Contents

Chapters Titles Page

1 What is a paragraph? 1-3

Writing a topic
2 Parts of a paragraph 4 - 12

Writing a topic sentence

Writing supporting sentence
Irrelevant sentence
Writing concluding sentences
3 Writing a paragraph 13 - 17

4 Writing Essays 18 - 23

5 Letter writing 24 - 26

6 You be the Editor 27

Chapter-1
~0~
 The English Paragraph

What is a Paragraph?

A paragraph is a group of sentences that has one central idea. A paragraph is the basic unit of composition in
English. A paragraph can be complete by itself. It can also be part of an essay or a chapter in a book.

One of the characteristics of a paragraph is that it is usually indented. This means that the first line starts a few
letters to the right of the left margin.

You might think of the relationship among sentences, paragraphs and essays or chapters in this way. A sentence is
made up of related words. A paragraph is made up of related sentences. An essay or chapter is made up of related
paragraphs. A book is made up of related essays or chapters. (See the illustration in Figure1.

Figure-1. The relationship among words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters and a book.

Writing a Topic
~1~
Writing a Topic: When you organized the lists, you put similar items together. You also gave each group a name.
the name is the topic.
Write a topic for each list.
A B C

Atlantic Four Apple

Pacific Seventeen Orange
Indian Fifty Banana
Three hundred peach

Irrelevant Information:
When you organize your information into groups, it is important to recognize when something does not belong. When
something does not belong, it is called irrelevant.

A. Cross out the word in each of the following groups that does not belong. Then write a topic for each list.
Example: : Food
Candy
Chicken
Flowers
Vegetables

1. Topic __________ 2. Topic _________ 3. Topic _________ 4. Topic _________

Green Yangon Desk China
Dress Taunggyi Chair Japan
Yellow Mandalay Table Yangon
Blue Nay Pyi Taw Book Malaysia
Red China Sofar Singapore
White Pyi Oo Lwin Dinning table Myanmar

5.Topic ________ 6. Topic ______ 7.Topic ________ 8. Topic _______

Physics February Computer Tire
Swimming Wednesday Telephone Horn
Biology April Fax machine Steering wheel
chemistry June Washing machine ToYoTa

B. Cross out the sentence in each group that does not belong.

~2~
Example: : Topic: It is interesting to visit foreign countries.
a. You can meet new people.
b. You can eat different kinds of food.
c. It is expensive.
d. You can see the way other people live.

1. Topic: There is a lot to do in New York City.

a. There are many museums to see.
b. It is the cultural center of the United States.
c. The subways are dirty.
d. There are many kinds of restaurants.

2. Topic: Pople prefer small cars for a number of reasons.

a. They are cheaper to buy.
b. They use less gas than bigger cars.
c. They are easier to park.
d. Some small cars do not have enough legroom.

3. Topic: Different people spend their free time in different ways.

a. A lot of people spend their free time going to movies.
b. The price of movies has increased recently.
c. Some people like to read.
d. Many people enjoy sports.
e. Some people prefer to listen to music.

4. Topic: Smoking cigarettes is a bad habit.

a. It is expensive.
b. It may cause cancer.
c. There are many kinds of cigarettes.
d. The smoke often bothers other people.
e. Burning cigarettes cause fires.

Class Activity: Make a list of all the people in your calss.

On Your Own:
1. Make a list of all the things you should do when you are learning a new language. Make another list of all the
things you shouldn’t do.

Chapter – 2
~3~
 Writing a Paragraph
Parts of a Paragraph

Most English writing is organized into paragraphs. A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops one
main idea. It usually begins with a sentence that states the main idea. This sentence is called the topic sentence. The
other sentences in the paragraph explain the main idea. They add details and give support. These sentences are called
supporting sentences.
Sometimes paragraphs also have a concluding sentence. It is the last sentence of the paragraph.

Topic sentence:
Supporting sentences:
A Concluding sentence:

Read the model paragraph and study the parts.

The students in the class come from many different parts of the world. Some are from European
countries such as France, Spain, and Italy. Others are form Middle Eeastern countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel.
Still other students were born in Asian countries, including Japan and Korea. The largest number of students are from
Latin American countries like Mexico, Venezuela, and Peru. The class is an interesting mix of people from many
different countries.

Read the following paragraphs and answer the questions.

1. There are many reasons why people move. Some move to find better jobs or to advance their careers. Others
are attracted to places with better weather. Still others want to move to a place with less crime. Finally, people
often want to move to a place with a lower cost of living. For these reasons, every year millions of people
pack up and move to new places.

a. What is the topic sentences?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
b. How many supporting sentences are there in the paragraph?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
c. Is there a concluding sentence?
_______________________________________________________________________________________

The Topic Sentence

What is a topic sentence?
~4~
 The Topic sentence is the most important sentence of a paragraph. It states the main idea and introduces the
reader to the topic. Often the topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph. It is not always at the first sentence.

Choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences. Write it on the line provided.

