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WRITING A: FORMAL LETTER/E-MAIL

(150-200 words)

robert.leaf@skymanagement.com

Trip to Perú
DO
include
titles and
formal Dear Mr. Leaf:
Greetings
and use I am glad you have decided to visit our plant in Lima, Perú. While I am sure you will not
Do use
last have any problems with our culture and traditions, I will tell you a little about them as you
vocabulary
names. requested.
and
Peruvians are not too formal; although in a business setting greetings and salutations start grammatical
structures.
being formal. To use titles and shake hands is a must, from then onwards people are
usually a little more relaxed and tend to be on a first-name basis. Women and men are Do check
greeted the same way in formal situations but in informal ones, sometimes women greet punctuation,
DO organize
by kissing you on the cheek. spelling and
your ideas
formal style
by topics. One important thing to take into consideration is that in social situations Peruvians are not
very punctual, so if you are invited to someone’s house it is probably best to make sure the
Do include
exact time they expect you there or even plan to arrive an hour late. Part of our good
relevant DO
manners is to bring a small gift like a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers to the host.
information organize
As agreed, I will be there to pick you up from the airport on your arrival and will take you to your
your hotel so should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write to me ideas in a
or ask me in person. clear and
logical
Best regards,
way.
Alex Cooper
CEO

DO check and
DO use a complimentary close:
correct your spelling
Sincerely, cordially, etc.

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WRITING B: FORMAL LETTER/E-MAIL

(150-200 words)

robert.leaf@coldmail.com

Trip to Perú

DO make sure
that the first
DON’T paragraphs
use titles Dear Bobby: states the
or formal Really excited about you coming here in June!!!!  We’re going to have so much fun purpose of
greetings. while you’re here! Customs and traditions here are not very different to the ones were the letter
you live, but I’ll tell you a little bit about them so that you can feel more relaxed about
being here.
DO keep the
Peruvians aren’t too formal so unless you meet someone in a formal situation (which information
DO you probably won’t  ) you can address everyone by their first names. When you relevant.
organize
greet another guy you will most likely shake hands, but if you meet a girl she will Feel free to
paragraphs
probably kiss you on the cheek so don’t be weird about it, I know you guys don’t use
in a clear
say hello with a kiss. emoticons
and logical
and informal
way. There’s definitely something you should keep in mind: Peruvians are not the most language.
punctual people in informal settings, so always make sure that the time they tell you to
be somewhere is really the time you’re expected or you run the risk of having to wait by
yourself or to arrive while the hosts are still getting ready! DO keep the
closing
But don’t worry too much as I will be here to help you with anything you need. Can’t informal and
wait to see you again! friendly.
Kate 

DON’T expand too

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PAGE 20

WRITING: COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

(150-200 words)

Nowadays people are looking for new ways of healing,

treating some ailments like headaches, pain in specific parts DO make it clear
of the body or even getting rid of bad habits like smoking. in the first
paragraph which
Now people have different options to choose from and I
the ideas you are
have tried two: Conventional Medicine and Homeopathy.
comparing/
After trying both, I could find some similarities and
contrasting.
differences between both of them.

Homeopathy is similar to conventional medicine in the

DO use sense that you are taking pills or tablets, or given shots at
vocabulary to specified times. In both you have a doctor’s appointments
introduce and a specialist will treat your ailment. Likewise, many of
comparisons: be
the medication in conventional medicine may come from the
alike, also, be DO include
same compounds as the ones used in homeopathy.
similar to, and… phrases to
to…, etc However, while conventional medicine is based on the introduce
notion of treating the disease, homeopathy is more focused contrast: be
on preventing the sickness from happening. While different from,
conventional medicine will try to find a cure for your but, in contrast,
ailment, homeopathy gives you a diluted substance that will on the other hand,
while/whereas,
cause the symptoms of the disease.
etc.
DON’T forget to People might try alternative medicine to go back to a more
end with a natural approach towards medicine but I have to say I found
closing conventional medicine more effective since I need
paragraph. treatments based on research and scientific studies.

