Unit 6: The natural

environment
Lesson 24: Writing
 Lesson objectives
Avoid writing irrelevant ideas in an “ agree
01 or disagree’ essay

02 Write in an appropriate neutral/formal style

03 Express your ideas clearly in an essay

04 Avoid repeating words and phrases

 Table of contents
Use appropriate writing style

Avoid repetition

Writing task: Agree and Disagree

Summary
 01
Practice using the
appropriate writing style
Answer the question below:

Which sentence do you think should be included in a task 2

essay ?

Sometimes working from home can be great, you can work

when you want and live your life around your own clock.
X

On the one hand, having the option to work from home can
have a positive impact on an employee’s schedule. 
 You are being asked to write an
academic essay in this task, so your
language needs to be neutral/formal.
You should avoid using abbreviations,
bullet points and informal language.
Ex1. Rewrite these sentences so they sound more formal

Grammar
time

5 minutes
Ex 1. KEY

1. Environmental problems are getting worse

every day.
2. We might not be able to see all the pollution
in our environment, but it certainly exists.
3. If this continues, our families will struggle in
the future.
Ex 1. KEY

4. There are many things teenagers and families

can do to prevent pollution, for example, hand-
washing clothes or riding a bike to school or
work instead of using the car.
5. There could be a solution to helping our
environment if we educate others and help them
to understand how serious the problem is
 02
Avoid repetition
Ex 2.Read the task and the sample answer, then
complete it using the words and phrases from
the box. The words can be used more than once.
Ex 2: KEY
Overpopulation is indeed a growing concern in the
developing world, causing many of the 1. Planet’s
environmental problems. Although an increasing
population does have a negative impact on the
environment to an extent, the greatest problem is in
fact caused by the way in which humans choose to
live their lives. In the following essay, both 2. these
ideas will be discussed.
Ex 2: KEY
Overpopulation does have a serious impact on the
world’s environment for several reasons. An 3.
increase in population means more pollution, caused
by more cars on the road, more factories, more
farming and more household chemicals. Pollution is a
significant environmental issue and 4. it can have a
serious effect on human and animal health.
 Ex 2: KEY
Overpopulation also means that natural resources are
decreasing more rapidly. The modern world is
consuming more than 5. it can produce. People are
continously buying more products and building more
houses. Fresh water, oil and natural gas are just some
of the resources which are in demand.
Ex 2: KEY
Perhaps overpopulation would not be an issue, however, if
society changed the way in which 6. it lived. For example,
in order to help these environmental problems, people
could try to save natural resources by using less water or
by consuming fewer products 7. They could also try to
reuse or recycle more. Pollution could also be kept to a
minimum if people only bought organic food or tried to
use their cars less.
Ex 2: KEY
In summary, although overpopulation is a
significant problem when considering the
environment 8. it would be less of an 9. issue if
people made certain changes to their daily
lifestyle.
 Avoid repetition in writing task 2

There are several ways you can avoid repeating the

same words as the task. You can use:
- Pronouns e.g. he,she, it, this, that, these, those, one,
both
-synonyms or words and phrases with a similar
meaning, e.g. problem/issue.
- relative clauses, e.g beginning with which, that,
who
Ex3. Rewrite these writing question, try to avoid
repeating the same words
1. Going abroad to study has become popular among young
Vietnamese students.
2. Most people do not care enough about environmental
issues.
3. People say that reducing global environmental damage
should be handed by governments rather than individuals.
4. Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be
closed down.
 EX3. KEY
1. Vietnamese students are increasingly likely to
study overseas.
2. environmental problems are not a serious
concern for the majority of people.
3. It is argued that government’s role in solving
environmental issues is much more important
than individual’s attempts.
4. Keeping animals in captivity in zoos is thought
to be cruel and should be stopped.
03 Writing task:
Agree or Disagree
 Ex4. Read this task and the sample answer, then
answer the questions which follow.
Some people believe that you should be fined if you
do not recycle. To what extent do you agree or disagree
with this statement ?
Ex4. KEY
1. Find out the key words in the task.

Some people believe.. should be fined .. do not recycle.. what

extent.. agree .. disagree.

2. Find out the irrelevant information in the sample answer.

It is not only recycling which.. educate themselves about

environmental issues and then take action. Governments
could do more .. in general.
Ex4. KEY
3. Why do you think the writer has included this information?.

The writer decided to write about the topic instead of the

actual question in the task.
The writer needed more ideas to complete at least 250 words.
The writer did not start with a plan and forgot to keep the
answer relevant..
Ex4. KEY
4. What is the best way to ensure you do not include irrelevant
information in your answer?.
Check the words in the task carefully, make a good plan, and
ensure it is relevant and you follow it..
 Strategy to respond to Agree or Disagree question

Step 1: Analyse the question, underline the key

words.
Step 2: Plan the answer. Make sure that you answer
the task with only relevant ideas.
Step 3: Write an essay with four paragraphs- an
introduction, two body paragraphs and a
conclusion.
 Suggested structure
Paragraph 1 (introduction):
• paraphrase the statement
• say whether you agree or disagree with it and
state your opinion
Paragraph 2 (body paragraph 1):
• state the first reason you agree. disagree
• explain the reason
• support your idea with example
• a short summary of the paragraph
 Suggested structure
Paragraph 3 ( body paragraph 2):
• state the second reason you agree/ disagree
• explain the reason
• support your idea with examples
• a short summary of the paragraph
Paragraph 4 (conclusion):
• summarise your ideas
• restate your opinion
 Ex5. Write about the following topic:

Reducing global environmental damage should be

handled by governments rather than individuals. To
what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant
examples from your own knowledge or experience.
write at least 250 words
 Ex5. Suggestion
Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments
rather than individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree ?.

Brainstorm

If environmental issues are left in the hand of the authorities:

The solutions implemented by the government are more effective and
enforceable.
The government can call for international cooperation to tackle big issues.
 Ex5. Suggestion
Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments
rather than individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree ?.

Brainstorm

It would be wrong to ignore the role that individuals can play:

The collective efforts of both authorities and citizens can solve
environmental problems more effectively.
There are many steps that individuals can take to protect the environment.
Read your partner’s paragraph and give
him/her comments:
Criteria Yes No

Does the paragraph have a topic

sentence ?
Are supporting sentences clear ?

Are there any repetitions of words

or expressions in the essay?
Are there any grammatical
mistakes ?
03 Skill recap
 Strategy to respond to Agree or Disagree question

Step 1: Analyse the question, underline the key

words.
Step 2: Plan the answer. Make sure that you answer
the task with only relevant ideas.
Step 3: Write an essay with four paragraphs- an
introduction, two body paragraphs and a
conclusion.
 Suggested structure
Paragraph 1 (introduction):
• paraphrase the statement
• say whether you agree or disagree with it and
state your opinion
Paragraph 2 (body paragraph 1):
• state the first reason you agree. disagree
• explain the reason
• support your idea with example
• a short summary of the paragraph
 Suggested structure
Paragraph 3 ( body paragraph 2):
• state the second reason you agree/ disagree
• explain the reason
• support your idea with examples
• a short summary of the paragraph
Paragraph 4 (conclusion):
• summarise your ideas
• restate your opinion
Ticket out the door!

 03 things you hve worked on

today

 02 things you have learned

today
See you next time!