Proficiency writing skills 1 new fowler

This is a useful guide for practice full problems of english, you can easy to learn and understand all of issues of related english full problems. The more you study, the more you like it for sure because if its values.

Et NEW EDITIONS

S O P H I A Z A P H I R O P O U L O S

<C°c<5>

4^

Introduction

I N T R O D U C T I O N

N e w Fowler Proficiency Writing Skills I is t h e first part of a

t w o - p a r t c o u r s e which aims t o teach t h e t e c h n i q u e s

students require to attempt any of t h e variations among

t h e s i x f o r m s o f w r i t i n g t a s k s e t i n t h e r e v i s e d

Cambridge Proficiency examination Approximately o n e

third of the material in Writing Skills has been revised for

this book All t h e o t h e r material in this b o o k is new

Eleven of t h e t w e n t y units consist of t w o facing pages,

and should, under normal circumstances, be c o m p l e t e d

in a l e s s o n , w i t h a w r i t i n g t a s k to be d o n e later in

approximately o n e hour, the time allowed for it in t h e

examination In t h e remaining nine units of four pages,

t w o lessons will normally be required

T h e c h a n g e s i n t h e e x a m i n a t i o n

T h e biggest change in t h e writing paper of the revised

Cambridge Proficiency examination is that it n o w has

t w o parts, as do FCE and CAE

be analysed, imitated and practised T h e s e m o d e l s are

s u p p o r t e d with revision of t h e necessary grammatical structures and lexical items by means of accompanying

e x e r c i s e s and t h e reference section and t h e appendix at

n o t s o m u c h a m a t t e r o f u s i n g m o r e c o m p l i c a t e d

s t r u c t u r e s o r a w i d e r r a n g e o f v o c a b u l a r y a s o f

p r o v i d i n g a n a n s w e r r e l e v a n t t o t h e q u e s t i o n , w e l l organised in g o o d , clear s e n t e n c e s and paragraphs T h e

r a n g e o f q u e s t i o n s o p e n t o t h e e x a m i n e r i s considerable, as indicated by t h e c o n t e n t s pages of this book, but learning t h e right technique to deal with each

is half t h e battle T h e r e f o r e , it is r e c o m m e n d e d that

s t u d e n t s pay particular attention to t h e tips provided throughout the book T h e s e consist of practical advice

on what to do and what not to do in a given situation and should make it possible for students w h o take it to

do justice to t h e m s e l v e s in the exam

Contents

U N I T P A R T T E C H N I Q U E M O D E L S R E V I S I O N P A G E

S E C T I O N I : A R T I C L E S

I 2 Describing and narrating What a difference!

Close friends again

Tenses

Used to and would

I Balancing an argument Computers: a dream or a nightmare? Connectors and modifiers:

balancing an argument

14

I Providing solutions T o o many people, not enough earth Conditionals

Preserving the planet for future Should, ought to and would

generations

16

S E C T I O N 2 : L E T T E R S

5 2 Complaining Semi formal: A resident's concerns

Formal: An official complaint

18

2 Giving information A letter of w e l c o m e to

exchange students

2 0

2 Making suggestions Preserving and restoring a town Articles

2 4

S E C T I O N 3 : E S S A Y S

Comparing Public and private transport in the city Connectors and modifiers

Responding to generalisations Relation between national

character and climate

The Majestic Hotel

The Jorvik Viking Centre

A college film club

Passive voice

Should

Conditionals

Tenses in 'timeless' time

Tenses in 'timeless' time

Phrases in apposition Compound adjectives

Connectors and modifiers:

Articles Describing and narrating

In this article, Martin Fraser d e s c r i b e s his return to a small t o w n in England after an a b s e n c e of 25 years

Read t h e article and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e s that follow

O n t h e w a y b a c k , I w e n t t o s e e m y

a u n t ' s o l d h o u s e , t h o u g h I h a r d l y

r e c o g n i s e d i t a t first T h e p r e s e n t o w n e r s

h a v e p a i n t e d i t b r i g h t y e l l o w s o i t l o o k s like a big j a r of m u s t a r d I s h o o k my h e a d

A r t i c l e s

Describing and narrating

2 This article refers to four s e p a r a t e t i m e s :

A 25 or more years ago, when the writer was a boy

B last week, when he visited the town again

C the present moment

D some time or period of time in between his childhood and now

Study Reference section 12 on page 68 and Reference section 14 on page 69 and t h e n a n s w e r t h e s e

Follow this plan of four stages

(though t h e r e may be m o r e than

four paragraphs):

1 Introduction, indicating the place

and your association with it

2 Description of the place as it

used to be

3 Description of the place as it is

now, emphasising changes that

have occurred

4 Your reactions to these changes

7

Articles Describing and narrating

T h e d e s c r i p t i o n of c h a n g e s in a place (pages 6-7) w a s t o l d from t h e p o i n t of v i e w of t h e p r e s e n t m o m e n t

In many articles of this kind, h o w e v e r , t h e main narrative t e n s e is past

Study Reference section 12b and d on page 68 and t h e n read Gloria's article a b o u t a m e e t i n g w i t h a s c h o o l friend

s h e m e t again after t e n y e a r s w h o had changed M o s t of t h e v e r b s have b e e n left in brackets

C o m p l e t e t h e article b y putting t h e m into t h e m o s t suitable t e n s e

Close f r i e n d s again

Soon after I left school my family (1) (move) to Bristol and I

(2) (lose) touch with all my friends, when l (3)

(return) to London last year after ten years, l (4) (find) some of

their names in the phone book and we (5) (organise) a reunion

But there was no trace of Eugenia, my closest friend The others told me they

(6) (not see) her for a long time

Eugenia was the most attractive girl in my class She was tall and slim and

(7) (have) ioveiy dark brown eyes and long black hair that

(8) (come) half way down her back, she was very popular because

she (9) (have) a wonderful sense of humour, she used to invent

games to keep us all amused and always (10) (seem) to be

laughing and smiling

One morning last month I (11) (go) into a jeweller's shop

in the city to buy a watch The only assistant was a tall woman who

(12) (look) a few years older than me Her hair was grey

and although she still (13) (have) a young, slim figure, there

were lines around her eyes, and she (14) (have) a long, deep

scar on her cheek I (15) (ask) to see some watches, our eyes

(16) (meet), and she (17) (give) a little cry of

amazement She (18) (stare) at me for a few seconds and

then she (19) (say): "Gloria, (20) (you not

remember) me?"

I (21) (shake) my head and her face (22) (grow) sad, but then she (23) (say) quietly: "No, l (24)

(change) a lot, l suppose I'm Eugenia."

I was so embarrassed that l (25) (not know) what to say so l just (26) (put) my arms round her We (27)

(arrange) to meet and then she (28) (tell) me the story of her

life She said that after leaving school, she (29) (go) to America

and had married a man she had met there They (30) (live)

together happily for several years until her husband (31) (kill)

in a car crash, she (32) (be) injured in the crash and her

hair (33) (turn) grey overnight After that she (34)

(return) to London but (35) (have to) take the first job she

A r t i c l e s

Describing and narrai:

Gloria gives us a l o t of information a b o u t herself and

Eugenia Find t h e paragraph in w h i c h s h e tells us t h e

following and w r i t e t h e c o r r e c t paragraph n u m b e r in

t h e story? W h y ? H o w d o e s Gloria e m p h a s i s e it?

