AN INTENSIVE COURSE TO VSTEP

WRITING B1, B2

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 FORMAT OF THE WRITING TEST (B1-B2)

60 minutes

The writing test includes two tasks which are based on topics of general
interest.

Task 1:

You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting
information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be informal or formal
in style. Write at least 120 words in about 20 minutes.

Task 2

You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument

or problem.

Write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.

Marking and assessment

Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more

weight in marking than Task 1.

The Writing Test is scored on the following criteria:

 Task Fulfillment
 Organization
 Vocabulary
 Grammar

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 SAMPLE TEST
Time: 60 minutes
Number of tasks: 2
TASK 1:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have received a letter from your English friend, Jane. She asked you
for some information about one of your friends. Read part of her letter
below.

I’ve just got an email from your friend, An. She said she’s going to take a
course in London this summer. She asked if she could stay with my family
until she could find an apartment. Can you tell me a bit about her (things like
her personality, hobbies and interests, and her current work or study if
possible)? I want to see if she will fit in with my family …

Write a letter responding to Jane.

You should write at least 120 words. You are not allowed to use your name.
Your response will be evaluated in terms of task fulfillment, organization,
vocabulary and grammar.
TASK 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Read the following text from a book on tourism.

Tourism has become one of the fastest growing industries in the world.
Millions of people today are travelling farther and farther throughout the year.
Some people argue that the development of tourism has had negative effects
on local communities; others think that its influences are positive.

Write an essay to an educated reader to discuss the effects of tourism on

local communities and suggest some possible solutions.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms
of task fulfillment, organization, vocabulary, and grammar.

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 LETTER WRITING
10 WAYS TO GET HIGHER MARKS ON THE LETTER WRITING
TASK
1. Identify the type of letter.
2. Open and close the letter correctly.

Style Characteristics Opening Ending

Formal To someone you have Dear Sir / Yours faithfully,

not met, whose name Madam, Yours sincerely,
you do not know.

Informal To someone you know Dear John, Best regards,

well, whose first name Dear Anita, Warm wishes,
you know and use.

3. Open a formal letter with a formal sentence.

Example:
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am writing to inquire about …./ I am writing in connection with ….
Dear Mr Jones,
I am writing to inform you …/ I am writing in connection with ….
4. Open an informal letter with a general, friendly paragraph.
Example:
Dear Jane,
I hope you and your family are all well. It was such a pleasure to see
you again last summer. We surely had a great time catching up with each
other so many years. You have always been a cherished friend, no matter how
much of a gap there has been since we met.
Anyway, the reason I’m writing is that I have some good news – I am
getting married this summer …
5. Identify the main purpose of the letter.
6. Learn and use standard written phrases.

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7. Make sure you write at least 120 words.
8. Learn the correct spelling of commonly used words.
9. Stay on topic.
10. Include all key information asked in the question.

Styles of letters / emails:

 Informal
 Formal
Letter aims:
1. Thank you
2. Apology
3. Complaint
4. Requests
5. Application
6. Advice / suggestions
7. Giving information
Planning your letter:
1. Read the instruction carefully
2. Identify the type of letter you must write
3. Read through the points you must include in the letter
4. Think about how many paragraphs you will have and where to put each
point
5. Choose an appropriate greeting
6. Know the aim of each paragraph (thanking/ explaining/ complaining)
7. Choose an appropriate closing
Structure of the letter:
1. Opening salutation
2. Opening statement – reason for writing
3. Body paragraph A (one point with details)
4. Body paragraph B (another point with details)
5. Body paragraph C (final point with details)
6. Signing off statement
7. Closing salutation
8. Name

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 Sample task:

Your son is learning a second language at school, but he needs some extra
lessons.
Write a letter to a teacher asking for help. In your letter
 explain why your son need help
 ask the teacher about her teaching experience and methods
 and suggest a possible schedule for the lessons.

Sample letter

(1) Dear Mr. Smith,

(2) I am writing to ask whether you are available to help my son with some after-
school Spanish lessons.
(3) My son, Tom, missed the majority of the autumn school term due to illness, and he
is struggling to catch up. His problems in Spanish lessons stem from the fact that he
was off school when the teacher introduced some new verb tenses. He was also unable
to attend a course of pronunciation lesson, and so he lacks confidence when asked to
speak in front of the other students.
(4) Can I ask you about your experience teaching high school students? Are you
familiar with the curriculum, in particular the grammar and vocabulary topics that
are covered in year 9? Perhaps you could also tell me a little about the methods you
use to build students’ pronunciation and conversation skills.
(5) Tom is free every weekday after school, so I was hoping that you could come to
our house to teach him in the late afternoon or early evening. Two lessons per week
would be ideal.
(6) I hope to hear from you soon, and that you will be able to help.
(7) Your sincerely,
(8) Paul Jones

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 MARKING CRITERIA FOR TASK 1
1. Task Fulfilment: Đáp ứng, giải quyết các yêu cầu mà đề bài đưa ra một
cách hiệu quả, đảm bảo số lượng từ (it nhất 120 từ)
2. Organization: Các ý kiến, thông tin trong bài viết phải có sự logic, cấu
trúc chặt chẽ, sử dụng liên từ nối
3. Vocabulary: sử dụng những từ, cụm từ đa dạng, phù hợp với văn phong
của bài viết, tránh lỗi chính tả
4. Grammar: Sử dụng các cấu trúc ngữ pháp một cách linh hoạt, và chính
xác, có sử dụng cấu trúc câu phức

WRITING TASK 1

INFORMAL LETTER:

Dear ……………..,

Dear Mr./Mrs. …………….,

Thank you for your letter. I'm sorry I haven't written for you so long because
I've been really busy with my study. It's great to hear that your all family are
fine.

I am writing to /I am writing in connection with/I am writing with regard to

………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………….

Firstly, Secondly, Moreover,….. Besides, Furthermore, In addition,

Additionally,…..

……………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………….

I have to get back to work now. I am looking forward to hearing from you
soon.

Best wishes/Take care/See you soon

Mary

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FORMAL LETTER:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Dear Mr………./ Mrs………….,

I am writing to /I am writing in connection with/I am writing with regard to

………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………….

