PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
THE COMPONENTS OF A PARAGRAPH
Definition
A paragraph is a fundamental unit of communication A paragraph can be any length, although it generally contains at least three sentences to develop a topic or one main idea to some degree
In terms of structure, a paragraph is a separate unit, marked by indenting the first word for the left-hand margin, or by leaving extra space above and below the paragraph Below is the example of how a paragraph might look like
1 Title: A paragraph usually has a title which is one word or a group of words that tells what the topic is
2 Indenting: The first sentence of a paragraph must be indented from the left margin, which shows the reader that a new paragraph is beginning
3 Margins: A paragraph must have a margin on the right and a margin on the left It begins 1 inch or 1 ẳ inches from the edge of the paper
Paragraph components
Most paragraphs contain one main idea to which all sentences relate There are generally three parts that make up a paragraph:
The topic sentence states the main idea
The body of the paragraph (= the supporting sentences) develops and supports this main idea with facts, details, and examples
The concluding sentence tells the reader that the paragraph is finished, and it completes the picture or story about the topic of the paragraph
Exercise 1: Identify the topic sentence, supporting sentence(s) and concluding sentence of the following paragraphs
Jim Thorpe is a controversial sports figure in sports history He won Olympic gold medals in 1912, but he was not allowed to keep them In the 1912 Olympics, Thorpe won both the pentathlon (five events) and decathlon (ten events) However, a month later, the U.S Olympic Committee took away his medals because Thorpe had played baseball for money An athlete who takes money for sports is called a professional, and at that time, professional athletes were not allowed to take part in any Olympic Games In 1982, the U.S Olympic Committee reversed this ruling Seventy years after his achievements, Thorpe’s name was finally returned to the list of 1912 Olympic winners
Jim Thorpe, a highly decorated athlete, has a complex legacy marked by controversy Despite winning Olympic gold medals, his victories were initially revoked due to his prior status as a professional baseball player However, this decision was later overturned, restoring his status as an Olympic champion Seven decades after his initial achievements, Thorpe's name was rightfully reinstated on the list of 1912 Olympic winners, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history.
A university professor has many duties In the classroom, he or she lectures to the students and answers questions During office hours, students are free to visit the professor for help on difficult material or problems In addition, a professor may often work for many hours in a laboratory doing a research project Another professor might spend his or her time writing a scholarly paper for a professional journal Still another one might spend time writing a book In conclusion, a professor is always a very busy person
At some point, most parents have to decide whether or not to allow their children to have pets Some parents believe that pets teach children a sense of responsibility because children have to learn how to take care of their pets In addition, many parents believe that pets can be fun for the family Pets can also help children become more compassionate because children will develop a special bond with their pets On the other hand, some parents are afraid that their children might hurt the animals or that these animals might hurt the children Cats are good pets, but I do not like it when they shed hair on the furniture Often these parents do not allow their children to have any kind of pet Other families do not have the extra time or money that pets require In brief, although many children want a pet, parents are divided on this issue for a number of significant reasons
Computers are excellent machines to help students Before computers, students had to do their schoolwork on typewriters Typewriters did not allow students to make major changes easily, so they had to use special correction fluid to fix mistakes Today computers let students move information around without retyping it and correct errors with little effort Computers also make research more convenient for students For example, before computers, students had to go to the library Many times, they would read for four or five hours in several sources before finding useful information However, students can now use the Internet from their home to obtain the information that they need much more quickly Some computers are very expensive My friend bought a computer that cost almost their thousand dollars Computers have certainly made students’ lives much easier
Simon Bolivar (1783 – 1830) was one of South America’s greatest generals and one of the most powerful people in world political history In Spanish, Simon Bolivar is often called El Liberator, which means “The Liberator” Spanish is the main language in at least twenty-two countries This nickname is a very good one because his planning and military actions helped to gain independence from Spain for six countries: Bolivia (1809), Colombia (1819), Ecuador (1820), Panama (1821), Peru (1821), and Venezuela (1811) In fact, Bolivia is named for Bolivar, making him one of the few people to have a country named for him These six countries are approximately the same size as modern Europe, so the independence of such a large area was an amazing military and political feat Although Bolivar’s name is not as well-known outside Latin America, people there remember him as perhaps the most important person in their history
Like many people, I prefer to skip breakfast I’m not a “morning person,” so it is very hard for me to wake up and then prepare breakfast In addition, I do not like to eat breakfast because it makes me feel full the rest of the morning With this uncomfortable feeling in my stomach, it is difficult for me to do my work well Finally, I am very concerned about my health, so I avoid fatty kinds of breakfast foods, such as scrambled eggs, buttered toast, or fried sausage Although others may not agree with my decision,
I choose to skip breakfast most of the time.
TOPIC SENTENCES
Practice
Exercise 2: Circle the topic and underline the main idea in each topic sentence below e.g Another way to reduce the rate of inflation is to balance the federal budget
1 This year, our Instagram marketing program outperformed our other social media campaigns
2 My uncle had a frightening experience as a young man
3 Text messaging had become popular among teenagers
4 Effective time management requires four easy steps
5 Every college student should take a computer course
6 It is difficult to quit smoking for three reasons
7 One of the most recent technical advances in the use of water is the development of hydroelectric power
8 In addition to being unhealthy, smoking can be offensive
9 Registration at Greenhills College is a frustrating experience
10 Physical exercise is good for a person’s mental health
Exercise 3: Identify the topic sentences For each set of sentences below, write TS (topic sentence) next to the topic sentence
_ a Mosquitoes are attracted to heat
_ b Mosquitoes will fly several miles to find food
_ c Only the female mosquito bites
Topic sentence: Mosquitoes are interesting insects => Topic: Mosquitoes; main idea: are interesting insects)
_ a Another important change was that people had the freedom to live and work wherever they wanted
_ b The earliest significant change was for farming families, who were no longer isolated
_ c The final major change brought by the automobile was the building of superhighways, suburbs, huge shopping centers, and theme parks such as Disney World in Florida
_ d The automobile enabled them to drive to towns and cities comfortably and conveniently
f In fact, people could work in a busy metropolitan city and drive home to the quiet suburbs
_ a In time, this melted part rises as magma
_ b The formation of a volcanic eruption is a dramatic series of events
_ c As the plate sinks, friction and Earth’s heat cause part of it to melt
_ d The magma produces heat, steam, and pressure
_ e First of all, most volcanoes are formed where two plates collide
_ f Then one of the plates is forced under the other and sinks
_ g When the heat, steam, and pressure from the magma finally reach the surface of Earth, a volcanic eruption occurs
_ a One of my hobbies is listening to international music
_ b I have a large collection of world music recordings
_ c My friends and I like to introduce each other to new international artists we discover
_ d I enjoy going to concerts by musicians from different countries
_ a I like the way people decorate their homes and stores
_ b I enjoy going shopping in cold weather
_ c I enjoy the parties and celebrations of the winter holiday
_ d I really like the winter holidays
_ a My new apartment has big closets
_ b My new apartment is perfect for my roommate and me
_ c My new apartment is close to school and work
_ d My new apartment is not too expensive for students
Exercise 4: Study the following pairs of topic sentences Circle the better topic sentence in each pair
1 a Snow skiing on the highest mountainsides requires great skill b Snow skiing is fun
2 a Exercise is healthful b Jogging is healthful for many reasons
3 a Camping is a great outdoor activity b Camping requires a variety of special equipment
4 a Small cars are popular b Driving a small car saves money
5 a Hong Kong is an exciting city b Hong Kong is a shopper’s dream world
6 a The violence on TV can affect children’s emotional well-being b Watching TV is a waste of time
7 a Learning English is difficult b What makes English particularly difficult to learn is pronunciation
8 a Gone with the Wind may be an old movie, but it is still a good one b The acting in Gone with the Wind was superb
9 a The wide variety of merchandise makes Aeon Mall convenient b Aeon Mall is a convenient place to shop
10 a Enrolling in college is not an easy task b Registration at State College is a painful process
Exercise 5: All the following topic sentences are too general Rewrite each sentence adding a main idea/main ideas
=> Flowers are the best gift to receive when you are feeling down
2 Paris is the capital of France
3 The English alphabet has twenty-six letters
5 Tennis is an enjoyable sport
Exercise 6: Write a topic sentence for each given paragraph
I admire my friend Ken because he doesn’t give up When Ken wanted to enter a good university, he studied hard to pass the examination The first time he took the exam, he did not do well, and he felt very discouraged But he knew he wanted to study at that university, so he studied more The next year, he tried taking the exam again The second time, he did very well, and now he is studying engineering I believe Ken is a good role model for me, and he has taught me that never giving up is that best way to succeed
To optimize your university application process, proactive preparation is crucial Firstly, ensure ample time to gather and submit academic records, considering potential delays Allow sufficient time for the admissions office to review your application and make a decision Lastly, be mindful of institutional quotas and apply well in advance to secure a spot within your desired semester By adhering to these guidelines, you can expedite your university acceptance process.