Example: : ____________________________________________________________________________
I usually go skiing every weekend in the winter even though it is expensive. I love the feeling of
flying down a mountain. The views are beautiful from the top of a mountain and along the trails. Even the danger of
falling and getting hurt can’t keep me away from the slopes on a winter day.

a. Skiing is expensive.
b. Skiing is my favourite sport.
c. Skiing is dangerous.

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________. I
enjoy summer sports like water skiing and baseball. The weather is usually suny and hot, so I can go to the
beach almost every day. Gardening is my hoppy and I spend many summer days working in my garden.
Unfortunately, the days pass too quickly in summer.
a. I like to garden in the summer.
b. Summer is my favorite season.
c. Summer is too short.
2. __________________________________________________________________________________. One
thing you must consider is the quality of the university’s educational program. You also need to think about
the school’s size and location. Finally, you must be sure to consider the university’s tuition to make sure you
can afford to go to school there.
a. It is expensive to attend a university in the United States.
b. There are several factors to consider when you choose a university to attend.
c. You should consider getting a good education.

Writing a topic sentence

Write a topic sentence for each paragraph. Make sure your topic sentence expresses the main idea of the
paragraph.
Example: Miami is the perfect place to take a vacation. It is always sunny and warm. The beaches are gorgeous,
with soft white sand and beautiful water. There are many fine restaurants in the Miami area, and most of the hotels
offer terrific entertainment nightly. It’s no wonder that Miami is my first choice for a vacation destination.

1.____________________________________________________________________________________.

~5~
He has collected stamps and coins ever since he was a child. He is very proud of his valuable collections. Paul also
enjoys painting and drawing. Recently he has become interested in gardening. Out of all his hobbies, Paul’s favourite
one is reading. He usually reads at least one book every week. Paul keeps busy with all of his hobbies.

2._____________________________________________________________________________________.
I can’t wait to come home from school and eat the delicious meals she has prepared. She is famous for her desserts
like peach pie and chocolate soufflé. She is always experimenting with new recipes and trying different ingredients.
No one in the world can cook the way my mother does.

3.____________________________________________________________________________________.
It never starts in cold weather. The horn and the left turn signal don’t work properly. Worst of all, the radio only gets
one station and the CD player is completely broken. I wish I could get a new car.

4._____________________________________________________________________________________.
First, and most importantly, the work is very interesting. I learn new things every day and I get to travel a lot. in
addition, my boss is very nice. She is always willing to help me when I have a problem. I have also made many new
friends at my job. Last, but not least, the salary is fantastic.

5._____________________________________________________________________________________.
To start things off, my plane was six hours late. When I finally got to my hotel, I was very disappointed. It was small
and dirty. On the third day, my wallet was stolen, and I lost all my credit cards. It rained every day except one, and on
that day I got a terrible sun burn. All is all, it wasn’t a vacation to remember.

Writing Supporting Sentences

What is supporting sentences?
The Supporting sentences develop the main idea in the topic sentence. They add details to the topic.

Read the following paragraphs and underline the supporting sentences.

1. Use of internet has grown very quickly. In 1983, there were 564 computers connected to the Internet. By the
turn of the century, there were 72.3 million computers in 247 countries on-line. Experts say that the Internet is
now growing at a rate of approximately 40 percent a year. As time goes on, the Internet is becoming more and
more popular.

2. There are many reasons I hate my apartment. The plumbing doesn’t work properly and the landlord refuses to
fix it. I also have noisy neighbors who keep me up all night. Furthermore, there are so many bugs in my
apartment that I could start an insect collection. I really want to move.

~6~
 3. Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. First, fruits and vegetables are packed with the
vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body functioning smoothly. In addition, they give you the
carbohydrates you need for energy. Fruits and vegetables have a lots of fiber to help your digestive system
work properly. Finally, many scientists believe that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help fight
dieseases. If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you’ll be no the road to better health.

Identifying topic and supporting sentences

KBZ Private School
1. _________ KBZ Private School is famous for the high quality of its education.
2. _________ Students are not allowed to leave campus without permission.
3. _________Students are required to wear uniforms.
4. _________The laboratories have the newest computers and equipment.
5. _________ Stereos and televisions cannot be played after 7p.m.
6. _________ Most of its graduates attend very good universities.
7. _________ Many of the students at KBZ Private School feel that the rules are too strict and old-fashioned.
8. _________ Students who do not maintain a B average are put on probation.
9. _________ The library is one of the finest in the state.

Now divide the sentences into two groups. Remember to put similar ideas together.

Quality of Education:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
Rules of the School:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.

~7~
One sentence in each group is general enough to be a topic sentence. Find that sentence in each group and circle
it.

Taunggyi
1. ________ Taunggyi is usually warm and pleasant during the day.
2. ________ Some of the country’s most famous restaurants and hotels are in Taunggyi.
3. _______ There are many things to see and do in Taunggyi.
4. _______ The city has many interesting tourist attractions.
5. _______ There are many excellent art galleries.
6. _______ The weather in Taunggyi is very pleasant.
7. _______ It is never too hot or too cold.
8. _______ The nightlife is exciting.
9. _______ Taunggyi has an amusement park, beautiful hotels, and a golf club.
10. _______ It is cool and breezy at night.
11. _______ The winters are Mild and it rarely snows.