Firstly, Secondly, Moreover,….. Besides, Furthermore, ….. In addition,

Additionally,…..

……………………………………………………….

I look forward to your reply soon.

Yours sincerely,/Yours faithfully,

Mary

THANK-YOU LETTERS

Informal letter Formal letter

Dear ……………, Dear ……………,
Thank you for your letter. I'm sorry I I am extremely grateful for …………
haven't written for you so long …………………………………….
because I've been really busy with my …………………………………….
study/my work. …………………………………….
I am writing to thank you for ………… …………………………………….
……………………………………. …………………………………….
……………………………………. …………………………………….
…………………………………….

I am looking forward to hearing from I am looking forward to hearing from

you soon. you soon.
Best wishes, Yours faithfully,
Daisy Daisy

Example:

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Your sister abroad has just sent a gift on your birthday. It’s something
she remembers that you said you liked. Write her a sincere thank-you
letter. In your letter, you should tell her your feelings, whether it fits you,
what you like about the present.

Dear Phuong,

How are you these days? How is your study and your life there?

I am writing to thank you for your amazing birthday gift for me. I could tell
you that I really like them. How could you know that I’m supposed to buy a
new pair of shoes? At the first time receiving them, I was extremely surprised
because they are so expensive and fashionable.

Furthermore, I have to mention that they completely fit my feet, and I feel
very comfortable when wearing them. Moreover, I love their color which can
go with my light-colored jeans.

You are my greatest sister I’ve ever had. Thank you very much for your gift. I
wish that you will come back home as soon as you can.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Love you

Anh

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Exercise: Complete the letters with the appropriate words from the box.

Why you don’t I would be thrilled if you make it.

Thanks so much for Sorry for
I’m looking forward to hearing from you. I can’t thank you enough.

Dear Ajay and Sunita,

…………………….. (1) your kind letter and the lovely photos of my holiday
in Mumbai. ………………….. (2) the delay in acknowledging your email,
but your package arrive just as I was about to leave town on a business trip.
We’ve just returned to Toronto today.

Looking at the photos brings back so many happy memories of the time we
spent together and the wonderful hospitality you extended to me. I felt
completely pampered by both of you! You surrounded me with warm friends,
good food, amazing sights, great shopping, unforgettable cultural events and
laughter-filled evenings. I would have been lost without
you.…………………….. (3)

These good memories gave me an idea. I know you’ve always wanted to visit
Canada. …………………….. (4) plan a holiday and stay with me this
summer? The weather is great at that time of the year, all tourist sites are open
and I could take two weeks off from work. Aside from seeing Toronto, we
could drive to Niagara Falls, Thousand Islands, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec
City. …………………….. (5)

Thank you both again for the beautiful holiday and the photos which are
already up on my wall. Now …………………….. (6)

Warm wishes,

Carol

* Practice:

You have just come back from London. When you were there, your
friend Peter gave you a great deal of help. Write a letter to Peter. In your
letter, you should thank him for his hospitality and help, tell him which
activities you will remember most, invite him to come to your hometown,

….

I would like to invite you to visit my hometown this summer.

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 APOLOGY LETTERS

Useful expressions:
- I apologize for (V-ing)/(not + V-ing)
- I regret to say that …..
- I must say sorry to you first.
- I wish to sincerely apologize for ……
- I deeply regret that …..
- I regret that I was not in attendance.
- I hope you can understand me.
- I cannot ….. because ………..
- This is the reason that I ……………
- The reason why I was late is that ……………
- The only reason for the delay is that ……………..
- I hope you will accept my sincere apologies for ………..
Example:
You have received a letter from your English friend, Mark. He asked you
about your absence in his birthday party. Read part of her letter below.

…. I was so sorry not to see you at my party. Why didn’t you tell me? I
waited for you and also worried about you …

Write a letter to Mark

a. Answer 3 questions:
1. What is the style of the letter?
2. What is the purpose of the letter?
3. What is the key information?
b. Read the sample letter and analyse the questions:

Dear Mark ,
I hope you’re well and that you had a fantastic time on your birthday.
I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there to celebrate with you, and for not letting
you know beforehand that I wouldn’t be able to come. I feel terrible that I
haven’t found the time to contact you until now.
The truth is that I’ve been under a lot of stress at work recently. I was in
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 danger of losing my job if I didn’t meet a sales target, so I haven’t been
able to think about anything else over the last few weeks. This is why I
couldn’t be at your party, and why I didn’t call to tell you I wouldn’t be
there.
I really hope you’ll forgive me for being so thoughtless, and I hope you’ll
let make it up to you. By way of an apology, I’ve bought tickets for us both
to go the football next Saturday. I hope you’ll come.
Speak to you soon,
Mike

Practice:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have received a letter from your English friend, Jane. She asked you
to explain the reason of not accompanying her for her holiday at your
city. Read part of her letter below.

… I’m terribly sorry to hear that you can’t go with me for my holiday at your
city next month. I really want to spend time with you, so I plan to stay at your
house for one week. Can you explain why you can’t accompany with me?
Will you suggest me an alternative plan for the holiday? …

Write a letter responding to Jane.

You should write at least 120 words. You are not allowed to use your name.
Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task Fulfillment, Organization,
Vocabulary and Grammar.
I am writing to apologize for not accompanying with you during your holiday
next month.
LETTERS OF ADVICE/SUGGESTIONS

Dear ……………,

You have asked me for my advice/suggestions concerning/regarding

…………………….. I will try to make some useful suggestions/I will try to
give you some useful advice.

I am writing to advise you on …………………………………. …………

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I am extremely happy to give you some advice on ………………… (some
places you should visit during your holiday)

I strongly recommend that you should …………………………………….

I would suggest that you should …………………………………….

I think it would be great if you …………………………………….

If I were you, I would ……………………………………………

(should = ought to + Vo, had better + Vo)

…………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………..

I hope my advice/suggestions will be of help.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes,

Daisy

Example:
You received a letter from your English friend, Peter. He asked you for some
advice about how to study English well. Read part of his letter below.
" I am very sad now because I got bad mark of English yesterday.
English seems to be the hardest in all of my subjects. In next letter, could
you give me some advice? Tell me how to be good at English?"
Write a letter responding to Peter. You should write at least 120 words. You
are not allowed to use your name.

