WRITING
POSSIBLE TYPES OF COMPOSITIONS
1. Advantages and disadvantages: There are many advantages to + V-ing (to living in the country)
2. Narrative
3. Formal letter writing
Interesting link provided by the British Council: ESOL Nexus with very useful examples.
CONNECTORS TO USE
a.- Introducing a topic or beginning
The topic I am going to deal with in this composition is ....
Nowadays it is a well-known fact that....
Nowadays, most people would agree that...
One of the issues which the public is particularly concerned about is...
A problem which is often discussed today is...
In this essay we shall examine...
My aim in this essay is to.....
b.-Connecting or adding related ideas
Besides,.... // Furthermore,... // Moreover, ... // In addition to this, .... // Indeed, ...
Another factor to take into account is.....
And that is not all;....
c.- Sequencers
To begin with,..... // For a start, .... // First, firstly, first of all,......
Secondly, Next, Then....
Last, but not least,.... (= Thirdly)
Finally, // In the end,...
d.-The other side of the argument
On the contrary,.... // In contrast, .... // However, ... // Nevertheless, ....
Although + Subject + Verb // ....., though // Even though, .....
On the one hand, .... >>> On the other hand, ....
e.-Expressing or emphasising ideas
I think that... // I believe that.... // I understand that....
In my opinion, .... // As I see it, .... // My understanding is....
It is clear that....
There can be no doubt that....
It cannot be denied that....
As an example, let us take, For example, For instance, such as
f.- Expressing cause and consequence
So, Therefore, Consequently (As a consequence, ...)
Because, Because of, Since, As, Due to (the fact that)..., On account of....
g.- Coming to a conclusion
To sum up, .... // Summing up .... // In conclusion, .... // In short, ... // Finally, .... // On the whole, ....
Last, but not least....
At the end of the day, ....
Well all is said and done, ....
As for restaurants (por lo que respecta a los restaurantes)
and so on (= etc, ...)
POSSIBLE SAMPLES OF COMPOSITIONS / WRITING EXERCISES
B1 _ SEP12
Task 1 Expresión escrita (50 marks)
Write an opinion essay (between 175 and 200 words), expressing your views about the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet for personal use and for society as a whole. Justify your opinion with arguments or examples.
Is the Internet the greatest invention of all time?
What can I say about the Internet? Today the Internet is used in so many aspects of our real life: to buy, to pay, to chat..but mainly to search for information, although not everybody thinks the same.
On the one hand, teenagers are those who use the internet the most. They use it to do homework, to watch films, to listen to music... and to chat with friends in social networks like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. Internet is so useful that some of them stay at home rather than going out with their friends. Teens say that they couldn't do anything without the Internet, so they need it more and more.
On the other hand, older people use the Internet to send emails, specially if they work. If you don't have any social network, you won't have the same options as people who use them. People like our grandparents have never used the Internet in their lives, but some of them would like to learn how to use a PC or a mobile so that they could chat with relatives. This is so easy that ordinary children can sort it out.
All in all, Internet is the greatest invention I have ever seen since we can do lots of things, which make our lives easier. Besides we are happier.
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Task 1 Interacción escrita (50 marks)
MARK
You have just received the email below from your friend Marion. Read the email below and write an email in reply on the next page, giving her information about all the questions she is asking you.
Write between 100 and 125 words.
To: You
From: marionnumberone@hotmail.com
Subject: Your horrible course
Hi there,
I’m really sorry I couldn’t collect you at the airport. I had to go to a school meeting instead!
How was your course at the Byron Language School in Chester? Jenny said it was more than horrible. Was it?
What were the lessons like? And the extra‐school activities? What was wrong with them? How about the accommodation?
Tell me everything!
See you soon!
Marion
To: Marion
From: andrew@hotmail.com
Subject: My horrible course
Hi, Marion
Don't worry! It wasn't your fault. I was OK. I just decided to phone a taxi.
The course in Chester was really disappointing! I told Jenny that I wanted to return home as soon as possible.
