3 Model answers, with hints

and useful language

3.1 Essay
(Part I)
For work on essays, see pages 14, 56 and 130.

TASK
You have recently had a discussion in your English class about holidays.
Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
Essay question
Is it better to learn more about your own country rather than travel abroad on holiday?
Notes
Things to write about
~_._which is more expensive
2 which is more educational
3 your own idea

Write your essay of between 140 and 190 words. You must use grammatically correct
sentences with accurate spelling and punctuation in a style appropriate for the situation.

Usefl.Jll ~mg~age
'· Introducing different points and sequensing Giving reasons and examples
. First/y/ SeconOly/Ffnally .,. . This)s because ...
. First of all. ,./1wou!dlike (0begin by saying. . ' The reason for this is . '.'
• Another advantage;disadvantage is .. . Isay/mention this because ...
~;* (n co~C;luSiOQ I must
. .
~ay that .. , For example ...
Giving generaJQpinions For imtance
Some people think/say Places like/such as ...
Giving contrast~
• Although I can understand ...
Giving 9pinion HoWever, l n rTjyopinion .. .
F orme . In contrast to this ...
. .

Personally speakihg ; .. • vthile it1S ~(Ue that .. .

I thinklfeef/6elieve that :: . • . On the other hand : ..
In rilyopinion ...
fmm my point of view ...

164 Writing reference

These sample answers show two candidate's different opinions.

Model A

DO refer to the
statement but try to
rephra se it.

DO use an appropriate DO add details to

semi-formal style. support your points.

DO use formal linking

devices.

DO make your
opinion clear in your
concl usion

Model B

DO expand on the
question in your
DO give reasons for
introduction.
your opinion.

DO give exam ples

where appropriate.
Firstly, a holiday abroad can be very expensive, e~~~--
for a big family. You need to pay for and
travel which can both cost a great deal. There is also holiday
insurance to consider which I think is more important when
you travel abroad. In contrast to this, a holiday in your own
country is likely to be much less expensive and stressful.
Secondly, people often do not realise that there are lots of
DO refer to people's
-1--JJW.lJ;~~b~e~
a~u.tiful and interesting places still to visit in their
opinions.
own country. people say that they like to go abroad
to learn about different cultures but in fact, even in a small
country like England, the people who live in different areas
DO balance your have different traditions, food and even ways of speaking!
conclusion. Although I can see the attractions of going abroad, in my
opinion there are definitely more benefits to travelling
around your own country.

Writing reference 165

 3.2 Article
(Part 2)
For wo rk on articles, see page 11 0.

TASK
You have seen t his advertisement
on the Technology Today w ebsite.

Write your article.

(You should w rite 120-180 wo rd s.)

Sample answer
DO try to t hink of an
interest ing t it le to
catch t he reader's eye. No phone? A nightma re!

Quite honestly I can't imagine life without my mobile

DO start w it h an phone. It is always with me. Wherever I go it's in my
interesting ph rase/ pocket and even at night it's by my bed in case I get a
sentence t o late call or text.
encou rage t he reader
to continue read ing. My parents thin k I'm mad! But then they're from a
different generation. All my friends rely totally on thei r
phones for all so rts of th ings. Obviously, we use them to
DO give an opposi ng
keep in touch but also for other things. I take photos with DO use a direct
opinion whe re
it, and I go online with it! It plays a big part in my life . question to involve
app ropriate.
t he reader.
What would I do it? I imagine I would have to
start using the computer to email fri ends and go on my
social networki I that would be hard because
DO use informal
linkers.
mes you're not near a computer when you want to
do that. DO use an informal
style.
I also think that the feeling of being out of touch with
people would be quite frightening . I suppose really
DO try to fin ish with
DO make your own we've become too dependent on them . A life without
an interest in g ending.
opi nion clear. my mobile phone? No thank you !
(197 wordsl

Useful language
Involving t he reader Firstly, ...
Have you ever considered ... ? Another important point is ...
Can you imagine ... ? As well as that ...
How many people would agree with that? Giving your opinion
Surely everyone should be allowed to ... ? I strongly believe that ...
Mentioning different point s I also think that ...
Fora start .. . I imagine/I suppose ...
To begin with ...