Dear Peter,

Lovely to hear from you ! How are you ?I am so sorry to know that you
got bad marks for English subject. I’m writing to give you some advice
on how you improve your English.

First, you should surround yourself in English and put yourself in an

English speaking environment. Second, don’t forget to practice every
day. You had better make yourself a study plan, then decide how much
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 time a week you are going to spend on studying English. Third, you
ought to practice all four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.
They all need to be worked on for you to improve.

Moreover, you should remember to keep a notebook of new words you

learn and use them in sentences and try to say them at least three times
when you speak.

I hope that your English will be better. If you have any problem in
English, ask me freely. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Love,
Daisy
* Practice:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have received a letter from your English friend, Jane. She asked you
for some advice. Read part of her letter below.

… I’ve just lost my job. I feel very disappointed and worried. I hope you
understand my feeling now. What can I do to overcome the problem? I really
need your advice. ….

Write a letter responding to Jane.

I am so sorry to hear that you have just lost your job.

Apply for a job
I believe that you will be successful because you are always a strong
candidate with your competence.

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 LETTERS OF COMPLAINTS

Dear ……………,
I am highly/extremely disappointed in …………………….
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction on ………………….
I am writing to complain about ……………………….
Firstly/ The first problem is/ My first complaint is
…………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………..

I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem.

Yours faithfully,
Daisy
Example:
Write a letter of complaint to a restaurant/hotel manager to complain
about poor service or food.
" Last Sunday, you had dinner in a famous restaurant with your friends. You
paid much money for the meal but the food was not good. Moreover, the
service was too bad.”
Write a letter to complain about this matter.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the bad meal and service that
my friends and I had at your restaurant last Sunday night.
First of all, although we had booked an outdoor table, a waiter gave us an
indoor table by the toilets because there was none available at that time. He
even asked us to leave early as the table had been reserved by another
customer. Secondly, the service was very slow as we had to wait for nearly 30
minutes to be served. When the meal finally arrived, the chicken soup and the
fried fish were already cold. Thus, I asked for those dishes to be taken back

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and reheated, but the waiter shouted at me. He rudely told us that we should
have ordered something else. Finally, when the bill came, we found a mistake
on it. We were overcharged for soft drinks. Unacceptable treatment at your
restaurant made us extremely disappointed.
I would like to receive your explanation and apology for these matters. I
would also suggest that you spend more time training your customer care
staffs to prevent these unfortunate incidents from occurring to other
customers.
If you think this is typical of your usual standard of service, and no positive
actions are taken, I will never recommend your restaurant to my family and
friends.
I look forward to receiving your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Daisy

* Practice:

You are going to write a letter to a transport company to complain about

the bus service in your area. You should tell them whether you are
satisfied or not with the bus service you experienced and what they need
to change to improve the service.

The driver and his assistant are not friendly.

Passengers
Trash/rubbish on the floor

We would like you to look into the matter and take further urgent
actions.

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 LETTERS OF APPLICATION

Useful expressions:

Beginning - With reference to your advertisement in the Morning

Post issued on 24th April, 2016 for the post of tourist
guide. I would like to apply for the job.
- I wish to apply for the post of Housekeeping Supervisor, I
saw advertised in yesterday’s New York Times.
- I am writing in reply/in response to your advertisement
in the Daily News of 26th April, 2016 for the post of
office clerk
Explain your education - I feel that my qualifications match your requirements and
I will show you briefly as follows: ….
- My qualifications are as follows: …..
- I feel I am the right person for the post because my
qualifications and experiences are extremely appropriate
- I feel I would be suitable for this post because ….
- My qualification and experience, as you will see from my
curriculum vitae, make me a particular suitable applicant
for the post.

Explain your experience - Recent experience: I have been working as……for the
last……years
- General experience: I have had experience of……
- Past experience: In 2009 I worked……

Explain your reason for - One of the reasons I am applying for this position is
the application that……
- One of the reasons for applying is……

Closing - I could come for an interview at any time which would

suit you.
- I am available for an interview at any time convenient to
you.
- I hope my application will receive your favorable
consideration and that you will select me for an interview.
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 A sample letter of application

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Daisy. I graduated from …….. university two years ago. I used to
work part time as a(n) ……….. I left the job last month as I would like to
look for a full-time job that helps me earn enough money for my living.

I am writing to you with reference to the position of ……….. in your

company that I have recently seen advertised. I am sure that I would be a
strong candidate for this position because I gained two-year experience in this
field and my university major is also suitable for this post. Additionally, I
worked as ……………….. in different offices/ companies which help me
widen more knowledge and gain more expertise for my profession.

Moreover, I would like to continue my professional growth and contribute to

the development of your company.

I am available for an interview at any time convenient to you. I look forward

to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Daisy

* Practice:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have received a letter from your friend. He/She has advised you to
write a letter to a multinational company for the post of English
interpreter. Read part of his/her letter below.

… You can apply for the post of English interpreter at Global Trade
Company. Write a letter to the company. You should say why you would be
suitable for the position. Explain your previous experience. Maybe they also
want to know why you leave your current job …

Write a letter to Global Trade Company.

A translator, a teacher, a teacher assistant, a tour guide

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 LETTERS OF REQUESTS

Useful expressions:

Beginning - With reference to your advertisement for the course of

English on Facebook. I am writing to ask for further
information about the course.

First request - Could you please tell me how long the course lasts/the
length of the course?
- Could you please explain…..?
- I would like instruction about…..
- I would appreciate information about…..
- Would it be possible for you to clarify…..?
- I would be very grateful if you could send me information/
directions/ instructions…

Second request - Another matter I need information on is…..

- Another point I am not certain about is…..
- I would also like some help/ information/ clarification on
…..

Making reference to - I look forward to receiving your reply.

hearing from the - I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest
recipient convenience
- I am looking forward to hearing from you at any time which
is convenient to you

Example:
A friend you met last year has invited you to visit them in their country. You
have never been there before and need some information before you leave.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:
- request advice about gift for his/her family
- ask about clothing
- find out about the food.

