Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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1. INFORMAL EMAIL
Language: relaxed and friendly = informal language. So we will be making use of
contracted forms, common phrasal verbs, colloquial expressions and even flexible
punctuation.
Structure:
1. Salutation
2. The first paragraph (opening)
3. The next paragraphs
4. Closing and signing off
WIRITING GUIDE
Salutations
Hi David,
Hello David,
Dear David,
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Main body
This is where you introduce the topic of your B2 First email/letter. Remember to look back at
the question and answer any questions from the sender. Say why you are writing. If you need
to change agreements or turn someone down, give reasons.
Final paragraph
The closing paragraph of your B2 First informal email/letter should be one or two sentences
before you sign off and say goodbye. It could be to make an excuse to finish the letter/email,
or leave the reader with some kind of action they need to take. Send greetings and/or make
reference for future contact:
Closing
This is where you end your informal email/letter and write your name. Remember, never end
with the word Bye. Instead use one of the informal and neutral phrases below. And don’t
forget to write your name on another line.
Take care!
See you soon!
All the best,
Best wishes,
Best,
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Lots of love,
Love,
Between paragraphs:
Within a paragraph:
It was nominated to become […] Also, don’t forget to […] CONNECTORS ARE ESSENTIAL
EXAMPLE
Your Italian pen friend, Antonia, wrote and asked about your lifestyle in England. Read part of
Antonia’s letter and reply:
I think I have a very healthy lifestyle. I eat a lot of fruit and I get a lot of fresh air. My family
lives near the mountains, so we often go walking. Last weekend, we went rock climbing. I saw
a lot of wildlife and I took a lot of photos. What kind of lifestyle do you have?
Model answer
Dear Antonia,
Thanks for your letter. Your lifestyle sounds really interesting! We don’t live near the
mountains so I’ve never been rock climbing, but I’d love to try it.
You asked me about my lifestyle. I think I’m quite healthy too. I sleep for about eight hours
every night and I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. I like doing exercise. I’m quite good at tennis
and I often go swimming with my friends. Last month, I decided to do something different. I
did a snorkelling course at our local swimming pool. While I was doing the course, I met some
really great people! The course was hard, but we were all in the same boat!
I’d love to visit you one day. I think we’d get on really well!
Love
Kate
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2. FORMAL LETTER
Language: formal
Structure:
1. Salutation
2. The first paragraph (Opening): Say why you are writing.
3. The next paragraphs (main content).
4. Closing and signing off.
WRITING GUIDE
Salutation:
Dear Sir or Madam: If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to
Dear Mr/Ms Smith: if you know the person’s name. Use the title “Ms” if you don’t know if the
woman is married or unmarried.
Opening:
you state your reasons for writing the letter and, if needed, what you are responding to. This
should not be more than a couple of lines.
I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus.
(applying for a scholarship)
I am looking for outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply
for the position of hotel lifeguard assistant which I say advertised in my university’s
student newspaper. (applying for a job)
I have seen your advertisement for the job in the local newspaper. I am writing
because I would like to apply for the job. (applying for a job)
I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing on behalf of
As you stated in your letter…
Regarding … Concerning … With regard to …
Use linking structures to make your letter flow. “Moreover”, “Furthermore”, “In addition” are
all good examples of words that can be used to link sentences together. You should always be
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polite and respectful, even if you complain. A useful way to achieve it especially in formal
letters is to use ‘modal verbs’, i.e., would, could or should.
Closing:
Yours faithfully, - If you don’t know the name of a person
Yours sincerely, - if you do know the name of the person you should
USEFUL PHRASES:
Letters to complain:
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Demanding action:
I suggest that you replace the item.
I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund .
I would be grateful if my money was refunded
I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund
LETTER OF APPLICATION:
1. SALUTATION
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3. THE NEXT PARAGRAPHS (THE BODY)
In the following paragraphs, explain why you are interested in the job and why you make an
excellent candidate for the position. Mention specific qualifications listed in the job posting
and explain how you meet those qualifications.
REASONS:
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
I am currently working as …
My qualifications include …
I have a diploma in …
PERSONAL QUALITIES:
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I tackle a problem…..