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PAGE 36

WRITING: SUPPORTING AN OPINION WITH PERSONAL EXAMPLES

(150-200 words)

Before starting I must confess that I’m a terrible procrastinator; I

DO make sure DO have a
always leave things until the last possible minute. That’s not to say
that the main definite opinion
that I believe there’s nothing wrong with procrastinating, on the
idea is clearly so that it will be
contrary, I think being well organized is the best way to do things
stated in the easier to
when you have a lot in your plate.
opening organize your
paragraph. I find that when you leave everything for the last minute you end up supporting
doing everything in a rush and so you don’t pay close attention to ideas.
DO organize your what you are doing. For example, there’s been a couple of times
ideas clearly and when I have forgotten to pay a bill and then found out about it weeks
logically into later. There was even a time when I had my bills paid by my sister but DO make sure
paragraphs. I totally forgot about it and payed the same bill twice! that you always
support your
Include grammar To me, doing things in a hurry usually means you will suffer for it. ideas with
and vocabulary When I was at university I usually did my assignments a day before examples from
learned they were due. This meant that I usually had to stay up all night in your own life.
throughout the order to do them or bother my friends during break.
unit.
From my point of view, if you’re not well-organized you’re very likely
DO remember
to find trouble, which is why I have decided to plan and schedule
to write a
DO remember to ahead, having a to-do list, and it’s been really helping me out so far.
closing
write a closing For instance, I am much more relaxed and don’t feel overwhelmed
paragraph to
paragraph to end every end of the month when I have to pay my bills. I have also
end the text.
the text. found out that having a daily planner keeps you sane and makes you
look professional.

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PAGE 48

WRITING: REVIEW
(150-200 words)

DO include some
factual
“Memoirs of a Geisha” DON’T forget to
information about
the book, article, One of my favorite books of all time is “Memoirs of a Geisha”, by mention the title
magazine, etc, on American author Arthur Golden in 1997. The book is written in of the book,
the first name of the
first person perspective and although it is the fictional story of a
paragraph. geisha, it is considered a historical novel as it is set in Japan, author,
publishing date
before, during and after World War II.
and type of
book.
Do include a The author tells us the story of a small girl, Chiyo, born in a poor
summary of the fishing village, how her parents sold her into slavery to a
plot, but do not renowned geisha house. The author makes us witnesses of her DO organize
give too much transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: your ideas in
away, to dancing, singing and playing instruments; wearing heavy and paragraphs and
encourage people cumbersome kimono, elaborate makeup, and hair; and include all the
to read it. eventually competing with a jealous rival for the spotlight. relevant
information, for
I would have read this book even if it wasn’t a best-seller; it is a instance the
DO remember to main
fast read and a real page-turner. The author has a very good
give your character(s).
grasp of Japanese culture and its nuances and he paints a
recommendation
beautiful portrait of both the opulence of geisha lifestyle and the
in the last
poverty of war. I highly recommend it.
paragraph and
support your
opinion.

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PAGE 72

WRITING: A SHORT AUTOBIOGRAPHY

(150-200 words)

My early years Do introduce

yourself; write
I was born in Kansas where I also grew up. Life was simple and there
was a lot of time to daydream. As a kid, I thought I would become a some
musician even though I knew it´s hard to make a living as an artist. But information
later on, I changed my mind and I became a veterinarian. about your
family.
Living in a farm

I worked the land we lived on. It demanded a lot of effort from my

parents and as a teenage, I didn’t help much. Now I know that I
should have helped my parents more as I could have done things Do keep in
Do write differently. They thought I was never going to change but throug the mind the
between 3 years, I did grammar
and 4 learned in the
Some difficulties
headings unit
My siblings and I always participated in the farming. It was hard to
take care of the family farm and be a university student at the same
time, but soon we found a rhythm between both our duties.
Be careful with
Lesson learned the number of
words used
My upbringing has completely supported my development and I am
Be careful thankful for it. I understood the importance of preparation, hard work,
with the and respect. Values that have been always in my mind and that have
helped me through life in order to settle on. Do keep in mind
number of
the expressions
words used
you learnt in

