Words: 252 (too long!

) => 150-170 words

This paragraph shows the percentages of (upward trends in the use of) three (four) different modern technology
(technologies) in homes in the Uk. + when? From 1996 to 2003 (S + Ved; S had PII (by))

Overall, the Internet access is the latest technology and the lowest percentages among all the percentages. However, CD
player, Mobile phone and Home computer are still remained popular years by years. => sai ngữ pháp, phần overview nên
để ở đầu bài.

In 1996, the percentages of CD players are (percentage of the UK households using CD players was/stood at) around 60%,
so this was the most popular modern technology in homes . Its even grow to nearly 70% in 1998 and its still (continued)
increasing rapidly to more than 80% in 2002.

At the same times (time), Home computer percentages are at (Home computers’/ the figure for home computers
was/stood at (viết lặp cấu trúc) 28% in 1996. Like CD player(s), the rate of Home computer is increasing but slower (this
proportion/figure increased but more slowly), its (It) reached 35% in 1998 => không nên viết câu đơn quá nhiều). But (,but)
after 1998, the percentages increasing’s speed are still the same and it slowly increase from 45% in 2000 to 56% in 2002. =>
quá dài dòng không cần thiết, sai thì, tả quá chi tiết

In contrast, the Mobile phone had a pretty bad start when its only reached 18% in 1996, the lowest percentages
(percentage) of that years. But its has made some progress when reaching 25% in 1998 and after that, the Mobile phone’s
percentages has surpassed the Home computer’s percentages (bỏ) with 48% in 2000. The Mobile phone’s percentages (bỏ)
has became the second popular (second most popular) modern technology in home with 70% in 2002.

Finally, the latest modern technology “Internet” has came out in 1998 with only 11%. But its has rocket from 11% to more
than 30% in 2000, what an incredible growth! Unfortunately, its reached 44% in 2002 and became the lowest percentages
of modern technology in 2002. (sai thì, viết không chính xác)

Company A’s revenue increased by 47% last year whereas company B’s declined by 20%.

Sample Writing for Test 1

 1. Introduction (don’t copy the rubric)
2. Overview (1-2 sentences; don’t mention any figures)
3. Body paragraphs (2)

Sample

The graph indicates an upward trend in the popularity of some modern devices in families in the UK
from 1996 to 2003.

It is clear that these gadgets were becoming increasingly popular in the UK’s homes during the period,
with CD players being used the most.

The CD player was clearly the most popular throughout the period, owned by 60% of the UK’s
households in 1996/97, which had climbed steadily to 82% by 2002/03. As opposed to this, the internet
was used the least, by only 10% of the households in 1988, the year of its introduction, although the
figure experienced a more remarkable increase to 45% in 2002/2003.

Home computers saw almost the same pattern as CD players’ except that their figures were much
lower, rising gradually from 29% in 1996 to nearly 50% in 2002/03. Starting at 16% in 1996/97, the
proportion of mobile phone owners witnessed a more noticeable growth with some fluctuations,
overtaking Home computers’ in 1999 before jumping to 70% in 2002/2003, becoming the second
highest of all.

UNIT 3: ALL PARTS OF THE TEST

PART 1: SKILLS

SKILL 1: Asking for repetition when you don’t understand

Jumbled expression Correct order

say/you/Could/please?/again/that Could you say that again, please?
that?/Sorry,/was/what Sorry, what was that?
catch/I/afraid/didn’t/that./I’m I’m afraid I didn’t catch that.
the/Sorry/question?/was/what Sorry, what was the question?

SKILL 2: Asking for an explanation when you don’t understand

To explain

Jumbled expression Correct order

understand./I/I’m/don’t/afraid I’m afraid I don’t understand.
sure/I’m/what/mean/not/you I’m not sure what you mean.
mean?/…X…/what/Sorry,/does Sorry, what does…..mean?
explain/Could/you/you/mean?/what Could you explain what you mean?

