1.

ESSAYS

EXAM LAYOUT
Your class has watched a studio discussion about factors which have contributed to the recent
increase in international travel. You have made the notes below:

Factors contributing to the increase in

international travel

· Methods of transport

· Global business

· Media

Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

· It’s quicker to fly abroad than to take a train to the north of my country

· My company has offices in 12 different countries

· People have developed a love of other cultures through TV and film

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the factors in your notes. You should explain which
factor has contributed more to the increase in international travel, providing reasons to support
your opinion.

You may, if you wish, use the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own
words as far as possible.

INTRODUCTION
The main purpose of an essay in the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Writing paper is to
underline relevant salient issues on a topic, and to support an argument with subsidiary points
and reasons.

In the essay question, you are given a topic and three bullet points. A set of notes/opinions is also
provided. You can make use of them, but you should use your own words as far as possible. You
are asked to write an essay discussing two bullet points and explaining why one of them is more
important in a given respect.
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ES SAY STRUCTURE
Paragraph 1: Introduction.

Give a brief outline of the topic. Introduce the topic from general to concrete. You may want to
discuss why the topic is important in today’s society; analyse where the problem stems from by
providing some historical background; or reflect on the state of affairs by posing a rhetorical
question on the topic. Do not state your own opinion in this paragraph, but develop your essay in
such a way that it guides the reader to the conclusion that you drew

Paragraph 2: Point 1

Start the paragraph with a topic sentence. A topic sentence essentially tells readers what the rest
of the paragraph is about.

Include examples, conclusive and surprising facts to support your argument. Feel free to include
drawbacks when presenting the facts, as it will show that you are aware of all possible issues.

Paragraph 3: Point 2

Start the paragraph with a topic sentence. A topic sentence essentially tells readers what the rest
of the paragraph is about.

Include examples, conclusive and surprising facts to support your argument. Feel free to include
drawbacks when presenting the facts, as it will show that you are aware of all possible issues.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

When developing the conclusion paragraph, go from the specific to the general. Remember not
to include any new arguments here and make sure your conclusion follows logically from your
arguments.

A solid conclusion should stress the importance of the thesis statement, so feel free to state your
opinion on the basis of what you have written in the previous paragraphs.

Give the essay a sense of completeness: Echoing your introduction can be a good strategy if it is
meant to bring the reader full-circle. If you begin by describing a scenario, you can end with the
same scenario as proof that your essay was helpful in providing a new insight into the issue.

Aim to leave a final impression on the reader. You may want to look to the future and reflect on
the consequences of a given action / attitude / behaviour / way of thinking etc. Conditional
constructions are useful when it comes to getting these ideas across.

M ARKING CRITERIA AND TIPS

The writing assessment scale is divided into four subscales.

Content focuses on how well the candidate has fulfilled the task; in other words, if they have
done what they were asked to do. You will get full marks if you give a proper outline of the topic,
contrast both bullet points and reach a conclusion as to which point is more important.

Communicative achievement focuses on how appropriate the writing is for the situation and
whether the candidate has used the appropriate register. You will get top marks if you write in a
formal style, get to hold your reader’s attention, convey complex ideas effectively when
explaining and justifying.
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Organisation focuses on the way the piece of writing was put together; in other words, if it is
logical and ordered, and the punctuation is correct. You will get top marks if you write four
paragraphs, organise your ideas neatly, use linking devices and provide your text with
progressivity.

Language focuses on the candidate’s vocabulary and grammar. This includes the range of
language as well as how accurate it is. You will get top marks if you use a topic specific
vocabulary, collocations, a wide range of grammatical constructions and you choose your
words accurately. Remember that the register used in essays is formal and this should be
reflected in your choice of linguistic devices when developing your ideas.

Before writing

· Spend around 10 minutes thinking about and planning your writing. Your answers should be well-
organised with clear linking of ideas between sentences and paragraphs. In the exam, you won’t
probably have enough time to write a rough answer and a final, neat copy, but if you plan
properly this will not be necessary.

· Process all the information before you choose which two points you want to write about and
decide what your conclusion will be. Make sure you have enough ideas to write about the points
you choose and that you can think of reasons for your opinions.

· Think of some specific vocabulary you can use.

· Think of some complex grammar constructions (participle clauses, inversion, cleft sentences…)

· Remember to use an appropriate style. Make your argument as interesting as persuasive as

possible, but do not show emotion in your writing.

After writing

· Make sure your answer is neither too long nor too short. If you write too much, you may include
irrelevant information, which may mean that you don’t cover the required points adequately
and, thus, have a negative effect on the target reader

· Leave enough time to read through your answer. You should check that you included all the
points necessary to answer the question and that you have given enough detail on each point.
Make sure you have included all the language functions required in the task. You should also
check for mistakes in grammar and spelling (you can use British or American spelling, but do not
mix them up)

The purpose of your writing should be clear and it should have a positive effect on the reader.
This is what the examiners are looking for. When you check through your writing, use the following
checklist. Have you…

Checked for errors? Used language naturally? Presented all the important
information?

Checked the spelling? Fully completed the task? Used an appropriate and
consistent style?

