Inside Writing Level 2

Unit 4: Message in a Book

Writing Skill: Supporting a Point of View p. 46
Apply
1. The answer must include: the story’s message or lesson; whether the student agrees or
disagrees with the message; support for that opinion with reasons and examples; a brief
summary of the story; it should be the appropriate length; be in proper format; have 1-
inch margins.
2. Paolo’s summary is more complete. It includes the title, the main events, and the
message of the story.
3. Both responses introduce the writer’s point of view in the second paragraph. In May’s
response, underline: I have to agree with the boatman. In Paolo’s response, underline: To
me, quality is more important than quantity.
4. May uses two examples: students who study subjects that do not lead to jobs and students who
don’t get practical work experience in the summer.
5. Paolo supports his point of view by describing his desire to major in literature, which he loves,
in contrast with his parents’ desire that he study medicine.

Writing Skill: Supporting a Point of View p. 46

Analyze A
Answers will vary.
1. Paolo’s response
2. A. Paolo’s response is more complete, as it includes the title, the main events, and the
message of the story.
B. It includes good supporting reasons and examples.
C. I personally agree with him.
3. Reasons for their examples.

Writing Skill: Supporting a Point of View p. 47

Analyze B
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
1. The audience for this writing is the instructor. It may also be read by other students in the class.
2. Using the pronoun I is acceptable in academic writing because the essay question asks for a
personal response and opinion.
3. There is not one correct answer because the question asks for a personal response. However,
the response must be supported with examples.

Vocabulary Activities STEP I: Word Level pp. 47–48

A
1. resolution 6. contradictory
2. motivated 7. benefit
3. beneficial 8. margins
4. contradict / have contradicted 9. motivation
5. resolve 10. marginally
 Inside Writing Level 2

Vocabulary Activities STEP I: Word Level p. 48

B
1. Assessment 3. brief 5. labors 7. outcome
2. attitude 4. devote 6. context

Vocabulary Activities STEP II: Sentence Level p. 49

C
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
1. In my country, an insurance company usually asks a mechanic to assess the damage. The
assessment includes details on the condition of the car and the cost of repairs.
2. To assess the value of a house, an agent considers the size, condition, and location of the house
as well as the costs of surrounding houses.
3. In our school, assessment of English language skills includes a written test and an oral interview.
4. In a behavioral assessment, a psychologist might assess how well a person gets along with
others, how cooperative he or she is, and the person’s overall attitude.
5. A scientist writes up an environmental assessment. This is important to protect the
environment.

Vocabulary Activities STEP II: Sentence Level p. 49

D
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
1. For me, the most challenging type of assessment at school is a listening test.
2. A positive attitude toward learning can affect the outcome in a university class.
3. I don’t like to labor over time-consuming chores.
4. In my opinion, it’s useful to make New Year’s resolutions every year.
5. I don’t have a great deal of time to devote to my hobbies these days.

Vocabulary Activities STEP II: Sentence Level p. 50

E
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
1. Large companies offer health and retirement benefits.
2. In general, my attitude is positive and friendly. I try to help people whenever I can.
3. At a recent soccer match, our team was playing a much stronger team. Our win was an
unexpected outcome.
4. A government may issue an emergency resolution during bad weather or if there is a health
emergency.
5. The benefits of a university degree are advanced knowledge and better job opportunities.

Grammar Activities: Expressions of Contrast p. 51

A
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
1. Although Aram prepared for the language assessment, he didn’t receive a good score.
2. Although there was a lot of tension at the beginning of the meeting, by the end, the participants
were relaxed and laughing.
3. Even though Li had experienced many hardships as a child, her attitude toward the future was
very positive.
4. Although Boris likes to gossip and create controversies, his brother is quiet and keeps to himself.
5. I saw most of the famous sites in New York City even though my visit there was very brief.
 Inside Writing Level 2

Grammar Activities: Expressions of Contrast p. 52

B
1. X Although the outcome of the investigation was a surprise, the detectives presented a very
strong case against the company.
2. X I accepted the job offer even though the company offered me no health benefits.
3. X Even though we met several times after our flight, we couldn’t resolve our differences.
4. X Although the economy is not very strong, there is quite a bit of new construction in the
suburbs.
5. C
6. X She says that she respects my opinions even though she contradicts everything I say.

Grammar Activities: Expressions of Contrast p. 52

C
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
1. I like reading poetry. Drama, on the other hand, isn’t a type of literature I enjoy.
2. I want to learn to play a musical instrument. However, I don’t have enough time.
3. When I was a child, I was afraid of dogs. In contrast, I now have two dogs as pets.
4. I want to go camping this weekend. My friend, however, wants to go to the beach.
5. I might apply for a job overseas. On the other hand, I might go to work in my parents’
business here.

Writing Skill: Summarizing a Story p. 53

Apply A
Answers will vary. Possible answer:
Does the summary
include…
the title? Where?
characters? Which ones?
a summary of what
happened? Where?
verbs in the simple
present tense?
May’s Response Paolo’s Response
No Yes, in the first sentence.
Yes, boatman and scholar. Yes, boatman and scholar.
No, the summary isn’t Yes, in the first paragraph.
clear.
Yes Yes

Writing Skill: Summarizing a Story p. 54

Apply B
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
1. The identity of the author of the folk tale may be unknown because it is from long ago.
2. May’s response is slightly longer.
3. I think Paolo’s response is better. The summary is more complete.

Collaborative Writing p. 54
B
Answers will vary. Possible answer:
 Inside Writing Level 2

Title: The Sack

Characters: wise man, unhappy man
Plot: A wise man meets an unhappy man walking along a road. When the unhappy man complains
that he has very few possessions, the wise man grabs the sack that contains all the unhappy man’s
possessions. He places the sack further down the road. When the unhappy man finds his sack, he is
overjoyed. The wise man says, “Well, that’s one way to make someone happy!”
Outcome: The unhappy man is grateful for the sack that he had complained about.

Collaborative Writing p. 55
C
“The Sack”, wise man, unhappy man, all his possessions fit in the old sack, the sack, the unhappy
man finds it, “Well, that’s one way to make someone happy!”, you don’t appreciate what you have
until you lose it.