166 Writing reference

 3.3 Report
(Part 2)
For work on reports, see page 98.

TASK
Your school sent you and some other students to take a summer course at a language
school in the UK. Your teacher has now asked you to write a report on the course,
including your comments on the lessons, accommodation, school facilities and the
social programme.
Write your report. (You should write 120-180 words.)

Sample answer

DO give a title to your

- - - Report 011\, SUV1A.V1A.er course Clt 5d.wClrd.s LClvvguClge scvlOoL
report.
The Cl~V1A. of tlt1~s report ~s to COV1A.V1A.ell\,t 011\, tlt1e course Clt 5d.wClrd.s
LClVt0UClge sclt100L ~II\, tlt1e IA.K tv,~s SUV1A.V1A.er.
DO state the purpose/
/
aim of the report and The course
try to rephrase the The teCl~bVt0 WClS exceLLell\,t. The -progrClV1A.V1A.e WClS welL orgClII\,~sed. ClII\,d.
wording of the task. covered. V1A.ClII\,ij ~V1A.-portCllI\,t Cls-pects of tlt1e 5Vt0LLsv, LClVt0UClge. Wi.tv, oll\,Lij
sLx -peo-pLe ~II\, eClclt1 grou-p we lt1Cld. -pLell\,tij of o-p-portulI\,~Hes to -prClchs .
DO use formal
DO use subheadings ___ ACCOV1A.V1A.od.ClHolI\, language.
to make it clear for the
ALL tlt1e lt10st fClV1A.~L~es were R~II\,d. ClII\,d. tlt1e rooV1A.S we lt1Cld. were
fClV1A.~L~es were cLose to tlt1e sclt100L so we couLd. wClLR
reader.
COV1A.fortClbLe. The
tlt1ere everij d.Clij.
DO refer to numbers /
and amounts. Scv,ooL fClc~L~Hes
The scv,ooL ~s qu~te SV1A.ClLL - oll\,Lij sevell\, cLClSSrOOV1A.s - but ~t V,ClS good.
fClcLLLHes. There Ls Cl cOV1A.-puter rooV1A. ClII\,d. SV1A.ClLL L~brClrij . It ClLso V,ClS Cl
good. CClfeter~CI wLtlt1 reClsolI\,ClbLe -pr~ces.
soc~ClL progrClV1A.V1A.e
The sclt100L orgClII\,Lsed. V1A.ClII\,ij LII\,teresHII\,g evell\,~Vt0 ClII\,d. weeRell\,d. evell\,ts
for us ClII\,d. oll\,e sClturd.Clij we well\,t 011\, Cl d.Clij tr~-p to Lo 1I\,d. 011\,.

COII\,cLus~oll\,

To SUV1A. u-p, I V1A.ust SClij tV,Clt ~t WClS Cl verij successfuL stClij wv,~cv, WClS
DO finish with a
conclusion and a
~ ev0oijed. bij everij 0lI\,e. Our 5Vt0L~sv, V,ClS ~V1A.-proved. cOII\,s~d.erClbLij ClII\,d. I
wouLd. tv,orougv,Lij recoV1A.V1A.ell\,d. tv,~s course to future stud.ell\,ts.
recommendation.
(179 words)

Useful language
Stating the aim In conclusion I would like to say that ...
The aim/purpose of this report is to ... To conclude it must be said that ...
This report is intended to give ... Generally speaking, ...
Making conclusions and recommendations I would (thoroughly) recommend ...
To sum up, ... It seems that ...
.; I must say/it was felt that ...

Writing reference 167

 3.4 Review
(Part 2)
For work on reviews, see page 120.

TASK
You recently saw this notice on your
college website.
Have you seen any good TV documentaries recently?
We are looking for reviews of recent documentaries to put in
the 'Review' section of our website. Send us your review and if
Write your review. we include it you will receive a DVD of Famous documentaries
(You should write 120-180 words.) of the twenty-first century.