Used a range of linkers? Used a good range of vocabulary? Used a range of grammatical
structures?
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USE FUL LANGUAGE

Expressing an opinion Commonly held views

· It is probably true to say that… · It is widely believed that…

· There can be no doubt that… · It is generally agreed that…

· It is simply not the case that… · There are those who argue that…

· It is worth pointing out that… · Few people would contest the fact that…

· It is doubtful that… · It is often claimed that…

· It would be infinitely preferable to… · No one would dispute the fact that…

· It goes without saying that …. · According to X, …

· We must take into account the fact that… · Opponents / supporters / proponents of _
argue that…

Introducing a phenomenon

· More and more families are choosing to have only one child

· Over the past few years, the media have frequently carried reports of…

· Recent research indicates that… is increasing

· Hardly a week goes by without another report of … appearing in the media

· This raises the issue of whether…

· Although most people would agree that …, few would deny that …

· _ is often a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion

· Since the emergence of X, Y has become a talking point

Referring to sources Describing causes

· All the evidence suggests that… · One factor which has led to … is…

· A recent study/survey proved that…. · One of the factors which has brought this about is

· Recent research has found that… · The problem often stems from …

· The situation has been exacerbated by…

· … has only made the situation worse

· … has contributed enormously to…

· This means that…

· This is largely due to…

· …has resulted in …
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Proposing steps and measures

· As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to…

· The first step to be taken would be to …

· To alleviate the situation people should …

· To begin to tackle this situation, … needs to…

· … would certainly ameliorate the situation

· This can only be dealt with if …

· To overcome this problem, …

· Were the government to…, the situation would doubtlessly improve

· Individuals can do a great deal to …

· The burden of responsibility lies in the hands of…

· Legislation should be introduced to control…

Concluding Looking at both sides of a topic

· All in all it seems to me that … · Advantages and disadvantages

· The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that… · Pros and cons

· All things considered / All in all, … · Strengths and weaknesses

· On balance, I tend to believe that … · Assets and liabilities

· The world would surely be a better place to live in if · Gains and losses

· If people stopped …, we could look forward to a … · Opportunities and obstacles

· The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless…

· Despite all the arguments, I still feel that…

· Having weighed up the pros and cons of…

· The advantages outweigh the disadvantages

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SAM PLE ESSAY S WITH NOTE S

Your class has recently watched a television documentary on ways for governments to reduce
traffic congestion. You have made the notes below:

Ways for government to reduce Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

traffic congestion
· Maybe people would use buses if there were more of them
· Public transport
· We need fewer cars on the road, not more
· Road building
· There should be limits on where and when you can drive
· Legislation

Tackling traffic congestion: what should be done?

Give a title to
your essay At the beginning of the 20th century, a car was a luxury that
Reasons why the
many could not afford, but since then, the number of
problem should
vehicles on the streets of industrialized countries has soared. be tackled
The simple fact is that most urban areas were never
Describe briefly the designed to cope with such high levels of traffic. It seems
previous and
ironic that as car ownership has increased, the quality of life
current state of
affairs for people living in cities has, in some ways, diminished.
Traffic congestion creates stress, pollution and many types
of health problem. It is an issue that governments must
address.

One approach that policy-makers could take is to introduce

more legislation regulating the use of private vehicles. In
certain countries, for example, drivers are required to pay a Note the contrast
toll once they cross the boundary of the city centre. In some between the two
approaches: the
cases, car drivers are also restricted to using one lane only, first one is hopeless

Each paragraph
leaving the other lanes for buses or taxis. Unfortunately, there and inefficient; the
is evidence that neither of these measures has reduced second one is
discusses one
hopeful and
bullet point . traffic to any significant extent. efficient

An alternative approach would be to make public transport

more attractive to potential passengers. According to a
recent online poll, it is inconvenience rather than cost which
Relatively formal deters people from using buses. Local authorities would
register with therefore need to provide a much wider range of bus routes,
impersonal language
in general.
and run far more frequent services. Clear indication
of which
approach is more
In conclusion, an improved public transport system would
important
certainly require considerable financial investment, but in
the long term, it might be a cheaper option than borrowing
money to fund new road-building projects. This is the
strategy that I would recommend governments adopt.
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Your class has attended a panel discussion on what methods the government should use to
encourage people to buy products produced in your region or country. You have made the
notes below

Methods government could use Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

to encourage consumption of
local products · People are not aware of what is produced locally and
what comes from outside
· Advertising campaigns
· Local products are often among the most expensive.
· Education They should be cheaper

· Economic subsidies · The producers won’t use the subsidies properly

Promoting locally produced goods

Members of the local business community often complain

about the lack of support for locally produced goods. The
Do state the
Don’t state your
public’s indifference to local products is both the result of a problem at the
opinion in the lack of awareness and the huge variety of imported goods beginning of
first paragraph. available. There is clearly scope for the government to do your essay
something about this situation. In this essay I will discuss two
possible approaches that could be taken.

The first of these is a public service advertising campaign.

This would alert people to the many benefits of buying local
goods. The campaign could be supported by labelling
products as locally made. While this would almost certainly
Do use rhetorical
questions to involve lead to a greater level of awareness of the advantages of
the reader. But buying locally, more could still be done to make local goods
don’t overdo it more competitive in terms of price.
Do maintain a
A second tactic could be to offer subsidies so that goods balanced view.
Don’t be too
can be sold more cheaply. There are some drawbacks to
categorical
this approach, however. Where, for example, is the
guarantee that the producers would use this funding
Do use a relatively appropriately? This issue can be addressed by introducing a
formal register and system of quality control. The public could thus rest assured
an objective tone. that the local products offer good value for money.
Don’t be too
emotional In my view, advertising and subsiding local products must go
hand in hand. Once awareness has been raised,
Do give your
community spirit might well lead people to choose local opinion in the
products. If, into the bargain, they see that they are superior final paragraph
in terms of quality and price, there will be far less temptation
to buy products from abroad
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Following a class discussion on how technology has affected the way we live today,
you have made the notes below

Which aspect of our daily lives Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
has been affected most by
technology? · It’s great to be able to communicate with people 24 hours a day

· Communication · It’s so hard to make personal relationships – everyone’s online all

the time
· Relationships
· People have an easier working life because they can work from
· Working life home

Technology is such a feature of everyday life that it is

difficult to remember what we did without it. It impacts
on almost every aspect of our daily lives. But where has
Introduce the
technology’s greatest impact been?
topic in general
terms
Firstly, technology has affected the way we make
relationships and our expectations of them. It is
Use rhetorical
increasingly common to find people with more friends questions to engage
on the internet than in real life, and they spend more the reader and lead
time chatting to cyber friends than they do to real world in to the discussion

Do use topic friends. Although feeling part of a wider community like

sentences at this can be positive, it could also have a negative effect
the beginning of on people’s ability to relate to others on a personal
your paragraphs
level. In turn, this could make it hard not only to establish
relationships initially but to maintain them. The impact
of this development on society is clearly enormous.