L o o k at t h e pictures of t h e man and t h e w o m a n and

( n o t an a c t o r / a c t r e s s playing different parts)

Follow this plan of four stages ( t h o u g h t h e r e may be

m o r e than four paragraphs):

1 Introduction, indicating how you first saw

the person

2 Description of what they used to look like

If you knew them, what they w e r e like; if

you write about a famous person, say what

impression they gave you

3 Description of what they looked like when

you saw them again, what they w e r e like, or

the impression they gave

4 Say how and why you think they had

changed, and how you felt about the

changes

Articles aking sides

Read t h e q u e s t i o n and t h e article b e l o w and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e s

that follow

T h e following c o m m e n t s w e r e m a d e during a public d i s c u s s i o n , held at y o u r

t o w n hall T h e d i s c u s s i o n w a s a b o u t t h e f r e e d o m o f t h e press You have

b e e n asked t o w r i t e a n article for t h e local n e w s p a p e r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e

c o m m e n t s and giving y o u r o w n o p i n i o n

Journalists have a

responsibility to the public

to investigate a story and

uncover the real facts - no

matter who they upset

î/fou can't denij that a aood dal ielli

They are encouraged to invade peoples privacy

by shameless celebrities who want press coverage at any cost

5 can newipaperi

\ey snoui ashamedof tfiemsefvesl T'hey have no respect for

an individuals privacy!

Journalists are fierce in defence of the freedom of the press but KEITH HUNTER asks

Whose freedom? Theirs or ours?

E v e r y t i m e t h e r e i s a n o u t c r y a g a i n s t t h e

excesses of the p o p u l a r press and they are t h r e a t e n e d

with s o m e kind of sanction, usually no m o r e t h a n t h e

responsibility to print an apology w h e r e no o n e will

notice it, editors and n e w s p a p e r owners t a k e refuge

freedom of speech wants newspapers to be silenced if

they a r e genuinely engaged in exposing c o r r u p t i o n in

high places In t h e n e w s p a p e r s ' defence, it can also be

a r g u e d t h a t m a n y f i g u r e s i n t h e p u b l i c e y e a r e

d e s p e r a t e for almost any kind of publicity S o m e of

t h e m seem to have no higher aim in life than a vague

d e s i r e t o f e a t u r e i n m a g a z i n e s , p o s i n g f o r

p h o t o g r a p h s o r r e c o u n t i n g t h e i n t i m a t e d e t a i l s o f

their lives in interviews

T h o s e who c r e a t e news stories with sensational

headlines, however, - t h e p h o t o g r a p h e r s w h o p u r s u e

t h e famous on m o t o r cycles, the journalists w h o bribe

t h e i r s e r v a n t s t o d i s c l o s e t h e s e c r e t s o f t h e i r employers' private lives, t h e editors w h o send armies

of employees with m i c r o p h o n e s and t a p e r e c o r d e r s to

t h e h o m e o f a n y o n e , rich o r p o o r , w h o s e r e l a t i v e s have died tragically - have a very clear aim in life F o r

t h e m t h e freedom of t h e press is really t h e freedom to

m a k e m o n e y out of o t h e r p e o p l e ' s s h a m e and misery

M o s t o f u s w o u l d b e r e l u c t a n t t o i m p o s e censorship on t h e press but would like to put a stop to

t h e i r i n t r u s i o n i n t o p e o p l e ' s p r i v a t e lives N o t long ago t h e r e w a s a play on TV t h a t s u g g e s t e d a n e a t solution A M e m b e r of Parliament p r o p o s e d that if a

n e w s p a p e r published an u n t r u e story about s o m e o n e ,

he would be given t h e same a m o u n t of space in t h e

n e w s p a p e r t o w r i t e a story a b o u t t h e j o u r n a l i s t o r editor, t r u e or false I w o n d e r how they would react if similar lies a n d half-truths a b o u t t h e i r own p r i v a t e lives and those of their families w e r e published 'in the public interest'!

If you write an article where you are strongly in favour of something or against it, remember that others may have different opinions It is more effective to mention them and then show they are wrong than not to mention them at all

Taking sides A r t i c l e s

2 C h o o s e t h e s e n t e n c e , a or b, t h a t b e s t d e s c r i b e s w h a t t h e w r i t e r is saying in e a c h paragraph T h e n read t h e

c o r r e c t s e n t e n c e s t o g e t h e r t o s u m m a r i s e t h e a r g u m e n t

P a r a g r a p h 1 a E d i t o r s are right to defend t h e freedom of t h e press w h e n they a r e criticised

b E d i t o r s use t h e p o p u l a r belief in t h e freedom of t h e press to justify their invasion of

p e o p l e ' s privacy

P a r a g r a p h 2 a No o n e wants censorship for political reasons and it is t r u e that m a n y well-known figures

seek publicity at all costs

b N e w s p a p e r s have a duty to expose corruption and have to publish stories about

well-known figures if they a r e r e q u i r e d to

P a r a g r a p h 3 a So n e w s p a p e r s work h a r d to find out t h e facts of t h e cases they investigate

b But n e w s p a p e r s only investigate stories about p e o p l e ' s private lives to m a k e m o n e y o u t

of t h e m

P a r a g r a p h 4 a N e w s p a p e r s should be c e n s o r e d if they tell lies

b N e w s p a p e r staff should be subjected to t h e s a m e t r e a t m e n t as their victims if they tell lies

In w h i c h paragraphs is t h e w r i t e r following t h e t e c h n i q u e s u g g e s t e d in t h e tip on t h e o p p o s i t e page?

A r t i c l e s

Taking sides

4 Based on t h e c o m p o s i t i o n and t h e tip on page 10, put t h e paragraph plan b e l o w into t h e c o r r e c t order

a Say why you d i s a g r e e with t h e s e a r g u m e n t s a n d d i s r e g a r d t h e m

b e c a u s e t h o s e y o u s u p p o r t a r e m o r e i m p o r t a n t G i v e e x a m p l e s

b R e a c h a c o n c l u s i o n , s u m m a r i s i n g y o u r p e r s o n a l o p i n i o n in t w o

o r t h r e e s e n t e n c e s

c T h i n k of o n e or t w o i d e a s for t h e o t h e r side of t h e issue a n d

say w h a t sort o f p e o p l e a r e likely t o s u p p o r t t h e m

d I n t r o d u c e t h e subject i n g e n e r a l t e r m s D o n o t r e a c h a c o n c l u s i o n

i m m e d i a t e l y t h o u g h y o u c a n suggest w h i c h s i d e y o u a r e o n

L o o k a t this q u e s t i o n and t h e n put t h e paragraph n o t e s b e l o w into t h e c o r r e c t o r d e r a c c o r d i n g t o t h e plan i n

e x e r c i s e 4 Can y o u think of a suitable title?