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Dear Mary,
I am very excited to see you and your family in my upcoming holiday. I am
preparing something for my trip and there is some information I need to make
clear with you. First, I would like to bring some gifts for you and your family
and wondering what might be appropriate. You could let me know what your
parents’ hobbies are and then I could come up with an idea based on one of
them.
Second, I would also like to know what sorts of clothes I should carry with
me since I am not sure about what the temperature is going to be like in your
place at that time of the year. Lastly, as you know, I love trying international
cuisines. I have heard a lot about delicious food in your country and I would
like to try them all. I look forward to hearing from you.
Bye for now
Daisy

* Practice:
You have just got a job in Ho Chi Minh city and of course you are rather
pleased. However you need to know certain things. Write a letter to a
personnel officer to ask for the following information:
- How to join the health service scheme
- Where would you live?
- How to arrange your annual holiday

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 LETTER OF GIVING INFORMATION

To inform good - I am writing to inform you that …/to

news let you know that …
- I am delighted to inform you that ….
- I would like to inform you that …

Reason for To response - I am writing in response to your letter

writing information requesting information about ….
- I am writing to provide you with
information about….

First point - The first thing I would like to tell you is ….

- Firstly, I would like to inform you that …..

Further points - I would also like to let you know that …

- Another piece of information that might be useful is ….

Ending the letter - I would be pleased to provide you with additional information.
- Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further
questions.

* Example:
You received a letter from your English friend, Jane. She asked you for some
information about one of your friends. Read part of her email below.
“I’ve just got an email from your friend, An. She said she’s going to take a
course in London this summer. She asked if she could stay with my family
until she could find an apartment. Can you tell me a bit about her (things like
personality, hobbies and interests,…)? I want to see if she will fit in with my
family.”
Write a letter responding to Jane.

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Dear Jane,
I’m sorry that I couldn’t respond your email soon because I am a bit busy
with my exam. Surely I’m glad to tell you some information about An. She is
a good girl. She is glad to make friends with everybody, especially with
foreign friends. We have been together for 3 years. I can completely
guarantee that she is a very honest person. Besides, she is friendly and
helpful. Especially, she studies very well.
In her free time, she likes playing some sports, such as swimming, jogging.
Also, she can play the guitar and the piano. She sometimes enjoys reading and
she could spend all day reading a bunch of her favorite books. As An’s friend,
I hope that you will accept her intention. An and I will be glad to hear that.
Thanks and best regard,
Lan

* Practice:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have received an email from an accommodation agency in London.
They have asked you some information about your stay there. Read part
of her email below.

… We have just received your email asking about accommodation in London

for one year. In order for our agency to find a suitable place for your living
here, we would like to know the reason of your staying here. And would you
tell us what kind of accommodation you want and when you will arrive in
London?…

Write an email responding to the agency.

I am writing to give you more information about the accommodation

which I plan to stay in London.
Will = am going to study for my master degree in London.
Dormitory (n)
Would like to rent ……..
It is a good idea if the house has …
I hope you could find an ideal place for me.

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 ESSAY WRITING
Marking criteria:
1. Task fulfillment
- Did you write at least 250 words
- Is the writing question answered completely?
- Are there any irrelevant sentences?
2. Organization
- Is there a thesis statement in the introduction?
- Is the topic sentence for each body paragraph?
- Are there supporting details for each body paragraph?
- Is there a conclusion?
- Are transition words used appropriately?
3. Vocabulary
- Is there a suitable word choice in the essay?
- Are there suitable punctuation marks?
- Do all sentences begin with capital letters?
- Are the words spelled correctly?
4. Grammar
- Articles
- Third-person present singular verbs
- Voice (active tense and passive tense)
- Tense of verbs, verb forms and verb agreements
- Plurals, pronouns, prepositions, parts of speech
- Conditional form

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Writing an Introduction: Introducing the topic + thesis statement

Example:
Question: People have different ways of escaping the stress and
difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their
gardens, …. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use
specific details and examples in your answer.
Paraphrase
(Introducing the topic/General statement) In our busy life, it is normal for
everyone to have stress. Being stressed out for a long period of time is not
healthy for human being, so people have to find a way to reduce stress. Some
people reduce stress by reading, while others relax by working in their
gardens. (Thesis statement) Personally, doing exercise and listening to music
are the best ways to mitigate stress because I feel refreshed after doing these
activities.

Writing a conclusion:
Tips:
1. Inform the reader that you are coming to a conclusion with a concluding
phrase: In conclusion, All in all, To summarize,…
2. Repeat and summarize your overall response to the question. Don't include
any detailed reasons or new ideas.

Example:

Practice: Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people

prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and
examples to support your choice.

Introduction
Travelling is one of my favorite hobbies; it’s a really good experience to
know people from different destinations and cultures. But there is an
argument about preferring to travel alone or with companions. Some
people enjoy traveling alone, but with respect to me, I will choose to
travel with my friends for many different reasons.

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Conclusion
To sum up, exploring a different place with friends or relatives will be an
amazing adventure that they can add it to their unforgettable events in
their life. Nothing is beautiful than sharing the smile with closest people
to you.

Practice: Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live
in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific
reasons and details to support your answer.

PARAPHRASING SKILLS

The ability to express the same idea in different words, sentences and
structures. There is no need for to replace all the words and phrases in the
original sentence.

Example:

Both government and individuals should be responsible for protecting

wild animals as human activities are destroying their habitats.

- Tip 1: Active- Passive structure

Human activities are destroying their habitats

→ Their habitats are being destroyed by human activities

- Tip 2: Word forms (Usually nouns → verbs, verbs → nouns,

adjectives →nouns, nouns → adjectives)

Both governments and individuals should be responsible for protecting

wild animals

→ Both governments and individuals should take responsibility for

the protection of wild animals.

- Tip 3: Dummy- Subjects (it & there)

Both governments and individuals should be responsible for protecting

wild animals

→ It is both government’ and individuals’ responsibility to protect

wild animals
25
 When combining these tips, you have the final paraphrased sentence as
follows (without using any synonyms)

It is both governments’ and individuals’ responsibility to protect

wild animals as their habitats are being destroyed by human
activities.

SENTENCE BUILDING SKILLS: The ability to construct complex, clear

sentences.

A good and informative sentence is created by a complex structure,

vocabulary and specific details.