The lessons were too long (6 hours long!). Besides, there weren't any breaks at all! The teacher also talk a lot and very quickly. What were the extra‐school activities like? They were so boring. We went to the same places every day, and we didn't say any monuments or museums... nothing interesting.
With regard to the accomodation, it was good. The room I had was big with amazing views, but there wasn't Wifi. What a pity!
I hope to see you soon!
xxxx
Andrew
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B2 _ SEP12
TASK 1
Your language school recently celebrated a festival for students, with music events and a cookery competition. You decide to write an article for your school’s magazine,
o expressing your opinion on the good and bad aspects of the celebration, and
o proposing an original activity to celebrate such events in your school.
Write between 225 and 250 words.
Last week an incredible English party was held at our Official Language School. I am going to comment on the good aspects of the celebration, but also on certain issues we could be improved for future experiences.
On the one hand, we must all agree that we the party was a complete success since we spent a few hours speaking in English and we had a great time too. We could not really stop laughing. Besides, we learnt so much vocabulary about cookery, recipes and electrical appliances you can find in a kitchen, such as: boiling, scrambled eggs, oven... We even tried making the typical British fish and chips. They were delicious!
On the other hand, the activity was a bit time consuming as we spent nearly all day preparing the celebration. Therefore, I didn’t have enough time to prepare for my History exam and, consequently, I failed. Next time we will have to think about the most appropriate time to do this. I didn’t like the music, either. It was so loud and horrible. I don’t know how someone can sing like that!!! Finally, the hall was crammed and there was not enough room for everybody we had to use the stairs and the other floors at the school.
In short, apart from choosing a bigger venue for our next celebration, I am going to propose you all an incredible activity: Why don’t we make a karaoke? I reckon it would be wonderful and exciting. We could sing typical music in English such as ‘Yellow Submarine’ by the Beatles or ‘Born in the USA’ by Bruce Springsteen. All in all, in my opinion, the party this year was great, but I think we can do it better next time. I look forward to having a great time next year.
TASK 2
A friend of yours is so hooked on social networks that his/her marks at school are dropping and his/her mood is swinging. Your friend has asked you for advice. Write an email to your friend on the next page, giving him/her advice on what to do.
Write between 125 and 150 words.
Hi,
How are you? I have heard that you are hooked on your mobile phone and you can’t separate a minute from it, and that all that is affecting your marks. It can’t be true! Anyway, if you had any real problems with it, remember that I’m your friend. I’m going to give you some advice just in case.
First of all, when you are studying you should try to keep anything that can disturb you away, so I wouldn’t have my mobile phone or laptop on in my bedroom. You should leave them in another room or switch them off. You’ll have plenty of time to use them once you have finished or during the breaks. Another thing you can do is disable your wifi connection.
If you couldn’t still handle the situation, I’d recommend you to go to a public library or even we could study together and later we could go out together with our friends for a drink or a cup of tea instead of using social networks to communicate with them. Lately you’ve been a bit moody and you need to go out and meet new people.
Well, I hope you can sort it out. Come on! I’m sure you can get higher marks. We’ll give a big party at the end of the school year.
Best wishes,
Willliam ;-)))
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B2 _ SEP13
TAREA 1 : INTERACCIÓN ESCRITA
A newspaper published for foreigners in your community is seeking nominations for “Local Restaurant of the Year”. In 125 to 150 words, write a letter to Mr Jones (the editor of the newspaper) nominating the restaurant that you like and explaining why this restaurant should win.
18 Salobreña Avenue,
18600 Motril (GRANADA, SPAIN)
Motril, 3rd May, 2016
Mr Jones,
El Sur Newspaper
Dear Mr Jones,
I am writing to you because I have seen that your newspaper is looking for nominations for “Local Restaurant of the Year”, so I have decided to send you what restaurant in the whereabouts I reckon should win.
