you are a student in a school where a debate is being held about whether students
should be guided for their future or allowed to decide their future on their own.
Write an account explaining which approach you believe is better for students.
In your account, you should:
 Evaluate the views on student guidance and independence from both texts.
 Explain, based on the texts, how either guidance or independence could influence
students' future success.
Base your account on what you have read in both texts, but be careful to use your own words.
Address both of the bullet points.
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.
To write an effective account based on the debate between guiding students for their future or
allowing them to decide independently, follow these steps:
1. Introduction
 Briefly introduce the topic and the central debate.
 Mention that there are two contrasting views: one advocating for guidance (Text A)
and the other for independence (Text B).
 State your own stance (either support for guidance or independence, or a balanced
approach).
2. Evaluate the Views from Both Texts
 Guidance (Text A):
o Summarize the main points of the argument. For example, students are often
unaware of the complexities of the professional world, so guidance from
experienced adults (teachers, parents, mentors) is crucial.
o Mention how guidance helps students avoid costly mistakes and make
informed decisions regarding their careers.
o Emphasize that guidance ensures a smoother transition to adulthood by
offering valuable insights into career paths and skills development.
 Independence (Text B):
o Summarize the argument supporting independence. For example, students
have unique dreams and should be allowed to take responsibility for their own
future.
o Independence encourages personal growth, creativity, and critical thinking. It
helps students learn from both successes and failures, building confidence and
problem-solving skills.
o Highlight that allowing students to make their own decisions helps them
follow their passions and shape a future aligned with their individuality.
3. Explain How Guidance or Independence Could Influence Future Success
 Guidance:
o Explain that students who receive guidance might be better prepared for the
challenges of the professional world. They can develop the necessary skills
and choose careers that match their strengths, leading to greater success in
their chosen field.
o Highlight that mentors can help students avoid choosing unsuitable career
paths, saving them time and effort in the long run.
  Independence:
o Discuss how allowing students to choose their path independently can foster
skills like decision-making, resilience, and self-confidence.
o Mention that students may become more motivated and driven when following
their passions, leading to a more fulfilling career and personal life.
4. Conclusion
 Summarize the key points from both sides and reiterate your own opinion.
 If you support a balance between both, suggest that a combination of guidance and
independence might be the most beneficial, where students receive advice but
ultimately make their own informed decisions.
 End with a strong statement about how the chosen approach can positively influence
students' future success.
Writing Tips:
 Use your own words to rephrase the ideas from both texts.
 Keep a clear structure, making it easy for the reader to follow your evaluation and
argument.
 Ensure proper transitions between paragraphs for a smooth flow.
 Support your argument with examples, if possible.

Sample Outline:
1. Introduction:
o Introduce the topic of student guidance vs. independence.
o Mention the two views and state your opinion.
2. Evaluating Views from Text A:
o Summarize the main points supporting guidance.
o Discuss how guidance can help students avoid mistakes and make informed
decisions.
3. Evaluating Views from Text B:
o Summarize the main points supporting independence.
o Explain how independence fosters responsibility, creativity, and problem-
solving skills.
4. How Guidance or Independence Influences Success:
 o Discuss how guidance can lead to career success by providing insights and
avoiding mistakes.
o Discuss how independence can lead to personal growth and self-confidence,
which are important for future success.
5. Conclusion:
o Summarize the pros and cons of both sides.
o Reiterate your stance and provide a final thought on how either approach
could influence a student's future success.

Answer:
Both Text A and Text B present strong arguments about whether students should be guided in
their future or be allowed to make decisions independently. Text A supports the notion that
students should be guided, highlighting that they are often unaware of the complexities of
professional life. On the other hand, Text B argues that students should have the freedom to
decide their future on their own, emphasizing personal responsibility and independence.
The view expressed in Text A is that students, due to their limited exposure to the
professional world, need advice from experienced adults like parents, teachers, and mentors.
The text stresses that guidance can prevent students from making uninformed decisions that
may lead to costly mistakes. For instance, students could choose career paths that do not align
with their strengths or interests if left unguided. In this view, experienced adults offer insights
that can set students on the right course for their future, ensuring that they make well-
considered choices and avoid unnecessary obstacles.
In contrast, Text B takes the stance that students should be allowed to make their own
decisions regarding their future. It argues that independence fosters a sense of responsibility,
critical thinking, and creativity. While acknowledging that guidance can be helpful, it warns
against excessive control, which can stifle personal growth. The text suggests that allowing
students to make their own choices helps them learn valuable lessons from both successes
and mistakes. In this way, students can develop the problem-solving skills and confidence
necessary to build a future that reflects their individuality.
In my opinion, a balance between both approaches is ideal, but I lean more towards the
guidance approach. While independence is crucial for personal development, guidance from
experienced adults can serve as a safety net to prevent students from making major mistakes.
For example, career choices are often life-altering, and having a mentor who understands the
job market can provide invaluable advice. However, it is also important to ensure that
guidance does not become overly restrictive, as students should still have room to explore
their interests and make choices that resonate with their passions.
Ultimately, guidance ensures that students are equipped with the right tools and information
to succeed, while a certain level of independence allows them to grow personally and
professionally. Both guidance and independence play vital roles, but well-informed guidance
can help students avoid pitfalls, making it the better option for future success.