IN THIS UNIT YOU WILL

LEARN HOW TO
• identify and approach a 'problems
and solutions' essay question
• plan and write an essay answering
both parts of the question
• write a suitable introduction
and conclusion
• revise past, present
and future tenses.

I LEAD-IN I
� Discuss these statements with a partner. Can you suggest solutions to any
of these problems? @ In the Writing test, you may be
asked to write a 'problems and
1 Formal celebrations can make some people nervous. solutions' essay using statements
2 Nowadays many children do not fully appreciate the presents they are given. similar to those in the lead-in.
3 Celebrations such as birthdays or New Year can make some people feel lonelier
than usual.
4 Some people believe it is too expensive to get married these days.
S Some celebrations have become too much about money and the reasons behind
them have been forgotten.

� Look at the pairs of sentences. Each pair includes a sentence with good advice and a
sentence with bad advice, based on mistakes often made by students. Next to each
statement, put av' for good advice and a X for bad advice.
la Planning is not necessary for this type of question. X
lb Planning is particularly important for this task. t/
2a Discuss only two or three problems/solutions in detail.
2b Include as many problems/solutions as you can.
3a Read and analyse the question very carefully.
3b Skim read the question and base your answer on the key words.
4a A solution does not need to be given for every problem you mention.
4b Each problem mentioned should have a solution.
Sa Your answer must have a clear structure.
Sb Structure is not necessary for this task.
 I srRUCTURING YOUR ANSWER
I
� Skim read this sample answer to understand the
main idea.
::;:,i;�e:;��;;s !a;� lost th ir original m aning and th
e e ese occasions have become
g money. What proble ms can this cau
change the situa:on? se ? What could be done
to

Introduction
There are several national or international celebrations throughout the year which
are dominated by shops and companies taking the opportunity to make large profits.
Heavy advertising campaigns, which begin well in advance of the celebration itself,
mean that some people pay very little attention to the actual reason behind the event.
In the following essay, I will discuss some of the problems this causes and also offer
some solutions.
Main Body
One of the main problems with some celebrations being too focused on spending
money is that it means for some people the occasion might cause stress and
unhappiness. This could be created by worrying about what gifts to buy or by not
having any money to buy presents.
Main Body
Perhaps the most significant problem, however, is that the true meaning of
the celebration is forgotten. Most celebrations are about appreciating life and
spending time with friends and family. As a result of focusing on presents and
money, this is often forgotten, and the buying of gifts can actually cause
arguments between loved ones.
Main Body
I believe the solutions to these problems, however, are simple. First, it is the duty
of schools and parents to educate the younger generation, teaching them the true
meaning of each celebration. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, people should
limit the number of presents they give and receive, consequently putting less emphasis
on that part of the occasion.

D
Conclusion
In conclusion, therefore, there are several negative effects associated with
celebrations becoming too focused on spending money- effects which, for some, �
can cause unhappiness and stress. In order to prevent this from happening in the future,
the younger generation need to be educated fully on the true meaning of celebrations
and generally people should put less importance on buying and receiving presents.

� Complete the boxes next to the sample answer with descriptions a-e.
a Summary of the discussion
b What is the solution? How will it solve the problem?
c Second problem and reasons for this/examples
d First problem and reasons for this/examples
e Rephrase the question and say what the essay is about

UNIT 08 / WRITING
I WRITING INTRODUCTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS I
� Look at the sample answer again and answer these questions.
Introduction
1 Which words rephrase the question? finish your conclusion
2 Which words indicate what the writer is going to discuss? with a prediction or
recommendation.
Conclusion
3 The conclusion summarises information taken from which paragraphs?
4 Is there any new information included in the conclusion?
5 Does the conclusion copy the exact wording used in the main body of the essay?
6 Is the last sentence a prediction or recommendation?

I UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTION I

� 'Problem and solution' essay questions may not always be phrased in the same way.
Study these examples and answer the questions which follow.
A
In the modern world, spending money is a major focus of many of our celebrations and
the meaning behind these events has become less important.
Suggest measures which could be taken to solve this problem.
B
Spending too much money on gifts has led to numerous problems and the true
meaning of many celebrations has less importance these days.
Identify these problems and suggest ways in which these issues might be tackled.
c
Nowadays most people pay little attention to the real meaning of many celebrations,
due to a growing focus on spending money on gifts.
What are the negative aspects of this and what can be done to minimise the bad effects?
D
Focusing on spending money during times of celebration is a significant problem and
many people pay little attention to the true meaning of these events.
What are the reasons for this and how could these problems be solved?
1 What other ways are there of saying what solutions can you suggest?
2 What other ways are there of saying problems?
3 Which of these essay questions requires a different kind of answer?

156
I REVISION OF TENSES I
b
� R eadb this sample answer and complete it using the correct form of the ver s in

I
the ox.

.
close do d"iscuss give ignore pass want
I
Celebrations such as New Year can make some people feel lonelier than usual.
What are the reasons for this and how might_ this issue be tackled?

y,
New Year can be a happy occasion. For man
For those with family and friends close by, lone ly time and can mak e
it can be a very
however, for a whole variety of reasons, the
e than usua l. In the following essay, 11
people feel more alon
d be solved.
reasons for this and how the problem coul
lier at New Year is because the event
One of the reasons some people feel lone many people feel
2 a great deal of attention by the media and
lar. There is, therefore, a large expectation to
pressure to be doing something spectacu
be around crowds of people. for the
y businesses 3
Another reason is because at New Year man or
not have the option of keeping busy at work
holiday. Consequently, people often do n
is that New Year tends to be a time whe
socialising with colleagues. A third reason and their life in general.
people think about the year which 4
pany at this time, it can make them feel
Therefore, if someone does not have com
lonelier. ia
ld not pay too much attention to the med
In order to tackle this problem, people shou ld trea t it as an ordi nary day.
planned, they shou
at this time. If they do not have anything
to thin k abou t the year which has passed, they should
If they 5 sure to feel happy.
6 it on a different day, when there is no pres
tackle
for some people at New Year. In order to
In summary, loneliness can be a problem ld treat the date
and lonely people shou
this, the media should 7

EXAM SKILLS]
� �:: !�:ui�:ormat ion and lang�age from this lesson to answer this Writing Part 2 task
b
spen d a out 40 minutes on this task.
b
Write a out the following topic:
Organising a large family celebration such as a wedding can often create problems.
What.can be the problems associated with organising a large family event and what
Soui tions can you suggest?
Give r, easons for your �nswer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge and exper,ence.
Write at least 250 word s.

UNIT 08 / WRITING