This post gives some useful expressions about the topic: A Proposal to Shut Down Game Servers at Night

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1.      What is the main goal of this proposal? Do you think shutting down game servers at night is a fair way to achieve it?

🟢 Level 1 – High School

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      goal – what you want to achieve

2.      proposal – a plan or suggestion

3.      shut down – to close or stop something from working

4.      fair – right and reasonable

5.      protect – to keep safe from harm

6.      teenager – a person between 13 and 19 years old

7.      achieve – to successfully reach a goal

8.      way – a method or path to do something

Example:
The main goal is to protect teenagers from staying up too late. Shutting down servers at night is one way to achieve this.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The main goal of this proposal is to…
Example: The main goal of this proposal is to help students focus on their studies.

2.      I think shutting down game servers at night is (fair / unfair) because…
Example: I think shutting down game servers at night is unfair because it also punishes adult players.

 

🔵 Level 2 – College (CET-4)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      objective – the specific result a policy aims for

2.      implement – to put a plan into action

3.      restrict – to limit what people can do

4.      justify – to show that something is right or reasonable

5.      measure – an action taken to solve a problem

6.      intervention – the act of becoming involved in a situation to change it

7.      target group – the specific people a policy is meant for

Example:
The stated objective is to reduce late-night gaming among minors, but the measure restricts all players regardless of age.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The proposal aims to address… by…
Example: The proposal aims to address sleep deprivation among teenagers by shutting down game servers during early morning hours.

2.      Whether this approach is fair depends on…
Example: Whether this approach is fair depends on whether we believe the government should intervene in personal screen time.

 

🔴 Level 3 – Advanced (CET-6)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      underlying intention – the real purpose behind an action

2.      enforce compliance – to make sure people follow a rule

3.      disproportionate – too large or too small compared to what is needed

4.      blanket restriction – a rule that applies to everyone without exceptions

5.      mitigate – to make a problem less serious

6.      circumvent – to find a way around a rule

7.      paternalistic – limiting freedom for a person’s own good

Example:
The underlying intention is to mitigate the harmful effects of excessive gaming, but a blanket restriction may be disproportionate when adult players are also affected.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The central objective appears to be…, yet the mechanism used raises questions about…
Example: The central objective appears to be safeguarding youth health, yet the mechanism used raises questions about its fairness toward responsible adult users.

2.      One could argue that… is a justifiable means of…, while others would contend that…
Example: One could argue that a nighttime shutdown is a justifiable means of enforcing healthy habits, while others would contend that it oversteps the proper role of regulation.

 

2.      The deputy said the policy is not about limiting freedom but about protecting young people. Do you agree with this view? Why or why not?

 

🟢 Level 1 – High School

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      freedom – the power to do what you want

2.      protect – to keep someone safe from harm

3.      view – a way of thinking about something

4.      agree – to have the same opinion

5.      limit – to put a boundary on something

6.      harm – injury or damage

7.      care about – to think something is important

8.      give up – to stop having or doing something

Example:
I partly agree with this view because protecting young people is important, but I think we should not give up too much freedom.

Sentence Patterns

1.      I (agree / disagree) with this view because…
Example: I disagree with this view because the policy still limits freedom even if the goal is good.

2.      The deputy says the policy is about…, but I think…
Example: The deputy says the policy is about protection, but I think it also takes away choices from adults.

 

🔵 Level 2 – College (CET-4)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      perspective – a particular way of considering a situation

2.      prioritize – to treat something as more important than others

3.      balance – to give equal importance to two opposing things

4.      intervene – to become involved in a situation to change it

5.      justification – a good reason for doing something

6.      impose – to force someone to accept a rule

7.      at the expense of – harming or losing something for the sake of another

8.      in the name of – using something as a reason for an action

Example:
The justification for the policy is protection, but it imposes restrictions at the expense of individual freedom.

Sentence Patterns

1.      From the deputy’s perspective, protection should be prioritized over…
Example: From the deputy’s perspective, protection should be prioritized over personal freedom when young people are involved.