Topic sentence:
Supporting sentences:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________.

Topic sentence:
Supporting sentences:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

~8~
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________.

Irrelevant Sentences

Irrelevant sentences: : Every supporting (discussion) sentence in a paragraph must relate to the
main idea stated in the topic sentence. A sentence that does not support the main idea does not belong in the
paragraph. When a sentence does not belong in a paragraph, it is called an irrelevant sentence.

Look at the following outlines. Circle the letter of the idea that does not support the topic.

1. Ways to get rid of hiccups

A. breathe into a paper bag
B. hold your breath to the count of 10
C. have someone frighten you
D. make an appointment with your doctor

2. Steps for planning a trip

A. purchasing a map
B. working late
C. making an itinerary
D. reserving a ticket

3. Reasons for car accidents

A. fast driving
B. drinking and driving
C. not following traffic regulations
D. giving signals

4. Advantages of small apartments

A. good school facilities
B. easy to clean
C. cheaper to furnish
D. relatively inexpensive

5. Characteristics of a good restaurant

A. efficient waiters
B. tasty food
C. jacket and tie required

~9~
 D. pleasant atmosphere

Now read this paragraph again. Which sentence does not belong? Cross out the irrelevant
sentence.

1. The students in the class come from many different parts of the world. Some are from European
countries, such as France, Spain, and Italy. Others are from Middle Eastern countries like Saudi
Arabia and Israel. Still other students were born in Asian countries, including Japan and Korea.
Korean food is delicious. The largest number of students are from Latin American countries like
Mexico, Venezuela and Peru. The class is an interesting mix of people from many different
countries.

2. Cats make wonderful house pets. They are very loving and friendly. Cats are also clean. They don’t
eat much, so they are not expensive. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to their hair. Cats look
beautiful and they’re fun to have in your home.

3. There are several ways people can conserve natural resources. One way is to turn off lights and
appliances when they are not in use. Another way is to drive cars less. My favourite kind of car is a
convertible. People can also insulate their houses better. Finally, by reusing things like bottles and
plastic bags, people can reduce the amount of waste. By practicing these simple guidelines, we can
save our natural resources.

Write concluding sentences

Some paragraphs end with a concluding sentence. This sentence states the main idea of the paragraph again
using different words. It summarizes the main points of the paragraph, or makes a final comment on the
topic. Concluding sentences are not always necessary. In fact, short paragraphs or paragraphs that are part
of longer pieces of writing often do not have concluding sentence.

Write a concluding sentence for each paragraph.

There are many reasons why I like wearing a uniform to school. First of all, it saves time. I don’t
have to spend time picking out my clothes every morning. Wearing a uniform also saves money. It’s cheaper
to purchase a few uniforms than to go out and buy lots of school clothes. In addition, I don’t have the
pressure of keeping up with the latest styles. Most importantly, wearing a school uniform gives me a sense

~ 10 ~
that I belong. I really think it adds to the feeling of school spirit and community.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.

There are many reasons why I am against wearing my school uniform. For one thing, I don’t like the
style of the uniform. The navy blazer and plaid skirt are too conservative for me. Secondly, the uniform isn’t
comfortable. I prefer to wear baggy pants and a sweater instead of a skirt and jacket. Finally, I want the
freedom to express my individuality through my style of dressing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________.

Credit cards have a lot of advantages. First of all, credit cards are convenient because you don’t have to carry
a lot of cash around. You can buy the products and services you need even if you do not have cash in your pocket. In
addition, credits are very helpful in emergencies. Finally, you can become a better money manager as you learn to use
credit cards.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________.

Exercise – 1

Now read the following paragraphs. Identify the sentence numbers of the introduction (Topic sentence), discussion
(supporting sentences) and conclusion (concluding sentence).

Paragraph- A
There is a saying that “ A friend in need is a friend indeed”. This is means that a person who is your friend
when you havea need is a true friend. I had an experience that demonstrated this. When I was in high school, I was
accused of stealing some money from the school office. A lot of my so-called friends believed that I had done it.
However, my fried Min Min did not believe it. Min Min told everyone that it could not be true. In the end, it was
prove that the money had been taken by someone else. Min Min was a real friend to me, because she was a friends at a
time when I need one.

Sentence number(s) in the introduction: ________________

Sentence number(s) in the discussion: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the conclusion: _______________

~ 11 ~
Paragraph-B
______________________________________________________________________________________________
My roommate never washes his own dishes but leaves them in the sink. If I didn’t wash them, they would just pile up
there. He doesn’t pick up his clothes, either. When he changes, he just drops them on the bedroom floor. His desk is
always covered with piles of papers and books. I don’t know how he ever finds anything. I wish he would learn to be a
little neater.
Sentence number(s) in the introduction: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the discussion: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the conclusion: _______________

Class Activity

A. Your Teacher will write this topic sentence on the board.

It is difficult to learn a new

There is not where like HOME
language

Choose one of the following topic sentences to write about. Make a list of supporting details. You do not have to
write the list in complete sentences.