Example:

Sentence 1: Traffic congestion is a serious problem.

This sentence is too general and simple in terms of vocabulary and

sentence structure.

Sentence 2: In many big cities, traffic congestion remains one of the

biggest concerns among people.

In this sentence, the information is given more specifically (in cities)

Sentence 3: In many major cities like HaNoi, people suffer from

several severe consequence of traffic congestion caused by a high
volume transport and poorly executed construction plans.

This sentence is written in a complex style, yet an understandable message

is still reached. The information is given in a very SPECIFIC way with a
flexible use of vocabulary.

EXTENDING YOUR SENTENCES

- Using relative clauses

Example:

Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh. He wrote the Sherlock

Holmes stories.

→ Arthur Conan Doyle who wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories was
born in Edinburgh.

26
We first went to Edinburgh. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.

→ We first went to Edinburgh which is the capital of Scotland.

- Giving an example

Playing video games is a good way of entertainment, and students

will have time to relax and enjoy themselves.

You can extend this sentence by giving specific examples of video

games:

→ Playing video game, such as Flappy Bird or Mario, is a good

way of entertainment, and students will have time to relax and
enjoy themselves.

- Using clauses of purpose

Therefore, video games, such as Flappy Bird or Mario, act as an

effective way of entertainment.

You can use a clause of purpose to extend this sentence as follows:

→ Therefore, video games, such as Flappy Bird or Mario, act

as an effective way of entertainment to alleviate the studying
pressure.

- Using clause of reasons

In the modern time, people usually suffer from stress. It is because

they have to work and study all the time.

These 2 sentences are quite simple and can be combined by a clause of

reasons:

→ In the modern time, people usually suffer from stress

because they have to work and study all the time.

An example of a developed paragraph:

At the same time, exercise also helps get rid of mental stress. For
example, if you are worried about something, it will give you a lot of
stress. However, when you start to exercise , you only focus on the
exercise or game itself, so you can temporarily forget your problems.
Moreover, when you finish exercising, you are often more calm, and
can think more clearly about your problems. This is an added benefit of
exercise.
27
 ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE ESSAY

Question: In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel

for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decided to
do this.
I. Introduction:

………………………………………………………………………..

This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of this trend

II. Body:

On the one hand, there are several reasons why ……. is beneficial

Firstly, ….

Secondly, …

On the other hand, there are a number of disadvantages of ……that people

should take into consideration

The principal one is that ….

In addition, ….

II. Conclusion

In conclusion, … could bring about certain benefits, but its negative

consequences should not be overlooked

SAMPLE WRITING

Taking a gap year before attending college has recently gained enormous
popularity amongst high school graduates. My essay below will analyze both
the benefits and the drawbacks of this tendency.

Having a year off after high school graduation is advantageous in some

certain aspects. First, students can utilize this period of time to travel to
acquire knowledge of various fields such as foreign languages and cultures.
This would be more difficult during their years at university owing to their
28
intense studying schedules. Second, many high school graduates benefit from
taking a temporary job before starting their college life.

From an opposite angle, the disadvantages of a gap year before college are
varied. Initially, compared to the students having a year off, those who go
straight to university after high school are more likely to have a permanent
job early. They finish their academic studies one year in advance, hence
better opportunities to get a job with stable incomes. More importantly, high
school seniors might lose their studying habits as well as discipline. In other
words, one year spent on travelling or working can demotivate them from
following tertiary education.

In conclusion, despite some benefits in terms of traveling and working, taking

a year off before college life might both jeopardize students’ occupational
opportunities and result in studying discouragement.

* Practice:

* Advantages:
- Foreign instititions may offer better courses
- Many students want to attend a prestigious university
- The best universities employ teachers who are experts in their fields
- Qualifications gained abroad can open the door to better job opportunities
- Living abroad can broaden student’s horizons
- Overseas students are exposed to different cultures and customs
- They become more independent
29
- They are responsible for cooking, cleaning and paying bills.
* Disadvantages:
- Living and studying abroad can be difficult.
- Students have problems with paperwork such as visa applications
- The language barrier can be a problem
- Living alone in an unfamiliar culture can cause homesickness.

Do The Advantages Outweigh The Disadvantages?

Question: A lot of places in the world rely on tourism as a main source of

income. Unfortunately, tourism can also be a source of problems if it is not
managed correctly.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in the modern world.
Do you think that benefits of tourism outweigh its drawbacks?
I. Introduction:

…………………………………………………………………………………….

This essay would introduce both advantages and disadvantages, but I think
that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

II. Body:

On the one hand, it is clear that .......................... would bring about several
disadvantages/On the one hand, it is clear that some certain disadvantages of
……………. are undeniable.……………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………..

On the other hand, I argue that the advantages of this trend/development

would prove to be more important.

……………………………………………………………………………

III. Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are several negative aspects of ………………….

However, it seems to me that its advantages would be more important
regarding ……………………
30
 SAMPLE WRITING

Nowadays tourism generates a significant portion of national income for

many countries, but it has certain drawbacks too. This essay will examine the
advantages and disadvantages of tourism but I think that the benefits
outweigh the drawbacks.

On the one hand, it is clear that tourism would bring about several
disadvantages like destruction of popular tourist destinations and
development of illegal economic activities. Ancient buildings, temples and
monuments struggle to cope with a vast amount of visitor’s traffic and get
damaged. Also, the large number of tourists can cause environmental
problems. For instance, when places of interest are overcrowded, natural
resources often become overexploited. What’s more, the presence of a
considerable number of tourists with a lot of money to spend, and often
carrying valuables such as cameras and jewelry, increases the attraction for
criminals and brings with it activities like robbery and drug dealing.
However, proper hospitality management and correct usage of tourism
revenue by the local government can eliminate these disadvantages.
On the other hand, I argue that the advantages of tourism would prove
to be more important. The two main advantages of developed tourism
industry are boost in country’s economy and a large number of new job
openings for the local people. Firstly, tourists spend money on a wide range
of services, including hotels, amusements, transportation, food and medical
services. This way, tourism yields an additional income, greatly supporting
the country’s economy. Secondly, tourism increases the level of employment
by bringing new jobs. For instance, the influx of tourists results in a larger
demand in restaurant workers, tour guides, hotel staff and employees of retail
services, exhorting business owners to hire more people for these positions.