Another area in which technology has affected

people’s lives is in the workplace. Sitting in open-plan
Support your
offices working at computer screens creates an ideas with
unsatisfying and unsupportive environment. On the plus examples
side, technology also enables people to work from
home, which can lead to a healthier work/life balance.
Show that you Of course, people may also find this difficult as it can
appreciate other lead to isolation.
points of view as
it strengthens To sum up, it appears that the impact of technology has Make sure your
your argument
been greatest on the way we form relationships, conclusion follows
because this affects people emotionally as well as from your
practically. However, given that it is impossible to return arguments clearly

to a world without technology, we must accept its

increasing impact on our lives in as many areas as we
can.
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Your class has watched a round-table discussion about what young people can learn
from older generations. You have made the notes below

Areas where young people Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

could learn from older
· People with work experience can tell you what the job
generations
you’re considering is really like
· Work
· Older people can give wise advice when you have a
· Relationships problem with a friend

· Money · It’s hard to manage your money when you start living
independently

It goes without saying that there are many ways in

which young people can learn from the older
Restating the generation. In both their work and their private lives,
subject is an
youngsters can benefit from the experience of their
easy strategy to
follow elders.

As far as work is concerned, the older generation can

explain how young people can achieve the career
they dream of. For example, they can recommend
what to focus on in order to acquire the skills that will
give them the best chance of success. They may also
Do use topic be able to give invaluable pointers as to which Three ways older
sentences at people can help
companies they would advise either applying to or,
the beginning of young people as
your paragraphs
conversely, not applying to. It may even be the case
far as work in
that the older person will be able to use their own concerned
contacts to help the younger one to find a position.

Older people may also be able to use the benefit of

their own life experience to help young people with
relationships advice. It can happen that older people
wish they had acted differently in their own relationships
Using advanced and so they may wish to encourage youngsters to avoid
grammar will help similar mistakes. If young people are prepared to listen Clear indication
you express your of which
to this kind of advice it may well prove useful for them.
ideas effectively approach is
more important
Of the two areas of life discussed above, I think young
people can learn most from older generations in the
field of work. After all, no relationships is the same and
so what might be right in one situation might not in
another. Advice relating to careers is more likely to be
relevant to a variety of differing contexts.
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Your class has listened to a radio discussion about how to help people live healthier
lives. You have made the notes below:

Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

Measures to help people to
live healthier lives · People need to know about the benefits of exercise
and healthy diet
· Education
· There should be laws that totally ban unhealthy habits
· Legislation like smoking

· Facilities · The government needs to sponsor facilities to make

them affordable for everyone

It goes without saying that good health is of benefit

both to individuals and to the society in which they live. Rhetorical
The paragraph
It is easier for healthy people to be happy, and they are question to
broadens the scope
of the subject by also usually able to contribute more to the life of their introduce the
paragraph
linking health to community.
happiness and
benefits to society But, what can be done to encourage people to live
healthy lifestyles? Clearly, education has a very
important role to play. This starts at primary school
when the young child can learn about the value of
exercise and a healthy diet. However, education
should not only be aimed at schoolchildren. Adults,
The topic
sentence here
too, need to continue to be reminded about the Try to consider
links the third importance of being active and eating nutritious food, more than one
paragraph to through, for example, TV documentaries and possibility.
the previous one Education doesn’t
newspaper or magazine articles.
have to be related
only to children
Education alone, however, is not enough. People need
to have easy access to facilities which will enable them
to exercise in an enjoyable way. There should be a
nationwide network of sports centres, offering a range
of classes and activities to suit all tastes and abilities. If
attractive opportunities are not available, people are
all too likely to slip into bad habits.

Think about the

Of the two measures outlined above, education is the
consequences more effective one. It is more far-reaching in that it
Make your opinion
of not taking the relates to all aspects of living healthily. Moreover, it is, clear as to which
right measures after all, through education that a person will learn why measure is better
it is better to go to an exercise class than to lie on a
couch in front of the television.
 1.1

You have watched a television discussion about methods governments could adopt to
encourage people to take more exercise. You have made the notes below.

How can governments Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

encourage people to take
more exercise? · People already know the benefits of exercise,
but don’t do enough about it
· Better education
· Many forms of exercise are free
· Free facilities
· Employers would benefit from a healthier
· Exercise time at work workforce

It is generally accepted that people today take insufficient

exercise. This, combined with a poor diet, can lead to ill
health and a poor quality of life. In view of this, it has been
suggested that governments should act to encourage
more exercise. I shall consider two of the proposed
methods.

Probably the most important action governments could

take would be to introduce an education programme into
all schools. In addition to publicising the benefits of
exercise, this would make exercise a compulsory part of
the school curriculum and get young people used to
following an exercise regime. In my view, however, for this
to be truly successful, there should be a corresponding
programme aimed at adults. If parents took part in an
exercise programme put on by the school, they would be
supporting what their children were being taught.

