Second Edition

Reading & Writing

2
UNIT 1 – SOCIETY
Writing task model answer

“Young people today are not polite. To what extent do you

agree or disagree?”

Some people consider the younger generation to be rude because they

show bad manners when they speak and act. They feel young people often
use inappropriate language, especially when they speak to older people.
Likewise, they say younger people ignore other people and their needs.
However, other people completely disagree. They find young people are
polite and treat everyone with respect1. Equally, many young people do a lot
to help people with a range of different needs. In my experience, while young
people today are different from older generations, they are not impolite.

Comments
This response shows a balanced opinion supported by examples,
and the writer’s position is clear. The essay contains a range of words
and phrases for giving the writer’s opinion and discourse markers for
comparing and contrasting.

1 a feeling of admiration that you have for someone because of their personal qualities, their
achievements, or their status, and that you show by treating them in a polite and kind way

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UNIT 2 - FOOD
Writing task model answer

Food production in Canada

A famous Canadian dish is poutine, which is French fries, gravy2 and creamy
cheese curds3. Canada is also famous for maple syrup4, which comes from the
East, where there are many maple5 trees. Farming makes a large contribution
to the economy in other parts of the country. The main exports are beef and
wheat from the central provinces, and salmon and berries from the West.
Many other fruits and vegetables which consumers cannot buy locally are
imported from Chile. However, people in Canada are starting to eat more
food that has not traveled long distances. This food, which is grown locally, is
often more tasty.

Comments
The writer gives a lot of information, and the piece is well-structured.
The answer uses the unit vocabulary well, makes good use of compound
sentences and relative clauses, making the writing more interesting.

2 a sauce made from the juices of cooked meat mixed with flour
3 the solid substance that forms in milk when it starts to become sour
4 a thick, sweet liquid taken from maple trees and used as a sauce
5 a tree that grows mainly in northern countries and has wide leaves that turn red and
yellow in the autumn

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UNIT 3 – BUSINESS
Writing task model answer

“Customer service is the most important part of a successful

business. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”
(introduction only)

Any entrepreneur would agree that constant excellence in customer

service is important. Companies need to communicate and maintain good
relationships with their clients. They must also have a unique product or
service, a good business model, and a strong brand. This essay will discuss all
the factors that make companies successful. It argues that customer service
has to be a priority for existing companies. However, in the initial stages, start-
ups need to focus instead on the quality of their product and building their
brand.

Comments
This introduction attracts the reader’s attention and introduces the topic
effectively. It is well-structured and signposts what the essay will cover,
clearly showing the writer’s opinion about the differing priorities for
established and new companies. The writer uses a range of modals of
obligation and necessity, and vocabulary to discuss business.

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UNIT 4 - TRENDS
Writing task model answer

Trends on a graph

The graph shows the results of a survey of how much consumers spent on
food online, in stores and in restaurants and cafes over the decade of 2005
to 2015. Overall, there were some significant changes. Online shopping
and eating out became more popular, while in-store shopping became less
popular. At the beginning of the period, people spent $40 per week on eating
out, but this amount rose steadily to around $70 in 2015. Compared with
eating out, people spent a lot more in grocery stores in 2005, around $120
weekly. This amount remained the same until 2011, when it began to decline.
It fell sharply between 2013 and 2015, and finished the period at around $90.
Spending on online shopping began at $100 a week, but this number grew
slowly to $120, equal to grocery stores, in 2011. It then went up dramatically
and finished with the highest number, $140, in 2015.

Comments
This piece describes the graph well, summarizing and highlighting the
main changes and trends, along with key details. The writer uses phrases
for comparing and contrasting effectively, and vocabulary to describe
changes and past tenses of irregular verbs correctly.

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UNIT 5 – SUCCESS
Writing task model answer

Changes and improvements to an area of farmland as shown on

two plans

Many features of the farmland area were altered between 2012 and 2016.
In 2012, there was very little for people to do or see, but the area was very
different four years later. In the North, the former farm buildings were
demolished and replaced with holiday cottages between lines of trees.
The road was extended to reach the new restaurant. In 2012, the river was
dirty, but by 2016, it was clean, and a lot of trees were planted beside it
to the North. In the South West, the area with the run-down factory was
transformed. There was a new green space with a swimming pool, and a new
road leading to it. Finally, in the South East, the forest was removed, and
the land was reused as a golf course. Overall, these changes made the area
cleaner, greener, more fun, and more accessible for the community.

Comments
The piece is clear and well-organized, and all the changes shown in the
illustrations are referenced within the 150-word limit. The writer makes
good use of prepositions to describe locations on the plan, determiners
of quantity and a range of words to describe changes and results.

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UNIT 6 – PRESSURE
Writing task model answer

“Discuss the causes and effects of pressure on children today”

Clearly one of the main causes of stress for children is the pressure for
academic success. Parents and children themselves often value academic
achievement. They believe that if the children get good grades, they will
definitely have the chance to maintain, or increase, their social status. The
result is that children put in long hours of study. This may cause dramatic
changes in their physical and mental health because they are so tired. Also, if
they are not successful, this might result in depression or other mental health
issues for the children.
A second cause of pressure on youth is fashion. The media highlights the
latest trends, and these often become the focus of many young people.
Children compare themselves with celebrities and with other people their
age. If they want to belong to any social group at school, they may insist on
buying the latest clothes or technology in order to fit in. Consequently, they
might put psychological pressure on themselves, and financial pressure on
their parents.