In conclusion, although tourism can have certain negative effects like

destructive impact and growth of crime rate, it has an extremely positive
influence on country’s economy and provides a large number of new jobs for
the local people. I believe that these benefits of tourism outweigh its
drawbacks.

Practice:
In modern world, mobile phones have become universal in most parts of
the world. Although there are clearly many advantages of this
technology, many people believe it also brings many disadvantages.

31
Discuss both points of view and do the advantages outweigh its draw
backs?
* Advantages:

- They are considered as the fastest means of communication

- Mobile phones help us keep in touch with our relatives and friends at

a great distance

- They use a various source of entertainment on mobile phones such as

…………..

- The apps and office application on mobile devices help employees do

their business effectively and professionally

* Disadvantages:

- Children may become addicted to using smartphone apps 

negative effects on mental and physical health

- The young may suffer from the lack of face to face communication

due to the excessive use of mobile phones

- If children spend more time on their phones to chat or play games

rather than study, their performance at school would drop notably

OPINION ESSAYS

Questions: Do you agree or disagree …..?

To what extent do you agree or disagree ……..?

What is your opinion?

Is this a positive or negative development?

- An opinion essay is a formal academic essay which requires you to state

your opinion on a given topic.

32
- You need to provide reasons and supporting details to convince the
examiner of your answer.

- There are 2 common approaches to write an opinion essay: 1-sided and

balanced

1. One-sided approach

- A one-sided essay is an essay where your opinion is completely inclined to

only one side of the argument, which means you either completely agree or
completely disagree (you consider this trend is either positive or negative)
with the issue given on the topic.

- Always give 2 reasons to support your opinion, each of which must be

analyzed and supported by specific details in each of the two paragraphs in
the body.

- There are two places where you have to give your opinion very clearly and
directly: the thesis statement in the introduction and the restatement in the
conclusion.

* The structure of a one-sided opinion essay:

The introduction:

- Sentence 1: Paraphrase the background information given in the topic

- Sentence 2: State whether you completely agree or completely disagree

with the issue or you consider this trend is either positive or negative.

The body:

- The first paragraph:

+ Sentence 1: The topic sentence (your 1st idea)

+ Sentence 2-5/6: Give SPECIFIC examples of explanations to support the

idea

- The second paragraph:

+ Sentence 1: The topic sentence (your 2nd idea)

+ Sentence 2-5/6: Give SPECIFIC examples of explanations to support the

idea

The conclusion:

33
Restate your opinion that completely agree or completely disagree with the
issue or you consider this trend is either positive or negative.

Example 1:

Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a

compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a
charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger
children).

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is argued that volunteering should be made part of the school curriculum.

These voluntary contributions can bring a lot of benefits to students. I
completely agree with this suggestion because of several different
reasons.

Firstly, education should not be limited to strictly academic pursuits and those
in education should also develop life skills, such as teamwork, empathy and
self-discipline, and one of the best ways to hone these aptitudes is through
community service. Serving those less fortunate than ourselves teaches us
many lessons including how to work with people from other backgrounds and
the value of hard work. For example, I personally volunteered to spend 6
weeks in Africa teaching disadvantaged children and this led to a much higher
work ethic when I returned to my studies.

Secondly, many colleges and companies are also increasingly looking for this
type of experience. Most school leavers have the same grades and charitable
works can help set you apart from the herd. For example, Cambridge and
Oxford receive thousands of applications from straight-A students every year
and can only accept a small percentage of applicants. What you have done
outside the classroom is often the thing that differentiates you from everyone
else and gets you that coveted spot.

In conclusion, teenagers should be made to partake in unpaid work as part of

their schooling because it will help them learn things they wouldn’t ordinarily
learn from their teachers and it will also boost their chances of getting into
third level education.

34
Example 2:

Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to

find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth but some people
argue that we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely
disagree with this opinion because I believe that we still have time to
tackle this issue and reduce the human impact on the Earth’s climate.

There are various measures that governments and individuals could take to
prevent, or at least mitigate, climate change. Governments could introduce
laws to limit the carbon dioxide emissions that lead to global warming. They
could impose “green taxes” on drivers, airline companies and other polluters
and they could invest in renewable energy production from solar, wind and
water power. As individuals, we should also try to limit our contribution to
climate change, by becoming more energy efficient, by flying less, and by
using bicycles and public transport.

If instead of taking the above measures we simply try to live with climate
change, I believe that the consequences will be disastrous. To give just one
example, I am not optimistic that we would be able to cope with even a small
rise in sea levels. Millions of people would be displaced by flooding,
particularly in countries that do not have the means to safeguard low-lying
areas. These people would lose their homes and their jobs, and they would be
forced to migrate to nearby cities or perhaps to other countries. The potential
for human suffering should be huge, and it is likely that we would see
outbreaks of disease and famine, as well as increased homelessness and
poverty.

In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must address the problem of climate

change and I disagree with those who argue that we can find ways to live with
it.

2. Balanced approach

- You will discuss both sides of the argument but you still need to choose
which one you would agree more.

- You need to analyze both sides of the issue and state which side you are

- The first body is used to talk about the weaker side and the stronger side (the
side that you are inclined to) is presented in the second body paragraph.

35
- Find 2 reasons for each side of the argument.

- There are 3 places where you need to give your opinion: the thesis
statement, the topic sentence of the second body paragraph and the
restatement in the conclusion.

* The structure of a balanced opinion essay:

Example:

Internet technology means people do not need to travel to foreign

countries to understand how others live. To what extent do you agree or
disagree?

With advances of Internet technology, people can now explore other

customs and cultures and their living at their fingertips without ever visiting
the place. Although the Internet has contributed to increasing our
awareness of other civilizations, I do not think it can replace our
authentic travel experiences.

36
 The widespread popularity of the Internet certainly allows us to
understand other cultures and customs. Now, people can have access to a
world of information about different countries and their cultures with just one
click through many travel websites. These sites have provided them with lots
of information about how locals live in most countries through pictures or
videos. Internet technology has evolved in the ways that make it easier for
users to envision foreign life and culture. Consequently, many people can
learn and understand how others are living in the world through online
platforms.