It has been suggested that if exercise facilities were free,

there would be an increased public take-up. In theory, this
seems an excellent way of encouraging adults to exercise,
but in practice I am doubtful. It is based on the assumption
that exercise depends on money, whereas in fact walking
and cycling, two very effective ways of keeping fit, are free
and can be fitted conveniently into most people’s daily
routine. Therefore, in my opinion, providing expensive extra
facilities is unnecessary and would be a misuse of public
money.

In view of the above arguments, I believe governments

should introduce education programmes aimed at people
of all ages because this is the most cost-effective means of
achieving the desired goal.
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You have just listened to a local radio discussion programme about ways in which your
town could be improved. You have made the notes below.

Which facilities should the Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

town council support if they
are to improve our town? · Not everyone likes theatre, ballet or opera

· Cultural venues · Shops are crucial if we are going to bring

prosperity to the town
· Shopping centres
· Keeping fit should be a top priority for
· Sports clubs everyone

Our town used to be a thriving place but over the past

decade it has become very run down. It is therefore
important that we think carefully about how to prioritise
any planned improvements.
One of the major problems in the town is our lack of
good sports amenities. The present gymnasium is very
small and the equipment is out of date and very
unreliable. As I am sure most people would agree, fitness
plays an essential role in the health and happiness of all
the inhabitants of our town and that is why I believe it
should be our top priority.
Of almost equal importance is the need for adequate
cultural venues in our town. Although the town boasts a
well-established theatre, a new art gallery or cultural
centre would make a significant contribution to the
educational opportunities available to local people, as
well as offering another place of entertainment and
recreation. Nevertheless, it is likely fewer people will take
advantage of these facilities than will use the sports club
and for that reason I believe they should take second
place.
To sum up, to enhance our town we eventually need
both the new sports facilities and the cultural venues.
Given the need to prioritise, however, it seems clear that
sport should come first. Having attended to that area,
we can later turn our minds to the cultural venues we so
desperately need.
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Your class has listened to a panel discussion about the benefits to a country of people
gaining experience of life abroad. You have made the notes below

Benefits to a country of Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

people spending time abroad
· People who’ve spent time abroad are then well equipped
· Business to conduct business with different countries

· Culture · It teaches people about different traditions in local cultures

· Understanding · People become aware that there are other ways of looking
at the world

When people spend time abroad, it is clearly an enriching

experience for them as individuals, but the fact that they
have gained this experience also brings benefits to the
society in which they live.

Firstly, there are advantages for business. If people have

spent time living in another country, they will have acquired
some knowledge of the language of that country. They
may not have become fluent, but they will almost certainly
be able to communicate in that language. They will also
have learnt about the mentality and customs of the society
in question and this, along with their language skills, will
stand them in very good stead when it comes to doing
business with that country.

Secondly, there are cultural advantages. People who have

lived abroad will have experienced the cultural life of a
country different from their own. They will have listened to
new kinds of music and seen fresh approaches to painting
and other visual arts. If they are artistic themselves, this will
have a very positive impact on their own creativity, which
in tum will bring benefits to their own society as well as to
them as individuals.

Of the two benefits to society of foreign travel which have

been discussed above, the more significant is, in my
opinion, the business one. Successful business between
countries has all sorts of positive consequences, from
increased employment opportunities to better working
conditions for staff. The travel experience of employees is
only one small factor contributing to business success, but
it certainly plays a not insignificant part in this.
 1.1

Your class has listened to a radio discussion about how important it is to keep up-to-
date with aspects of culture and current affairs. You have made the notes below:

Aspects of culture and Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

current affairs where
people like to keep up-to- · Being well-informed about what’s going on in the
date world may help us to avoid problems in the future

· News · Fashionable clothes make people look more

interesting – and they don’t need to be expensive
· Fashion
· Knowing about the latest books and films gives you
· The arts lots of interesting things to talk about

It is generally accepted that it is a good thing for people to

keep themselves informed about what is happening in the
world, to be up-to-date with current events and trends. But
which aspects of life is it most important to know about?

Firstly, people need to know about the news. They need to

know about the main social and political issues facing not
only their own country but also others. It is part of a person's
important general knowledge to have an understanding of
the situation in different places around the world. This will
mean reading more than one newspaper on a regular
basis, as well as watching the news and documentaries
about social issues on television.

Secondly, it is important to keep up-to-date with the arts.

We should all know what is going on in the worlds of music,
theatre, books and art. I do not mean that this should
include only highbrow culture. I believe that we should all
also know about popular singers and writers. Our aim
should be to become fully rounded and well-informed
citizens.

Of the two aspects of life discussed above, the more

important one is, in my opinion, that of current affairs. Both
aspects of life are undoubtedly important, but ultimately
social and political issues are likely to have a more far-
reaching impact on our lives than the arts, and so it is vital
that we keep up-to-date with the news.
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Your class has listened to a radio discussion about the advantages of being self-
employed rather than working for someone else. You have made the notes below:

Advantages of being self- Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

employed
· You don’t have to work from nine to five every day
· Time
· You’re in charge of the decisions that affect what
· Decision making you do

· Money · If you work hard, you make money for yourself, not
someone else

It seems that increasing numbers of people are choosing

these days to leave their regular salaried job in order to
become self-employed. But why do people choose to do
so? What are the advantages of this way of life?

Firstly, perhaps the main attraction of being self-employed

is that it leaves you in control of your own schedule. If you
prefer to work late at night so that you can take the
following day off to go to a concert at your child's school,
then you can do so. You don't have to ask anyone's
permission to leave the office whenever you wish.

A second major advantage of working for yourself is that

you are in charge of all decisions connected with your
business. When you're employed by someone else, you
have to do what they wish, regardless of whether you feel
it is the best course of action or not. To be in control of how
you work is something that makes the self-employed
lifestyle very attractive for many people.