2 …………(Topic sentence)……… Posters and other forms of advertisements are all around us, especially in towns and cities, and we cannot help seeing them If they are successful advertisements, they affect our opinions and behavior; they make us want to buy certain products In addition, adverts often make the streets more colorful and attractive Architecture, which is another form of art, also has an effect on the way we feel Buildings are not just places where we live and work – they are also part of our environment Living and working in a bright, attractive building makes people feel more optimistic, whereas dark, ugly buildings can make people feel gloomy
3 …………(Topic sentence)……… English speakers relaxing at home, for example, may put on kimonos, which is a Japanese word English speakers who live in a warm climate may take an afternoon siesta on an outdoor patio without realizing that these are Spanish words In their gardens, they may enjoy the fragrance of jasmine flowers, a word that came into English from Persian They may even relax on a chaise while snacking on yogurt, words of French and Turkish origin, respectively At night, they may shampoo their hair and put on pajamas, words from the Hindi language of India
4 …………(Topic sentence)……… In European universities, students are not required to attend classes In fact, professors in Germany generally do not know the names of the students enrolled in their courses In the United States, however, students are required to attend all classes and may be penalized if they do not Furthermore, in the European system, students usually take just one comprehensive examination at the end of their entire four or five years of study In the North American system, on the other hand, students usually have numerous quizzes, tests, and homework assignments, and they almost always have to take a final examination in each course at the end of each semester
5 …………(Topic sentence)……… First, your body will look better
Exercise is perfect for staying trim and healthy-looking, and it does not have to take a long time Second, you will actually have more energy A person who exercises will have fewer problems walking up stairs or climbing hills In addition, you heart will be healthier A good, strong heart is necessary for a long, healthy life Finally, exercise reduces stress and keeps your mind in shape Therefore, if you want to improve your overall health, exercise is an excellent way to accomplish your goal
Exercise 7: Using each word or phrase below to write a topic sentence with a controlling idea
=> Pets are good companions for older people
SUPPORTING SENTENCES
Supporting sentences add information about the topic and the controlling idea
In order to choose details to support the topic sentence, you can rephrase the topic sentence as a question, and then answer that question with your supporting questions
E.g Topic sentence: A university professor has many duties
Question: What are the duties of a university professor?
There are several ways of finding the supporting sentences to develop a paragraph: definition, explanations, examples or illustrations, description, detail of fact or personal experience, comparison – contrast, and cause -effect
Examples help to clarify a statement They offer the readers evidence (Question: What examples can be used as evidence?)
E.g Topic sentence: Many people think happiness lies in the town
Question: Where can people find happiness in a town? What examples can help me to prove this?
Many people think happiness lies in the town There are cinemas and theatres, beautiful shops and busy streets, dancehalls and restaurants – they have all the conveniences at their disposal For example, they do not have to travel too far to buy the things they need In the evening, if they do not want to cook, they can enjoy dinner at a restaurant Then they may spend the whole evening in a cinema or a dance-hall Such people would feel that their life was not worth living if they had to live outside London
Language tip: Expressions for illustration
For instance/example Another instance/example is …
An illustration of this is … Another illustration of … is …
To illustrate, … Here are a few examples …
Effective descriptions evoke vivid mental imagery by engaging the senses Sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound can all be harnessed to paint a detailed picture in the reader's mind To describe effectively, consider the sensory qualities of your subject: how does it appear, what does it evoke through smell or taste, how does it feel to the touch, and what sounds does it produce? By employing sensory language, you can create immersive descriptions that transport the reader into the world you depict.
E.g Topic sentence: The woman who met us had an imposing beauty
Question: In what ways is she impressively beautiful? How about her appearance/clothes?
The woman who met us had an imposing beauty She was tall and large-boned Her face was strongly molded, with high cheekbones and the complexion of mahogany Her clothing was simple, a black sweater and skirt; and I remember thinking that this woman, if having dressed in showier garments, would have seemed overwhelming
By defining a term or concept, the writer often gives an explanation Definitions are usually used in narrating or describing something/someone (Question: What is it? What examples or facts can be used?
Writing technique: Types of definition
Definition by negation combined with examples or facts Definition by class
Topic sentence: Hackers are computers addicts
Question: Who can be computer addicts? What do they do to become hackers?
Hackers are computer addicts Typical addicts are young college students, pale from spending so many late nights working on the computer Hackers would gladly give up friends, dates, studying, sunlight, and fresh air just to sit alone in front of the display screens, inventing programs and directing the technological world at their fingertips In fact, they feel more comfortable relating to computers than to people (Definition by synonym + examples)
Topic sentence: A snakehead fish, a completely new species, has just been found in Maryland pond
Question: What kind of fish is snakehead fish? What is this Snakehead fish like?
The northern snakehead, a newly discovered species in Maryland, is a remarkable fish that resembles a creature from science fiction Despite its intimidating appearance with sharp teeth, snake-like scales, and snake-like eye placement, it measures up to 40 inches and weighs up to 15 pounds This formidable creature possesses a primitive lung, enabling it to breathe air and survive out of water for two to three days, maneuvering with its pectoral fins.