Comments
The writing is clearly organized into two paragraphs, each detailing one
cause of pressure on children. Each paragraph describes the causes and
effects well, using appropriate vocabulary and present conditionals
to describe real and unreal situations. The writer includes a lot of
information within the word limit of 150-200 words.

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UNIT 7 – FEAR
Writing task model answer

“Fear is always bad for us. Describe the pros and cons of fear.”

Fear can have a number of negative effects. First, it can make people panic
and run away when they encounter the source of their fear. This can mean
they miss opportunities. Some people have never visited other countries
because they have a phobia of flying, while others have never spoken in
public because they are too scared. Similarly, a fear of failure can mean
people have not applied for promotion at work. Fear can also cause physical
harm. Some people have suffered from panic attacks, or even heart attacks
because of extreme fear.
However, other people are aware of their fears, and can choose the correct
response to it. For these people, fear has been a positive thing. It has kept
many people safe, because they have not taken risks, like walking into a busy
street, or fighting a dangerous animal. Similarly, people have been able to
protect others. First responders6 have always faced frightening situations in
order to save lives. Finally, fear has made some people stronger. When they
have been afraid, their body has released hormones and they have been able
to concentrate harder or run faster. This has meant that they have been more
successful in work or sport.

Comments
The writer organizes their ideas well, dividing them into two clear
paragraphs, describing both pros and cons effectively, and including a
lot of information within the word limit of 200 words. The essay supports
each idea well, using appropriate vocabulary, the present perfect simple,
and collocations with prepositions effectively.

6 the person who arrives first at the scene of an accident or other emergency situation,
for example a police officer or firefighter

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UNIT 8 – STORIES
Writing task model answer

The story of an important invention or discovery that changed

the world

The iPhone has changed the way people consume media and do research,
as well as how they communicate. The first iPhone was released by Apple
in California in 2007. Before that, people had not used touch screens on cell
phones, and they had certainly never seen a phone like it. It had so many new
features it became popular as soon as it was released.
The iPhone changed people’s lives. It gave people access to a world of
entertainment, information and communication. Although iTunes had been
available previously, it was not until the iPhone that a cell phone could
connect to this entertainment service effectively while out of the house.
Because the phone enabled users to connect to the Internet on a handheld
piece of equipment, users were also able to upload and download images
and videos. Instant Internet access meant they could also locate information
and places, and even conduct research. The iPhone also caused a revolution
in communication technology. People were able to send and receive
emails as well as text messages on their phones. They could use almost any
language or alphabet with ease. For these reasons, by the early 2010s the
iPhone had become popular on every continent.

Comments
The writer presents the main information about the invention effectively.
The two paragraphs are organized, with clear topic sentences and
concluding sentences. They are linked together well, and all points are
linked to the essay question. The second paragraph also has a dramatic
bridge sentence. The essay includes specific information from research
and makes good use of time phrases, the past simple, and the past
perfect to show changes over time.

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UNIT 9 – ENVIRONMENT
Writing task model answer

“Describe an environmental problem in your country and

suggest ways to resolve it” (conclusion only)

In conclusion, oceans, various species, and coasts have all been damaged by
pollution. In order to protect the sea, it is crucial that the disposal of plastic in
the water is prohibited. Oil spills from ships also need to be prevented. Most
importantly, use of fossil fuels should be prohibited. Water and air pollution
have both been caused by coal, oil and gas. Laws need to be introduced to
protect the environment. If governments do not act now, the consequences
will be serious.

Comments
This is a strong conclusion, bringing all the main points together in a
concise summary and commenting on the most important solution.
The writer also finishes with a prediction about the future, stressing the
gravity of the situation. The piece makes good use of present and past
passives and the writer has incorporated a range of vocabulary related to
the environment.

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UNIT 10 - MEDICINE
Writing task model answer

“We should diagnose and treat ourselves at home before going

to the doctor. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

There is a large amount of information available to people these days,

and this includes information about health and illness. Self-diagnosis and
treatment may be an efficient way of treating illness for some people in some
cases. However, this essay will argue that it can be dangerous, and people
should usually consult a physician7 for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Doctors say they have seen an increase in the number of people self-
diagnosing. Many people regularly Google their symptoms when they have
an ache, fever or sore throat, or if they feel dizzy or weak. This means they are
able to diagnose minor conditions quickly and easily. They can also check
online, or see a pharmacist who can tell them which medication is needed.
This can save them time and money, and allow doctors to concentrate on
people who have serious illnesses or severe injuries.
However, self-diagnosis and treatment is often not a good idea. A lot of
the information online is unreliable, and may even be dangerous. Some
patients claim they were given the wrong diagnosis, or a medication that
was not suitable. It is certainly often necessary to see a doctor, especially
when a patient has an allergy, or a possibly serious or complicated illness.
A doctor can interact with the patient, give the best advice and supervise
treatment too.
In conclusion, while self-diagnosis has advantages, it also presents great risks.
People should definitely see a medically-trained professional whenever they
are sick, and not rely only on technology to solve their health problems.

Comments
This is detailed, clear answer, with good structure and use of the
language from the unit, especially collocations related to work and
future forms with will and be going to. The writer’s view is clear
throughout, and well supported with examples. The concluding sentence
summarizes the paragraph, restating the main idea and bringing the
paragraph to a concise close.

7 a doctor

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