4. CLOSING
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
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EXAMPLE
TOUR GUIDES REQUIRED
Are you an outgoing and sociable person, who has a good command of English and some
knowledge of local history? Take-a-Tour is setting up a branch in your area and we are looking
for tour guides to accompany up to fifty passengers a time on our coach tours. Your duties will
include welcoming passengers aboard the coach, giving a commentary about the local sights,
and taking small groups around the town on foot.
I am writing to reply to your advertisement for a tour guide in The Tokyo Mini Times on 13th
January.
I have always been interested in working with tourists and this is one of the main reasons why
I am applying for this job. I actually have some experience of guiding foreign people around the
town as a volunteer. Therefore, the city council sometimes asks me to take people to some
historical places and explain about the background. Once I organised a sightseeing tour that
thirty people took part in. Every time I have a chance to do that, they appreciate my
explanations. I think I will be a competent guide.
I have been living in this town since I was born. My ancestors came to live here two hundred
years ago thus I know how this town has developed. I think I will manage to give a unique
speech to the tourists.
I passed the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English last year, which I believe endorses my
English ability. As far as I am concerned, this level is suitable for a tour guide.
I am available to start work on 15th February. I am also available to attend an interview in the
afternoon on Monday to Thursday. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any
further information.
I would be very grateful if you consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
Yours faithfully,
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HOMEWORK:
Words: 140-190
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3. REVIEW
Languague: formal
Structure:
1. Title: State the name of the film, play, concert, ect.
2. Introduction: Say what you are reviewing and try to catch the reader´s
attention.
State the name of the film, its director and the main characters. Give a general
description.
3. 1st body paragraph: describe the plot.
4. 2nd body paragraph: describe the weak and strong points.
5. Conclusion: give an opinion and make a recommendation.
WRITING GUIDE
Title:
Introduction:
In the introduction, you make your review more interesting with personal comments. Mention
the title, the type of the book/ play/ film/etc, the setting (when/where), the theme, the main
characters, etc
Useful vocabulary:
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Body paragraph:
In the 1st and 2nd body paragraphs you include the main points of the plot (without revealing
the ending), and evaluate such features as the acting, writing style, directions, characters, etc.
You can also add what you learnt, found out from the book, etc.
Second paragraph: discussion about the positive and negatives points of it.
For me…
In my point of view…
Something that I really liked…
It seems to me that…
I think/believe/feel that…
However/nevertheless/on the contrary something that I did not like/understand…
On the other hand, something impressive/amazing was…
It is said that…
On the plus side…
On the down side…
On the one hand…
On the other hand…
Conclusion:
In the last paragraph, you include an overall assessment of the work and/or
a recommendation, usually with justification. You may also be asked to give reasons why
someone should see the film/ play or read the book, how it has influenced you, etc.
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Although I enjoyed it, I would not recommend it for….
It’s one of the best (shows) I’ve ever seen.
Although I am not normally keen on (musicals), I am glad that I decided to go.
The (film) lifts you out of your everyday life.
EXAMPLE
11/22/63 – The review
What would you do if you could travel back in time? Most people would probably meet their
great-great-grandparents or watch how the amazing pyramids in Giza were built, but Jake
Epping, the main character of the novel “11/22/63” by Stephen King finds himself in a
completely unexpected situation and he has to make a very difficult decision that will change
history as we know it.
Jake, a teacher in a little town in Maine, finds a mysterious time portal in the back of a ragged
diner which takes him back to the year 1958. He soon realises that every time he goes through
the portal he gets to the exact same point in the past. Eventually, he makes the unexpected
decision to stop Lee Harvey Oswald from brutally killing President John F. Kennedy on
22.11.1963.
It seems to me that Jake could choose many other and more personal things to do, but he
decides to try and change history to a degree that he cannot predict. I my opinion, that came
definitely unexpected and if I were in his position I probably wouldn’t even consider a task this
far-reaching.
I definitely recommend “11/22/63” to everyone who has already read some of Stephen King’s
novels as well as to those who like stories with twists and turns around every corner plus you
get some modern history on top of that. For me, it was absolutely worth reading and I’m sure
you won’t be disappointed.
HOMEWORK:
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4. ESSAY
Language: formal No contractions, formal vocabulary, avoid the pronouns I and you, use
the passive and impersonal style instead.