Of the two advantages of being self-employed discussed

above, the more significant one is the fact that you are in
charge of your own timetable. To be able to spend time
with friends and family when you wish to is worth sacrificing
the regular monthly pay cheque for. As long as you can
earn enough for your requirements, then you can enjoy
the extra flexibility that self-employment allows far more
than you would a bit of extra money in the bank.
 1.1

Your class has watched a television debate about what should be done to ensure that
natural resources, such as water and oil, are not wasted. You have made the notes
below:

Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

Ways to ensure natural
resources are not wasted · The best method would be to make wasting natural
resources a criminal offence”
· Laws
· Newspapers and TV can have a very powerful impact on
· Media people’s behaviour
· Industry · Companies should take the lead by avoiding
unnecessary packaging

Natural resources are, on the whole, finite, and it is important

to make sure that we do not waste them. For the sake of
future generations, we must use them wisely. But how can we
ensure that we do this?

Unfortunately perhaps, the most successful method is

undoubtedly to make the wasteful use of resources a
criminal offence. Some countries already fine citizens who
put recyclable waste into bins intended for landfill sites, and
such legislation should be used more widely. Companies, in
particular, should be prosecuted if they do not have a
responsible attitude towards scarce resources.

Secondly, the media should take a much more active role in

encouraging people to use resources well. Resources are
often wasted because the public do not appreciate how
scarce they are or how serious the implications of their
overuse are for our descendants. So there need to be regular
stories in the papers or documentaries on television
presenting not only information about how wastefulness is
endangering the future but also examples of good practice.
In this way, people will be given the information that they
need in order to make a difference themselves.

Of the two ways of encouraging appropriate resource use

discussed above, the more effective is, in my opinion, the
legislative approach. Media campaigns have a very
important role to play but, human nature being what it is,
making wasteful use of scarce resources illegal is more likely
to have an effect than simply educating the public through
the media.
 1.1

Your class has attended a seminar on what methods the government could use to
reduce antisocial behaviour amongst teenagers. You have made the notes below:

Methods the government Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

could use to reduce
antisocial behaviour · We should be looking at causes before sending
amongst teenagers people to prison

· Punishment · Teens are more likely to listen to someone they admire

· Education · Young people sometimes don’t have anything to do

in their area
· Activities

Appropriate methods for reducing antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour is becoming an increasingly common

occurrence affecting many urban and suburban areas.
Vandalism, graffiti and general noise disturbance can have a
terrible impact on communities. The government needs to deal
with this widespread problem before the situation gets even worse.

There are many people in society who support proposals for

tougher sentencing. They believe that time spent behind bars or
at youth detention centre will discourage people from continuing
on the “wrong path”. However, it is simply not the case that jail
time acts as a deterrent. Indeed, it is more likely to expose
teenagers to more experienced criminals. Furthermore, evidence
suggests that by imprisoning young people, the justice system may
increase their dislike of authority. This, in turn, could result in further
antisocial activity.

There is no doubt in my mind that a high incidence of anti-social

behaviour is linked to boredom. A recent UK survey found that two-
third of young people cited having “nothing to do” as a principal
reason for offending. It is therefore my firm belief that the
government could tackle this issue by investing in amenities such
as sports centres and skate parks where tends could spend their
time more productively. Many young people are also interested in
developing technical skills in areas such as music and computer
programming so free or subsidized classes in these subjects would
certainly be worth considering.

To conclude, any solution will involve serious financial investment.

However, imprisonment is only a short-term answer whereas
providing young people with a range of activities that develop
their skills could have long-term benefits, not just for individuals, but
for society as a whole.
 1.1

Your class has listened to a radio discussion about the impact of technology on
employment opportunities. You have made the notes below.

Impact of technology on Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

employment opportunities
“Machines cause unemployment because they do jobs
· Fewer jobs people would have done in the past.”

· More interesting work for “People are free to do more interesting tasks.”
people
“No one will be doing the same job all their life any
· Constant need to improve more.”
skills

The impact of technology on employment opportunities

Ever since the start of the Industrial Revolution, people have

argued about how technology will affect employment
opportunities. Some people see the impact as largely
negative for the workforce while others consider the changes
to be predominantly positive.

The former group of people believe that technology means

that there will inevitably be a decrease in the number and
types of job available as automation and the use of robots
slowly but surely take over tasks that people previously earned
their living from. These prophets of doom believe that it will
become much harder for people to find employment and, as
a result they will have no choice but to accept lower wages
and poorer working conditions.

On the other hand, some people see the impact of

technology in a more optimistic light. They view the future as
a gold age when more people will be able to enjoy jobs which
offer much more variety and are far more intellectually
stimulating because the dull monotonous jobs will have been
automated. They also argue that advanced technology will
enable people to travel and work almost wherever they like in
the world.

Although I appreciate that technology takes some jobs away

from people, my opinion is that jobs are now more varied and
so more interesting than ever before.
 1.1

You have just attended a seminar on the subject “Transport and the Environment”. The
discussion focused on the methods governments should use to discourage car use and
encourage more environmentally friendly forms of transport, such as cycling or
travelling by bus. You have made the notes below

Methods governments could use to Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

discourage car use and encourage
- “If environmentally friendly forms of transport were
environmentally friendly forms of
better organised, people might choose to use them more
transport
often”.
· Transport planning
- “It would be good if governments could help
· Campaigning environmental groups to get the message across”.

· Fuel prices - “Maybe people would drive less if petrol and diesel
were more expensive”.

THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORT

There has been a huge increase in car ownership in recent

years. We now know that petrol and diesel fumes pollute
the environment and contribute to climate change. So
what should governments do to curb the use of cars?