You heard t h e following c o m m e n t s a b o u t vivisection w h i l e y o u a t t e n d e d a d e b a t e o n t h e s u b j e c t a t

c o l l e g e recently You have d e c i d e d to w r i t e an article for publication in t h e c o l l e g e magazine r e s p o n d i n g

t o t h e s e c o m m e n t s and giving y o u r o w n o p i n i o n

So manu

once ^atal diseases

are now curable an

its all thanhs to

research, carried out

on anima

d

Under no circumstances should animals be used in laboratory experiments Animals feel pain and shouldn't be made

to suffer in this way

ils

'Medicalresearch

is acceytahie, hut using animahsjor cosmetic testing is intoferahfe

There is no justification for vivisection: animals have rights too

Q0Q(?Q<?QQ0Q

Scientists - must carry out research on someone/something - better

animals than humans 1000s lives saved through medical breakthroughs

- only possible because of experiments on animals Humans are higher

life form than animals - using animals justified

Conflict surrounding use of animals in labs - nothing new Laws brought

in - ban some experimentation Extend law to cover ALL experiments?

Medical research to save lives OK if NO other way of doing research

possible Cosmetic research not acceptable - total ban

Animal rights activists all forms banned no justification

Pain/Suffering extreme Humans - no right to t r e a t animals like this

Alternative methods must be found, Some research done for cosmetic

reasons only!

Taking sides A r t i c l e s 2 i

6 C h o o s e o n e o f t h e q u e s t i o n s b e l o w and w r i t e y o u r article using t h e paragraph plan o p p o s i t e D o n ' t f o r g e t t o

think of a title

You b e l o n g t o a debating s o c i e t y and o v e r h e a r d t h e s e c o m m e n t s a t a r e c e n t d e b a t e T h e d e b a t e w a s

a b o u t w h e t h e r capital p u n i s h m e n t s h o u l d b e r e s t o r e d for s o m e c r i m e s You feel strongly a b o u t t h e issue and have d e c i d e d t o w r i t e a n article for y o u r local n e w s p a p e r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e c o m m e n t s and giving

l{ the restoration

of capital punishment prevents even one murder, then its worthwhile

What if someone who's innocent is foundguiCty?

plan in

b You live in a small t o w n s o m e of w h o s e r e s i d e n t s are b e c o m i n g increasingly w o r r i e d a b o u t s p o r t s and

h o b b i e s that harm t h e e n v i r o n m e n t T h e t o w n council held a m e e t i n g t o discuss t h e p r o b l e m and y o u

a t t e n d e d After hearing w h a t local p e o p l e had to say, y o u d e c i d e d to w r i t e an article for t h e local p a p e r

r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e c o m m e n t s and giving y o u r o w n o p i n i o n

^Jlie auiet country ianei around tL town, are overrun witli ijouiiii racing eir motorlllei and creating, a nuliance let atone putting tL iivei oJI otkeri In danger

The wildlife of Granger's Lake is being terrified every weekend by jet skie shattering the silence of this once peaceful haven It's a disgrace ifl can't

ride my jet ski

on the Cake, where am 1 sup-posed

to go?

We live in this town too and should

be able to do what we like, where and when

we like Were not

any laws

13

Articles Balancing an argument

l Read t h e q u e s t i o n and t h e article b e l o w and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e s that follow

Your t u t o r has s h o w n y o u t h e following e x t r a c t s o n t h e s u b j e c t o f c o m p u t e r s You have b e e n asked t o w r i t e

an article for t h e c o l l e g e magazine entitled Computers: a dream or a nightmare? W r i t e y o u r article taking t h e points raised b e l o w into c o n s i d e r a t i o n and giving y o u r o w n o p i n i o n

Technological progress in the world of computers saves everyone time At the touch of a button, massive amounts of information can be accessed Furthermore, work done on a computer can be updated and changes can be made speedily

Future generations will come to rely on computer technology to such a great extent that they will no longer need to learn to do things for themselves This would appear to

be acceptable, but what happens when the machines go wrong?

Computers: a dream or a nightmare?

work easier, it has b e e n a n i g h t m a r e

for others, w h o have h a d difficulty in

learning new skills In t h e same way,

while some p a r e n t s believe that their

c h i l d r e n c a n l e a r n f a s t e r w i t h

c o m p u t e r s , o t h e r s worry that they will

b e c o m e totally d e p e n d e n t o n t h e m before they have learnt to read, write and count for themselves

a h u m a n e r r o r W e r e a d o f p e o p l e

r e c e i v i n g g a s b i l l s f o r m i l l i o n s o f

p o u n d s b e c a u s e t h e c o m p u t e r h a s

b e e n b a d l y p r o g r a m m e d o r a n

o p e r a t o r has pressed t h e w r o n g key

T h e trouble is that c o m p u t e r s do not

r e c o g n i s e s u c h e r r o r s so t h e r e is a danger that t h e next g e n e r a t i o n may

be taught to rely on t h e m absolutely

b e f o r e t h e y h a v e l e a r n t t h e b a s i c skills necessary to work out p r o b l e m s for themselves

O n b a l a n c e , c o m p u t e r s a r e

n e i t h e r a d r e a m n o r a n i g h t m a r e

T h e y a r e a d m i r a b l e t o o l s t h a t improve t h e quality of life but, like all tools, they must be used sensibly We must never forget that h u m a n beings

p r o v i d e d t h e m with t h e i n f o r m a t i o n they contain so we cannot trust t h e m

u n t i l w e k n o w e n o u g h t o r e c o g n i s e when it is inaccurate In this respect,

2 T h e writer's approach to t h e subject is balanced Study

Connectors and Modifiers A3 on page 70 and underline

t h e four w o r d s o r p h r a s e s that t h e w r i t e r has u s e d t o

balance his argument

Tip

2 T h e writer's approach to t h e subject is balanced Study

Connectors and Modifiers A3 on page 70 and underline

t h e four w o r d s o r p h r a s e s that t h e w r i t e r has u s e d t o

balance his argument

Good articles of this kind do not require the use of very complicated structures but they do require connectors to be well used Always check the appendix on page 70 before writing one

It seems that nowadays cars and aeroplanes are much more popular forms of transport than the train, depending, of course, on whether your journey is short

or long distance But 1 remember years ago, when 1 was a young child, that travelling by train was considered the best way to go

difficult.to calculate time of jour.ney.5

d D i s a d v a n t a g e s List t h r e e d i s a d v a n t a g e s a n d give a n e x p l a n a t i o n o r e x a m p l e , a s for p a r a g r a p h 2

World pop, doubled since 1950 UN predict + 5 0 % by 2050

World's naturai resources - running out!

Impose birth confrot? - human rights/religion/tradition would not

agree (eg China) Politicians in developing countries say developed countries use too

many resources - reduce, BUT still not a solution

Put pressure on govts to find solution If not = war, famine, disease!