Structure:
1. Introduction: present and develop the essay question.
2. 1st body paragraph: state your 1st argument and give reason.
3. 2nd body paragraph: state your 2nd argument and give reason.
4. 3rd body paragraph (optional): state your 3rd argument and give reason.
5. Conclusion: give your opinion.
WRITING GUIDE
Introduction:
In the introduction, paraphrase the essay topic so that the reader knows what you are going
to write about. Do not express your opinion at the beginning of your essay, leave it to the last
paragraph (conclusion)
Nowadays…
Many people consider that…
There is a common feeling among society of…
The issue to be considered is…
The trend nowadays is towards…
Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of…
Recent research indicates that…
Hardly a week goes by without another report of … appearing in the media.
This raises the issue of whether…
Although most people would generally agree that … few would deny that …
Body paragraphs:
In the remaining paragraphs, you write on the points you got in the task, where each
paragraph should describe exactly one point/argument
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Presenting arguments:
One justification is often given for ……….. is that…
According to …
Describing causes
One factor which has led to ………… is …
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The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of …
Conclusion:
The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing
your ideas. It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader
with a sense that your essay is complete.
As I see it,
It seems to me that … I would also say that …
I am convinced that …
I am inclined to believe that …
There is no doubt in my mind that …
One of the drawbacks of ... is …
However, one of the benefits is that …
Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, …
Concerning the causes for this, …
As for the causes, …
EXAMPLE
Some people say the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives.
Do you agree?
Write about:
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The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed
processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web
of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming increasingly important
and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.
On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions
of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year. Furthermore, such
profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make known the culture of a
people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of each other.
Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the
fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws
and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the
material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation. Moreover,
not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is thought to be a money better
spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger.
I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a
minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put
into a good use, it can save lives.
5. REPORT
Title:
Report on ……. + Topic
Topic + : a report
o Introduction
o Positive points
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o Negative points
o Recommendations for the negative points
USAFUL LANGUAGE :
INTRODUCTION
CURRENT SITUATION
Enumerate problems:
In terms of…
Firstly, / To begin with,
Secondly, / Moreover,
Finally,
TO ADD INFORMATION:
Currently…
To begin with…
It appears that…
According to…
One way…
Another way…
Furthermore / In addition…
To generalize:
In general/generally speaking…
On balance / on the whole…
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The majority of… / Most…
Things tend to be/ are usually…
Avoid personal sentences and make the text as object as possible impersonal style with
expressions such as:
Several people have pointed out that…
The vast majority of the consumers find that…
It is believed/assumed/thought that…
Regarding (the third and last point)…
X is considered to be…
Add consequences:
As a result …
Consequently…
Therefore (así pues)…
For this reason…
RECOMMENDATIONS
To begin with,
Furthermore/Moreover,
As far as… is concerned…
EXAMPLE 1:
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Subject:
Your college has just published the first issue of the new college magazine. The organisers are
interested in knowing what students thought about it, so they have asked you to write a
report. In your report, you should talk about what the students liked and disliked about the
articles, the sports section and the news section. Then, you should make suggestions on how
to improve the magazine.
Write a report.
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to outline students’ opinions about the new college magazine,
and to make recommendations based on their views.
The articles
Most students thought the articles were interesting and well written. However, they did not
talk about modern topics, so some students found this part of the magazine a little boring.
Recommendations
In order to solve the problems above, I recommend taking some measures. Firstly, article
writers should focus more on technology and other modern issues. Secondly, we should
consider writing more about rugby and less about other sports. Finally, we should include
some news about our city. If we do these things, the magazine will be more interesting to our
students.
EXAMPLE 2
Subject:
The gym you work for has been losing members recently and would like to know why they are
leaving. The gym manager has asked you to write a report about why these customers are
leaving. In your report you should specify what the problems are and should give
recommendations for improvement.
Write a Report
Introduction
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The aim of this report is to explain the main reasons why members are leaving the gym. After
interviewing some clients, we have identified some serious problems.
Conclusion
To sum up, I believe that if we take care of these problems, members will be happier and will
decide to stay with us.
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EXAMPLE 3:
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HOMEWORK:
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