2.      While I understand the intention to…, I question whether…
Example: While I understand the intention to protect teenagers, I question whether a nationwide server shutdown is the right way to do it.

 

🔴 Level 3 – Advanced (CET-6)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      reconcile – to find a way to make two ideas exist together

2.      autonomy – the right to make one’s own decisions

3.      encroach upon – to gradually take away someone’s rights or freedom

4.      paternalism – the policy of limiting freedom for a person’s own good

5.      ostensibly – apparently true but possibly not genuinely

6.      infringe – to violate or limit a right

7.      safeguard – to protect from harm

8.      a fine line between – a small difference between two things

Example:
The deputy attempts to reconcile protection and freedom by framing the policy as a safeguard, but critics argue it encroaches upon personal autonomy.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The deputy’s argument rests on the assumption that…, yet this overlooks…
Example: The deputy’s argument rests on the assumption that young people cannot regulate themselves, yet this overlooks the role of parental guidance.

2.      There is a fine line between… and…; this policy appears to…
Example: There is a fine line between protective guidance and excessive paternalism; this policy appears to cross it by imposing a blanket restriction on all users.

 

3.      What responsibilities should game companies have in protecting young users? Should the government step in to enforce those responsibilities?

 

🟢 Level 1 – High School

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      responsibility – something you are expected to do

2.      company – a business that makes or sells something

3.      protect – to keep safe from harm

4.      young users – children and teenagers who use a service

5.      step in – to become involved to help or control

6.      enforce – to make sure a rule is followed

7.      self-regulation – controlling oneself without outside rules

8.      allow – to let something happen

Example:
Game companies have a responsibility to protect young users, but if they fail to do so, the government may need to step in and enforce rules.

Sentence Patterns

1.      I think game companies should…
Example: I think game companies should set time limits for young users.

2.      The government should (step in / stay out) because…
Example: The government should stay out because companies can handle this themselves.

 

🔵 Level 2 – College (CET-4)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      obligation – a duty or commitment

2.      voluntarily – done by choice, not because of rules

3.      parental control – tools that let parents manage what children can do

4.      oversight – supervision or monitoring

5.      accountability – being responsible for one’s actions

6.      implement – to put a plan into practice

7.      fall short – to fail to meet a standard

8.      leave it to – to let someone else handle it

Example:
Companies have an obligation to provide parental control tools, but if they fall short, the government may need to require stronger measures.

Sentence Patterns

1.      Ideally, game companies should take responsibility by…
Example: Ideally, game companies should take responsibility by designing age-appropriate content and limiting playtime for minors.

2.      The government should only step in when…
Example: The government should only step in when companies fail to protect young users on their own.

 

🔴 Level 3 – Advanced (CET-6)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      mandate – to order something by law

2.      proactive – acting in advance to prevent problems

3.      compliance – following rules or standards

4.      regulatory framework – a system of rules and laws

5.      delegate – to give responsibility to another party

6.      liability – legal responsibility for harm

7.      voluntary measures – actions taken without being forced

8.      strike a balance – to find a middle point between two things

Example:
A regulatory framework can mandate specific protections, but companies should also adopt proactive voluntary measures to strike a balance between safety and innovation.

Sentence Patterns

1.      While companies bear some moral obligation to…, the question is whether voluntary measures alone are sufficient or if a formal regulatory framework is necessary.
Example: While companies bear some moral obligation to protect minors from harmful content, the question is whether voluntary measures alone are sufficient or if a formal regulatory framework is necessary.

2.      The role of government should be to… rather than to…
Example: The role of government should be to set clear standards rather than to micromanage how companies meet them.

 

4.      How might teenagers react to this policy? Would it reduce their late-night screen time, or could it lead to other problems?

 

🟢 Level 1 – High School

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      react – to behave in a certain way because of something

2.      policy – a rule or plan

3.      reduce – to make less

4.      screen time – time spent looking at a phone, computer, or game

5.      lead to – to cause something to happen

6.      problem – something difficult or bad

7.      follow the rule – to do what the rule says

8.      find a way around – to avoid following a rule

Example:
Some teenagers might follow the rule and sleep more, but others may find a way around it by playing games from other countries.