Of all t h e p r o b l e m s t h e h u m a n race is responsible

for t h a t t h r e a t e n life on E a r t h , p o p u l a t i o n growth is

t h e m o s t s e r i o u s T h e w o r l d ' s p o p u l a t i o n h a s m o r e

t h a n d o u b l e d s i n c e 1950 a n d t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s

predict that it will grow a further 5 0 % by 2050 to nine

billion All these additional p e o p l e will r e q u i r e m o r e

food, m o r e land to grow it on a n d m o r e houses to live

in, a n d will c o n s u m e m o r e raw m a t e r i a l s t o p r o v i d e

t h e basic r e q u i r e m e n t s of everyday life T h e w o r l d ' s

resources cannot support such an increase indefinitely

At first sight, t h e solution s e e m s simple E x p e r t s in

developed countries argue that we should i m p o s e birth

a g r e e m e n t on p r o b l e m s like global warming indicates

t h a t t h e r e would be even stronger resistance if a plan

of this kind w e r e p u t i n t o p r a c t i c e In this case, t h e

opposition would be d u e n o t merely to selfish national

i n t e r e s t s b u t t o i n d i v i d u a l w i s h e s a n d c o n v i c t i o n , family or tribal tradition and t h e powerful influence of religious authorities In s o m e p a r t s of t h e world, large families are c o n s i d e r e d desirable a n d a son is r e g a r d e d

f a i r s h a r e o f t h e w o r l d ' s r e s o u r c e s D e v e l o p e d countries should r e d u c e their c o n s u m p t i o n , b u t even if

t h e y d i d , t h i s w o u l d n o t p r e v e n t d i s a s t e r u n l e s s

p o p u l a t i o n g r o w t h w a s b r o u g h t u n d e r c o n t r o l W e should p u t p r e s s u r e on g o v e r n m e n t s to find a viable

s o l u t i o n O t h e r w i s e , t h e p a i n f u l a l t e r n a t i v e will

b e c o m e unavoidable; t h e p o p u l a t i o n will eventually be

d e c i m a t e d by war, famine and disease

2 C h o o s e t h e b e s t heading for e a c h paragraph, and w r i t e t h e c o r r e c t n u m b e r i n t h e s p a c e N o t e that t w o o f t h e

c h o i c e s are n o t c o r r e c t

a A n a l t e r n a t i v e s o l u t i o n d W h y a s o l u t i o n m u s t b e f o u n d

b A s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d s o l u t i o n e Selfish o p p o s i t i o n

c W h y s o l u t i o n s a r e n o t easy f T h e size o f t h e p r o b l e m

3 L o o k at Reference section 4a and b on page 64 and Reference section I1 on page 67 and t h e n study t h e u s e of

should, would and will in t h e article a b o v e and underline t h e m w h e r e t h e y appear

Providing solutions A r t i c l e s

Read Sarah's article on t h e e n v i r o n m e n t C o m p l e t e it by putting t h e v e r b s in brackets in t h e c o r r e c t t e n s e

or using should or would w h e r e necessary

Preserving the planet for future generations Human activity (1) (have) a devastating effect on the environment since the industrial Revolution Factories and their products have polluted the air in cities, and the

water in rivers and seas; forests (2) (be transformed) into desert by poor

methods of cultivation; in our hunger for land, we (3) (invade) the natural habitat of other species, now in danger of extinction Our activities (4)

(probably increase) the temperature of the earth, bringing with it the risk of flooding, w h a t

(5) (we do) to resolve these problems before it is too late?

Solutions certainly exist In general, we (6) (consume) less and recycle

raw materials In particular, we (7) (restrict) the use of cars in cities;

we (8) (close) factories that pollute the air or the rivers; we

(9) (protect) wildlife by banning indiscriminate hunting; and we

(10) (protect) the rainforests by providing poor farmers with the means

to cultivate efficiently Above all, we (11) (try) to control population

growth, which (12) (add) to the problems as fast as we take steps to resolve them

If we could accomplish this, we (13) (preserve) the planet for future

generations But it (14) (not be) possible unless governments laid aside

self-interest and (15) (agree) to co-operate In fact, laws protecting the

environment already exist in almost every country The trouble is that they are often broken, in

many countries with the consent of the rulers Perhaps a real solution (16)

(only be found) if every country in the world had an honest, democratic government

in such circumstances we may think that there is nothing we can do as individuals to save the environment But we can do a great deal if we are prepared to make sacrifices We

(17) (ask) ourselves if we really need to go out in the car or buy

something new And we (18) (respect) the environment at all times, we (19) (not leave) litter around the countryside or throw rubbish in rivers

We (20) (plant) trees and not cut them down

Sarah is following t h e s a m e paragraph plan that w a s used for t h e article on population g r o w t h In paragraphs

1, 2 and 4, circle t h e t o p i c s e n t e n c e and underline t h e e x a m p l e s that s u p p o r t it

W r i t e an article in a n s w e r to t h e q u e s t i o n b e l o w , using t h e paragraph plan in e x e r c i s e 2

T h e e x t r a c t b e l o w w a s taken from a l e t t e r y o u read in y o u r c o l l e g e magazine You have d e c i d e d to w r i t e

a n article for t h e magazine r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e l e t t e r and p r o p o s i n g s o m e s o l u t i o n s t o t h e p r o b l e m

is just not the same any more I remember walking along

the river as a child and even swimming in it when the weather

was warm Now, the water is stagnant and polluted and the

path along the bank is littered with rubbish

The town centre itself has also been affected Traffic blocks

the roads and the poor pedestrians are choked with exhaust

fumes It really is time that something was done to save our

town and the surrounding countryside before it's too late

If you answer a problem-solving question, do not make vague general statements that you cannot support

Make use of any facts that you know to

be true from whatyou have experienced

or read Take account of opposition to any solution you propose and bear in mind that there is probably no simple answer to the question

Letters Complaining

Sheila D o n a l d s o n is a n n o y e d a b o u t t h e w a y in w h i c h p e o p l e behave in t h e park near h e r h o u s e Read h e r l e t t e r to

t h e s e c r e t a r y o f t h e local n e i g h b o u r h o o d w a t c h s c h e m e and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e that f o l l o w s

Dear Anne,

I'm writing on behalf of my family and my neighbours to ask you if you

would mind writing to the council about Russell Park We are fed up because,

as you know, we've written to them several times to protest but they still

haven't done anything

The real problem is t h a t there aren't any walls or fences round the park and young people bang around inside at night shouting and laughing so loudly that

we can't sleep Some of them are vandals and have broken the swings t h a t

the children play on and trampled all over the flowerbeds

There is also a problem with tramps - New Age Travellers as they are called these days - sleeping on the benches at night So every morning the park looks a mess with paper and beer cans lying about The council ought to send people round to clear up every day, instead of once a week

Really these are just signs of bigger social problems that the council should try to tackle They ought to provide a shelter for the homeless and teach the vandals a lesson by enforcing the laws that l suppose exist

We would really be very grateful if you could write on our behalf - maybe your letter would carry more weight and get some results I'll see you at our meeting next month

Best regards,

are not required to write addresses on your letters

2 D e c i d e w h e t h e r t h e following s t a t e m e n t s are t r u e or false U n d e r l i n e t h e p h r a s e s in t h e l e t t e r

L e t t e r s

Complaining

Read Anne's l e t t e r to t h e council, w r i t t e n in formal language, and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e that f o l l o w s

D e a r Sir/Madam,

I am writing on behalf of my neighbours in t h e vicinity of Russell Park to express o u r

annoyance that in spite of r e p e a t e d protests, nothing has b e e n d o n e to improve t h e

situation t h e r e

T h e p r o b l e m stems in p a r t from the fact that t h e r e are no walls or fences r o u n d t h e p a r k

and young p e o p l e r e m a i n t h e r e at night making so much noise that it keeps everyone

awake A n u m b e r of t h e m are vandals w h o have b r o k e n t h e swings in t h e children's play

p a r k and destroyed t h e flowerbeds

A p a r t from that, t h e p a r k is used as a refuge at night by N e w A g e Travellers sleeping on

benches, with t h e result that every morning t h e area is covered with litter In our view, t h e

p a r k should be cleaned every day, instead of once a week

We are aware that t h e real solution lies in dealing with m o r e general social p r o b l e m s

affecting society However, we consider that action should be taken to provide a shelter

for homeless p e o p l e and that if laws exist to prevent young p e o p l e from vandalising t h e

park, they should be enforced

Y o u r s faithfully, Two ways in which formal and

_ informal language are different

and we often use passive forms rather than active (eg, nothing

-zz< at t h e s e n t e n c e s below, taken from Sheila's letter Find and underline t h e equivalent s e n t e n c e s in Anne's letter

\ c : e the way t h e phraseology changes depending on w h e t h e r t h e style of writing is formal or semi-formal

They make so much noise - no games late at night!