My recommendation would be “El Teide”, which is a typical restaurant in the Alpujarras. It provides you with “tapas” (the Spanish word for ‘snacks’) and homemade dishes such as Alpujarreño dish, which consists of sausages, a fried egg, cured ham and fried potatoes. The food is delicious and at a very reasonable price. If you don’t want to eat in the bar, you have got the possibility of an inside lounge and a terrace outside under some cherry trees. As well, there is a parking area for the customers.
For all these reasons I think this amazing restaurant should win the prize. I hope you will agree with me, but in case you have got a different opinion, please let me know the name of the place so that I can try it out. Thanks for your time.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. William Romero
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B2 _ SEP13
TAREA 2 : EXPRESIÓN ESCRITA
“Life was easier for teenagers 50 years ago than it is for teenagers today.” Write an essay from 225 to 250 words in which you strongly and clearly agree or disagree with this statement (but not both), and explain your position clearly so the reader can understand fully why you feel the way you do.
Do you think that life was easier for teenagers 50 years ago than it is for teenagers today? I don’t think so. It is true that, for instance, new technology has provided teenagers nowadays with a most useful tool to overcome difficulties, to work, to study... but that means they have to be better prepared to use computers, mobiles or certain software.
In the past students would go to the library and look up in the same encyclopaedia for information. Currently, when a teenager comes across a certain issue and he has to look for information he has plenty of sources on Internet, apart from the books he may find in the library. Then he will have to decide which source is the most reliable one, so it is not so simple as it used to be.
Apparently, another advantage teenagers have when they go to university is the Erasmus grants, that is to say, grants that give you the possibility to study one year abroad, which makes you more open-minded and makes your Curriculum Vitae better. Nevertheless, again it is an extra difficulty teenagers didn’t use to think about since this great possibility also implies that you must be fluent in the language of the country you are going to study in.
All in all, I reckon life was easier for teenagers fifty years ago. Nowadays young people are certainly more open-minded and they can have a better academic education than before, but there can be no doubt that they need to be better prepared and more mature. It is clear that adolescents didn’t have so many things that could help them, but also disturb them, such as the mobile phone, which is very useful, but it can be a big problem when you try to concentrate.
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56 Baker St
London LO6 4DK
Itrabo, 6th May, 2016
Mr P. Bridges
Starlight Café
54 Market St
Oxford OX4 3SD
Dear Mr Bridges,
I saw your advertisement for part-time staff in a poster that I saw when I was walking past the bakery, and I am writing to apply for a job as a kitchen helper in your restaurant in Oxford because I haven't got enough money to feed my children and they are starving.
I am 20 years old and I studied at St Fernando's School. I am the most friendly person that you've ever seen , I am hard-working and good at science. My teacher always said that I was such an intelligent boy that I would become a really intelligent person and they also said that I was one of the most intelligent in my class and I got used to listening to it everyday. I've worked as a waiter in a restaurant near here and I have been babysitter for a year, so I am used to working with people, above all with children.
At the moment, I am working in a school shop, sweeping and mopping the floor. It's very small and common for me. Not so many people come to buy things at our small shop, so I am looking for a more interesting job in a busier place. The earliest date that I could start working at Starlight Café is Monday, 5th February. I won't disappoint you, I'll be the hardest-working person in your restaurant.
I am sending you my photo, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Joaquín Alejandro España
87 Whitehouse RD,
Oxford 0X5 5JK
29th April, 2016
Mr P.Bridges,
Starlight Café,
54 Market St,
Oxford 0X4 3SD
Dear Mr Bridges,
I saw your advertisement for part-time staff in the local paper and I'm writing to apply for a job as a kitchen helper in your café in Oxford.
I am 16 years old and I am a student at St Mary's School. I am friendly, kind and hard-working. I love cooking. My grandmother always says that I am the home's chef. I have worked as a waitress in a café near my house and I have served meals on wheel, so I am used to working with food.
At the moment, I am working in a computer store. It's very small and quiet, so I am looking for a more interesting job in a busier place. The earliest date that I could start working at Starlight Café is next Friday, 6th May.