Sentence Patterns

1.      Teenagers might react by…
Example: Teenagers might react by feeling angry or by simply switching to other activities.

2.      This policy could reduce…, but it might also lead to…
Example: This policy could reduce late-night gaming, but it might also lead to teenagers using unregulated foreign game platforms.

 

🔵 Level 2 – College (CET-4)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      compliance – the act of following a rule

2.      resentment – a feeling of anger about being treated unfairly

3.      alternative – another choice or option

4.      loophole – a way to avoid a rule without breaking it

5.      unintended consequence – a result that was not planned

6.      disruptive – causing trouble or disorder

7.      backfire – to have the opposite effect of what was intended

8.      shift to – to move from one thing to another

Example:
One unintended consequence could be that teenagers shift to other forms of entertainment, such as social media or streaming, which may be equally harmful to sleep.

Sentence Patterns

1.      While the policy may reduce…, it could also create…
Example: While the policy may reduce gaming at night, it could also create resentment among teenagers who feel their freedom is being taken away.

2.      Rather than encouraging compliance, the policy might…
Example: Rather than encouraging compliance, the policy might drive teenagers to seek loopholes or use foreign servers.

 

🔴 Level 3 – Advanced (CET-6)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      circumvent – to find a way around a rule or restriction

2.      psychological reactance – a negative response to perceived loss of freedom

3.      counterproductive – having the opposite effect of what is desired

4.      displacement – shifting an activity to another form rather than stopping it

5.      exacerbate – to make a problem worse

6.      noncompliance – refusal to follow a rule

7.      substitute behavior – a different activity that replaces the original one

8.      underlying cause – the real reason something happens

Example:
Psychological reactance may lead to increased noncompliance, and the displacement of gaming to other screen activities could exacerbate the very sleep issues the policy aims to solve.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The policy risks being counterproductive if it merely… without addressing…
Example: The policy risks being counterproductive if it merely blocks one form of entertainment without addressing the underlying causes of sleep deprivation among teenagers.

2.      Rather than reducing late-night screen time, the measure may simply…, thereby…
Example: Rather than reducing late-night screen time, the measure may simply drive teenagers to circumvent the restriction through foreign servers, thereby creating new regulatory challenges.

 

5.      How would this policy affect different groups, such as adult gamers, parents, and the gaming industry? Should a policy aimed at teenagers apply to everyone?

 

🟢 Level 1 – High School

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      affect – to cause a change in someone or something

2.      group – a set of people with something in common

3.      adult – a fully grown person

4.      industry – the business of making or selling something

5.      aim at – to be intended for a particular person or purpose

6.      apply to – to be relevant or effective for someone

7.      treat equally – to deal with everyone in the same way

8.      make an exception – to not apply a rule to a particular person or group

Example:
Adult gamers may feel frustrated because they are treated the same as teenagers. Parents, on the other hand, might welcome the policy.

Sentence Patterns

1.      This policy would affect (group) by…
Example: This policy would affect the gaming industry by reducing the time players can spend on their games.

2.      A policy aimed at teenagers should (apply to everyone / make exceptions) because…
Example: A policy aimed at teenagers should not apply to everyone because adults are capable of making their own choices.

 

🔵 Level 2 – College (CET-4)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      impact – a strong effect on someone or something

2.      revenue – money earned by a business

3.      distinguish – to recognize or treat as different

4.      burden – something difficult or unpleasant that one must bear

5.      opposed to – against something

6.      in favor of – supporting something

7.      target audience – the group a policy or product is meant for

8.      side effect – an additional result, often unintended

Example:
For parents, the policy may bring peace of mind, but for adult gamers, it feels like an unnecessary burden.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The impact on (group) would likely be…
Example: The impact on the gaming industry would likely be a loss of revenue from late-night players.