 Exercise is necessary for good health.

 Eating in restaurants is expensive.
 ________________ is a great place to visit.
 My proudest moment
 My favorite kind of music
 My ________________

Ways of brainstorming:
1. Web / spider wed
2. Fish bone

~ 12 ~
 *************************************************

Chapter-3

The Writing Process

Writing a Paragraph

Step One: Prewriting

Think about your topic and organizing your ideas

Step Two: Writing

Using your ideas to write a first draft

Step Three: Revising

Improve what you have written

Step One: Prewriting

Prewriting is the thinking, talking, reading, and writing you do about your topic before you write a first draft.
Prewriting is a way of warming up your brain before you write. There are several ways to warm up before you write:

To brainstorm, follow these steps:

1. Begin with a broad topic.
2. Write down as many ideas about the topic as you can in 5 minutes.
3. Add more items to your list by answering the question what, how, when, where, why and who.
4. Group similar items on the list together.
5. Cross out items that do not belong.

Choose one of the following topics to brainstorm:

 My best fried
 The important of education
 Good manners
 Money brings ______________
 My favorite sports
 My favorite music

~ 13 ~
  My favorite food

Step Two: Writing

As you write, remember to:

 Begin with a topic sentence that states the main idea.
 Include several sentences that support the main idea.
 Stick to the topic--- do not include information that does not directly support the main idea.
 Arrange the sentences so that the ordfer of ideas makes sence.
 Use singnal words to help the reader understand how the ideas in your paragraph are connected.

Step Three: Revising

Revising Checklist for a Paragraph

 Make sure you have a topic sentence.

 Cross out sentences that do not relate to the main idea.
 Check to see if the sentences are in the right order.
 Add new ideas if they support the topic sentence.
 Make sure you have included single words to help guide the reader.
 Check the punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

Revising Checklist for an ESSAY

1. Is there an introductory paragraph?

2. Does the introductory paragraph restate the question?
3. Does the introductory paragraph have a thesis statement (a controlling idea)?
4. Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence?
5. Do the topic sentences of the developmental paragraphs support the thesis statement?
6. Do the ideas in each developmental paragraph support the topic sentence of the paragraph?
7. Are the details (examples, facts, descriptions, personal experiences) clear?
8. Is there a concluding paragraph?
9. Does the concluding paragraph give (A) an opinion, preference, prediction, or solution and (B) reasons?

~ 14 ~
 10. Does the essay end with a concluding statement?
11. Have the grammar and spelling been corrected?

Transitional Words (Signal words):

Signal words Examples
Additional Information: and, furthermore, moreover, in addition, also, too, not to mention
Expected Information: of course, naturally, as you (may) know, obviourly
Unexpected Information: Amazingly, surprisingly
Intensified Information: In fact, as a matter of fact
Restatements: In other words, i.e. , that is , in short
Examples: For example, for instance, to illustrate, such as including, include
Consequences: So, and so, therefore, as a result, consequently, (in) consequence, as a consequence
Cause: Because (of), due to, as a result (of), on account of, thanks to
Contrasting Information: However, but, although, (even) though, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand
Organizing information by First, second, etc.., then, next, last, as, before, after, later, at the same time,
Order of Time: meanwhile, during, often, sometime finally
Organizing information by First, second, moreover, first of all, third, most importantly, for one thing, also for
Order of important: example, one reason that, in addition, finally, the next + noun, another + noun, the
most important + noun
Organizing information by at, in, next to, on the right, at the end, in back of, on, on top of, behind, in front of,
space : on both sides, over, beside, in the center, on the end, under, between, in the middle,
on the left
Stating Your Opinion: I believe (that), I think (that), In my opinion, I feel (that), According to me, To my
way of thinking, In my view, To me, From my point of view, It is my opinion that,
I believe, I think, It seems to me that, It appears that, To my mind,…………
Supporting your opinion: First of all, Moreover, For one thing, For example, One reason that, Secondly, Also,
Thirdly, In addition, Finally,………….
Signal words of Both, have ………… in common, like, alike, similarly, similar, similar to, the
comparison: same, likewise, either/ or, correspondingly, resemble, almost the same as, at the
same time as, as just as, in a like manner, in the same way, common in, than, also,
neither/nor
Signal words of Contrast: Although, however, on the other hand, but, yet, different from, unlike, more than,
nevertheless, even though, while yet, in contrast to, still, less than, instead,
Signal words of causes and Because, because of, since, due to, so, thus, therefore, as a result, consequently, for
effect: this reason, since, as a result, although, so that,
Conclusion: In short, therefore, to conclude, in conclusion to summarize, in summary

Hair:
short/ long/ straight/wavy/curly/light/dark/blond/brown/black/grey/white/dyed/bald/parted (in