I believe the most important step is to provide better public

transport. Unless this is made affordable and easy to use,
people will turn their backs on it. Buses and trains also need
to be a lot more regular and reliable than they are now.
There is a need for more pedestrian walkways and
designated cycle lanes too, and these must be safe and
convenient.

A good transport system is therefore a top priority, but once

this is in place the government has to persuade people to
use it The best strategy would be to campaign in the
newspapers, on TV, and with street advertising.
Environmental groups are already engaged in this kind of
work but they lack resources. If governments were willing to
fund them, campaigns could reach far more people than
at present.

To sum up, both of the above measures are important but

the first and greatest need is to improve transport.
Educating the public about using it comes next. By following
this strategy, governments stand a good chance of
persuading the public out of their cars and into more
environmentally responsible ways of travel.
 1.1

Your class has attended a seminar on what methods governments could use to help
young people find suitable accommodation. You have made the notes below:

Methods the government Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

could use to help young
people find suitable · We need more low-cost housing
accommodation
· Laws should be introduced to minimize rents
· Building programme
· Young people living with their parents should
· Market regulation receive help from governments

· Financial assistance

In recent, years many young people have found it increasingly

difficult to find accommodation that meets their needs. The
options available are either prohibitively expensive, very poor
quality, far from their place of work or study, or some
combination of these factors. Placing additional pressure on
young people as they try to continue their education or enter
the workforce is an unfortunate consequence of this situation.

One possible solution is to encourage young people to live at

home with, their parents for longer. Creating a financial
incentive, such as a government grant, might motivate more
young people to choose this option. However, while initially an
attractive proposition, the reality is that many young people are
already compelled to stay at home for want of any alternative
and as a result their opportunities to work or study in a different
city are severely restricted.

Perhaps a more appropriate strategy would be to construct a

range of affordable housing near the city centre. This might
take the form of simple but comfortable apartment complexes
built on vacant lots, which are available in many cities. In this
way the authorities could both create employment and. bring
fresh life to what are sometimes run-down areas. The finished,
apartments would subsequently provide modestly priced
accommodation for young people, located close to colleges
and workplaces.

An initiative of this type would generate opportunities and

benefits for the wider society while failing to act would only see
the effects of the current housing shortage made worse. For
these reasons the government should be encouraged to take
decisive action.
 1.1

EXE RCIS ES

ES SAY S - ANALY SIS

1.- In the writing part, you will always have to write an essay in Part 1.

An essay is very often written for a teacher or tutor and may be a follow-up activity to a
panel discussion or watching a documentary. In the exam you will be given a topic
and some notes on the topic which will include three bullet points. You have to select
two of the bullet points and base your essay on those two points. You will be asked to
explain which of the points is more important in a given respect, and give reasons and
opinions.

Your essay should be well organised, with an introduction, clear development and an
appropriate conclusion. The main purpose of the essay in the exam is to outline relevant
issues in a topic, and put forward an argument with supporting information and
reasons.

CONTENT PURPOSE
INTRODUCTION General statement -
Definitions (optional) -
Scope of the essay -
BODY Arguments -
Evidence -
CONCLUSIONS Summary -
Relate the argument to a -
more general world view

· To explain what is understood by some key words / concepts

· To introduce the reader to the topic

· To put the writer’s point of view into a wider context

· To remind the reader of the key ideas

· To express important ideas

· To support ideas with reasons

· To tell the reader what you intend to cover in the essay

2.- Match A-F with six of the areas often test in the writing paper, and discuss how you
could achieve good marks in each

1- Content a) Use of formal / informal language

2- Format b) use of linking words

 1.1

3- Cohesion c) the way the text is divided up into paragraphs

4- Register d) the variety of vocabulary and structures used

5- Organisation e) the layout (title, headings…)

6- Range f) the writer’s coverage of the topic

DEVELOPING GOOD LANGUAGE SKILLS

This essay will examine the role played by parents and teachers in the development of
language skills. These two influences, in addition to others, were discussed during a
recent panel discussion. Good language skills are seen by many as vital to a person’s
future prospects in education and in employment and also as a means of enjoying the
world of literature.

Research has demonstrated that babies start learning language even before they are
born. They hear sounds and their brains can recognise the difference between familiar
and unfamiliar sounds. As soon as a baby is born, it hears language and is encouraged
to make sounds and eventually words and sentences. Therefore, I suggest that the
family is the most crucial element in learning to speak and to write. Many children
spend years at home before they ever go to school.

However, teachers then help children to make progress in their learning and it is their
responsibility to make sure that a child reaches as high a level as possible in their
language development. In fact, teachers can in some cases compensate for a lack of
learning at home. For many and varied reasons, not all parents are able to give a child
a good start in life.

In conclusion, parents are key in the development of a child’s language skills. Secondly,
formal education provides further support to ensure that young people are ready to
face the world when they leave school.

When examiners mark your writing, they pay attention to four aspects. Tick the points
that have been included in the essay

· Content:

- Are there clear content points?

- Is the reader fully informed?

· Communicative achievement:

Is the reader’s attention held?

Is there a mix of straightforward ideas and complex ideas?

· Organisation

Does it follow a typical essay format?

Does it have paragraphs?

 1.1

Does the essay use appropriate connecting words/phrases?

· Language

Is there a range of grammar forms?

Is the grammar accurate?

Is there a range of vocabulary?

Is there appropriate use of vocabulary?

4- Read the following essay and replace the underlined words/phrases with a more
formal alternative from the box. Divide the essay into four paragraphs.

