Some argue that children should spend more time outdoors and less time on digital devices. What measures can parents and schools take to encourage this?

When addressing this question, state your clear position in the introduction, likely agreeing that children should spend more time outdoors. While acknowledging the educational or connective benefits of digital devices, frame this as a concession before pivoting to the overriding importance of outdoor engagement and the practical measures to achieve it. Your main body paragraphs should then consistently defend this stance by detailing effective strategies.

Students could effectively use the concept of 'nature deficit disorder' to highlight the psychological benefits of outdoor play, or cite the success of 'Forest Schools' in countries like Denmark or the UK as a model for educational institutions. Additionally, referencing the global rise in childhood obesity rates can underscore the physical health imperative for increased outdoor activity, providing a strong real-world context.

The most common mistake on this question is focusing too heavily on why outdoor time is beneficial and why digital devices are problematic, rather than directly addressing the core of the prompt: 'What measures can parents and schools take?' To avoid this, ensure at least two main body paragraphs are explicitly dedicated to concrete, actionable steps for parents and then for schools, providing specific examples for each measure.

For this opinion essay, a strong linking strategy involves transitioning smoothly between the roles of parents and schools, and then between different types of measures. Use phrases such as 'Beyond the home environment, educational institutions also bear a significant responsibility' or 'While parental guidance is foundational, schools can further reinforce these values through...' to connect your ideas logically and demonstrate coherence.

Examiners awarding a band 8-9 for this question look for a nuanced understanding of the modern dilemma, offering sophisticated and practical measures rather than generic suggestions. A high-scoring response will demonstrate a broad range of vocabulary related to child development, education, and digital literacy, alongside complex grammatical structures used accurately to present a well-developed, coherent argument with clear examples of implementable strategies.