Sample answer

In the introduction,
state the name of film/
book/programme, ete.
DO give some
information about the - - - There have been many films and books about this famous ship
subject of the film/
book, ete.
DO explain why
the film/book/ _ _-
programme, ete., was
Last week I saw the new documentary about the Titanic, the
biggest ship in the world that sank on her first voyage in 1912. It
wasex~ent.
over the last hundred years, but this documentary looked at the
story from a different point of view. Whereas most of the stories
we hear are about the passengers, this documentary was all
about the people who built the ship and those who were working DO link your ideas.
on board when she sank.
I found the documentary fascinating. Not only was visually
interesting - it included lots of early photographs of the builders,
_ _-PT .."" and the ship as she was being built - but it was also

good/you enjoyed it. I learnt a lot of facts that I hadn't known

before. Some of them were very sad. For example, the number
of people who died while they were building Titanic.
DO concl ude If you missed it last week it will be repeated next Thursday.
with an opinion/ _ _ _ Those people who liked the 1997 film Titanic will find this very
recommendation. interesting indeed!
(179 words)

Useful language
Introduction Giving an opinion
Last week I saw ... It was excellent.
... is an excellent film. I found it fascinating.
The book I would like to review is ... I particularly liked ...
Giving information It is very dramatic.
This documentary was all about ... Recommending
The story is based on . .. Those people who liked ... will love ...
The film is set in ... I cannot recommend this film enough.
The main character is .. . This is a must for ...
It follows the life of ... I would recommend anyone to ...
It is definitely worth seeing/reading.

168 Writing reference

 3.5 Informal email
For work on informa l emails, see page 78.

TASK
You have received an email from your English-speaking friend Jonas who is com ing to stay
with you next weekend. Read this part of the email and then write your email to Jonas.
I'm really looking forwa rd to the weekend. It will be good to get away from all this revision I'm
doing! Maybe we can go for a walk in the forest?By the way, how do I get to your house from the
station ?Also - any suggestions for where I can take you all out for a meal over the weekend?
See you soon
Jonas

DO refer to previous
email or information.
DO expand on your
notes where you can.
DO order your email!
letter logically w ith
separate paragraphs
for different points or
topics.
Great to hear from you. I can't wait for next weekend, either!
When you get to the station it's better to get a bus as we
live quite a long way from it. Outside the station turn left and DO use the notes.
the¥e1s a bus stop just along the road . Get the number 55
and get a ticket to Harper's Grove. Text me when you're on
the bus and I'll meet you at the stop.
It will be lovely to go out for a meal. We could go to the new
Italian restaurant in Harper's Bridge. It's had a lot of good
reviews. I'll book a table.
On Sunday we've arranged to go out for the day to the
beach. We can have a picnic and do some swimming. Then
we can visit Arundel Castle on the way back. We thought
you might like that. We'll still get our exercise!
Good luck with the history test. Don't worry, you'll be fine.
You're so good at history!
DO w rite an
Have a good journey on Friday and I'll see you at the appropriate ending.
bus stop!
Love
Katy

Useful language
Reference to previous letter/ email or information Giving instructions
Great to hear from you. Turn left
Thanks for your letter. Get the number 77.
It was lovely to get your email. Text me when ...
I'm really looking forward to our trip together. Closing remarks
Suggesting /'11 see you at ...
We could go to .. . I'm looking forward to seeing you.
Why don't we . . . See you soon.
It would be lovely to ... Write soon.
How about going ... Best wishes/Love
We can have ...

Writing reference 169

 3.6 Informal letter
For work on informal letters, see page 24.

TASK
You are on holiday. Before leaving home you received a letter from your Scottish friend,
Molly. Read this part of the letter and then write your letter to Molly.
So, you're off to Spain. Lucky you! Don't forget to write to me and tell me all about what you're
doing and ifyou meet any interesting people!
Love
Molly

Sample answer

DO give the reason for

writing, informally.

00 use a direct
~~--..,......+- question to involve
the reader.

DO mention all points

you are asked to write
about.

DO expand on points
to interest the reader.

DO use informal
language.
DO end appropriately.

(l UWor'd.s) •
- '. "'t.
~

Useful language
Beginning the.letter Let's meet up soon.

Thanks so much for your letter. Do write back soon.

• As promised, I'm writing ... Give my love/best wishes to your sister.

