Writing Lab 1, Task 1:

Sample Answer
(Time taken: approx. 18-20 minutes)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in relation to an issue that is causing problems for me in my local area. There is a bicycle factory that
is making a lot of noise late at night and I am unable to sleep.

I am currently working as a chef and when I arrive home, I am completely exhausted. After spending a little time
relaxing, my need for sleep is vitally important. I usually go to bed around 11:00pm but even at that late hour, the
noise from the factory does not stop! I am sure you can understand my great frustration with this situation.

I would like to strongly urge a member of the council to visit the bicycle factory and remind them that 11pm is
simply too late to be creating such loud noises. I would also appreciate a formal, written notice be sent to the
bicycle factory reminding them that it is illegal to be working so late near a residential area.

I look forward to a positive outcome regarding this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Marcello Davis

(171 words)

Why this answer would score well…

Was the question

answered?  all aspects of the question have been covered (i.e. all
THREE bullet points)

Was it easy to
understand and were  good logical flow of ideas
the ideas well  the letter is well-organised, it covers all the aspects of the
organised? question (ie. describe the situation; explain why you are not happy
and; say what you want the local council to do about the situation)

 there are good ‘linking’ words/ideas throughout the answer:

 I am writing…
 I am currently…
 I would strongly urge you to…
 I look forward to a positive outcome…

Was the vocabulary

appropriate?  the tone is formal – to a council member you do not know

 the closing salutation is correct and formal when the letter

begins with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ - Yours faithfully

 spelling and punctuation are good

 approximately 180 words

Was the grammar

accurate?  the grammar is correct
 Writing Lab 1, Task 2:

Question:
Some people believe that the best time for a person to learn a new language
is when he/she is a child. Others feel adults learn languages better and
faster than children. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer

Around the world today countless thousands of people are involved in learning new languages. Learning a
new language is an activity that takes a considerable amount of time, so people are always looking for
ways to reduce the amount of time it takes to become proficient. Some people believe that children learn
language quicker than adults however, I feel that an adult learner is better equipped to learn a new
language.

There is no doubt that a young mind readily absorbs new information. Child psychologists often mention
that the most formative years of learning happen in the first few years of life. Therefore, what children are
exposed to is very often retained and remembered. In this way, a child is in a good position to learn the
new information associated with a new language.

However, there are a number of significant advantages for the adult language learner. Firstly, the adult
learner has his or her first language to compare with the new language. In this way, new terms or
concepts are very quickly understood by comparing them with concepts or ideas that are already known.
In addition, adults often have a strong motivation to learn a new language. When learning a language is
connected to an employment opportunity, the learner is typically very focused and motivated. Also,
because most adult learners have participated in study earlier in their lives, they are usually aware of what
has worked best in their learning experience and therefore approach the new language with more mature
and realistic expectations.

While young and old alike will continue to learn new languages well into the future, it is the adult learner
that has the decided advantage. .

(279 words)

Why this answer would score well...

 good structure to the essay

- both sides of the issue are clearly stated

- each idea flows logically

 each paragraph has a specific focus

 it is long enough

 the vocabulary is appropriate

 the conclusion ‘revisits’ the key parts of the question and clearly indicates the writer’s position (as first
mentioned in the introduction)

 the grammar is accurate

Analysing Paragraph 1:
Around the world today countless thousands of people are involved in learning new languages. Learning a new language is an
activity that takes a considerable amount of time, so people are always looking for ways to reduce the amount of time it takes
to become proficient. Some people believe that children learn language quicker than adults however, I feel that an adult
learner is better equipped to learn a new language.
Notes:
  The paragraph clearly identifies the topic (learning a new language) and states the writer’s position regarding
the topic (pro-adult).

 The opening sets up the topic with a general statement to introduce the topic.

 The topic is developed as the paragraph continues:

- learning a new language
- learning a new language effectively
- those who learn a new language (children and adults)
- the writer’s opinion about who are the most effective new language learners (adults).