Topic sentence: Unlike induction, deduction is reasoning from the general to the particular
Question: What is deduction? What is the difference between induction and deduction?
Unlike induction, deduction is reasoning from the general to the particular It is not the scientific method in which you start with particular cases and come to general principle or conclusion Instead, you first give a general statement, and then you give concrete examples to support that statement (Definition by negation + example)
4 Details of fact/personal experience
Facts or personal experiences are usually used in narrating or writing a report Facts (including figures, scientific discoveries from resource materials, e.g books, newspapers, journals …) are very often used when the writer wants to be more persuasive (Question: Where/ From which sources can I find evidence to support the idea?)
E.g Topic sentence: Because the eat-out trend is unlikely to end anytime soon, it makes sense to know what hides within your favorite offerings
Question: What substances can be found in the restaurant meals? From which source can I find the evidence?
Now for ever-growing millions of Americans, restaurant-prepared food has become a way of life Because the eat-out trend is unlikely to end anytime soon, it makes sense to know what hides within your favorite offerings In a new book,
Dining out poses challenges to health-conscious consumers Portions have expanded, and ingredients like cheese, salt, and sugar have become more prevalent Studies conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture reveal that restaurant meals generally contain 20% more fat and 15% more saturated fat than homemade counterparts Furthermore, restaurant meals tend to be higher in sodium and cholesterol, while lacking in calcium, fiber, and iron.
By comparing and contrasting people, theories, etc., the qualities of the two are clarified (Question: HOW/IN WHAT WAY are they similar or different? WHAT are the differences or similarities between them?)
E.g Topic sentence: One advantage of living outside London is that houses are cheaper
Question: Can we buy a bigger house outside London at a cheaper price?
One advantage of living outside London is that houses are cheaper Even a small flat in London without a garden costs quite a lot of to rent However, with the same money, one can get a little house with a garden of one’s own
Language tip: Expressions for comparison & contrast
In addition Whereas Like Unlike
As well as However In the same way In contrast
Also Both/neither Yet Conversely
Cause and effect analysis can be made from general observation or the use of data (i.e facts) (Question: WHY does this happen? WHAT are the reasons /results?)
E.g Topic sentence: Finally, television may affect children’s schoolwork in other ways
Question: In what ways can TV affect children’s schoolwork? Why can TV affect children’s schoolwork?
Finally, television may affect children’s schoolwork in other ways If they spend too much time watching television, they may get behind in their homework Also, if they stay up to watch a late movie, they may fall asleep in class the next day Consequently, they will not learn their lessons, and they could even fail in school
Language tip: Expressions for cause-effect
Because For that reason As a result
As Hence/thus Result in/from
Explanation tells the reader what something means or how something works.(Question: What does “something” mean? Or How does “something” work?)
E.g Topic sentence: My mother, who likes sewing, used this simple saying to teach me the value of working on problems when they are still small
Question: What does “ A stitch in time saves nine.”
“A stitch in time saves nine.” My mother, who likes sewing, used this simple saying to teach me the value of working on problems when they are still small Originally, the saying referred to sewing – if you have a small hole in a shirt, you can repair it with one stitch But if you wait, the hole will get larger, and it will take you nine stitches
Exercise 8: Underline the topic sentences and identify the methods or strategies that have been used to develop the following paragraphs
Even simple study habits can improve your marks At university I learned how important it is to get enough sleep When you are well-rested, it is easier to learn Research shows that when people don’t get enough sleep, their memories aren’t as effective If students are really tired, they might even fall asleep in class! It’s easy to see how getting enough sleep can improve your performance at university
Topic sentence: Even simple study habits can improve your marks
CONCLUDING SENTENCES
The concluding sentence tells the readers that the paragraph is finished, and it completes the picture or story about the subject of the paragraph
A concluding sentence is analogous to a topic sentence in that they both make broad statements However, the topic sentence generally initiates the paragraph, while the concluding sentence terminates it, providing closure to the discussion.
A concluding sentence usually begins with one of the following signal phrases:
There are two many ways to write a concluding sentence:
- A paraphrase of the topic sentence
- A summary of the main points in the paragraph
Topic sentence: A university professor has many duties
Concluding sentence: In conclusion, a professor is always a very busy person ( paraphrase )
Concluding sentence In summary, a professor has responsibilities both to his students and to his field ( summary )
In conclusion, a concluding comment serves as a final reflection or remark on the paragraph's topic Its purpose is to leave readers with thought-provoking insights and ensure the paragraph's key points remain fresh in their minds By providing a concise summary and a lingering thought, a concluding comment reinforces the paragraph's main message and enhances the overall impact of the writing.
In conclusion, a professor is always a very busy person However, she or he usually enjoys her or his work (concluding sentence + concluding comment )
Exercise 13: Write a concluding sentence for each given paragraph
You can be a good conversationalist by being a good listener When you are conversing with someone, pay close attention to the speaker's words while looking at his or her face Show your interest by smiling and nodding Furthermore, do not interrupt while someone is speaking; it is impolite to do so If you have a good story, wait until the speaker is finished Also, watch your body language; it can affect your communication whether you are the speaker or the listener For instance, do not sit slumped in a chair or make nervous hand and foot movements Be relaxed and bend your body slightly forward to show interest in the person and the conversation In summary, meaningful communication means using both good facial expressions and body language as well as showing interest in the speaker’s words
Modern communication technology is driving workers in the corporate world crazy They feel buried under the large number of messages they receive daily In addition to telephone calls, office workers receive dozens of e-mail and voice mail messages daily In one company, in fact, managers receive an average of 100 messages a day Because they do not have enough time to respond to these messages during office hours, it is common for them to do so in the evenings or on weekends at home
I feel happy whenever I am standing beside a train track because I am waiting for someone who is close to me I was the youngest child in my family, so my older brothers and sisters left home before I did However, they always returned for vacations and holidays My mother and father and I were always at the train station to greet them
I enjoyed the smell of the train and the roaring noise it made as the big black engine pulled into the station I would jump up and down trying to see while everyone crowded around the doors “There they are!” my mother would cry I would run to jump into the arms of my beloved brother or sister (Concluding sentence)…………
A consumer can save a lot of money by shopping wisely This means he is always looking for sales and collecting coupons, but it also means the person is not a compulsive shopper In other words, the wise consumer does his research and makes a plan so that he knows what he is looking for He is not tempted by attractive products that are not necessary Sometimes he goes home without purchasing anything He might think he wasted his time but he knows he did not waste money (Concluding sentence )…………
When I first started going to college, I was surprised at all the studying that was required In high school, I hardly ever studied, but my grades were fairly good At the university, it seemed that all my professors gave me mountains of homework every night They all thought that their class was the most important! I could not watch TV anymore because I had to read pages and pages of information As a result, my nights out with my friends became limited In fact, I went out only one Saturday nights It was a huge change from high school, where I used to go out every other night (Concluding sentence )…………
Caring for river turtles is easier than many people think You do not need a lot of equipment In fact, all you need is a large aquarium, some rocks, sand, and a little bit of vegetation After you buy the equipment, arrange all the items inside the aquarium Remember to make sure that your river turtles have an area for swimming (Concluding sentence )…………
Exercise 12: Write a concluding sentence for each of the following topic sentences Be sure to begin with a signal phrase
1 My first day at school was a frightening experience
2 Watching television is a good way of learning English
3 You can lose weight if you follow these steps
4 Mountain climbing is a challenging sport with important requirements
5 Students should have a part-time job for some reasons
Exercise 14: Write a concluding sentence for each of the folowing topic sentences Be sure to begin with a signal phrase
1 My first day at school was a frightening experience
2 Watching television is a good way of learning English
3 You can lose weight if you follow these steps
4 Mountain climbing is a challenging sport with important requirements
5 Students should have a part-time job for some reasons
Exercise 15: Write a concluding sentence for your paragraph in Exercise 12 (CHAPTER 3 – PRACTICE) Be sure to begin with a signal phrase
COMMON PROBLEMS IN PARAGRAPH WRITING
It means that all the sentences refer to the main idea, or the topic of the paragraph
I live in a flat with my family We have two bedrooms and a living room We have a garden and we have some flowers there In weekdays I arrive home at five o'clock and I have lunch Then I do my homework and go to bed I had a computer but now it doesn't work I have a brother and a sister and I think I am very lucky to live with them Sometimes our relatives visit us Our flat becomes very crowded sometimes but I like it
The paragraph should focus solely on describing the house, adhering to the main idea Sentences that deviate from this purpose, such as those mentioning returning results, should be omitted.
