Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school.

　　Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

　　Model Answer:

　　I can not completely agree with the statement that classmates are a more   important influence than parents on a child's success in school. In this essay I   will first focus on the reasons why I agree with this statement and then list a   few points why from my opinion in some cases is not true.

　　From the one side, classmates have a significant influence on child's   behavior and his or her success in school. First of all, children spend much   time at school. Classmates have many things in common such as age, interests,   homework and classes after all. So, they discuss their impressions about a new   teacher, solve problems together, learn their homework, gain new knowledge and   experience and even make their own discoveries. Sharing all these makes them   closer. Some of them become friends and they spend after-school time together.   In addition friends tend to copy each other's habits and manners. For instance,   my little sister became friends with the girl who did not have good grades at   school at that time. It does not mean she could not have better grades; she just   had many friends who did not care about their grades. So, when they started to   spend their time together and share their interests, girl's grades improved.   They did their homework together, shared their dreams and exciting moments. From   this point I must agree that classmates can change child’s attitude towards   school.

　　From the other side, parents have a great influence on children' success in   school too. For example if parents show an interest in their child's progress   and talk to him or her about the importance of learning I think their child will   listen to them and do his or her best.

　　Personally, I believe that relationships between parents and a child play   an essential role in child's success in school. If these relationships are close   and wholehearted I am sure that parents should not be afraid of bad influence   from the outside.