Analysing Paragraph 2:
There is no doubt that a young mind readily absorbs new information. Child psychologists often mention that the most
formative years of learning happen in the first few years of life. Therefore, what children are exposed to is very often retained
and remembered. In this way, a child is in a good position to learn the new information associated with a new language.
Notes:

 The question asks the writer to ‘discuss both views and give an opinion’ therefore, it is appropriate to use one
paragraph to discuss one view (i.e. the benefits of children learning a new language)

 The idea (children learn new information quickly) is well expressed and backed up with a reference from the
writers ‘own knowledge or experience’.

Analysing Paragraph 3:
However, there are a number of significant advantages for the adult language learner. Firstly, the adult learner has his or her
first language to compare with the new language. In this way, new terms or concepts are very quickly understood by
comparing them with concepts or ideas that are already known. In addition, adults often have a strong motivation to learn a
new language. When learning a language is connected to an employment opportunity, the learner is typically very focused
and motivated. Also, because most adult learners have participated in study earlier in their lives, they are usually aware of
what has worked best in their learning experience and therefore approach the new language with more mature and realistic
expectations.
Notes:

 The next paragraph flows well from the previous one (through use of the word ‘However’) and presents good
ideas which are opposite to the ideas in the previous paragraph.

 Cohesive words and phrases such as ‘Firstly’, ‘In addition’ and ‘Also’ give the paragraph good structure.

 The ideas stated are also relevant, in contrast to the previous paragraph and are drawn from the writer’s ‘own
knowledge or experience’.

Analysing Paragraph 4:
While young and old alike will continue to learn new languages well into the future, it is the adult learner that has the decided
advantage.
Notes:

 The writer’s position is made very clearly in the last paragraph (‘the adult learner has the decided advantage’)
and supports the opening position in the first paragraph.

 The final sentence gives the answer a sense of finality/conclusion by restating the writer’s position again but
using slightly different words than those used in the first paragraph.

 Note: Make sure you demonstrate to the examiner your command of the English language through
use of appropriate words!

How I developed this answer

(Time Taken: 4-5 minutes)

Introduction:

I read the question several times and identified the key words.

 I underlined the following key words in the question: best time, learn new language, child, adult learn
languages better and faster than children, discuss both views, give my opinion.

 I took careful note that the question required me to discuss BOTH groups of learners – children AND adults and
give my own opinion.

 I thought about what I knew concerning this topic. I immediately felt that adults were a better as learners
 because of my personal experience.

I would write the following summary notes on the test booklet:

 language learning – popular around the world

 adults better

Arguments for children:

 On the side of children I remembered reading something in a psychology book that explained how a
young mind tends to remember things better than an older mind.

 I thought if children can remember things more readily, they would be in a good position to remember
the new information associated with a new language.

I would write the following summary notes on the test booklet:

 Children – good learners

 Remember better than adults

 Good position to learn new language

Arguments for adults:

 I decided very quickly that due to my personal experience, I could think of more positive reasons
for adults as language learners. [Tip: Remember to argue according to the ideas which come to
mind most naturally and quickly]. The first was that adults have a ‘frame of reference’ – their first
language. Next I thought about adults who learn a language are usually very motivated to do so and how
TV (through its use of multi-media) is more interesting learning medium. I remembered something I had
read in the past that said we increase our ability to remember something if we involve our eyes and ears
(two senses).

 Because I am arguing that adults are better language learners, I combined this category with the
‘Statement of Position’ category. This meant that I wrote a total of four (4) paragraphs. [Tip: It is a
good idea to combine the two categories into one paragraph].

I would write the following summary notes on the test booklet:

 adults mature learners

 frame of reference – 1st language

 more motivated

 aware of how they learn

 NOTE: If possible, use personal experience or knowledge you have about the subject, it makes
your argument/position more compelling.

Statement of Position:

As mentioned, I decided to make my position clear in the first paragraph as well as combine my
statement of position with arguments for adults as language learners - I did this because I felt it would
make my arguments more compelling.

Conclusion:
The conclusion simply restated my opinion/premise – that adults are better learners of a new language
than children.
I would refer to the notes I wrote for ‘arguments for adults’ as the basis for my conclusion.