On weekdays I arrive home at five o'clock and I have lunch
Then I do my homework and go to bed
I had a computer but now it doesn't work
Now, rewrite the main idea of the example paragraph so that it covers all the sentences the student has written
It means that the sentences should be organized in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan of development
I live in a house in Izmit It isn't old or modern It's a normal Turkish house We can say it is near the sea It takes about 10 minutes to go to the sea side on foot We have one bedroom, one living room We also have two other rooms, too We use them as a dining room Naturally, we have a kitchen, a bathroom, and a toilet I live with my parents And our house has a little garden; my parents spend their time there to grow vegetables and fruit
First, let's see the order of the ideas:
4 The rooms in the house
5 The fact that he lives with his parents
The paragraph is well organized until he says he lives with his parents It looks like this idea interrupted his description of the house It should be put somewhere else in the paragraph Now, rewrite the paragraph in the correct order of ideas
Here are some ways to bore your readers when starting a paragraph/an essay:
1 a nonsense sentence: e.g I want to talk about X
2 a cliché: e.g X plays a great role in our lives
X is a very important issue in today's world
I want to talk about friendship Friends can change your life So, you must know who is a real friend Firstly, your friend must understand you and of course, you must understand her, too I think, another important point in a friendship is confidence You mustn't tell lies to each other In addition, you must say everything about yourself
I think these are important for a friendship If you have a friend like this, you don't break up with her because a real friend is not found easily
How do we understand that "I want to talk about friendship." is a nonsense sentence? If we leave the nonsense sentence out, the content and meaning of the paragraph does not change
Now write a new topic sentence for the paragraph above:
IV Lack of Topic Sentence
Topic sentence is the main idea, your attitude, your evaluation of something
A topic sentence is crucial for both the writer and reader Without one, readers may struggle to comprehend the paragraph's main point, especially in longer documents For the writer, the absence of a topic sentence can lead to a lack of focus and cohesion, resulting in an unbalanced and potentially confusing piece of writing.
Try to write only a topic sentence for this paragraph
I hate lie I always try not to tell lies and I want that from my friends, too I think it is the most important behavior I can believe everything my friends say In addition, a good friend must say his ideas to me firstly I mean, he shouldn't talk about me with other people Especially about the bad thing, he doesn't have to talk because it might be wrong Secondly, a good friend must help me He must do his best He should ask help from me too If we solve problems together, our friendship will be better and it will become stronger Thirdly, the talking time is important I can talk with my friends for a long time, and during that time I must be happy That's why we should like the same things In conclusion, trust is the basics of a friendship
It means that every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and examples
We generally believe that people would easily understand us when we write Unfortunately, our use of language may not be perfect and our ideas may be different
If we want our ideas to be understood, we need to explain them and give specific examples of each Listing our ideas is never enough See the example below:
Honesty is paramount in friendship, fostering truthfulness and integrity that ensures a bond that endures a lifetime Beyond being truthful, a friend should provide support and assistance in times of adversity Constructive criticism is equally valuable, as it helps identify areas for improvement and foster personal growth within the friendship.
If we list the ideas, here is what we get:
• be there for him on a bad day
The list and the paragraph are the same length because the ideas in the paragraph are also listed without explanation This means, the ideas are not developed It also lacks a topic sentence Let’s write the paragraph again creating a topic sentence and some explanation of the ideas provided
FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGES FOR PARAGRAPHS
To signal addition of ideas and, also, besides, further, furthermore, too, moreover, in addition, then, of equal importance, equally important, another
To signal time next, afterward, finally, later, last, lastly, at last, now, subsequently, then, when, soon, thereafter, after a short time, the next week (month, day, etc.), a minute later, in the meantime, meanwhile, on the following day, at length, ultimately, presently
To signal order or sequence first, second, (etc.), finally, hence, next, then, from here on, to begin with, last of all, after, before, as soon as, in the end, gradually
To signal space and place above, behind, below, beyond, here, there, to the right (left), nearby, opposite, on the other side, in the background, directly ahead, along the wall, as you turn right, at the tip, across the hall, at this point, adjacent to
To signal an example for example, to illustrate, for instance, to be specific, such as, moreover, furthermore, just as important, similarly, in the same way
To show results as a result, hence, so, accordingly, as a consequence, consequently, thus, since, therefore, for this reason, because of this
To signal purpose to this end, for this purpose, with this in mind, for this reason, for these reasons
To signal comparisons like, in the same (like) manner or way, similarly
To indicate contrast but, in contrast, conversely, however, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, yet, and yet, on the other hand, of course, on the contrary, or, in spite of this, actually, a year ago, now, notwithstanding, for all that, strangely enough, ironically
To signal alternatives, exceptions, and objections although, though, while, despite, to be sure, it is true, true, I grant, granted, I admit, admittedly, doubtless, I concede, regardless
To dispute it isn’t true that, people are wrong who say that, deny that, be that as it may, by the same token, no doubt, we often hear it said, many people claim, many people suppose, it used to be thought, in any case
To intensify above all, first and foremost, importantly, again, to be sure, indeed, in fact, as a matter of fact, as I have said, as has been noted
To summarize or repeat in summary, to sum up, to repeat, briefly, in short, finally, on the whole, therefore, as I have said, in conclusion, as you can see
Exercise 20: Fill in the blanks with appropriate transitional words or phrases
Some British scientists now believe that women live longer than men
(1) _ T cells, a vital part of the immune system that protects the body from diseases Previously, various theories have attempted to explain longer female life expectancy Biologists claimed that women lived longer (2) _ they need to bring up children Others argued that men take more risks, (3) _they die earlier But a team from Imperial College think that the difference may be (4) _women having better immune systems Having studied a group of men and women they found that the body produces fewer T cells as it gets older, (5) _the ageing process However, they admit that this may not be the only factor, and (6) _ another research project may be conducted