Keep rival fans_apart! Stop the fighting! Police should escort visiting supporters to and from the ground

Don't let them park their cars on the pavement! Tow them away!

Buses and coaches in the club car parkl Stop people throwing

stones at visiting teams! •_

Letters Giving information

Read t h e q u e s t i o n b e l o w and Tom Aldridge's letter, and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e s that follow

TrZu^T 1 t 3 k i nf a t i n a L e c a S e P r o g r a m m e with s t u d e n t s from abroad and has d e c i d e d t o

p r o d u c e a w e l c o m e l e t t e r w h , c h s t u d e n t s will r e c e i v e on arrival T h e e d i t o r has asked y o u t c w r i t e a

w e l c o m e l e t t e r g.vmg information on c o l l e g e facilities, describing places of part cu ar interest: hT he

area as well as m e n t i o n i n g special e v e n t s w h i c h will take place during t h e i r stay

D e a r Visitor

( ! ) Welford College of E d u c a t i o n , I would like to w e l c o m e you to

o u r college, and I h o p e that you have a pleasant stay during t h e S t u d e n t E x c h a n g e P r o g r a m m e T h e

information which follows is i n t e n d e d to help m a k e your stay m o r e pleasurable

College Facilities

T h e M a i n Library is o p e n from 8 am - 10 pm on weekdays a n d from 10 am - 7 pm at t h e w e e k e n d

B o o k s may be b o r r o w e d for a one-week period, with t h e exception of b o o k s in t h e R e f e r e n c e Library

( A n d e r s o n Building), which must n o t be r e m o v e d u n d e r any circumstances

T h e Halls of R e s i d e n c e provide half-board a c c o m m o d a t i o n , so lunch can be b o u g h t at t h e college

c a n t e e n ( M a i n Building), or t h e S t u d e n t s ' U n i o n , or off c a m p u s itself (2) , however, t h a t t h e college is s o m e distance from town (20 m i n u t e s by bus) so students should ensure

they have sufficient time b e t w e e n lessons if they w a n t to leave c a m p u s

A m a p of t h e c a m p u s can be found on t h e n o t i c e b o a r d situated in t h e e n t r a n c e to t h e M a i n Building

F u r t h e r information regarding lessons, extra activities, etc can also be found t h e r e , while t h e

n o t i c e b o a r d outside t h e S t u d e n t s ' U n i o n is t h e best place to find out a b o u t u p c o m i n g social events

Places of Interest

T h e town itself has lots to offer W i t h its tiny streets and winding alleys, it is a great place to buy

souvenirs T h e A r t Gallery a n d t h e N a t u r a l History M u s e u m a r e situated in t h e town centre

Special Events

As part of t h e N a t i o n a l S t u d e n t s ' Council A r t s Festival, t h e college has organised a week of concerts

to be held in t h e S t u d e n t s ' U n i o n from 15th May P r o g r a m m e s and tickets (3)

m e m b e r s of t h e E n t e r t a i n m e n t C o m m i t t e e

A quiz night (4) 25th May This is a charity event; all p r o c e e d s will

go to t h e local children's hospital Students interested in taking p a r t should contact S a r a h on t h e

E n t e r t a i n m e n t C o m m i t t e e

We h o p e that this information (5) and that you enjoy your stay

Please (6) t h e College Secretary should you r e q u i r e further

information

Y o u r s sincerely

T o m Aldridge

S t u d e n t Counsellor

Giving information L e t t e r s Read Tom's l e t t e r again and fill in t h e gaps with t h e p h r a s e s b e l o w

are available from

T h e q u e s t i o n s t a t e d t h a t t h e w r i t e r s h o u l d give information on c o l l e g e facilities, d e s c r i b e places of particul;

n t e r e s t in t h e area as well as m e n t i o n special e v e n t s w h i c h will take place during their stay C o m p l e t e t h e chart with t h e things t h e w r i t e r m e n t i o n s o n e a c h o f t h e t o p i c s

enough time Entertainment Committee off campus Reference Library

I week borrowing 15th May

Giving information L e t t e r s 6 I

6 Read t h e q u e s t i o n b e l o w and prepare y o u r l e t t e r by c o m p l e t i n g t h e table with t h e kind of information y o u w o u l d give

T h e Tourist Board i n y o u r area has d e c i d e d t o p r o d u c e w e l c o m e l e t t e r s

w h i c h will b e given t o t o u r i s t s o n t h e i r arrival a t t h e local a i r p o r t t o help

t h e m make t h e m o s t o f their holiday You have b e e n asked t o w r i t e t h e

l e t t e r for English-speaking visitors You s h o u l d m e n t i o n places to visit in

t h e n e a r e s t t o w n , d e s c r i b e t h e surrounding area and r e c o m m e n d any

e v e n t s y o u think visitors w o u l d find interesting

S u r r o u n d i n g a r e a

I n t e r e s t i n g e v e n t s

2 3

Letters Making suggestions

T h e local n e w s p a p e r has offered prizes to r e a d e r s making

s u g g e s t i o n s for improving t h e t o w n w h e r e y o u live

Read t h e l e t t e r from o n e o f t h e o l d e r inhabitants o f t h e t o w n ,

published recently, and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e s that follow

country, but its c h a r m has b e e n

its downfall in r e c e n t years It

has b e e n t u r n e d into a tourist

my view t h e airport should be

c l o s e d a t n i g h t a n d t o u r i s t flights s h o u l d be r e s t r i c t e d to

t h e h o u r s of daylight

It u s e d to be very p l e a s a n t

t o w a l k t h r o u g h t h e n a r r o w

s t r e e t s of t h e old t o w n in t h e evening, with their r e s t a u r a n t s

a n d cafes, b u t n o w t h e y have

b e e n r e p l a c e d b y b a r s a n d night clubs o p e n till very late, playing loud music, a n d t h e r e are so m a n y cars p a r k e d on t h e

p a v e m e n t s that it is impossible

t o w a l k s a f e l y T h e c e n t r e

s h o u l d b e r e s t o r e d t o its

f o r m e r a t t r a c t i v e s t a t e B a r s should be r e q u i r e d to close by 12.00 pm, t h e streets should be

c o n v e r t e d i n t o a p e d e s t r i a n precinct and a multi-storey car

p a r k s h o u l d b e b u i l t o n t h e vacant site n e a r t h e m a r k e t

h o u s e s , o r s t o p p a s s e r s - b y t o ask t h e way If t h e r e w e r e a properly e q u i p p e d information centre, it would not only be of

h e l p to t h e m b u t w o u l d be of

g r e a t b e n e f i t t o t h e t o u r i s t industry

Alexander Martin

Read Mr Martin's letter again, and make n o t e s about the problems

he mentions and t h e solutions he suggests in the table below

C h o o s e the best heading for each paragraph, and write t h e c o r r e c t

number in t h e space N o t e that t w o of t h e choices are not correct

Note the form of address used

to the editor of a newspaper, unless you know that she is a woman, in which case 'Madam' is used instead