Despite some of the advantages of the Internet, I believe that it is much better
to explore other cultures and their ways of life directly. Most of the
information on the internet is about the bright side of a country and many
aspects are hidden for promotional purposes. Therefore, what people learn
from the lives of other countries seems to be narrow, and just the tip of the
iceberg. On the contrary, visiting other exotic destinations individually not
only helps people understand how locals work, live or enjoy life, also
understand their surroundings that are not always depicted on the internet.
Needless to say, virtual travel is almost impossible to substitute real local
experience.

In conclusion, although people can now learn about and perceive the customs
of other countries and their living habits through the use of Cyberspace,
exploring the world in person on how others are living will be more intriguing
and authentic.

* Practice:

37
Suggested ideas:

No one can deny that the first lessons are given by parents.

Parents have important influence on shaping their children’s characteristics.

Parents are also the ones who encourage children to study hard and achieve
their goals.

POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE
Question: Nowadays online shopping becomes more popular than in-store
shopping. Is it a positive or a negative development? Give your reasons and
examples.
* One-sided approach:

I. Introduction:

Sentence 1: (Paraphrasing)………………………………….

Sentence 2:

- Positive: I think that this development/ trend is positive thanks to its

beneficial impacts.

- Negative: I think that this development/ trend is negative due to its

detrimental impacts.

II. Body:

Paragraph 1: Viết về điểm positive/negative đầu tiên

Topic sentence: The first advantage/disadvantage of [V-ING/NOUN] is that

….

Diễn giải ý trên: To be more specific, …. If …., For example, …..etc

Paragraph 2: Another upside/downside of [V-ING/NOUN] is that …………

Diễn giải ý trên: To be more specific, …. If …., For example, …..etc

III. Conclusion:

In conclusion, because of the main points mentioned above. I consider the

trend of (V-ING/NOUN) as a positive/ negative development.

38
* Balanced approach:

I. Introduction:

…………………………..

Although there are some benefits/drawbacks of [V-ING/NOUN], I would

argue that this trend is negative/positive in general.

II. Body:

On the one hand, ……………could be a positive development because of

several reasons. ……………. (First, Second, In addition, In particular, …etc)

On the other hand, ……………………..also have negative effects.

…….(First, Second, In addition, In particular, Moreover, For example…etc)

III. Conclusion:

In conclusion, because of the main points mentioned above, while I recognise

the possible advantages/disadvantages of [V-ING/NOUN], I consider this as
a negative/positive development overall.

SAMPLE WRITING

Currently, people are increasingly doing their shopping on the Internet instead
of going to stores. I personally believe this tendency has both positive and
negative effects, which will be discussed below.

On the one hand, there are some benefits of online shopping. Firstly, it is a
quicker and cheaper way to shop since people can buy products at home
without having to go to stores or shopping malls. For example, Amazon and
eBay are two popular websites that provide a huge number of different
products, and customers can visit those sites and make purchases easily. As a
result, consumers can save time and the costs of travelling. Secondly, online
shopping allows people to have a wider range of choices as they can compare
different brands and products. For instance, buyers can easily compare the
shoes of Converse and Vans, while it is difficult to do that at physical stores.

On the other hand, online shopping can be negative in several ways. The first
drawback is that customers cannot try products before making a purchase. For
example, a girl cannot try wearing a dress to see if it fits her body.
Furthermore, products sold online are often less reliable, and the product that
people finally get delivered to their house might have a poorer quality than
expected. Finally, because online shopping is easier and cheaper, people tend
39
to buy too much, which would lead to a large waste of money. This is less
likely to happen if shopping in stores is more popular.

In conclusion, I believe the fact that shopping on the Internet is replacing

shopping in physical stores is both positive and negative.

Practice:

Many employers are now offering their employees the option to work
from home. As a result, employees will have much more flexible hours in
the future. Is this a positive or negative development?

DISCUSSION ESSAYS

- You are asked to discuss 2 sides of the given argument

- Try to find at least 2 ideas for each side of the argument

Question: Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to

entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to
educate. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
I. Introduction

It is often argued that ………………..

However, other people believe that ………….

This essay will discuss both views of this issue.

II. Bodies:

Body 1: On the one hand, nêu ra 2 lí do vì sao người ta lại ủng hộ quan điểm
thứ 1. Kèm ví dụ & câu giải thích cho 2 ý kiến ấy

Body 2: On the other hand, nêu ra 2 lí do vì sao người ta lại ủng hộ quan
điểm còn lại. Kèm ví dụ & câu giải thích cho 2 ý kiến ấy.

III. Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is argued that ………………., other people believe

that ……………….

40
 SAMPLE

People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my
opinion, museums can and should be both entertaining and educational.
On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to
entertain. Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a
collection of interesting objects that many people will want to see. The
average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to too
much educational content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on
enjoyment rather than learning. This type of museum is designed to be
visually spectacular, and may have interactive activities or even games as part
of its exhibitions.
On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on
education. The aim of any exhibition should be to teach visitors something
that they did not previously know. Usually this means that the history behind
the museum’s exhibits needs to be explained, and this can be done in various
ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their visitors,
while other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to detailed
commentary about the exhibition. In this way, museums can play an
important role in teaching people about history, culture, science and many
other aspects of life.
In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an
interesting, enjoyable and educational experience so that people can have fun
and learn something at the same time.
Practice:

It is thought by some people that it is better to live in a city while others

believe that life is better in the countryside. Discuss both views and give
your opinion.

Some people think that ……

Other people believe that …..

41
 CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS

I. Introduction:
………………………………….
This essay will outline a number of reasons for this trend and a number of
possible effects of this issue.
II. Body:
One of the main causes of this problem is that ………. Morever,
…………….. Furthermore, ………………..
However, this issue has severe influences (impact) on ……….. Firstly,
………. Secondly,……………….
III. Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are several reasons leading in this issue regarding
…………….. Furthermore, it results in several effects on …………. in terms
of ………………

Topic: Nowadays, children play less with others and this has an impact
on their development. What are the reasons for this? Does it have a good
or bad effect on children?

The decreasing amount of time spent for socialization has become more and
more common among children, which is believed by many to have an
influence on their early development. The causes of this phenomenon are
varied, and in my opinion this is adversely affecting the young generation as a
whole.

