Writing Task

Write a comparison / contrast essay (about 300 words) about two classes of the same
subject: one at high school and the other at college. Pay attention to the use of academic
language and a clear text structure. (50 points)

Essay

Mathematics is a fundamental subject, which is taught and learnt in any education levels,
at primary up to tertiary education. Math classes are more complex and sophisticated as
the education goes higher in levels. Teaching and learning math at high school and at
college therefore become different; however, math classes at these two levels still
share some common features.

It is obvious that learning math at college requires self- acquired knowledge, while
learning math at high school follows teacher-fed knowledge. College students in math
class are encouraged to find different solutions for a problem. They work in groups. This
way of learning requires individual contributions in forms of work share, and self-
awareness in study. They try different access to knowledge and explore the field to come
up with new knowledge. Teachers will help when they get stuck in the process. High
school students on the other hand wait for their teachers’ aids. Their accomplishment of a
number of math problems depends on the relevant knowledge of math provided and ways
of solving math problems suggested by the teacher. The difference is inevitable because
students are in different stages of intellectual maturity.

However, it is equally difficult to master all math concepts and formulae in both high
school and college education. There are so many equations and theorems presented in
every class. The presentation of theorems is made the first stage. The application of the
theorems to solve math problems is critical. To do piles of math work, a thorough
understanding of these is necessary. High school students are helped to discover
mathematic relationships in the formulae presented in class before memorizing the
theorems and formulae, which will help to solve problems assigned in class as well as at
home. Since it is impossible for high school students, their teachers have explained the
concepts and the relationships in the theorems. Similarly, it requires college students’ huge
efforts to discover and prove by themselves the relationships of the formulae in a theorem.
Any solution for a math problem at college must be highly logic. The most appreciated
solution to a problem is the most persuasive and effective. It is again a complete
understanding of sets of formulae is really challenging especially for first year students,
who do not get used to the independent study yet.
In conclusion, either at high school or at college students learn math to give logic
arguments to solve math problems. These math abilities are enhanced when students
acquire the necessary knowledge about the relationships of different formulae and
theorems. High school students are assisted, but college students have to rely on
themselves. On the surface, the math class at high school is instructional, while the math
class at college is debate-based. The math knowledge at both levels is very difficult to
acquire.