Bruce Lee (1940-1973), the greatest action movie star of all time, should be given a lifetime achievement award for his work in films Bruce died tragically in 1973, (1)
_ he wouldn't be able to receive the award himself, but his fans all over the world would love to see him honoured Why was Bruce Lee so great? The fight scenes in his films were amazing (2) _ Bruce was always in top physical condition His body was almost perfect He was also a great actor (3) _ he started acting when he was just six years old, he was very comfortable and natural in front of the camera His face was very expressive, (4) _ he was able to communicate a lot of feeling with a simple look Bruce always looked good on film,
(5) _ he was so charming Bruce Lee was a talented actor, a brilliant fighter, and an almost perfect example of physical fitness (6) _, he should receive an award that recognizes his great contribution to the art of filmmaking
French and U.S business managers have decidedly different management styles French meetings, (1) _, are long and rambling and rarely end on time (2)
_, meetings often end without closure Managers in the United States, (3) _, make an effort to start and stop a meeting on time, and North
American business meetings typically end with decisions and action plans Another difference involves documentation North Americans adore documentation; they have a procedure manual for everything The French, (4) _, think this is childish French managers find it difficult to stick to a schedule, (5) _U.S managers are intolerant of delays In addition, the French prefer to work alone, whereas North Americans like to work in teams Another major difference in management style is that in French companies, authority comes from the top; French managers do not share information with subordinates and make decisions with little participation by employees beneath them In U.S companies, (6) _, top managers share information and frequently solicit5 input from subordinates (“How French Managers”)
Community service is the optimal punishment for minor youth offenses as it deters recidivism through empathy-building interactions with vulnerable populations Unlike prison, which exposes youth to negative influences and drug use, and fines, which are often paid by parents, community service offers a transformative experience By fostering a sense of social responsibility and respect for those less fortunate, it benefits both the offender and the community as a whole.
Spending your holiday being active and enjoving the outdoors has a lot of advantages The main advantage is that adventure sports, like many other physical activities, offer health benefits and help keep your mood positive (1) _, when you practise extreme sports your brain releases endorphins because of the adrenalin rush and that makes you feel happy Another advantage is the self-confidence that you gain from doing these activities (2) _, the lessons learnt from facing the difficulties and the risks of these extreme sports may be very valuable in everyday life (3) _, there are also some important disadvantages (4) _ they make you feel good, risky sports can be extremely dangerous
The possibility of getting seriously injured while performing these activities ts quite high, and some adventure sports, (5) _, skydiving or cliff jumping, can even have fatal consequences (6) _ these risks, you need to be extremely fit to practise these sports during a holiday, which means that they are not for everyone
(7) _, they are likely to be expensive because they require a lot of equipment, safety measures, and well-trained and qualified instructors
(8) _, adventure sports holidays have both advantages and disadvantages
Whether they suit you or not depends on your level of fitness, your personality, and how much you can afford
The group which became the Beatles was formed in 1960 by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, with George Harrison and Ringo Starr joining later
(1) _playing in small clubs for 2 years their first record, Love Me Do, was released She Loves You, in 1963, broke all previous sales records in Britain
(2) _their simplicity, the early Beatles songs
(3) _Yesterday and Paperback Writer are still seen as masterpieces of musical genius (4) _, the unusual haircuts and clothes worn by the
Beatles fitted well with the style of the mid-1960s The popularity of the group soon spread to the USA and (5) _around the world, (6) _the media invented the term ‘Beatlemania’ to describe the excitement that was part of their tours (7) _their popularity the group were awarded the MBE by the
Queen in 1965, (8) _this caused anger among some of the older holders of this award
One difference among the world's seas and oceans is that the salinity varies in different climate zones (1) _, the Baltic Sea in northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East There are two reasons for this
(2) _, in warm climate zones, water evaporates rapidly;
(3) _, the concentration of salt is greater (4) _, the surrounding land is dry; consequently, it does not contribute much freshwater to dilute the salty seawater In cold climate zones, (5) _, water evaporates slowly
(6) _, the runoff created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of freshwater to dilute the saline seawater
The process of machine translation of languages is complex To translate a document from English into Japanese, (1) _, the computer first analyzes an English sentence, determining its grammatical structure
(2) _identifying the subject, verb, objects, and modifiers
WRITING PRACTICE
Descriptive paragraphs
1 Describe a place you would like to go to relax
Students should think about the following aspects:
- Details of frequency, location, weather, climate, distance, landscape, people, …
- Activities/ things to do while traveling there
- Reasons why you choose this place to relieve stress
2 Describe a famous businessperson that you would like to meet
Students should think about the following aspects:
- Some background on that person (career, age, social status,…)
- Your impression of that person
- Reasons why you like to meet that person
3 Describe your current working environment/ the working environment you would like to experience in the future
Students should think about the following aspects:
- Details of what your ideal workplace is like, what facilities it possesses, …
- Types of colleagues and bosses you would like to cooperate/ work with
- Reasons why you suppose that it is an ideal work environment
Students should think about the following aspects:
- Details of what the job is, what it involves, why you choose it, why you are interested in this job, …
- Long-term goals, short-term goals, skills, expertise, …
- Orientation for promotion and development in your career ladder
Students should think about the following aspects:
- Details of the job you would like to do
- Effects the volume of working hours on work-life balance
- Ways that you manage your time effectively
Opinion paragraphs
1 Should companies hire influencers to promote their products?
Students should think about the following aspects: brand awareness, target customers, criticisms…
2 Should the advertisement of junk food be banned?
Students should think about the following aspects: health problems, job oppotunities, whether it helps in some certain situations…
3 Should companies get involved in charity work?
Students should think about the following aspects: brand reputation, cost, human resources…
4 Is a university degree needed for business success?
Students should think about the following aspects:different types of knowledge, time spent, relationship…