~ 15 ~
 Describing People: the middle, on the side)/ tired back/ pig tails/pony tails, spiky,
Face:
Small/large/narrow/long/round/oval/square/triangular/smooth/wrinkled/pleasant/unpleasant
Forehead: High/low
Eyes:Pale/dark/blue/green/grey/hazel/brown/black/large/small/narrow/bright/twinkling/
Describing People: intelli-gent
Nose:Long/short/thin/big/straight/hooked/crooked/pointed/flattened/broken
Mouth:Large/generous/small
Lips:Thin/narrow/full
Chin:Pointed/prodruding
Ears:Long/big/small/wide
Voice:Low/husky/thick/deep/high pitched/melodious/soft/powerful
Skin:Pale/rosy/fair/dark/olive/tanned/white/black/red/yellow
Describing People: Body:Tall, medium height/short/thin/slim/athletic/well-built/ stout/ thick/large/fat/ weak/
strong.
Looks:Ugly/plain/attractive/unattractive/nice/pretty/lovely/beautiful/gorgeous/good
looking/handsome
Other features: Beard/moustache/eyebrows/side whiskers/ cheek bones/mole/dimple/eye
lashes
Describing People: Age: Young/middle aged/old/she’s, he’s in the early 20’s/in the mid 20’s/ in the last 20’s
Character/temper:
Strong/weak/happy/sad/friendly/faithful/constant/inconstan/serious/happy/lucky/reliable/
unreliable/patient/inpatient/quiet/dynamic/shy/aggressive/selfconfident/rational/sentimental/
positive/depressed/enthusiastic/honest/dishonest/sensitive/creative/childish/modest/simple/
clever/intelligent/ironic/charming/loving/funny/dangerous/kind/gentle/decent/violent/wild/
hard working/narcissistic/mean/stingy/sensible/foolish/stupid/careless/careful/cold/cool/
generous/broad inded/narrow minded

Characteristics of a Good Paragraph

Read the following paragraphs. Identify the introduction, discussion, conclusion, and topic sentence. Then identify
the sentences that do not belong.

Paragraph - A
1
My best friend Agnes has lived a rather unusual life. 2Her father is a businessman who works for a trading company
that sends him overseas. 3Therefore, Agnes has lived in England, Mexico, Italy, India, and France. 4She can speak French,
Hindi, Spanish, and Italian. 5
In addition to learning languages, she has learned other skills and had other interesting
experiences. She learned how to do French cooking while she was in France. 7She rode elephants when she was in India.
6

8
She visited many beautiful castles in England. 9She learned how to do flamenco dancing when she was in Mexico. 10Agnes

~ 16 ~
and I met two years ago. 11
We have become very close friends in that time. 12
I think she is lucky to have had so many
different experiences.

The topic sentence is _______________

Sentence number(s) in the introduction: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the discussion: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the conclusion: _______________
Sentence (s) that do not belong ______________________

Paragraph – B
The packaging of many products is very wasteful. Often the packaging is twice as big as the product.
Packaging is used to protect things that are breakable. Many food items, for example, have several layers of extra
packaging. Most of these extra layers could be eliminated.

The topic sentence is _______________

Sentence number(s) in the discussion: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the conclusion: _______________
Sentence (s) that do not belong ______________________

Read the following paragraph. Fill in the blanks with appropriate transitions from the lists above (more than one
answer is possible in some eases), and identify each type. Then identify the introduction, discussion, conclusion,
and topic sentence. List any sentences that do not belong.

Paragraph - C
1
Recently, I made a trip to San Francisco. 2I hadn’t been particularly interested in going there, ………….
3
My friend convinced me that it would be fun. 4We saw some famous tourist attractions ……….., 5we saw
the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and Ghirardelli Square. 6
…….............., we went to the island of
Alcatraz. 7One evening, we went to see a play. 8
. …….
San Francisco has some good restaurants. 9
………..we enjoyed eating out. 9
We also did some
shopping………… we didn’t buy anything.
9 10
……….. we had a really good time. 11
………….., it was one
of the niecest vacations I’ve ever had.

The topic sentence is _______________

Sentence number(s) in the introduction: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the discussion: ________________
Sentence number(s) in the conclusion: _______________
Sentence (s) that do not belong ______________________

~ 17 ~
Chapter - 4
Writing Essays
For the Test of Written English, you will write an essay that answers a question.
The parts of an essay are much like the parts of a paragraph. The essay begin with an introductory
paragraph which tells the reader what the essay is about, just as the topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph
is about. The body of the essay is made up if paragraphs that support the introduction and the concluding paragraph
complete the essay.

Introduction – Statement about the topic

Discussion – expands on statement made about the topic in introduction eg. Specific information, examples, personal
opinions.
Conclusion – completes discussion: may be summary, restatement of main ideas, etc

1. What to remember in writing an Essay.

One of the essential of writing good essays is to have something worthwhile to say on a given subject. If the
student has nothing of value to express, his essay is not likely to be interesting. It is worth remembering that
sometimes the most uninteresting things could become very interesting if they are described thing to bear in mind.
Therefore, students need to read a lot in order to write good essays.