2.      While the policy is designed to target teenagers, it fails to distinguish between…
Example: While the policy is designed to target teenagers, it fails to distinguish between minors and adults who play responsibly.

 

🔴 Level 3 – Advanced (CET-6)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      disproportionate – too large or too small in relation to something else

2.      collateral impact – an unintended effect affecting those not directly targeted

3.      stakeholder – a person or group with an interest in a decision

4.      uniformly – in the same way for all cases

5.      differentiate – to recognize or show a difference

6.      impose hardship – to create difficulty or suffering

7.      blanket approach – a method applied to all without considering differences

8.      compromise – to reach an agreement by giving up some demands

Example:
A blanket approach imposes disproportionate hardship on adult players, while the gaming industry may face significant financial consequences as a collateral impact.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The policy’s failure to differentiate between… and… results in…
Example: The policy’s failure to differentiate between minors and consenting adults results in an unnecessary restriction on personal choice.

2.      While a uniform policy may be easier to enforce, it overlooks the legitimate interests of…
Example: While a uniform policy may be easier to enforce, it overlooks the legitimate interests of adult gamers and the economic realities of the gaming industry.

 

6.      Do you think the problem described in the news—teenagers staying up late playing games—is a serious problem that needs a policy like this? Why or why not?

 

🟢 Level 1 – High School

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      problem – something that causes difficulty or harm

2.      serious – important and needing attention

3.      describe – to say what something is like

4.      affect – to have an effect on someone

5.      solution – a way to solve a problem

6.      need – to require something

7.      pay attention to – to notice and care about something

8.      make a big deal out of – to treat something as more important than it might be

Example:
Staying up late playing games does affect some teenagers, but I am not sure it is serious enough to need a policy that affects everyone.

Sentence Patterns

1.      I think the problem (is / is not) serious because…
Example: I think the problem is serious because many teenagers are tired in class and their grades are dropping.

2.      Even if the problem exists, it may not need… because…
Example: Even if the problem exists, it may not need a government policy because parents can set rules at home.

 

🔵 Level 2 – College (CET-4)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      severity – how serious a problem is

2.      prevalent – common or widespread

3.      impact – a strong effect

4.      evidence – facts that show something is true

5.      exaggerate – to describe something as larger or worse than it is

6.      overreaction – a response that is too strong for the situation

7.      call for – to demand or ask for something

8.      take something seriously – to treat something as important

Example:
The severity of the problem is unclear; while there are reports of teenagers staying up late, there is not enough evidence to show it is prevalent nationwide.

Sentence Patterns

1.      The question is whether the problem has been exaggerated or whether it truly calls for…
Example: The question is whether the problem has been exaggerated or whether it truly calls for a nationwide shutdown of game servers.

2.      I do not believe the problem is serious enough to justify… because…
Example: I do not believe the problem is serious enough to justify such a restrictive policy because the issue can be handled at the family level.

 

🔴 Level 3 – Advanced (CET-6)

Vocabulary & Phrases

1.      magnitude – the great size or importance of a problem

2.      empirical evidence – information obtained through observation or research

3.      causal link – a direct connection between cause and effect

4.      justify – to show that something is reasonable or necessary

5.      stigmatize – to treat a behavior as shameful or unacceptable

6.      disproportionate response – a reaction that is too strong compared to the actual problem

7.      underlying issue – the real problem beneath the surface

8.      collective good – something that benefits society as a whole

Example:
Without empirical evidence establishing a clear causal link between late-night gaming and measurable harm, a policy of this magnitude may constitute a disproportionate response.

Sentence Patterns

1.      While there is anecdotal evidence of…, it is questionable whether the problem’s magnitude warrants…
Example: While there is anecdotal evidence of teenagers staying up late playing games, it is questionable whether the problem’s magnitude warrants a blanket restriction on all players.

2.      The real issue may not be… but rather…, and a policy focused on the former risks…
Example: The real issue may not be the existence of gaming itself but rather a lack of parental involvement and self-regulation skills, and a policy focused on the former risks overlooking these deeper factors.