5 Is money the most important factor when choosing a job?
Students should think about the following aspects:human’s needs, motivation, work environment…
Explanatory paragraphs
1 Explain why companies around the globe need to be present on social media
Students should think about the following aspects: company’s reputation and awareness, potential customers, cost effectiveness…
2 Explain why more and more young adults prefer to work freelance rather than having a stable job in a company
Students should think about the following aspects: flexibility, independence, multiple sources of income…
3 Explain why companies require their staff to wear uniform
Students should think about the following aspects: professional image, safety, sense of belonging…
4 Explain why you are interested in a particular career
Students should think about the following aspects: job opportunities, income, experience…
5 Explain why social responsibilites matter to businesses
Students should think about the following aspects: public image, employee morale, customers’ loyalty…
Compare and contrast paragraphs
1 Write a pragraph to compare living in a big city and living in a countryside
Suggested ideas: Students should think about the following aspects: facilities, pace of life, cost of living, setting, pollution…
2 Write a pragraph to compare working in an office and being a freelancer
Suggested ideas: Students should think about the following aspects: working hours, salary, employment benefits, permanency, taxes…
3 Write a pragraph to compare online education and offline education
Suggested ideas: Students should think about the following aspects: teaching methods, flexibility, interaction, pace of learning, time and cost…
4 Write a pragraph to compare shopping in a market and shopping in a supermarket
Suggested ideas: Students should think about the following aspects: commodities, price, space, payment methods, security…
5 Write a pragraph to compare buying a house and renting a house
Suggested ideas: Students should think about the following aspects: upfront cost, aintenances, modifications to property, wealth, flexibility…
Topic sentence: A university professor has many duties
Supporting sentences: During office hours, students are free … for a professional journal
Concluding sentence: In conclusion, a professor is always a very busy person
Topic sentence: At some point, most parents have to decide whether or not to allow their children to have pets
Supporting sentences: Some parents believe that pets teach children … money that pets require
Concluding sentence: In brief, although many children want a pet, parents are divided on this issue for a number of significant reasons
Topic sentence: Computers are excellent machines to help students
Supporting sentences: Before computers, students had to do their schoolwork … that cost almost their thousand dollars
Concluding sentence: Computers have certainly made students’ lives much easier
Topic sentence: Simon Bolivar (1783 – 1830) was one of South America’s greatest generals and one of the most powerful people in world political history
Supporting sentences: In Spanish, Simon Bolivar is often called … was an amazing military and political feat
Concluding sentence: Although Bolivar’s name is not as well-known outside Latin America, people there remember him as perhaps the most important person in their history
Topic sentence: Like many people, I prefer to skip breakfast
Supporting sentences: I’m not a “morning person” … buttered toast, or fried sausage Concluding sentence: Although others may not agree with my decision, I choose to skip breakfast most of the time
1 This year, our Instagram marketing program outperformed our other social media campaigns
2.My uncle had a frightening experience as a young man
3.Text messaging had become popular among teenagers
4 Effective time management requires four easy steps
5 Every college student should take a computer course
6 It is difficult to quit smoking for three reasons
7 One of the most recent technical advances in the use of water is the development of hydroelectric power
8 In addition to being unhealthy, smoking can be offensive
9 Registration at Greenhills College is a frustrating experience
10 Physical exercise is good for a person’s mental health
The main idea: enabled them to drive to towns and cities comfortably and conveniently
The topic: The formation of a volcanic eruption
The main idea: is a dramatic series of events
The topic: One of my hobbies
The main idea: is listening to international music
The main idea: enjoy going shopping in cold weather
The topic: My new apartment
The main idea: is not too expensive for students
1 Cats are people’s favorite pets for some reasons
2 Paris is the most popular tourist destination for couples
3 People can easily remember the English alphabet if they follow these steps
4 She has many financial problems when enrolling in college
5 Tennis can bring some benefits for players
1 There are three important steps to follow if you want to enter a university
2 Advertising and architecture, which are both kinds of art, have an effect on our lives
3 English contains many foreign words OR Words of foreign origin have enriched English
4 The European and North American university systems have several important differences OR The North American university system is different from the European system
5 Exercise can benefit people in several important ways
1 With a computer at home, you do not need to leave your house, but you still can get everything you need
2 Divorce is not only the end of a marriage, but it can also be the beginning of a better life
3 Examinations should be eliminated for two reasons
4 Swimming is necessary for people of all ages
5 There are three ways to solve the problem of drug addiction in our city now
Topic sentence: I will never eat dinner at The Little French Bistro again
Topic sentence: For me, a friend is someone who accepts you the way you are Method/strategy: explanation c
Topic sentence: One of the most surprising things about football in England to a stranger is the great knowledge of the game which even the smallest boy seems to have Method/strategy: examples/illustrations d
Topic sentence: Last summer holidays, we rented a dreamy house in the mountains for two weeks
Topic sentence: Some pollution happens by accident
Topic sentence: However, a lot of pollution is deliberate
Topic sentence: The second difference between the traditional family and the modern one is in the woman’s role
Topic sentence: Europeans have been eating Quorn – Quorn nuggets, Quorn cutlets, Quorn patties – for 16 years
Strategy/method: definition by class + facts
1 The main idea: lives in Boston
The unrelated sentence: He likes to read
2 The main idea: are developed
The unrelated sentence: Traditional sports such as racing – on foot, horse, and skis, and in boats, cars, and aeroplanes – are still popular
3 The main idea: were very strict with me when I was a child
The unrelated sentence: My father was an architect, and my mother was a housewife
4 The main idea: need to be maintained every day
The unrelated idea: If you accidentally swallow some of these chemicals, you have to go to the doctor at once
5 The main idea: three things that they can do to relax before going to sleep
The unrelated idea: Baroque music is also popular because it helps students study better
1 Indeed, faster communication technology may be creating more problems than workers can handle
2 Now I am an adult, but I still feel joy when I go to the train station to meet someone I love
3 In conclusion, a wise shopper finds ways to save money on the price and to avoid buying what he does not need
4 Although I was surprised at first at the amount of work I had to do, I managed to change my habits and become a good college student
5 After you have finished these simple steps, your aquarium is ready for your new pet
Main idea: my life at home
I live in a house in Izmit It is not either old or modern; it is a normal Turkish house It is near the sea; it takes about ten minutes to go to the seaside In the house, there are two bedrooms, one living room and two other rooms that we use as dining rooms Naturally, we have a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet, and a little garden My parents spend their time growing vegetables and fruit there