SKILL 3: Stalling for time

Jumbled expression Correct order

interesting question./I suppose…/Er,/that’s an Er, that’s an interesting question, I suppose….
really sure/Mmm./I’m not/but perhaps… Mmm, I’m not really sure, but perhaps….
to say,/Oh, it’s/but maybe…/hard Oh, it’s hard to say, but maybe….
but I guess…/Well,/for me to say,/it’s a bit difficult Well, it’s a bit difficult for me to say, but I guess….

PART 2: PRACTICE: Remember to extend our answer by asking ourselves such questions as how, why, what, what
if, when, where…?

Practise answering these questions in pairs, using the skills you have learnt.

1. In your country, what is the most popular hobby amongst people of your generation?
  Well, it’s difficult/hard to generalize. I mean people of my age have/pursue various/different interests/hobbies.
For example, some enjoy + Ving; some are passionate about + Ving while others are really into + Ving. As I see
it, most of my friend are very interested in reading books. You know, we often read different books and meet
each other once a week to share about what we have read, and it’s really fun.
2. What sports are compulsory in schools in your country? (elective)
=> Schools in Vietnam include/have 2 periods of P.E (physical education) per week in their curriculum, during
which students have to learn such sports as…………………………, and it’s up to schools to choose what sports to
teach their students. For example, in my school we learn…………….. (your feeling). To my mind, teaching/learning
sports at schools is useful/beneficial/valuable because it helps/enables/allows students to keep fit themselves and
develop other soft skills.

3. What would be the perfect meal for you? => imagining => second conditionals

=> A perfect meal for me would be a meal cooked by my mum with all my favourite dishes such as……., shared by all the
members in our family. We would not only enjoy/savour the delicious food together but also share our stories with each
other happily. In this busy world, such a cosy meal would be wonderful.

4. What are the principal entertainment facilities in your hometown? => describing facts

=> Luckily I was born and live in Hanoi, the biggest city in Vietnam, so there are many more entertainment/recreational
facilities here than in other places. What facilities? => For example, we have a lot of cinemas, theatres, shopping malls,
leisure centres, parks, games centres for people to relax/enjoy themselves with their families/friends in their free/spare time,
and I find myself lucky because of this.

=> Unfortunately, I was born and live in …..a small village/town, so there is hardly anything there for us to entertain. I mean
we have no such things as cinemas, theatres, shopping malls, leisure centres, parks, games centres like in big cities.
Therefore, young people like me don’t know what to do in our free time besides watching TV.

5. How has the teaching of languages altered over the last 20 years?

=> Well, the language teaching in Vietnam has changed a lot in recent decades. => How has it changed? For example/For
instance, schools and universities are now teaching many more languages. Besides English and Russian, now they teach
French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Korean and many others. I believe/To my mind, this diversity is really useful in the
trend of globalization. Another change/transformation lies in the teaching method. Teachers have switched from traditional
teaching methods (focusing too much on grammar and translation) to communicative ones, which offers students more
opportunites/chances to improve their four languages skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing). I hope that with these
positive changes, Vietnamese people will be able to communicate with foreigners more confidently in the near future.

6. Does your hometown have any important landmarks?

=> I was born and live in ……………, which have some famous spots/places. What are they? => These places attract many
toursts, from both Vietnam and many other countries every year, and they are also one of the main incomes for our
city/town.

PART 3: HOMEWORK

Prepare the answers to these questions at home, record yourself and send it to the teacher

1. Do you take an active part in sports? Why/Why not?

2. What is your national sport, if any?

3. Do you think sports are becoming more or less important in your culture? Why?

4. What are the major festivals in your country?

5. Which is your favourite festival and why?

6. Do you have a large number of public holidays in your country? Why/Why not?

7. What is your country’s national costume like?

8. On what occasions do people wear national dress in your country?

9. Do you like you r national costume? Why/Why not?

10. How is electricity generated in your country?

11. What pollution problems does your hometown suffer from?

12. How much of the rubbish in your hometown is recycled?