Gateway B2+ / B2

Expressing your opinion: Writing: Opinion and For and Against essays

B) OPINION /FOR AND AGAINST ESSAYS

1. OPINION ESSAY

B2+ =Unit 8 p. 104-105 + sample text p. 155

B2= Unit 8 p. 105 + sample text p. 151

2. FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY

B2+ = Unit 8 p. 104-105 + sample text p. 157

B2 = Unit 6 p. 79 + sample text p.155

In some essays we must give both sides of an argument, but in others we need only give our own
opinion.

This will make a big difference to the way we organize our essay and to our paragraph plan. However,
in both cases it is important to justify and explain the arguments that we present, and the style in both
types of essay will be formal.

CONNECTORS
Adding  Also Expressing  But
ideas  As well / as well as contrast  However
 Besides  Nevertheless
 Furthermore  Yet
 In addition  Although
 Moreover  Even though
 Another argument is...  Despite
 Another reason for…  Despite the fact that
 Another drawback of…  In spite of
is…  In spite of the fact that
 Some people argue  One the one hand/On
that… the other hand
 One of the main
advantages is that…
 A further (dis)advantage
of…is…

Sequencing  Afterwards Summarizing  All in all,

  At last  In conclusion,
 Finally  To conclude,
 Firstly, secondly, thirdly…  To sum up,
 In the end  On balance, I would say
 Lastly that…
 First of all
 Last of all
 Last but not least
 Another reason for…
 Another argument is…

Giving  For example/ For Giving an  I strongly feel…

evidence instance
 According to…
 It is clear that…
 It is well-known that…
 Research has shown
that…
 It has been proven that…
 We (do not) have (any)
evidence that…
 Because/as/since
 Due to/ because of/
owing to
opinion  In my view/opinion
 I think /believe that…
 I (dis)agree with...
 I am (not) convinced
that…
 I would argue that
 Personally, I think
that…
 I partly agree that…
 It seems clear to me
that…

ONLINE PRACTICE:

http://www.xtec.cat/~ogodoy/sac/rephrasing/rephrexercises.htm

http://www.englishrevealed.co.uk/fce_grammar.php

EXERCISE 1. Rewrite the sentences in different ways.

a) The trip was expensive. It was worth it

(although / despite / however)

b) It was a great experience. We got to know lots of people and places.

(because / since / due to)

EXERCISE 2
 1.

The taxi driver charged me too much. However / Moreover / Even though, he demanded a tip.
2. People at high-tech firms work long hours. In contrast, / Despite this, / Even though
government workers are often home by 5.00.
3. Xiaoyi has got a lovely personality in spite of / although / as well as a great sense of humour.
4. There was a lot of traffic on the roads. Yet, / Moreover, / Also, we got home quickly.
5. Joan missed the last bus home. However, / Furthermore / For instance, he couldn’t find a
taxi.
6. We will give you a map showing the route. Moreover,/ Nevertheless, you can call for
directions if you need them.
7. Lara doen’t speak any French. In addition, / Nevertheless, she managed very well in Paris.
8. Many people can’t manage without their mobile phones. On the other hand / Furthermore /
In addition, they’re addicted to their computers.

9. Some people are really obsessed with football players. For example / Moreover / Despite
this, my friend’s room is full of Mbappé posters.

EXERCISE 3. Choose the correct connector.

1. You can’t use your mobile phone here because / because of / as a result there’s no
reception.
2. Lluc is an educated man. Since/ Therefore/ In order to he wants a high-level job.
3. Due to / Because / As the high price of petrol, we try to ride our bicycle.
4. The teacher told us not to write in our books in order to/ therefore / so that we could sell
them.
5. There are few jobs in villages. Because of / As a result of / For this reason, many villages
have moved to the city.
6. We looked on the Internet in order to / so that / for this reason find her phone number.

EXERCISE 4. Complete the passage with the connectors below. Then listen and check your answers.

As a result of / since / in order to / so that / so / due to

Thieves caught on Google Street View

In September 2008, twin men in Groningen, Holland, dragged a 14-year-old

boy off his bicycle and robbed him of $160. The boy went to the
police___________ report the incident. No one knew the thieves’ identities,
___________ they were not caught. However, the following March the boy
contacted the police again, ___________ the fact that he had seen an image
of himself -and the two men following him- on Google Street View. The police
sent a special request to Google for the original potos ___________ people’s
faces are blurred on Street View. After the police had explained that the photos
were needed ___________ they could solve the crime, Google agreed to send
them. ___________, the police were able to find the twin thieves and arrest
them.