Two main reasons are identified as children’s present academic pressure and
the appeal of high technology applications. Firstly, children are too occupied
with their current studies along with stress and responsibility. Parents always
hope their sons and daughters to be successful and, in some cases, compel
them to overwork, which may result in the excessive deduction of their time
on social interactions. Secondly, the rapid technological modernization which
engenders many attractive sources of entertainment, videos games and social
network like Facebook for example, is deemed the second root of the
42
phenomenon. Children may get addicted to those virtual means with ease,
hence the negligence on real life relationships establishment.

However, this trend has severe influences on the overall development of

children. In terms of their social life, not only their circle of acquaintances but
their soft skills such as communication and interpersonal skills are highly
limited, which would hinder their future career paths. More importantly, some
mental illnesses may be the cost of their seclusion from other people. That
they use their time mostly for studying purposes renders them unable to leave
their desk to associate with others, leading to a deteriorating sedentary
lifestyle or even autism, for instance.

In conclusion, the effects of this trend can be seen as negative concerning

with children’s social lives deterioration and other diseases. Understanding
that the origins of the problem mainly come from studying strain and
tempting modern applications, parents should take immediate remedial steps
to resolve such problems.

* Practice:

Today more people are overweight than ever before. What in your opinion
are the primary causes of this? What are the main effects of this epidemic?

Causes

 To be genetic factors
 Lack of physical activity.
 Unhealthy eating patterns/ habits: eating fast food/ drinking high-
calorie beverages…)
 Many children spend a lot of time being inactive: watching television/
playing computers and video games.

Effects

 Physical health problems : high cholesterol, high blood pressure, early

heart disease, diabetes,….
 Loss of work productivity
 Depression and mental disorders

43
Being overweight
Obese (adj)
Obesity (n)

PROBLEM-SOLUTION ESSAYS

Question: The availability of unhealthy food, such as fast food and junk food,
has become more widespread in recent years. What are some of the problems
associated with this development and what action can be taken to solve them?
I. Introduction:
It is true that there is an increasing number of …………………..
As far as I am concerned, this tendency can result in serious problems, which
can be tackled using appropriate measures.
II. Body:
It is possibly said that this development can cause some severe problems.
The first issue is that …………………….. In addition,
……………………… The third issue is that ……………………….
However, there are some imperative measures ought to be taken to
resolve these prospective issues. Firstly, ……………… Secondly,
…………………………………
III. Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are indeed various problems caused by this tendency.
However, a range of measures can be taken to handle this problem regarding
……………………….
SAMPLE
In the past two decades, there has been a significant change in eating habits
with a shift to more unhealthy convenience foods that can be consumed on the
go. As far as I am concerned, this tendency can result in serious problems,
which can be tackled using appropriate measures.
The increase in the consumption of fast food has led to serious health
effects in today’s society. The first problem is that many people no longer
have time to prepare and sit down to healthily cooked meals, so instead turn
to fast food, which has led to soaring obesity rates. In addition, it is cited that
unhealthy foods are substantially cheaper and are therefore consumed in
greater volume by the working classes as opposed to more expensive fresh
44
foods such as fish, fruit and vegetables. A third issue is that the unhealthy
chemicals and preservatives in processed foods have been directly attributed
to causing fatal health issues such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
There are several measures that governments could take to lessen the
impact of the aforementioned problems. Regarding the time constraints of
society, laws to restrict employee working hours and the enforcement of
longer lunch breaks could encourage people to change their eating habits. To
address cost issues, governments could implement higher taxation levies on
unhealthy foods and use the revenues generated to subsidize fresh foods for
working class families. Governments should also directly address the
production methods of mass processed foods with the manufacturers and
implement tougher restrictions on the use of harmful preservatives.
In conclusion, there are indeed various problems caused by this tendency.
However, a range of measures can be taken to handle this problem regarding
lasting the lunch break for employees, addressing high taxes on
manufacturing the fast food and junk food.
* Practice:
Nowadays many people have access to computers on a wide basis and a
large number of children play computer games. What are the negative
impacts of playing computer games and what can be done to minimize
the bad effects?

DIRECT-QUESTION ESSAYS

A direct-question essay is an essay that asks you to answer some specific

questions (usually questions), for example “Is money is important when
considering a job? What are other factors that contribute to job’s
satisfaction?”. Your direct-question essays would be structured as follows:
INTRODUCTION:

- Sentence 1: Paraphrase the background information given in the topic

- Sentence 2: Answer the question

THE BODY:

The first paragraph:

- Sentence 1: The topic sentence (answer the first question)

45
 - Sentence 2-5/6: Give specific examples and explanations to support
your answer
The first paragraph:

- Sentence 1: The topic sentence (answer the second question)

- Sentence 2-5/6: Give specific examples and explanations to support
your answer
THE CONCLUSION: Restate your answer

Other than writing and painting, music is another prevalent form of art,
using the artistic rhythm of sounds. Music is of great essence to us for various
reasons, and I believe traditional music is more important than the common
international music.

Music teaches us many things about life. As children, we live in the

sweet lullabies about family that our mothers sing to us at night until we fall
asleep. Later in life, we are able to understand more profoundly about love
and passion and other virtues through many songs. Music is also for
relaxation because we listen to music when we are stressful or sad. Its
soothing melodies can drive away all the pressure and frustration that we have
to face every day. And for many people, music is a form of escapism from the
suffocation of their lives since they can find serenity in music.

From my perspective, traditional music should be more valued than

international music which has gained so much popularity all over the world.
International music is merely catchy and appealing, but its lyrics have no
46
virtuous or meaningful messages. Especially this kind of music has recently
been used for commercial purposes to promote reputation of a business in the
global market, so it has no values at all. Traditional music, on the other hand,
conveys the culture and history of a country which will last for eternity.

It not only connects the past to the present but also represents the
identity of people who live in that country. In conclusion, music is
undoubtedly necessary for human beings, and I always believe that the role of
traditional music should be more recognized than that of international music.

* Practice: It is predicted that robots are going to become increasingly

important in our lives. How could robots be used in the future? Will this
development be a positive or a negative development?

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