Methods students should adopt to select the right university

I’m sure that choosing what to study at university is one of the biggest decisions you will
ever make in your life. This is because if you make the right choice, a successful future is
probably guaranteed. But making the wrong one can be a catastrophe at the end of
the day. So, how can you ensure success? To start with, I believe you should get as
much information as possible. A good way is to talk to people who are already
attending the course you are interested in, to find out what their experience of it has
been. Ask about how it’s taught and whether they benefit from the lectures and
seminars. Check how many contact hours they have per week, and whether they can
cope with all the work they get. Another thing you can do is to go online; you can also
find the information you need in forums and chat rooms. And, examine your motivation
for doing the course. Be very clear what you yourself think about whether you are doing
it just for interest and enjoyment, or to qualify for a career. So, if after you’ve done what
I suggested you are still unfortunate enough to find you’ve made the wrong decision, I
think the best thing you can do is to talk to your tutors and find out whether it is possible
to move to another course.

Almost certainly assured There is no doubt that An alternative

Despite following this advice In your own mind However
Find the workload manageable In addition Firstly
One method of doing this In my opinion Finally
Ultimately prove disastrous The teaching methods Purely

Analyse Establish Gather

Require Locate Inquire
Transfer
 1.1

5.- Sample essay 1

Methods governments should use to encourage young people to pursue further

education

· E-learning · Work placements · Cheaper fees

Some opinions expressed in the TV documentary:

· “Nowadays, people should be able to study from home”

· “There should be more guarantee of a job at the end of the course”

· “Maybe young people would go to college if they could afford it”

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should
explain which method you think is more important for governments to consider, giving
reasons in support of your answer.

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the TV documentary, but
you should use your own words as far as possible

Encouraging school-leavers to take college courses

Over the last ten years there has been a rise in the number of teens finishing their studies
at age 16 or 17. Statistics indicate that they are opting to leave school as early as
possible, either because they are unable or unwilling to take their education further. It is
clear that this could have a long-term impact on the skills, knowledge and
qualifications of the general workforce. It is therefore essential that governments find
ways to reverse this trend.

We need to begin by asking why young people do not see college as a good option. A
major factor is certainly the cost. For many low-income families, course fees, materials
and equipment are simply unaffordable. Reducing fees would therefore enable many
more students to attend college. However, for the government to do this, it would need
to use a very large part of its total budget for education, year after year.

It might be a more practical solution to offer young people more flexibility in when and
how they study. If governments supported colleges in developing online course and
blended learning programmes, more young people could study at a time and place
that was convenient to them. Students with daytime jobs, for instance, could choose to
do their coursework and view workshops or online webinars in the evening or
weekends.

Setting up these kinds of programme would be expensive at first, but once the courses
were established, it would be a cost-effective approach. Now we have the
technology, we should use it to maximize educational opportunities for the young
generation.
 1.1

5.b) The following structures from the model could be used in other essays you write:

· Over the last … years there has been…

· Statistics indicate that…

Write more structures in the model which could be used in other essays

Which of the three possible paragraph plans does the essay follow?

A B C

Introduction Introduction Introduction

Explain reasons for young Describe the effect of Provide general
people not pursuing young people not information about the
further education pursuing further education current trend regarding
and outline methods to be young people and further
discussed education. Indicate
purpose of the essay

Central paragraphs Central paragraphs Central paragraphs

Explain the advantages Describe one method and Discuss one proposed
and disadvantages of two give reasons why method and suggest why
proposed methods. government should it may not be effective.
consider it Discuss second method
State my own opinion
and give reasons why the
about which method is
government should
better
consider it

Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion

Summarizing statement Weigh up arguments Reaffirm why one method
given and state opinion. is preferable to the other
Give reasons
 1.1

6- Sample essay 2

Your class has recently attended a lecture on what methods governments should use
to tackle obesity in schoolchildren. You have made the notes below

Methods governments should use to tackle obesity in schoolchildren

· Lessons on nutrition · Sports facilities · Legislation

Some opinions expressed in the lecture:

· If parents don’t provide healthy meals, there’s not much schools can do

· Schoolkids should be getting more exercise

· We need new laws so that people are less likely to buy junk food

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should
explain which method you think is more important for governments to consider, giving
reasons in support of your answer. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions
expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible

OBESITY: HOW DO WE TACKLE IT?

Obesity has become a major issue for many developed countries. ______ does it affect
the quality of life of millions of people, but it has serious consequences for a country’s
economy and health services. It is evident, ________, that this is a problem that
demands urgent action. There are many practical steps that governments could take
to tackle it, but the following two would probably be the most effective.

Firstly, governments need to impose stricter laws _______ the sale and marketing of fast
food to young children. Fast food chains should _____ be allowed to operate near
schools nor advertise at times when children are likely to be watching television. Food
companies, cafés and restaurants should also be required to show the calorie content
of meals on labels or menus. ________, parents would be better able to make an
informed choice about their children’s diet.

Secondly, it is a sad fact that many children are not getting the kind of exercise that
older generations benefited from. Many urban families live in environments which
provide no opportunity for outdoor activity. For _________, governments need to make
sure that schools have the kind of facilities that allow children to exercise and keep fit.
They should also be ensuring that school timetables include regular sessions of physical
education.

In the 21st century, it is ironic that for many children, it is overeating that is responsible for
bad health, not starvation. If governments continue to ignore this crisis the long-term
consequences may be worse than we can imagine.
 1.1

1- Put the phrases in the box into the gaps in the model answer.

With regard to That reason In this way Not only Neither Therefore

2.- The model contains some strong adjective + noun collocations that you could use
for similar essays. In the table below, add the missing nouns to the extracts from the
model. Then add a synonym for each noun.