Friends play great roles in our lives so we must know our friends
A good friend is a person who doesn't tell me lies, who helps me and let me help him, and who I can talk to in trust
There are three qualities that I need to see in a good friend First, a good friend shouldn't tell lies I need to trust him so that I can talk to him Second, a good friend should be there when I needed him I should be able to find him near me when I am in a bad mood or when I have a problem Finally, when necessary, he should criticize me so that I can change my undesirable behaviour or see where I am wrong In short, these three qualities are the basic properties in a good friend
SECTION 2: DIFFERENT KINDS OF PARAGRAPHS
(1) because of/ due to/ owing to
(4) due to/ owing to/ because of
(5) because of/ due to/ owing to
(1) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate
(3) on the other hand/ in contrast
(4) in contrast/ on the other hand
(1) first/ firstly/ first of all/ to begin with
(2) for insance/ for example/ to illustrate/ to be specific
(5) in addition/ moreover/ besides/ furthermore
(7) in conclusion/ in summary/ to sum up/ in short
(1) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate/ to be specific
(3) on the other hand/ on the contrary
(5) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate/ to be specific
(6) because of/ due to/ owing to
(7) in addition/ besides/ moreover/ furthermore
(8) to sum up/ in conclusion/ in summary/ in short
(7) because of/ due to/ owing to
(1) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate
(2) first of all/ first/ firstly/ to begin with
(5) on the other hand/ in contrast
(6) finally/ lastly/ last but not least
(1) first/ firstly/ first of all/ to begin with
(1) because of/ due to/ owing to
(2) on the other hand/ in contrast
(3) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate
(3) in other words/ on the other side
(5) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate
(1) first/ firstly/ first of all/ to begin with
(3) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate
(5) in conclusion/ in summary/ to sum up
(2) also/ in addition/ moreover/ furthermore
(3) for example/ for instance/ to illustrate
(4) similarly/ in the same (like) manner or way
(2) first/ firstly/ first of all/ to begin with
(3) in contrast/ on the other hand
(5) in addition/ moreover/ furthermore/ also
(6) as a result/ hence/ thus/ therefore
1 Describe a place you would like to go to relax
1 enjoyable (adj) 6 fascinating (adj) 11 pleasant (adj) 16 nearby (adj)
2 restful (adj) 7 relish (v) 12 warm (adj) 17 far (adj)/ remote (adj)
3 wonderful (adj) 8 lush (adj)/ verdant (adj)
9 tranquil (adj) 14 sooth to the soul
5 picturesque (adj) 10 serene (adj) 15 engaging (adj) 20 alluring (adj)
- Details of frequency, location, weather, climate, distance, landscape, people, …
- Activities/ things to do while traveling there
- Reasons why you choose this place to relieve stress
2 Describe a famous businessperson that you would like to meet
2 wealthy (adj) 7 inspiring (adj) 12 well-known
3 respectable (adj) 8 passionate (adj) 13 entrepreneur
14 a heart of gold/ wholehearted (adj)
- Some background on that person (career, age, social status,…)
- Your impression of that person
- Reasons why you like to meet that person
3 Describe your current working environment/ the working environment you would like to experience in the future
2 challenging (adj) 7 flexible (adj) 12 professional
3 friendly (adj) 8 supportive (adj) 13 busy (adj) 18 positive (adj)
4 engaging (adj) 9 exciting (adj) 14 fast-paced (adj) 19 comfortable
5 rewarding (adj) 10.caring (adj) 15 innovative
- Details of what your ideal workplace is like, what facilities it possesses, …
- Types of colleagues and bosses you would like to cooperate/ work with
- Reasons why you suppose that it is an ideal work environment
2 long-term (adj) 7 major (n) 12 realistic (n) 17 contribute (v)
3 short-term (adj) 8 plan (n) 13 imaginary (n) 18 supervisor (n)
5 develop (v) 10 skill (n) 15 expert (n) 20 senior ( adj)
- Details of what the job is, what it involves, why you choose it, why you are interested in this job, …
- Factors related to career path such as long-term goals, short-term goals, skills, expertise, …
- Titles/ positions you would like to get in the future (five years, ten years, …)
- Orientation for promotion and development in your career ladder
1 full-time (adj) 6 fixed (adj) 11 break (n) 16 schedule (n)
2 part-time (adj) 7 hourly rate (n) 12 check-in (n) 17 days off (n)
3 temporary (adj) 8 overtime (n) 13 check-out (n) 18 timesheet (n)
4 permanent (adj) 9 flexible (adj) 14 extended (adj) 19 work-life balance (n)
- Details of what kind of this job (full-time, part-time,…) you would like to do, how many hours you work in a day, when you start/finish work in a typical day, how many days off you get in a week/ month/ year, how many hours/days you have to work overtime,…
- Effects the volume of working hours on work-life balance
- Ways that you manage your time effectively
1 Should companies hire influencers to promote their products?
1 advertise (v) 6 skyrocket (v) 11 recommend (v) 16.consumer behavior
2 marketing (n) 7 press conference 12 target customer 17 benefit (v)
3 brand awareness 8 represent (v) 13 brand recognition
+ if students support the statement
- Improve brand awareness, brand trust, and brand loyalty
- Reach your target customers effectively
- Enrich your content on social media
- Generate direct sales through links or discount codes offered by influencers + if students do not support the statement
- Partner with the wrong influencers
- Find difficult in measuring results accurately
- Be uncommitted with your company
2 Should the advertisement of junk food be banned?
1 obesity rate 6.surroundings (n) 11 temptation (n) 16.academic performance
(diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, dental health, gastrointestinal disorders,…)
8 addictive (adj) 13 life expectancy 18 quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry
*HFFS: High in Fat, Sugar, and Salt
+ if students support the statement
- Prevent people from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer,…
- Help the public heath become healthier
- Lower overweight and obesity rates
- Avoid making your skin break out into acne
+ if students do not support the statement
- Affect sales of fast-food companies in particular and the economy in general
- Be helpful for stressful days
- Provide job opportunities for many people in the QSR industry
- Save time if you are too lazy or busy to spend a long time in the kitchen
- Never get bored because of the seclection of a wide variety of different fast foods
3 Should companies get involved in charity work?
1 donation (n) 6 homeless (adj) 11 brand awareness
8 charity auction 13 target customer 18 brand differentiation
5 philanthropy (n) 10 opportunity (n) 15 boost (v) 20 fundrasing event
+ if students support the statement
- Attract quality and talented potential employees
- Promote your brand reputation on social media or through word-of-mouth
- Boost employees’ productivity and loyalty
+ if students do not support the statement
- Use up funds for community welfare
- Be forced to increase prices
- Shift the focus of the company from objectives, for example, making profits
4 Is a university degree needed for business success?
1 pre-requisite (n) 6 hone (v) 11 broaden (v) 16 entrepreneurship (n)
2 experience (n) 7 resourceful (adj) 12 employment/ unemployment rates
(communication, leadership, problem-solving, persuasiveness, adaptability,…)
9 mindset (n) 14 expertise (n)/ in-depth knowledge
5 learn by doing/ experiential learning
10 passionate (adj) 15 career ladder/ job promotion
+ if students support the statement
- Gain more general knowledge as well as in-depth knowledge related to business
- Know how to run and grow your business effectively
- Protect yourself from uncertainties in business
- Navigate the complexities of business
+ if students do not support the statement
- Be able to learn by doing
- Consume much time learning vaguely theoretical business knowledge but cannot apply them in reality
- Hone your skills and experience through working
- Pay a large amount to learn and get a degree
- Learn new knowledge not just from lecturers and friends at university but also from partners, experts, as well as successful entrepreneurs in the same industry
