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Writing 7

PROBLEMS-SOLUTIONS ESSAYS
Writing Task 2

People who live in large cities face a range of problems in their daily life.

What are the most significant of these problems?

How can these problems be tackled?

A. PRE-CLASS TASKS

TASK 1: Read the views of three people about problems in cities and complete the table below.

problem solution(s) useful vocabulary

I get in a panic
people are stressed and
reduce working hours at rush hour
overworked
a better work-life balance
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TASK 2: Read the article Cities ‘worse to live in than 20 years ago’. Write down the problems
which are mentioned.

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TASK 3: Decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F).

TASK 4: Find the words or expressions in the article that have a similar meaning to these phrases.
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TASK 5: Cross out the word or phrase in each group which does not form a collocation with the
word or phrase in bold. Use a dictionary to look up any words you are not sure about.

TASK 6: Complete each of these sentences with one of the collocations from Task 5. Use the
words in brackets to help you.

TASK 7: Look at these phrases for talking about cities. Do they have a positive (+) or negative (-)
meaning? Use a dictionary to check.
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B. IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES
1. MODEL ESSAY: PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

People who live in large cities face a range of problems in their daily life.

What are the main problems in cities face, and how can these problems be tackled?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge
or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

EXERCISE 1: Read the question carefully. Try to brainstorm ideas for your essay. You can discuss
with your partner.
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EXERCISE 2: Complete this table with the key information from the essay.

2. GENERAL VOCABULARY FOR WRITING ABOUT SOLUTIONS

EXERCISE 3: Look at this list of problems. What would be your solution to each one? Discuss
with a partner or write down your ideas.

EXERCISE 4: Match these solutions (a-j) to the problems in Exercise 3 (1-10). Are your solutions
similar?
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EXERCISE 5: Cover Exercise 4 and complete these collocations.

EXERCISE 6: With a partner, discuss solutions to the problems faced by these people.

2. DEVELOPING TOPIC SENTENCES

EXERCISE 7: Read this topic sentence. Work with a partner and write two more sentences to
explain it.

One big problem in cities is the high cost of public transport.

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EXERCISE 8: Study these suggestions for developing ideas. Did you use any similar techniques
in Exercise 7?
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EXERCISE 9: Complete the paragraphs below with linking phrases from the box.

3. PRACTICE PLANNING YOUR ESSAY

A serious problem affecting countries right across the globe is the lack of water for
drinking, washing and other household uses.

Why do many countries face water shortages, and what could be done to alleviate
the problem?
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Paraphrase question

Introduction

Outline sentence

Topic sentence

Idea 1

Idea development 1

Body 1
Idea 2
(Problems)

Idea development 2

Concluding sentence
(optional)

Topic sentence

Idea 1

Idea development 1

Body 2 Idea 2
(Solutions)
Idea development 2

Concluding sentence
(optional)

Summary
Conclusion
Your opinion
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Introduction:

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Body 1: PROBLEMS

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Body 2: SOLUTIONS

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Conclusion:

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CHECKLIST FOR YOUR WRITING

Question Analysis For student For teacher

1. I understood the general topic of the question. ☐
2. I identified the specific keywords in the question. ☐
3. I understood the question words. ☐
Idea Generation
1. I generated relevant and specific ideas. ☐
2. I assessed my ideas and decided they could be used to make a ☐
reasonable argument that fully addressed all parts of the question.
Planning
1. I used the provided structure to plan my essay before I started writing. ☐
2. I knew what I was going to write before I started writing. ☐
Introduction
I paraphrased the question statement effectively.
a. My sentence means the same as the question statement ☐
b. My vocabulary is varied as much as possible ☐
c. My grammar is accurate ☐
Main Body Paragraphs
1. My topic sentence matches the idea outlined in my introduction. ☐
2. My topic sentence clearly tells the reader what the paragraph is about ☐
(my argument).
3. My explanation clearly explains my reasoning. ☐
4. My example makes sense and provides evidence to support my ☐
argument.
Conclusion
1. I have used a cohesive device which is accurate and appropriate. ☐
2. My main arguments and reasoning are clear and well summarized. ☐
Grammar and Vocabulary
1. I have used grammar and vocabulary in a way that makes my writing ☐
clear, rather than trying to show off.
2. I have varied my vocabulary as much as possible. ☐
3. I have used a range of complex and simple sentences. ☐
4. I have proofread every sentence more than once. ☐
5. I have fixed any linguistic errors. ☐
Coherence and Cohesion
1. All of my cohesive devices are appropriate AND accurate. ☐
2. I have used paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately. ☐

C. HOMEWORK
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Write an essay (at least 250 words) about the following question.

More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be
extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments
make urban life better for everyone?