1- has become a major ________ Synonym:

2- that demands urgent _________ synonym:

3- Impose stricter _________ synonym:

4- make an informed _________ synonym:

5- has serious __________ synonym:

6- take practical ________ synonym:

It is living in a truly / widely cosmopolitane city that has made me realise just how
important cultural diversity is. What enhances / enriches a society is the huge
energie and enthusiasm that newcomers to the country bring. It is since / because
they are starting afresh, looking at everything for the first time, that you question
your own values and aproach to life, particularly in the workplace. And to be
honest / open, the new workers who arrive are, as a rule / whole, often prepared to
do absolutely / totally mundane jobs until they become better stablished and can
set their sights utterly / really high.

On a realistic / positive note, having different ethnicities within a city means

benefitting from an absolutely / extremely vibrant cultural life as well; different
groups will bring in new music, threatre and of course cuisine. As I call / see it, whole
neighbourhoods spring up around this culture, making each part of the city a
different expirience. It makes for an incredibly / absolutely exciting and diverse
background, and a very / simply enjoyable existance.

Consequently, all I want is to see these diverse ethnic groups thrive / advance
within our city, creating a new generation with completely / utterly tolerant views of
each other, and common ties to our country and its future. As far as I am involved /
concerned, this is quiet simply the only way forward in the next century. It is living
and working together that develops / progresses true harmony and integration.
 1.1

a) Choose the correct word to complete the sentence

b) Ten words in the essay are spelled wrongly. Find them and correct them.

ESSAYS - V OCABULARY
1- The phrases in italics in the sentences below can be used to give an impersonal
introduction to a fact or opinion. Complete them with the words in the box

Believe Claimed Common Considered

Generally Undeniably Well-known Addressed

It is a _______________ fact that politicians bury information that they do not wish us to
know

It is often ______________ that past records have been altered or destroyed

There are several viewpoints that need to be ____________. Whereas it is important to

encourage patriotism, it is also…

Many people ________________ that everything they read in history books is true

It is ___________ knowledge that in times of war, propaganda is often used as a weapon

The issue of political misinformation is __________ important and needs to be

____________

It is _____________ believed that legends have a basis in fact.

2- Complete the sentences with one of the nouns from the box. Use the collocates in
bold to help you

Coverage Concern Priority Resources

Action Claims Status Importance

· This should be a top priority in the years ahead. The council has put off taking action
for too long.

· That we are still in this predicament is a pressing_________________. Tm worried that in its

present state the footpath is a threat to public safety.

· This is only one of several competing__________________to be considered. The council

must also think about parking and lighting.

· The media give this topic inadequate__________________ . It doesn't appear at all in

some newspapers.
 1.1

· Scientists deserve higher______________ than they are afforded at present. Their

contribution to society is seriously undervalued.

· Many schools do not target sufficient__________________at this problem. Instead they

spend their budgets buying comfortable furniture for the teachers' room!

· Nothing now prevents the authorities from taking immediate__________________ . The

council has put off doing anything for far too long.

· It's of critical______________that industry addresses this issue. I can't understand why

such a significant problem has been ignored.

3- When writing the essay you should try to use a variety of different forms and structures
to give your opinions. Underline the correct alternative in the sentences below.

· It might be preference/preferable/preferred for many students if they could work

flexible hours.

· The establishment/establishing/established of adequate training courses is a priority.

· If restaurant owners ought/have/were to pay higher salaries, it would do much to

mitigate the problem.

· Having/To Have/Having been seen first-hand the value of this course, every student
recommended it.

· It is important give/to give/giving every student the best possible opportunity.

· No sooner/As soon as/Soon there is more flexibility about working hours, more students
will start applying for jobs.

· The culture at many workplaces will improve immediately the legislation will be/is/
would be passed.

· If cafe managers were more proactive, the students must be/can be/could be relied
on to rise to the occasion.

4- Rewrite this extract from an essay in a more formal style.

One of the biggest reasons why these criminals go out and do criminal things is
because the law is too soft. As long as they don’t go out and murder anyone or rob a
bank they can be pretty sure they’ll get off with a useless little warning or something like
that. Even for a really big crime, they’ll probably only get put away for a short time and
if they don’t mess around in prison they’ll be allowed to come out in no time. No
wonder we’ve got so much crime!
 1.1

ESSAYS – WRITING TASKS

1- Your class has recently attended a panel discussion on what methods governments should use to prepare
young people for working life. You have made the notes below:

Write an essay for your tutor in 220-260 words discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain
which method you think is more practical for governments to propose, giving reasons in support of your answer.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words
as far as possible.

2- Your class has recently watched a documentary on what methods governments should use to tackle
cyberbullying amongst schoolchildren. You have made the notes below:

Write an essay discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain which method you think is more
important for governments to consider, giving reasons in support of your answer. You may, if you wish, make use
of the opinions expressed in the documentary, but you should us your own words as far as possible.

3- Your class has attended a panel discussion on what methods schools should use to improve literacy
standards. You have made the notes below

Write an essay discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain which method you think is more
important for governments to consider, giving reasons in support of your answer. You may, if you wish, make use
of the opinions expressed in the documentary, but you should us your own words as far as possible.
 1.1

4- Your class has viewed a documentary on ways that sustainable tourism might be achieved. You have
made the notes below

Write an essay discussing two of the ways in your notes. You should explain which way is most likely to benefit
both the host country and the tourists, giving reasons in support of your answer. You may, if you wish, make use
of the opinions expressed in the documentary, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

5- Your class has listened to a panel discussion about the reasons for learning English in the modern world.

Write an essay discussing two of the ways in which technology has an impact on employment opportunities. You
should explain which way you think is more significant and provide reasons to support your opinion. You may, if
you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary, but you should use your own words as far as
possible.