I am sending you my photo, and I look forward to hearing you.
Yours sincerely,
Andrea G
34 Whitehouse Rd Oxford OX5 55K
31st January 2016
Peter Bridges
Starlight Café
54 Market St
Oxford OX4 35D
Dear Mr. Bridges,
I saw your advertisement for part-time staff in the local paper, 'The world' last Saturday and I am writing to apply for a job as a kitchen helper in your café "Starlight Café" on Oxford.
I am seventeen years old and I am a student at the Mediterranean Sea School! I am responsible, intelligent and very friendly. Most people that have tasted one of my dishes have said that I am very good at cooking. I have worked as a chef in a restaurant twice and as a kitchen helper in a bar, so I know how to do the work and I am used to teamwork.
At the moment, I am working in a post office. It's too small and a bit boring, so I want to change my job to do something more interesting that I really love. The earliest date I could start working at the Starlight Café is Friday, 12th February.
I am sending you my photo, and I look foward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
María José García.
29 Whitehouse Rd
Oxford OX6 7JL
14th February 2016
Mr.Peter Bridges
Starlight Café
54 Market St
Oxford OX4 3SD
Dear Mr.Bridges,
I saw your adversitement for part-time staff in the paper and I am writing to apply for a job as a waitress in your café.
I am 16 years old and I study at Mediterranean Sea High School. I am kind, friendly and hard-working. My teachers always say that I am very responsible. I've worked as a waitress in a restaurant and I have been a cashier, so I am used to working with people.
At the moment I am working in a clothes shop. It is big, but very quiet so I am looking for a more interesting job in a busier place. The earliest date that I could start working at Starlight Café is Friday, 26th February.
I am sending you my photo and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Irene Ramón.
24 Headington Rd
Oxford OXA420
24th April 2016
Mr Peter Bridges
Starlight Café
54 Market St
Dear Mr Bridges,
I'm writing you to apply for the waitress job, which I saw on page 22 at the "The Times" newspaper on 21st April. It's a job that I'm very interested in.
I'm 15 years old and I'm a student at Mediterranean Sea High School. I am hard-working, very responsible, although I'm very shy. However, that is not problem because I can get use to talking with customers quickly. I've worked as a nanny with little children, and I've worked as a teacher giving classes in the evenings too. So I'm used to being with people and to having contact with them. On the contrary, I'm not talkative and I don't have so much time study... and that is terrible!
At the moment, I am working in the town hall as a secretary of the local police. That post is very quiet, it is also very comfortable, there is a good atmosphere with all the partners.
The reason why I'm looking for an other job is because I need more money to pay aal my studies, and it is also because I want to have new experiences and meet new people. The earliest date that I could start working at Sparlight Café is 10th May. The work timetable is perfect to me because I can always arrive on time. If I get this job, I'll get all my goals (among my goals there is one that is being less shy). It is such a good job!
I am sending you my photo and my Curriculum vitae. I am ready to have an interview with you for the job. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
María Béjar
07 Redhouse Rp
Oxford MJ PKL
29th January 2016
Ms.S Seren
Better Kind,
073 Higth St
London XXI 7RP
Dear MS Seren,
I saw your advertisement for part-time staff in the local paper and I am writing to apply for a job as a babysitter in your house in London.
I am 18 years old and I am a student at I.E.S Mediterraneo School, I am affectionate, hard-working and very responsible.
In my free time I love listening to music, going for a walk with my dog Chloé and going shopping.
I`ve worked as a cashier in my uncle´s shop and I have a coach in my village.
At the moment, I am studying law in the morning and at the weekend I am working as a waitess in the local pub near my house.
I don't like this job, because it's very boring and tiring so I am looking for a more interesting job.
I could start working as a babysitter this weekend.
Yours sincerely.
MARÍA JESÚS MENDOZA.
Five compositions by Joaquín García (1º Bach A) level B2: