Andrea

CA 9/15 Essay revision &

paragraph structure.
Answer the questions with your partner:

1. What is the word limit?

2. This is a formal writing task True/False
3. You can use contractions (Wouldn’t/don’t etc.)
T/F
4. You have to write about all 3 bullet points in the
task. T/F
5. An essay needs a title. T/F
6. You have to include the 3 opinions from the
task. T/F
7. You can use the same language to express the
opinions from the task. T/F
8. An essay has paragraph titles
(Introduction/conclusion etc.) T/F
9. An essay should be factual and objective T/F
10. In your conclusion you must state which of the
bullet points is most important/has the biggest
influence. T/F
1. 220-260 words
2. True
3. False
4. False (You only have to write about 2 of the points)
5. True (Invent a title based on the task: Ways to improve
traffic flow in Barcelona)
6. False (It’s optional, although I recommend using them)
7. False (If you do decide to use the opinions you have to
paraphrase them)
8. False (Reports and proposals, both in part 2, are the only
task types that have paragraph titles)
9. True (Avoid making it too opinionated, use passives for
distancing: It is believed that… etc.)
10. True (extremely important that you answer the question
at the bottom of the task)
Put the missing words back into the essay.
Hardly a week goes by without another report of the recent increase in online shopping appearing in the papers. The decline
of the high street shop is undoubtedly a major issue in this day and _____. However, which aspect of shopping has the
biggest influence ____ where people shop?
The first area to take into _______ is convenience. It is undoubtedly the ______ that shopping online is much more
convenient than shopping on the high street. A clear example of this is that you can shop from the comfort of your armchair
without lifting a finger. In _________, the goods are delivered directly to your door whereas when you shop in physical shops
you have to carry it home yourself.
Another _______ to consider is cost. There are ______ who argue that cost has the biggest _______ on where people
decide to shop. This is _________ by the fact that during the sales many people buy things in shops they would not normally
enter. __________, for some people the cost is not an issue, they buy what they want to buy no matter the price.
In ______ of the above, it is probably _____ to say that cost has the biggest impact on where people decide to shop due to
the fact that most of the time, if you cannot afford something then you will not be able to buy it.
Put the missing words back into the essay.
Hardly a week goes by without another report of the recent increase in online shopping appearing in the
papers. The decline of the high street shop is undoubtedly a major issue in this day and age. However, which
aspect of shopping has the biggest influence on where people shop?
The first area to take into account is convenience. It is undoubtedly the case that shopping online is much
more convenient than shopping on the high street. A clear example of this is that you can shop from the
comfort of your armchair without lifting a finger. In addition, the goods are delivered directly to your door
whereas when you shop in physical shops you have to carry it home yourself.
Another aspect to consider is cost. There are those who argue that cost has the biggest impact on where
people decide to shop. This is illustrated by the fact that during the sales many people buy things in shops
they would not normally enter. Nevertheless, for some people the cost is not an issue, they buy what they
want to buy no matter the price.
In light of the above, it is probably true to say that cost has the biggest impact on where people decide to
shop due to the fact that most of the time, if you cannot afford something then you will not be able to buy it.
Formal Language
Match the formal words or phrases (1-10) that can replace the words/phrases in bold (a-j) .
1. It goes without saying that
2. In light of the above,
3. It is widely believed that
4. Furthermore/Moreover
5. A great deal of + (uncountable
noun)
6. Due to the fact that
7. A large number of + (countable
noun)
8. There are those who believe that
9. In spite of the fact that
10. therefore
a) Lots of people think that museums are out-dated.
b) Many museums do not cater for young children so they must be updated.
c) The majority of public gardens are badly-maintained because local governments
cannot afford to employ more gardeners.
d) Although many youngsters still play sports, participation is decreasing due to the
influence of video games.
e) To sum up, it is vitally important that local governments invest more in museums.
f) Obviously having access to good sports facilities makes it easier to participate in both
individual and team sports.
g) Some people think that investing in public gardens is a waste of money.
h) Also, many sports facilities are overcrowded due to a rise in demand.
i) Local governments have already spent a lot of money on upgrading the city’s parks
and gardens.
j) A lot of local people have expressed their disappointment with the cuts in public
spending for museums.
 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1. It goes without saying that
2. In light of the above,
3. It is widely believed that
4. Furthermore/Moreover
5. A great deal of + (uncountable noun)
6. Due to the fact that
7. A large number of + (countable noun)
8. There are those who believe that
9. In spite of the fact that
10. therefore
F 6. C
E 7. J
A 8. G
H 9. D
I 10. B
a) Lots of people think that museums are out-dated.
b) Many museums do not cater for young children so they must be updated.
c) The majority of public gardens are badly-maintained because local governments cannot
afford to employ more gardeners.
d) Although many youngsters still play sports, participation is decreasing due to the influence
of video games.
e) To sum up, it is vitally important that local governments invest more in museums.
f) Obviously having access to good sports facilities makes it easier to participate in both
individual and team sports.
g) Some people think that investing in public gardens is a waste of money.
h) Also, many sports facilities are overcrowded due to a rise in demand.
i) Local governments have already spent a lot of money on upgrading the city’s parks and
gardens.
j) A lot of local people have expressed their disappointment with the cuts in public spending
for museums.
Topic sentences Giving examples
It is said/thought/believed that… For example,
It is a common belief that… For instance,
It is undoubtedly the case that… An obvious example of this is…
There are those who claim that… A clear example of this is…
…is thought/said/believed to This is illustrated by…
be…
As a case in point..

Addition linkers: Contrast linkers:

Furthermore, moreover, in On the other hand, in contrast,
addition, on top of this nevertheless, nonetheless,
however,