2. Types of Essays
For our purpose, essays may be classified roughly under the following headings:

a. The NARATIVE ESSAY- described as a short story.

b. The DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY- the writer gives the facts in logical order; as a description of a person or place.
c. The ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY – informs the reader about the writer’s own opinion on a debatable topic;
eg: All the students must wear uniform to school. or All the students must wear uniform to school.
d. Writing about Causes and Effects
e. Writing about Comparing and Contrasting
f. Expressing an Opinion
g. Writing Descriptions

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 Sample Essays

Question-1: : Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food
at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Eating out
Although many people prefer to cook at home, I prefer to eat out. The main reason is that I am not a very good
cook. In addition, eating out allows me to spend more time studying and less time in the kitchen. And, believe it or
not, eating out can be cheaper than cooking at home.
To begin with, I don’t know how to cook. When you don’t know how to cook, there is a good chance that what
you cook will not be worth of eating. This results in a waste of food, as well as a waste of money and effort.
Also, cooking takes a lot of time. While the food might not actually be on the stove for every long, you also have
to consider the time that is spent shopping for the food, cleaning and chopping it, and cleaning up the kitchen after it is
cooked.
Finally, eating out is surprisingly economical. Of course going to elegant restaurants is expensive, but there are
other ways to eat out. Food stands and some small, casual restaurants provides plenty of good food for very little cost.
Many places of this type are located near the university and ware very convenient for students.
As my life changes, my preferences about where to eat may change, too. For the life of a student, eating out is the
only practical choice.

Question-2: : People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career
preparation, increased knowledge). Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your answer. (Giving explanation)

Three Reasons People Attend College

People attend college for a lot of different reasons. I believe the three most common reasons are to prepare for a
career, to have new experiences, and to increase knowledge of themselves and of the world around them.
Career preparation is probably the primary reason that people attend college. These days, the job market is very
competitive. Careers such as information technology will need many new workers in the near future. At college,
students can learn new skills for these careers and increase their opportunities for the future.

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 Students also go to college to have new experiences. For many, it is their first time away from home. At college,
they can meet new people from many different places. They can see what life is like in a different city. They can learn
to live on their own and take care of themselves without having their family always nearby.
At college, students have the opportunity to increase their knowledge. As they decide what they want to study,
pursue their studies, and interact with their classmates, they learn a lot about themselves. They also, of course, have
the opportunity to learn about many subjects in their classes. In addition to the skills and knowledge related to their
career, college students also have the chance to take classes in other areas. For many, this will be their last chance to
study different subjects.
Colleges offer much more than career preparation. They offer the opportunity to have new experiences and to
learn many kinds of things. I think all of these are reasons why people attend college.

Question-3: : In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. Use specific
reasons and details to develop your essay.

People are living to be much older these days for a number of reasons. The main reasons are greater access to
health care, improved health care, and better nutrition.
Basic health care is available to more people now. When someone is seriously ill, he or she can go to a public
hospital. There are also more clinics and doctors than there used to be. Years ago, health care wasn’t’ available to
everyone. Some people didn’t live near a doctor or hospital and other couldn’t pay for the care they needed.
People also live longer because the quality of health care has improved. Doctors now know more about diseases
and cures. Years ago, people died young because of simple things such as an infection or a virus. Now we have
antibiotics and other medicines to help cure infections.
The quality of nutrition has improved also. We eat more healthfully than we sued to. We know that eating low-
fat food can prevent heart disease, and we know that eating frui9ts and vegetables can prevent cancer.
Improved health care and healthy eating habits allow us to live longer. Now we need to make sure that everyone
in the world has these benefits.

Question-4: : Some people prefer to live in places that have the same weather or climate all year long. Others like
to live in areas where the weather changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your choice.

I would prefer to live in a place that has warm weather all year. My life would be easier and more comfortable
this way. I would be healthier, I would have more fun, and I would save money if I lived in a warm climate.
I would always be healthy if I lived in a warm climate. Where I live now, I get sick every winter. I wouldn’t have
this problem in a warm climate. Also, I could be outside all year long. I would play sports and get more exercise. That
would make me healthier.
I would have more fun if I lived in a warm climate. I like outdoor activities. I like going to the beach, playing
soccer, and riding my bicycle. I can’t do things in cold weather. In a warm climate, I could do my favorite activities all
year long.

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 I would save my money if I lived in a warm climate. It costs money to beat a house in the winter. This can get
very expensive. I wouldn’t have this expense in a warm climate. It costs money to buy new clothes every time the
season changes. In a warm climate, I could wear the same clothes all year.
My life would be better in a warm climate. My health, my free time activities, and my back account would all
improve. In fact, I plan to move to a warm climate as soon as I finish school.

