A2 WRITING ASSESSMENT 5

All about Bali

Communicative goals:
 Write a story with a simple linear sequence.
 Write the concluding sentence or sentences of a basic paragraph, using the given
model.
 Write a basic description of experiences, feelings and reactions, using the given
model.

1. Think about…

1. Which are the most important

touristic places in your city?

2. What are the things you enjoy the

most when traveling?

3. Would you accept the chance to

travel around the world as a
backpacker?

Backpacker: A form of independent,

low-cost travel in which a person only
travels with a backpack.

2. Words matter!

To do well in this lesson it is necessary to learn a number of words. Please complete

the following exercise. At the end you will learn more vocabulary.

2.1. Underline the expression that best matches the idea of the boldfaced word or
phrase. Have a dictionary at hand!

a. My grandma finally went to La Guajira. It was on her bucket list for a long time.

-List or note to remember things. - Things to do before you die.

b. He regularly jaunts to Manizales on vacation.

-A short journey for work. - A short journey for pleasure.

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c. Going to the Eiffel tower is a must-do in Paris.

- Something you have to do - Something that is prohibited

d. Monserrate has a beautiful view of Bogota. It is stunning.

- Really high -Really beautiful

e. He’s definitely a morning person. He wakes up very early in the morning. I can’t!

- A person who does well in the morning - Cold

2.2. Match the word on the left with the meaning on the right. Write in the parenthesis
the corresponding letter.

Word Meaning
1 Hidden ( ) A Time in the evening when the sun disappears.
2 Sunrise ( ) B Not easy to find.
3 Sunset ( ) C A particular place or point.
4 Spot ( ) D Obtain or get something.
5 Grab ( ) E Time in the morning when the sun appears.

3. Read a bit!

Read the following text called “What do you know about Bali?” Simon is a backpacker
and one of his most important experiences was in Bali. Let’s read his story.

Do you know anything about Bali? I’m

going to tell you my experience there.
Someone told me once that Bali is an
island that should be on “everyone’s
bucket list.” I was there for three
weeks and I discovered Bali has a
combination of hidden gems and
great experiences.
First of all, I saw the most impressive
waterfall in Bali. It was wonderful!
Hidden from all other tourist
attractions this waterfall is a real gem!
Few tourists go there because of its
location but it was the first place I
visited.

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At the foot of the waterfall, you can experience its power and enjoy a fresh shower if the sun
and weather is good. The number one must-do in Bali!

Then, I traveled to another popular tourist attraction in Bali and one of my top things to do,
Tegalalang. It is a beautiful valley located near Ubud. When I was there, I was surprised by
its stunning sunrises and lovely sunsets. My recommendation is to make sure to experience
the sunrise there even if you’re a morning person or not.

Finally, I read before the trip that Bali is made for surfing. I decided to go to Kuta beach
which is for all the beginners like me, but there are other spots like Uluwatu or some beaches
at Canggu for the more experienced surfers. I would say to all the beginners out there: Grab
a board, get an instructor on the beach and you are ready to go!

At the end, I enjoyed all the places I traveled to. The great waterfall, the amazing sunrises
and sunsets, and the different activities at the beach. I totally recommend this place as one
of the places to visit.

4. Tips for composition:

In this session you will find grammar elements and composition strategies that help
you with your writing production. Read the explanation; this is important for the next
step!

SEQUENCING
It refers to the identification of the components of a story, such as the beginning,
middle, and end. It is really important in order to understand and place of the details
and the sequence of events.

A lineal story is written chronologically, so the events are connected.

BEGINNING EVENT/PART EVENT/PART EVENT/PART END

1 2 3

First of all Before Finally Immediately

At first After At the end Suddenly
To begging with While At last Then
At the beginning During In the end Next

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Example:

First of all First of all, I saw the most impressive waterfall in Bali.
Then Then, I traveled to another popular tourist attraction in Bali.
At the end At the end, I enjoy all the places I traveled to.

4.1. Think about the last travel you had. Taking that experience into account complete
the following chart mentioning the activities you did there.

PLACE YOU VISITED

ACTIVITY 1

ACTIVITY 2

ACTIVITY 3

ACTIVITY 4

4.1.1 Connect the events you wrote in the last exercise and describe the story in a
linear sequence. Use the expressions explained above.

________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONCLUDING A STORY?
In a conclusion paragraph, you summarize what you wrote in your text. One suggestion is
to focus on the main idea. Your concluding paragraph should reinforce your main idea.

Let’s take a look of one example:

At the end, I enjoy all the places I traveled to. The great waterfall, the amazing sunrises
and sunsets, and the different activities at the beach. I totally recommend this place as one
of the places to visit.

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 OTHER WAYS TO CONCLUDE A SENTENCE:

All in all In one word

In brief As can be seen
To conclude In closing
Overall In sum
4.2. Using the expressions bellow, create a short conclusion of the following situations.

 I had many good experiences in my last vacation. I went to the beach and took many
pictures. My mom also liked the adventure and we enjoyed hiking on the mountains.
We also had the opportunity to swim with the fishes and sharks. At the end of the
trip we relaxed and got tan.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
 My best friend had the worst vacation there. First of all, he couldn’t visit the waterfall;
one of the must-do’s in the city. Additionally, he isn’t a morning person and his flight
was very early in the morning. Also, he lost his money and his bag.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

DESCRIBING EXPERIENCES, FEELINGS AND REACTIONS

Sometimes you want to describe exactly how you feel. It is very important
to know how to express your emotions in order to communicate your
thoughts and feelings. This vocabulary list will help you to express
yourself in an appropriate way:

Peaceful Annoying Curious

Calm Frustrating Confused
Friendly Cranky Insecure
Glad Hostile Afraid
Joyful Violent Suspicious
Satisfying Exasperated Anxious
Amazing Indignant Nervous
Blissful Aggressive Horrify
Radiant Disgusting Shocked

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  The sea was amazing and the sun was radiant.
 The people in the plane were annoying and I was exasperated.
 First, she was afraid and anxious but when we arrived to the island, she felt curious and
shocked by the beauty of the waterfall.


EXTRA TIP! EX:

If you are describing an experience, feeling
or reaction, try using also these expressions:
 Butterflies in stomach (Extremely
worried/excited)
 Black mood (bad mood)
 Down in the dumps (Really sad)
 On cloud nine (really happy)
o I felt like I had butterflies in my stomach because it
was the first time I traveled abroad.
o He arrived in a black mood from his trip because it
was a disaster.
o They were down in the dumps because they lost
their flight.
o When I finally arrived, I was on cloud nine!

4.3 Choose 5 of the expressions/words to describe experiences, feeling and reactions,

and use them to describe a situation you had on your last vacation.

 I was in a peaceful town near Barcelona with my friend Albert. People there were very
friendly and calm.
 ________________________________________________________________________________________
 ________________________________________________________________________________________
 ________________________________________________________________________________________
 ________________________________________________________________________________________
 ________________________________________________________________________________________

Now you are ready for your writing test. Let’s write something!

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