While I agree with some of ( I ) suggestions (2) readers have m a d e for

improving (3) town, (4) main problem in my opinion is that (5) council

is only concerned with attracting (6) tourists In my view t h e r e are (7) n u m b e r of

improvements that (8) ( u n d e r t a k e ) for the benefit of (9)

residents, especially (10) younger ones

In (11) first place, t h e r e are not enough sports and leisure facilities Instead of building

(12) multi-storey car park on (13) vacant site near (14) town centre, they

(15) (construct) (16) indoor swimming pool and (17)

tennis courts that (18) (use) in (19) winter

Secondly, I have read that (20) old railway station is going to be pulled down T h e space

(21) (transform) into (22) park and it (23)

(not cost) much to provide a place for (24) small children to play (25) games Part

of it (26) (turn into) (27) adventure playground or (28)

children's zoo

Lastly, tourists who go as far as (29) river (30) (disgust) by

(31) litter along (32) banks and (33) pollution from (34)

few old factories that are still in (35) operation T h e area (36)

(clean up), the factories (37) (close down) and (38) serious effort

(39) (make) to transform (40) riverside area into (41)

place where (42) people (43) (enjoy) (44) kind of

pleasant walk they once had through (45) old part of (46) town

b Open space created when railway 3

station is pulled down 4a

4b

•"• - :e a l e t t e r a d d r e s s e d to t h e e d i t o r of y o u r local n e w s p a p e r , suggesting i m p r o v e m e n t s that c o u l d be

m a d e t o y o u r t o w n o r t h e area o f a city w h e r e y o u live F o l l o w t h e paragraph plan o f Anna's l e t t e r and

t r y t o i n c l u d e a t least o n e e x a m p l e o f each kind o f i m p r o v e m e n t

Letters Givins opinions

Read t h e q u e s t i o n and t h e l e t t e r

b e l o w and c o m p l e t e t h e

e x e r c i s e s that follow

You have read t h e extract b e l o w as part of a

e t t e r to a local newspaper You d e c i d e to w r i t e a

letter t o t h e s a m e n e w s p a p e r responding t o t h e

points raised and expressing y o u r o w n v i e w s

J k n o w I am not alone in feeling threatened by

the presence of groups of young people who

seem to have nothing better to do than hang

around the town centre making a nuisance of

themselves It is a reflection of our society

nowadays: a society that encourages laziness

and allows the younger generation to waste

their time in this way If something is not done

soon, then 1 fear that these individuals will

turn to crime and our town will no longer be

the safe peaceful place it once was

implies that y o u n g p e o p l e are

to be b l a m e d for this situation

and that it is w h a t they want

of occupation for t h e m during

t h e d a y T h e y a r e f o r c e d t o

e i t h e r m e e t a t e a c h o t h e r ' s

h o m e s , often an impossible or

u n d e s i r a b l e o p t i o n , o r i n public places, namely t h e town centre

In addition to this, it is well known that u n e m p l o y m e n t in our a r e a is a serious problem

it has long b e e n t h e case that

if school leavers cannot go on

Finally, I am of t h e opinion

t h a t w e s h o u l d s h o w m o r e

u n d e r s t a n d i n g t o w a r d s t h e s e

y o u n g p e o p l e , w h o a r e , after all, o u r n e i g h b o u r s A l t h o u g h

it is u n p l e a s a n t to see p e o p l e hanging a r o u n d on t h e streets,

i t m u s t b e e v e n w o r s e f o r those w h o a r e in this situation

I f w e w e r e t o offer t h e m t h e

c h a n c e t o c h a n g e t h e i r

s i t u a t i o n , I a m s u r e t h e y would do so It is time for us all to t a k e s o m e responsibility for t h e m and their position

I l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g

my l e t t e r p u b l i s h e d in a forthcoming issue

J o h n H o l m e s

b Tf s c h o o l l e a v e r s cannot go on to further education for whatever reason, they will be unlikely to find jobs locally.'

S h o u l d s c h o o l l e a v e r s b e u n a b l e t o g o o n t o f u r t h e r e d u c a t i o n for w h a t e v e r r e a s o n , t h e y will b e unlikely

to find j o b s locally

c T f w e w e r e t o offer t h e m t h e c h a n c e t o c h a n g e t h e i r s i t u a t i o n , I a m s u r e t h e y w o u l d d o s o '

W e r e w e t o offer t h e m t h e c h a n c e t o c h a n g e t h e i r s i t u a t i o n , I a m s u r e t h e y w o u l d d o so

6 R e w r i t e t h e s e s e n t e n c e s practising t h e m o r e formal w a y s o f writing conditional s e n t e n c e s

a If y o u n g p e o p l e h a v e no qualifications or t r a i n i n g , t h e y will n o t be a b l e to find w o r k

b If o p p o r t u n i t i e s for t r a i n i n g existed, I am s u r e p e o p l e w o u l d t a k e a d v a n t a g e of t h e m ,

c If we all t a k e an i n t e r e s t in o u r t o w n , t h i n g s will get b e t t e r

d I f t e e n a g e r s h a d b e e n e n c o u r a g e d t o g o o n t o c o l l e g e , t h e y w o u l d h a v e h a d b e t t e r c h a n c e s o f finding w o r k

to our elders, raise a family and become law abiding citizens

' : j will find it e a s i e r to a n s w e r this kind of q u e s t i o n if y o u disagree with t h e p o i n t s that have b e e n raised in t h e

r • : - a c t A n s w e r i n g t h e s e q u e s t i o n s will help y o u to think of ideas to include in y o u r letter

a T h e e x t r a c t says t h a t y o u n g p e o p l e h a v e ' t o o m u c h ' f r e e d o m ' T o o m u c h ' m e a n s ' m o r e t h a n t h e y n e e d o r i s g o o d

: : t h e m ' H o w c a n y o u s u p p o r t t h e a l t e r n a t i v e view t h a t t h e f r e e d o m y o u n g p e o p l e h a v e i s n o t excessive?

b H o w have y o u n g p e o p l e ' s p r i o r i t i e s c h a n g e d ?

c H o w can t h e s e c h a n g e s be s e e n as a positive t h i n g ?