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PAGE 84

WRITING: DESCRIBE TWO HOLIDAYS CELEBRATED IN PERU

(150-200 words)

Do include a My two favorite holidays in Peru Do write a short

title introduction of
Peru is a very traditional country where about 3000 typical festivities
take place every year. My two favorite ones are Lord of Miracles (El what you are
señor de los Milagros) and Criolla music day. going to write
about
El Señor de los Milagros is a religious holiday that takes place in
October. It has been celebrated since 1687 to commemorate a 350-
year-old mural of the Lord of Miracles.

During the processions thousands of people, wearing purple clothes, Do include the
Do separate follow the image in the middle of silent prayers, loud worshipping vocabulary
your writing songs and the characteristic smell of incense. Almost on every
learned in the
into corner you can find people selling the unique Turron, a dessert so
unit
paragraphs to delicious that you’ll definitely recommend it to everyone you know.
organize your
Peruvian music day is celebrated on October 31. This holiday is
ideas and
mostly celebrated on the coast of Peru, especially in Lima.

One of the most popular music is Marinera, but Peruvians also enjoy Be careful with the
other genres, such as Waltz, Festejo and Polka. People usually get number of words
together in “peñas”, places that are like bars, to drink, dance, sing used
and celebrate the pride of being Peruvian. This is a great holiday for
people who enjoy culture, traditions and food. Restaurants serve
Do not use
traditional food and people can enjoy the immense variety of flavors
contractions
Peruvian cuisine has to offer.

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PAGE 96

WRITING: DESCRIBE THE ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES AND IMPACT OF AN INVENTION

(150-200 words)

Do write a short The airplane Do include a

introduction of title
One of the greatest inventions of all times is the airplane. If this
what you are
innovative way of transport did not exist, life wouldn’t be the way it is
going to write
now.
about
Thanks to this revolutionary invention, we are able to travel to
different countries abroad. Although travelling by plane might still be
Do include the a little expensive and not totally safe, airplanes are our first option
vocabulary and when travelling long distances.
grammar learned
in the unit At the beginning, people were afraid of travelling by plane. They could Do separate
not believe such thing could be kept in the air so long. However, if your writing
people had not been brave enough to take the risk, things would have into paragraphs
been very different back then. Probably, one of the most important to organize your
Do keep in things is that people could not have gotten medicine from other parts ideas
mind the of the world or even from their countries.
grammar This unique and efficient means of transportation is of great
learned in the importance for us, it has definitely more benefits than disadvantages.
unit It has helped a lot of generations in so many different ways that it Be careful
would be impossible to think about our life without it nowadays. with the
numbers of
Do not use words used
contractions

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PAGE 104

WRITING: OPINION ESSAY ON A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE

(150-200 words)

Do write a tittle Are Peruvians ready to accept Compulsory Military Service?

for your essay
All over the world there are countries that agree and disagree to
enforce a compulsory military service for citizens who are at least 18
years old. The question is, are Peruvians ready to accept it? The Do separate
Do write a short
majority of Peruvians think that it should be something voluntary, and your writing into
introduction of paragraphs to
what you are that nobody can force people to do what they do not want to do.
However, there are some points we should take into consideration organize your
going to write
when thinking about it. ideas
about
On the one hand, there are many cases of young people who are
unsure of what to do after graduating from school; however, the
Do include the military service provides a temporary place to go while still in doubt.
vocabulary and Consequently, after the service is finished, they could have a better
grammar learned view of what they want to do. Be careful with
in the unit.
On the other hand, some liberal people believe that joining the army the numbers of
is against one’s will, even if it is for a small period of time since it can words used.

Do not use cause negative attitudes towards authority in young people, which
contractions. could get worse when they leave the service.

Unfortunately, the government refuses to provide good conditions for

the soldiers; therefore, people are still reluctant to the idea of
compulsory military service and it will probably continue like that,
until other benefits are offered.

REV. 2 – Feb 2017