5 Is money the most important factor when choosing a job?
7 cost of living (n) 12 career prospect
19 high-paid (adj)/ well-paid (adj)/ lucrative (adj)
+ if students support the statement
- Meet human’s needs (housing, food, bills, health care, education,…)
- Have more motivations to contribute to the company
- Bring a lot of happiness and power
- Determine his/her willingness to continue working in that position
+ if students do not support the statement
In addition to being interested in the monetary factor, consider other elements when choosing a job:
- Job satisfaction: promotion opportunities, job security, relationships with colleagues and managers,…
- Work environment: workplace safety, communication between employers and employees, training and development programs,…
- Location: near/ far from your accommodation to ensure employees go to work punctually
1 Explain why companies around the globe need to be present on social media
2 connect (v) 7 branding (n) 12 learn about (v) 17 business growth
3 brand equity (n) 8 boost (v) 13 Search Engine
4 interact (v) 9 e-commerce (n) 14 engagement (n) 19 word of mouth
5 brand image (n) 10 expand (v) 15 reliability (n) 20 recommendation (n)
- Enhance your company’s reputation and awareness
- Offer cost-effective networking and communication for businesses
- Respond to customers’ questions and concerns as quickly as possible
2 Explain why more and more young adults prefer to work freelance rather than having a stable job in a company
1 freedom (n) 6 productive (adj) 11 diverse projects 16 unpaid overtime
2 client (n) 7 job security (n) 12 pay rate 17 by/in leaps and bounds
3 workload (n) 8 control (v) 13 hone (v)/ sharpen (v) /perfect (v)
14 location- independent worker (n)/ digital nomad (n)
15 broaden/ expand/ widen someone’s horizons
20 (step) out of your comfort zone
- The freedom to choose the workload
- Opportunities to work in different fields
3 Explain why companies require their staff to wear uniform
2 discipline (n) 7.corporate image 12 protect (v) 17 uncomfortable
3 distinguish (v) 8 enhance (v) 13 reputation (n) 18 costly (adj)
- Ensure the safety of employees
- Establish a professional image at work
- Bring a sense of belonging to your company
- Promote your company to the public
4 Explain why you are interested in a particular career
6 goal (n) 11 contribute to/towards sth (v)
3 benefit (v) 8 ache for sth/ desire to do sth
- Expand your capabilities into new areas
- Have opportunities for promotion in the next years
- Be a good fit for your experience
5 Explain why social responsibilites matter to businesses
2 customer loyalty 7 profitability (n) 12 cultivate (v) 17 charity (n)
- Boost employee morale in the workplace
IV Compare and contrast paragraphs
1 Write a pragraph to compare living in a big city and living in a countryside
2 environment (n) 7 amenity (n) 12 bustling (adj) 17 economical
18 state-of-the-art (adj)/ cutting-edge (adj)
5 medical care 10 vigilant (adj) 15 polluted (adj) 20 well-equipped
+ In a big city: available many advanced systems, machinery to manage housing, communication, transportation,…
+ In a countryside: unavailable modern facilities
+ In a big city: fast-paced and bustling life
+ In a big city: a vast number of skyscrapers, vehicles, people,…
+ In a countryside: a lot of farmlands, paddy fields, hills, forests,…
+ In a big city: more polluted
+ In a countryside: fresh air and water; less polluted
2 Write a pragraph to compare working in an office and being a freelancer
(retirement, sick leave, insurance, other perks,…)
9 freedom (n) 14 knowledge (n) 19 deal with/ cope with
+ Working in an office: work regular office hours
+ Being a freelancer: work according to their convenience
+ Working in an office: receive a fixed annual salary
+ Being a freelancer: get remuneration when projects are completed - however frequently or infrequently
+ Working in an office: enjoy employment benefits such as paid vacations, maternity leaves, annual leaves, medical insurance, and retirement benefits,…
+ Being a freelancer: do not get employment benefits
+ Working in an office: sign an employment contract with defined terms and conditions for a long-term position
+ Being a freelancer: do a specific job within a certain period, do not sign any written agreement or contract with employers permanently
+ Working in an office: deduct a certain percentage of employees’ salary as tax which includes social security and medicare tax
+ Being a freelancer: pay income tax as well as self-employment (SE) tax
3 Write a pragraph to compare online education and offline education
2 get access to 7 supervise (v) 12 technical glitches
4 face-to-face (adj) 9 under strict supervision
5 attendance (n) 10 interactive (adj) 15 budget-friendly
+ Online education: teach with the assistance of digitalized tools such as videos, virtual whiteboards, assignment activity tools, video conferences,…
+ Offline education: get students hands-on learning, allow students to engage in face-to-face discussions or even debates, also allow students to participate in extra curriculum activities (dramatics, music, dance,…)
+ Online education: learn from anywhere, access recorded lectures and online study materials if missed classes
+ Offline education: learn in a specific location, attend classes on time due to no recorded lectures or study materials if students have missed their classes
+ Online education: interaction is limited due to technical problems, weak Internet connection…
+ Offline education: communicate actively, assist teachers in catching up with students’ body language to see whether they are interested in topics or whether teachers are helping students get engaged in the class
+ Online education: the pace of learning determined by students
+ Offline education: the pace of learning determined by teachers
+ Online education: time-saving and cost-effective
+ Offline education: time-consuming and more expensive than online education
4 Write a pragraph to compare shopping in a market and shopping in a supermarket
2 variation (n) 7 bargain (v) 12 bargain (v) 17 nutritious (adj)
3 product display 8 noise (n) 13 operating time 18 sales promotion (n)
4 self-service (n) 9 after-sales service
(dirt cheap, cheap, economical, affordable, dear, expensive, prohibitive, )
(cash, credit card, debit card, prepaid card…)
+ Shopping in a market: products from their farms such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish,…
+ Shopping in a supermarket: foods (fresh food, canned food, freezing food,…), household supplies, baby goods, pet food, furniture, cosmetics,…
+ Shopping in a market: free to bargain, cheaper than in the supermarket
+ Shopping in a supermarket: fixed price
+ Shopping in a market: stuffy, wet, filthy, outdoor
+ Shopping in a supermarket: spacious, clean, cool, indoor
+ Shopping in a market: only pay in cash directly to the sellers
+ Shopping in a supermarket: pay to the cashiers by credit card, debit card, or in cash
+ Shopping in a market: do not ensure safety as snatching and robbery take place in every corner of the market
+ Shopping in a supermarket: be equipped with a surveillance system and protected by security guards
5 Write a pragraph to compare buying a house and renting a house
3 goal (n) 8 lease (n) 13 utility (n) 18 profitable long- term investment
+ Buying a house: high down payment and mortgage fees
+ Renting a house: low first and last month’s rent and a security deposit
+ Buying a house: maintained by buyers
+ Renting a house: maintained by landlords
+ Buying a house: make modifications, remodel, add on to a property
+ Renting a house: do not allow tenants to make any modifications to a property
+ Buying a house: opportunities for wealth accumulation and tax breaks
+ Renting a house: no opportunity for wealth accumulation
+ Buying a house: free to paint, redesign, or remodel the interior at will; sell or rent your home, or even leave it vacant;…
+ Renting a house: free to relocate (move at the end of your lease or break your lease when you want to move)
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