4 Is it t r u e to say t h a t y o u n g p e o p l e ' n o l o n g e r w a n t to raise a family'?

" i s t h e w r i t e r implying a b o u t y o u n g p e o p l e t o d a y w h e n h e says: 'we w e r e e x p e c t e d t o s h o w r e s p e c t t o o u r

e l d e r s , raise a family a n d b e c o m e law a b i d i n g c i t i z e n s ' ?

e : - - : e t t e r to help y o u o r g a n i s e y o u r o p i n i o n s into a paragraph plan and t h e n w r i t e y o u r letter

:: i ;_ = s: on b e l o w and, b e f o r e y o u w r i t e y o u r letter, ask yourself q u e s t i o n s , as in e x e r c i s e 7 a b o v e , to help

: _ - £ i c t h e following e x t r a c t in a magazine You d e c i d e to w r i t e

: : : : r e s a m e magazine r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e p o i n t s raised and

g M n g y o u r o w n o p i n i o n s o n t h e matter

e reaUy got out of hand Everywhere you look there are pictures

n dels u ho are supposed to represent perfect people We're

r-.;.zzr.:.\ aid directly or indirectly, that appearance is everything Have

x Jjorgrxt£7i that 'beauty is only skin deep'? Doesn't personality count

z'jng anymore? The cost of keeping fit and dressing fashionably is

jr the majority of people Magazines, advertisements and the like

>** ?typ making ordinary people feel inferior

You don't have to disagree with everything that is said You may agree to a certain extent but feel the opinions expressed are one-sided

Essays Comparing

I L o o k a t t h e q u e s t i o n and t h e e s s a y b e l o w and d o t h e e x e r c i s e s t h a t follow

Your t u t o r s h o w s y o u t w o e x t r a c t s from articles a b o u t t r a n s p o r t

Working out which bus route is best and then waiting at stops

for buses which are more often than not delayed or overcrowded

is not my idea of fun Nothing beats the convenience of being

able to hop in my car and drive quickly to my destination

Public transport is better now than ever before It's cheap, reliable and avoids the problem of finding or affording parking

Your t u t o r asks y o u to w r i t e an e s s a y a b o u t public and private t r a n s p o r t in t h e city, stating w h i c h f o r m

of t r a n s p o r t y o u prefer

(1) , the answer to the question 'Which is better in the city - public or

private transport?' may seem obvious A/lost people would rather use their own car than stand in a queue waiting for a bus (2) , however, driving a car may not always be the most convenient form of transport in a city, even if the authorities allow you to take it into the centre Having your own form of transport, which usually means a car, naturally has advantages

(3) , at least (4) , is the fact that you can start and finish your journey when and where you like, driving from your house to your office, for example

home, you may find it difficult or expensive to park near your office, if that is the case, it would have been quicker and cheaper to travel by bus

(7) , bus journeys are only quicker if the use of private cars is restricted because buses are likely to be held up in the same traffic jams Provided you live near a bus route

t h a t takes you near your destination and the bus is on time, it is probably a better means of

transport than your own car, but as we all know buses are often late and frequently crowded so you may have a very frustrating, uncomfortable journey

When l was on holiday in London recently, I travelled in the centre of the city by taxi, bus and underground The taxi fares were very expensive and the journey took a long time because the

driver continually had to stop at traffic lights or behind a line of cars The bus was even slower for the same reasons but also because it had to stop to pick up and set down passengers The

underground trains were crowded and uncomfortable but this was by far the fastest and cheapest way to cross the city (8) , I would rather go by car than bus on the surface, but if I can travel underground in the city, I prefer public transport

2 Study Connectors and Modifiers on page 7 0 T h e n read t h e essay again and c o m p l e t e it, c h o o s i n g from t h e list of

-_-£ q u e s t i o n b e l o w , w h i c h is similar to t h e article y o u w r o t e in Unit 3 on travelling by train T h e r e is a

e - c e h o w e v e r T h e r e y o u w e r e c o n s i d e r i n g t h e g o o d and bad points o f o n e thing; h e r e y o u are i- -g t w o things with g o o d and bad points in e a c h case Follow t h e s a m e plan as t h e essay on t h e

; te oage, using t h e n o t e s b e l o w as a guide

VO J T class is going on a field trip to an island in t h e s u m m e r holidays T h e r e has b e e n much d i s c u s s i o n a b o u t

e r e o e s t way t o travel H e r e are s o m e o f t h e c o m m e n t s that w e r e m a d e

F lying is quicker, ' ng us with more time to pend on our hofiday

i

tLe Loiidc

bq boat

ii muck more relaxing and qetó qe

aij mood before

u!i get to tLe Island

Think of the cost: flying

is really expensive

ijou q

TFOUR t u t o r has asked y o u t o w r i t e an essay o n this subject: Which is the better way of travelling to an island, by

:t: :• : air? W r i t e y o u r essay, r e s p o n d i n g to t h e v i e w s e x p r e s s e d and stating y o u r o w n p r e f e r e n c e

: a u c t i o n W r i t e a b a l a n c e d p a r a g r a p h b u t d o n o t g o i n t o t o o m a n y d e t a i l s

E x p l a i n t h e a d v a n t a g e s a n d d i s a d v a n t a g e s o f travelling b y air ( B u t s e e TIP b e l o w )

" :n t h e a d v a n t a g e s a n d d i s a d v a n t a g e s of travelling by s e a :h a c o n c l u s i o n If you h a v e a p r e f e r e n c e , say so a n d s u p p o r t it with an e x a m p l e , p r e f e r a b l y f r o m

- - - -.al e x p e r i e n c e I f n o t , y o u c a n b a l a n c e y o u r c o n c l u s i o n , s u g g e s t i n g t h a t t h e c h o i c e d e p e n d s o n : _ r s -uch a s t h e r e a s o n for t h e j o u r n e y o r t h e t i m e o f y e a r etc G i v e a n e x a m p l e i n e a c h c a s e

t '' imte an essay

- T i o dungs, and bmr m smng preference for mat of ALJIL deal with the kind wsm pm.fu in paragraph 3

tmm&t m *iU lead more mmmmtA mto your conclusion, httktscmse if you would rather p.i **• an: rexerse the order of xnx&nphs 2 and 3

It is only natural that the

climate affects people's

personality How can a

worker from a hot country

possibly work as hard as his

northern counterpart? The

same can be said for the

happy-go-lucky attitude

that so many people from

warm places have, which is

rarely seen in most colder

countries

Assumptions that people

have the same character

simply because they are

from the same country are

completely unfounded It

is unfair to base opinions

like this on what are, quite

Years ago, (1) historian Arnold Toynbee based his theory of (2)

history on (3) climate Comparing groups of immigrants to (4) United States, he argued that (5) Pilgrim Fathers in (6) New England were forced by their harsh climate to work hard and so became

self-reliant and stern and puritanical in (7) temperament, while those who settled in (8) warmer southern states were easy-going and relaxe and depended on (9) slave labour If his theory was correct, similar comparisons should be possible between the people of northern and

southern Europe

Needless to say, such generalisations cannot be applied to (10) individuals, and generalisations about people from different countries a r e

based on stereotypes that foreigners form about them, which may be

inaccurate or out of date Some people in Greece may still imagine the typical Englishman as someone carrying (11) umbrella and wearing

(12) bowler hat, even though the English tourists who come to Greece

seldom remind anyone of this picture in their appearance or behaviour

All the same, there is no doubt (13) grain of (14) truth in this theory that makes (15) sense People from Scandinavia, historically confined to their houses throughout the long winter by ice and snow, had

more reason to be gloomy and introspective than people in Mediterranean countries, who could get out into (16) sun all the year round It is even reasonable to suppose that when the long summer evenings come to Norway and Sweden, with eighteen hours of daylight, the people have more excuse to celebrate by going a little mad and getting drunk

Where the theory is generally accepted is in the comparisons made in almost every country in Europe between people from the north and the south In England, southerners have always regarded those from the north

as hard-working, but unpleasantly direct in speech and mean about money, while the northerners see Londoners, in particular, as lazy, self-indulgent and insincere Anyone who goes to Milan or Barcelona will find people

making the same criticisms of southerners from Naples or Seville and being

condemned by them in the same way Everywhere the warmer weather in the south seems to have produced the same contrast Greece is a smaller country, with less scope for climatic differences and in ancient times, it was the Spartans, from the south, who were by tradition tougher and less pleasure-loving, is Greece an exception to the general rule?