Practice Writing Essays

Question-1:Write an article with the title ‘What are the advantages and disadvantages of socializing on the
Internet?
Use the Plan below to help you.
Answer the questions,
Paragraph -1: Introduction
Who uses e-mails? What is it used for?
Paragraph -2: Advantages of internet
What do people lie about internet?
Why is it convenient?
Paragraph-3: Disadvantages of email
What don’t people like about email?
In what situations is the internet bad?
Paragraph-4: conclusion
What’s your own opinion of email, based on what you said before?

Class activities:
Question-2: : Write about your daily life
Guide lines:
1. What do you do on a typical weekday? Make a list.
Get up at 6 a. m, have class…..etc…
2. Add some extra activities.
On Tuesday afternoons I ……….
After dinner I sometimes ……….
Twice a week I …………
3. Now think about weekends. What do you do?
Saturdays – usually go out with friends
Sundays – clean up my room… etc…

Question-3: : Writing about your hobbies and interests

Guide lines:

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 1. Think of a hobby or interest you have.
Playing the guitar, playing football, Singing, Reading,.. etc….
2. Say when and why you began to do it.
Three years ago, … etc…
3. Think of two reasons why you enjoy it.
Relaxing, quiet easy, enjoyable, …etc…
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for two more hobbies or intersts.

Question -4 : : Writing about an experience you remember

Guide lines:
1. Think of an experience you remember.
Your first day at KBZ Private School, an accident, one of your birthday, … etc…
2. When was it?
Two years ago, last month, in the summer of 2014… etc..
3. Where did it take place?
At home /school, on a vacation, etc…
4. What were you doing?
I was eating lunch, I was sleeping, studying, … etc..
5. What happened?
A car stopped suddently., etc….
6. How did you feel?
I felt embarrassed / upset/ excited/ angry…etc….

Question -5 : : Writing about a popular Celebration/ Festival in Myanmar

Guide Lines:
1. Think of a popular celebration in your country.
Thidingyut/ Thingyan/ Christmas/ New Year/ .. etc…
2. How do the people celebrate?
3. When do the people celebrate? What do people do? What is the purspose?

Question -6: : Writing about your country

1. List the main regions in your country.
East, South
2. What’s the weather like in each region?
East- warm/cold South- cool
3. What are people like?
East- outgoing and sociable, south
4. What other difference are there?
South-more tourism

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 5. Write sentences comparing the different regions

Question -7: : Writing about someone you admire

1. Think of someone you admire
My mother/ my best friend/ Daw Aung San Su Kyi/ …etc…
2. Say why you admire this person.
Hard-working/ very supportive/ famous
3. Say why you think this person is successful
Happy and healthy/ has a good job/ has won a lot of awards

Question-8: : Writing about environmental concerns

1. Note some environmental issues in your country
Flooding/ deforestation/ recycling/..etc..
2. How has the situation changed recently?
The government has decided to ……/ A lot of homes have been flooded.
3. What do you think of the changes?
I like the new recycling scheme that was introduced because………

Question -9: : Writing about an important event in your life

1. Write something important that happened to you.
I broke my arm
2. When did this happen?
When I was eight
3. What happened as a result?
I missed three months of school
4. Make a sentence using the third conditional.
If I hadn’t……….

Question-10: : Writing about your future plans

1. Think of three future plans you have.
Pass my matriculation examination/ finish the exam/…etc..
2. Write sentences using the future.
I’m………ing/ I’ll be…….ing/ I’ll have……… etc….
3. Add time expressions where you can.
By the end of………/ in a year’s time………

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*******************************************
*

Chapter - 5
Letter Writing
The form of letters
1. The heading consisting of
a. The writer’s address and
b. The date
2. The courteous greeting or Salution.
3. The communication or Message – The body of the letter.
4. Courteous leave-taking, or conclusion.
5. The signature.

Social Letters
1. Friendly letters
2. Notes of Ivitations

Complete the E-mail with the phrases.

a. Bye for now!
b. Dear…
c. How are you?
d. Love from…….

No/109,
Orchid Street,
Kyawn Gyi Su Qtr,
Taunggyi.
(1)_________________ Myo Gyi,

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 Hi! (2)_______________________________________________________. I’m fine! I’m sending a recipe for
Welsh Rarebit for your website. I hope you like it!
You need:
One onion
One tin of tomatoes
200g cheese
First, chop the onion and fry it in a frying pan. Then add the tomatoes and the cheese. Mix everything together and
cook for five minutes. Last of all, put the Welsh Rarebit on some bread and enjoy your meal!
(3)_________________________
(4)________________________ Wai Su.

Complete the letter by using the following Phrases.

Firstly,……..
First of all,……..
To start with, ……….
Secondly,……….
In addition, ………..
Finally, …………..

No/109,
Orchid Street,
Kyawn Gyi Su Qtr,
Taunggyi.

