Test 1, Question 3 – Article (2)

No disadvantages to laughing
The sense of humour is one of the best qualities that a person may have. It means to enjoy life
and to see the bright side of the things. People with this trait are more likely to live a happy life.
I think that seeing the funny side of life is really important because it is too short to worry
about every little thing, so why wouldn’t us enjoy it. Even at the hard times of our lives, which
appear to have no solution, people who will try to see the funny aspects of each situation,
are certainly the ones who will succed.
I can’t really see any disadvantages to laughing a lot but the fact that some will consider you
not a really serious person. But these would be only fleeting opinions while you continue on
being a positive, happy and not so boring person. It also helps you maintain your health but
also those around you because a smile is often contagious.
These being said, we can all agree that laughing has no disadvantages, it only has a good
impact on our lives.

Subscale Mark Commentary

Content 5 All content is relevant to the task.
The target reader is fully informed as all points in the task have
been covered and developed appropriately.
Communicative 5 The conventions of an article – an engaging tone, a neutral register,
Achievement as well as personal opinions – are used effectively to hold the
target reader’s attention. There is a clear introduction to the topic
and the writer’s personal opinions are developed with examples
to illustrate the points they are making. The ideas are clearly
communicated.
Organisation 5 The text is well organised and coherent. There is a clear overall
structure to the text and the ideas are connected through the use
of linking words and cohesive devices, such as relative pronouns
and paraphrasing, to develop the topic: The sense of humour; It
means; People with this trait. The paragraphs are well balanced
and each one focuses on a different aspect of the topic.
Language 5 The writer uses a range of vocabulary, including some less common
lexis and colloquial expressions, appropriately in the text: trait; seeing
the funny side of life; fleeting opinions; contagious; a good impact.
There is a range of simple, and some complex, grammatical forms,
such as passive forms and compound sentences, which are used
with control: Even at the hard times of our lives … are certainly the
ones who will succed.
There are some minor errors with spelling and within some more
complex sentences, but these do not impede communication.

B2 First 4, Sample Writing answers 1