3 A n s w e r t h e s e q u e s t i o n s

Your t u t o r s h o w s y o u t w o e x t r a c t s from articles a b o u t personality traits

Courage is the greatest virtue If you are not brave, the rest are no use In this day and age, there is no place for the faint-hearted

Nowadays, it appears that the only thing which will help us survive is our sense of humour There's absolutely no point

in being conscientious when all around you are slacking off

The main thing is that you are able to laugh things off

Your t u t o r asks y o u to w r i t e an essay a b o u t t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t personality trait in today's w o r l d responding t o t h e points raised and giving y o u r o w n v i e w s o n t h e matter W r i t e y o u r essay

v : - can prepare for this c h o i c e b y c o m p l e t i n g t h e s e e x e r c i s e s first

- _ : following virtues in ranking order W r i t e a n u m b e r from I to 7 in t h e s p a c e provided

Your t u t o r s h o w s y o u t w o e x t r a c t s from articles a b o u t personal happiness

'ttTu'k it is true to say that money can't buy happiness, you can't be happy without

a ¡1 can anyone be expected to be happy

their lot if they haven't got anything?

X'hhout the basic necessities, it is unrealistic : expect to be happy

There is nothing more important in the world than one's health Without it, one's life is at best uncomfortable, at worst a complete misery One cannot be expected to be happy if in pain, or if one's friends or family are ill Therefore, the only guarantee to happiness is one's health

v r x , r t u t o r asks y o u t o w r i t e a n essay a b o u t personal happiness r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e p o i n t s raised and

Most people would not immediately

answer yes' or 'no' to questions like

the ones in this unit The best way

to answer is to find something interesting to say, giving examples from what you know Do not fill your essay with well-meaning generalisations

Essays Providing information

I Read t h e q u e s t i o n and t h e essay b e l o w and c o m p l e t e t h e e x e r c i s e s that follow

You have a t t e n d e d a c o u r s e on health and have b e e n asked by y o u r t u t o r to w r i t e an e s s a y on t h e i m p o r t a n c e of

diet t o g o o d health You have b e e n t o a lecture o n t h e s u b j e c t and have m a d e t h e n o t e s b e l o w W r i t e y o u r essa>

using y o u r n o t e s and e x p r e s s i n g y o u r o w n o p i n i o n s

variety most

f i n i m 'j'tin—fli

Mediterranean important factor diet (people

live longer)

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIET TO GOOD HEALTH

dangers of food poisoning (meat, fruit, seafood)

hygiene (at home and in restaurants)

(1) that diet is essential to good health, choosing the right diet,

(2) , depends on a number of factors (3) , what we eat is

obviously important (4) , we need to consider how often we have a meal and

which meals should be the main meals of the day (5) , even if our diet is

suitable, we must do our best to ensure t h a t the food we eat is not contaminated

Even the experts disagree about what constitutes the best diet There is, (6) ,

fairly general agreement that a balanced diet like the 'Mediterranean diet', mainly consisting of

fruit, vegetables and fish but also including some meat, is the healthiest and, (7)

people who follow it live longer The key to a good diet is really variety, in places where people

depend entirely on one kind of food, their diet will lack some vitamins and their health will suffer

We may have our main meal during the day or in the evening but there is no doubt that it is

better to have a good breakfast than eat a lot late at night, we need energy at the beginning of a

day's work but not when going to bed, when a big meal may lead to indigestion Regular meals are

also important Young people often get indigestion because they eat sweets, cakes and fast food in

between meals and have no appetite when they go home for lunch or dinner

(8) the right diet does not always prevent illness, though we can minimise

the risks by insisting on cleanliness in restaurants and refusing to eat anything that is not quite

fresh Some diseases contracted by animals may be passed to human beings eating meat; insecticides

sprayed on fruit trees may be poisonous if we eat the fruit raw; some coastal waters are

contaminated and seafood caught there can cause food poisoning In normal circumstances, however,

the right diet is the essential factor for good health, it can make us strong, keep our weight down

and so enable us to live longer

• ^ • • • • • • ^ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I t : '

2 Study Connectors and Modifiers on page 70 and c o m p l e t e t h e essay a b o v e with t h e phrases b e l o w

apart from that

it goes without saying

as a result however nevertheless finally

in the first place

of course

Essays providing information generally make a n u m b e r of main p o i n t s , c o n t a i n e d in t o p i c s e n t e n c e s T h e s e are

• s u p p o r t e d by e x a m p l e s or explanation Find t h e main points in t h e essay o p p o s i t e and t h e s e n t e n c e s

— 2 : s u p p o r t t h e m T h e first has b e e n d o n e for y o u

• e c t using y o u r n o t e s

j ^ ' n d p j e _ of_lTomeopathic remedies - treat whole person not just disease herbal remedies - harmless although not always effective

around since 18th century + even Hippocrates, father of medicine

rome from plants, can be used without doctor's prescription (must follow instructions) _susgicion about traditional drugs - dangerous side effects

eg_p_r Bach's flowers - good for stress, psychological illnesses

Essays Providing information

5 Read Lucy's essay to s e e h o w s h e has o r g a n i s e d t h e information from her n o t e s into paragraphs

1 ( 1 (1) recent years, many people have become suspicious of (2)

traditional drugs prescribed by their doctors because they have read tl™t (3) number of them have (4) dangerous side effects

A s ( 5 ) resuit, they are turning to (6) alternative medicine and (7) homeopathy

( 8J herbal remedies have (9) advantage of being harmless,

even if they do not always cure (10) disease (11) patient is suffering from (12) example of one such remedy is (13) Dr Bach's flowers, which are supposed to have (14) special properties

helping (15) people to overcome (16) symptoms of (17)

stress and (18) similar psychological illnesses

stimulating (21) body's natural forces to (22) recovery

(2 3) remedies used are generally obtained from (24) plants

They are available to t r e a t (25) wide range of (26) illnesses

and can be used without (27) consulting (28) doctor,

provided (29) patient chooses (30) right cure, (31)

cure that matches his symptoms, and he follows (32) instructions

for (33) use very carefully

Although (34) turn towards (35) alternative medicine would

seem to be (36) recent phenomenon, in fact, (37) homeopathic

remedies (38) people use today have been in (39) existence

s i n c e (40) eighteenth century (41) principle behind them is even older and derives from Hippocrates, (42) father of (43) medicine, who recognised that it is necessary to t r e a t (44) whole

person, and not just (45) disease he is suffering from

6 Alan and the have b e e n left o u t of Lucy's essay A d d t h e m only w h e r e n e c e s s a r y

ms