Hi Phyu Phyu,
How are you? I’m OK, but I’ve got lots of homework tonight.
I want to tell you about my new heelies. They’re trainers with a difference! Have you heard of them? I used to watch
other kids with their, but now I’ve got my own! They’re really cool and I love them!
Let me describe them to you.
(1)___________________________________, they’re read and white, which are my favourite colours. They’re really
comfortable (2)_________________________________________________. (3) _____________________________,
they’ve got heels so yu can stake on them. You can (4)____________________________________walk, but I prefer
staking! It’s more fun! (5) _____________________________________________, they weren’t very expensive. My
dad bought them for me. We found them on a great website. I can give you the address of the website if you want.
Write soon with your news! Bye for now!
Sandar

Read the letter to a magazine about an article and complete it with these words.
Believe I agree in my opinion it is true
Dear Sir or Madam,

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 Last week there was an article in your magazine about plastic bags. I agree with it because I also
_________________ that plastic bags are the worst thing for the environment. Unfortunately,
__________________and we all know that people in our country use a lot of plastic bags. They use thme
once and then throw them away they don’t understand that these bags do a lot of damage to the environment.
________________________, we should try not to use so many plastic bags. I take my own bag when I go
shopping. Supermarkets should encourage people not to use plastic bags. Some people day that they are not
helping the situation by giving free plastic bags. __________________________ with that. I think it’s
terrible.
Fortunately, things are slowly changing, but of course it will take a long time. What do other readers think?

Your faithfully,
Zin Zin

Practice Writing Lettes

Question-1 : : Writing a short letter to a friend
1. Begin your letter.
Dear …………..,
Hi / Hello from……..
I’m having a wonderful time here in ………
2. Say where you are and what you are doing.
I’m staying in a hotel / with friends.
3. Describe the place.
It’s a great/ wonderful place.
4. Describe your life there.
I study every day., On weekends I …………,
I really like / don’t mind / don’t like……..
5. Finish your letter.
That’s all for now, Please come and visit., see you soon.

***************************************************************

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Chapter-6
You be The Editor
Read the following paragraph. It contains mistakes. Find the mistakes and correct them.
One: : Ye Yint Aung enjoy many types of sports. He is liking team sport such as basketball, soccer,

and baseball. He also plays traditionals, individual sports like golf. his favorite sports involve danger as well

as exciting. He loves extreme skiing, and skydiving.

Two: : My office is small, but it is comfortably. There are two bigs windows on the left and one

small window directly in front of you. my desk fits perfectly under the two big windows. Since my computer

is on my desk , I can look out the window as I work. I have a small couch on the wall opposite the desk.

Next to the couch, there are a bookcase.

Three: : my dog, Blacy, is missing. He is a small black poodle with browns eyes. his hair is short and

curly. Blacky weiths 8 pounds and is about one and a half foot long. He have a short tail, long, floppy ears,

and small feet. She is wear a silver collar with an ID tag on it. he is very friendly around people and love

children. I has had Blacky for 6 year, since she was a puppy, and I miss him very much. I am offering a Ks

10,000 reward for anyone which finds Blacky. Please call me at 09-259663901.

Four: : August 3rd , The tornado that hit japan today surprised even the weather forecasters. The

violent winds blowed over 200 miles per hour. Much crops were destroyed by the storm. Hundreds of

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people lost his homes or offices because of the high winds and heavy rains. The Red Cross estimates that the

killer storm caused many injuries. Also, million of dollars worth of farm animals were killed due to the

tornado. will take the people of Japan many time to recover from the effects of this tornado.

Five: : Experts say that the use of electronic mail(also known as “e-mail”) is growing dramatically.

According to the Yankee Group, a Boston market-research company, the number of E-mail users in U.S

raised by 60 percents from 5.9 millions to 9.4 millions between 1992 and 1993, and it increased other 60

percent in 1993. Billions of message are now transmitted day in North America. That is there times the

number of letters sent by regular mail. E-Mail is become more and more valuable because it makes

communication so much easyer.

*********************************************

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Dear teachers, here are some you tube videos from which you can get some tips and trick for A2 exam

reading and writing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92ej1gM3xcU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHAVlV1hjc0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuXPKL-0aPQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcvR7zyShCw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rv7QvdvMAY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3WYjexIeWE
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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-A1pa9-0QA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9BtAcQtqNQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuYlPuBrGwI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXsw0MD7Ing&t=18s

Dear teachers, here are some you tube videos from which you can get some tips and trick for A2 exam

listening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9djVv6fU7aA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnUwiCcnSfk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=1LqzX24iIZ4&list=PLojSvdDDVzfOGvUAsGTrwn42f_X6TDnvG&index=6

Dear teachers, here are some you tube videos from which you can get some tips and trick for A2 exam

Speaking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KUEQkFKm38

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIDw_XElpjY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdcrRrU2lXc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1VyqUDUv5A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7Ck4DceP6w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQKj3tgU3gI

A2 level grammar quizzes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSoXIkw8alY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdsH8YcokI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewL_9LdHFl0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0tgaO4V_g4

A2 level Vocabulary quizzes

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3VDytUgj00

A2 level pronunciation practice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn138R8ITwc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUeLz_NlHIY

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