Philosophy & Critical Thinking

Master high-level vocabulary, nuanced discourse markers, and noun clause structures for C1 essays.

💡 How to use this lesson

Build-Up Practice

Short practice activities to master core vocabulary and target grammar before writing.

1. The strength of any logical argument depends on its underlying [assume] (noun).

2. Scientists must conduct [rigour] (adjective) testing before accepting a new theory.

3. The explanation offered by the student was highly [plausibility] (adjective).

4. To write a successful essay, you must ensure your thoughts form a [cohere] (adjective) argument.

5. The proposal rests on two main [premise] (plural noun) that need verification.

1. To draw a valid ___ (concluding statement based on evidence)

2. A logical ___ (a flaw or mistake in reasoning)

3. Healthy ___ (a questioning attitude or doubt)

4. Underlying ___ (an unstated belief taken for granted)

5. Underlying ___ (a set of reasons or logical basis for an action)

1. ___ memorising facts builds basic knowledge, but critical thinking allows students to apply that knowledge effectively.

2. ___ traditional views on memorisation, modern educators prefer teaching analytical methods.

3. ___ schools may serve students better by testing how they reason than by testing what they remember.

4. Rote learning focuses on passive absorption. ___, analytical tasks require active engagement.

5. Students are rarely trained in logic. ___, many struggle to detect misinformation online.

Original: Schools ought to teach pupils how to evaluate arguments rather than making them memorise facts.

Paraphrase: Educational institutions should focus on cultivating critical reasoning instead of encouraging ___ memorisation.

Original: Many people believe an argument simply because it sounds reasonable on the surface.

Paraphrase: Individuals often accept a claim merely because it appears ___ at first glance.

Original: Without careful examination, students will fail to spot logical errors in texts.

Paraphrase: Unless students engage in ___ analysis, they will not identify logical fallacies.

1. ___ matters most in modern education is whether students can analyze information independently.

2. The central question for headteachers is ___ schools should redesign their humanities curriculum.

3. Educators often discuss ___ students can best be taught to identify fallacies in everyday news.

The Writing Task

Read the prompt, plan your structure using starter frames, and check your work against the criteria.

"Some people say that schools should spend more time teaching young people how to think critically and less time asking them to remember facts. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

📋 Pre-Submission Checklist

Model Essay & Sentence Breakdown

Read a strong C1 response. Target structures are highlighted in bold with plain notes underneath.

It is often argued that modern education should prioritise critical thinking over the memorisation of factual information. I completely agree with this view because evaluating arguments is a crucial life skill, whereas facts can now be easily accessed online. In this essay, I will explain why this shift matters and where its limits lie.