Hope to see you soon.
It was lovely to hear from you.
• All the best
Don't be surprised -I know I haven't written for a while!
Best wishes
Sorry it's taken me so long to write back.
Bye for now
Ending the email
/'11 text you when ...

170 Writing reference

 3.7 Letter of application
(Part 2)
For w ork on letters of application, see page 66.

TASK
You are looking for a holiday job
and see this advertisement online.

Write your letter.

Do not write any postal addresses.
(You should w rite 120-180 words.)

Sample answer

DO say what you

Dc:w.r Sir,
are applyi ng for and __ ~ 1 c..M wriht\') to c..rrLlf Jor thtl. !olo oJ tour ')uicttl. it\ Lot\ctot\ thd wc..s
where you saw the c..ctvtl.rhstl.ct ot\ lfour wtl.losittl..
advert.
1c..M 1&lftl.c..rs oLct c..t\ct I c..M currtl.t\f(lf stuctlfil'\') Jor Mlf A ttl.Vtl.ts d
GrOVtl. HiB0 School. I c..M tooKiw) Jor c.. SUMMtl.r 1010 Io~ortl. ')oit\')
t . t . . t t . __ DO mention all the
10 Mc..t\chtl.sltl.r Ut\lvtl.rsl~ 10 sluctlf tc..t\')uc..')tl.S c..t\ct hlstorlf· . kd
__ pOints you are as e
1 hc..w tivtl.ct c..l'\ct stuctitl.ct it\ LOt\ctol'\ c..tt Mlf tiJtl. c..t\ct 1 MOW thtl. to write about.
ci~ wrIJ wtl.tL Historlf is ot\tl. oJ Mlf Mc..il'\ it\krtl.sts c..t\ct I hc..vtl.
ctot\tl. Mc..t\lf rrojtl.ds ot\ Jc..MOUS Lot\ctot\ si')hts c..t\ct MOI'\UMtl.l'\tS.
1Sr<l.c..K thrtl.tl. tc..t\')uc..')tl.S - Frtl.l'\ch, Src..t\ish c..t\ct c.. tillitl. GttrMc..t\.
1 c..M c.. socic..lottl. rtl.rsot\ c..t\ct 1 <l.t\!0I.f Mtl.tl.tit\') t\<l.W rtl.ork. 1 c..M
DO say why you are <l.t\thusic..shc c..loout thtl. dkc..diot\s oJ Mlf cifIJ c..t\ct I thit\K thd this
suitable. - I- is iMrortc..l'\t Jor c.. tour ,)uicttl..
1 shc..tt Io<l. c..vc..itc..lottl. JroM thtl. Mictctk oJ Jut\tl. Ut\tit thtl. tl.t\ct oJ
S<l.rt<l.Mlotl.r whtl.t\ Mlf Ut\ivtl.rsi~ courS<l. Iotl.')it\s.
IJ lfoU woutct tiKtl. Mtl. to dttl.t\ct c..t\ it\ttl.rvitl.w, Mlf c.ot\tc..d ctdc..its __
OO
c..rtl.lotl.tow. 1c..M Jrtl.tl. tl.Vtl.rlf Wtl.ctt\tl.sctc..lf c..t\ct Thursctc..lf c..Jt<l.rl'\oot\. - - d rei fer to contact
etal s.
Horit\') to htl.c..r JroM lfoU shorttlf,
DO end appropriately
and in a correct formal
......-i-" Yours Jc..ithJuttlf
style.
Ric.hc..rct (kc..CKS
{179wordsl

Useful language
, have always wanted to .. .
Appropriate opening and closing
, can speak three languages.
Dear Sir/Dear Madam/Dear Mr. Watson , have done similar work before.
Yours , think this is important for someone who ...
Yours sincerely/faithfully , believe' am an ideal applicant for this type of work.
Kind regards
Closing remarks
Giving reasons for writing
Thank you for considering my application.
, am writing to apply for .. .
, hope/Hoping to hear from you soon/shortly.
, would like to apply for .. .
'look forward to hearing from you.
, am writing because' saw ...
I enclose my CV/references from ...
Talking about abilities, qualities and su itabi lity I would be grateful for a quick reply.
, have lived and studied in .. . Could you send me some more details about ...
, have a lot of experience in .. .

Writing reference 171