Unit 3 - how to write an essay

1.

CAE
WRITING PART 1
ESSAY
english.teacher_irina

2.

UNDERSTANDING THE TASK
1. How many words do you have to write?
2. What is the topic you have to write about?
3. How do the bullet points relate to the opinions given?
4. Do you have to write about all the bullet points?
5. Do you have to use the opinions?
6. What two things do you have to do with the bullet points you write
about?
7. What must you do if you use the opinions in inverted commas?

3.

COHESION AND COHERENCE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The competition invited anyone from 11 to 18 to submit a self-portrait, the best
of ………… would be displayed in the Tate.
For every pretty-faced teenager who would like to imagine ………… as some softfocus fashion model there is ………… who is keen for the world to know that they
are lurking alone.
The best images are ………… done by someone who has spent time drawing from
life, not just trying to make pictures that look as if ………… are finished.
It was notable how many entrants mapped out the spots on their faces. Clearly
………… matters a lot to a teenager.
Most judges preferred the bad-hair days of entrants such as 13-year-old Daniel
Adkins, in ………… self-portrait the hair took on a character all of its own.
Here, it seems, is a teacher who knows how to tease out and develop innate
talent. And ………… matters.

4.

COHESION AND COHERENCE
1. I wasn’t happy about my hotel room. I said it to the receptionist but she didn’t do anything
about it.
2. There are several umbrellas in the stand in the hall. I’d advise you to take it if you’re going
for a walk.
3. I’d always wanted a portable DVD player and when I was given it as a birthday present, I
thought it was wonderful.
4. Some of the machines broke down quite often, but when things like these happened we
just called a technician.
5. The lecturers will give you a detailed explanation of the subject. You may not be able to
understand all, but you should be able to get a general idea.
6. There was a long queue at the ice cream parlour because most of the children wanted it.
7. We’re looking for a new accountant and it is why I’m writing to you.
8. You should aim to arrive at any time that’s convenient for yourself.

5.

COHESION AND COHERENCE
1. I’ve been to two exhibitions at the National Gallery this year. The two exhibitions focused on 17th
century painters.
I’ve been to two exhibitions at the National Gallery this year. Both focused on 17th
century painters.
2. Fewer and fewer people listen to classical music. The fact that fewer and fewer people listen to
classical music means that less classical music is being recorded.
3. I have to read lots of books for my Business Studies course. The books I enjoy most are the books on
management theory.
4. I’m hoping to be given a pay rise. Being given a pay rise will mean I can buy a better car.
5. I want Karl, Pau, Ludmila and Mar to come to the meeting. I’ve told Karl. Can you tell Pau, Ludmila
and Mar?
6. Marina doesn’t like spending a lot of money on clothes, so she tends to buy second-hand clothes.
7. My mother asked you to help her and she’d have been so happy if you’d helped her.
8. When Raul feels strongly about something, he says he feels strongly about something.
9. She didn’t do the shopping because no one asked her to do the shopping.
10.Someone left a message on the answering machine but the person didn’t leave the person’s name.

6.

COHESION AND COHERENCE
1a. The basis of our American democracy—equal opportunity
for all—is being threatened by college costs that have been
rising fast for the last several years. Increases in family income
have been significantly outpaced by increases in tuition at our
colleges and universities during that period. Only the children of
the wealthiest families in our society will be able to afford a
college education if this trend continues. Knowledge and
intellectual skills, in addition to wealth, will divide us as a
people, when that happens. Equal opportunity and the
egalitarian basis of our democratic society could be eroded by
such a divide.
1b. In the last several years, college costs have been rising so
fast that they are now threatening the basis of our American
democracy— equal opportunity for all. During that period,
tuition has significantly outpaced increases in family income. If
this trend continues, a college education will soon be
affordable only by the children of the wealthiest families in our
society. When that happens, we will be divided as a people not
only by wealth, but by knowledge and intellectual skills. Such a
divide will erode equal opportunity and the egalitarian basis of
our democratic society.

7.

COHESION AND COHERENCE
2. Sayner, Wisconsin, is the snowmobile capital of the world. The buzzing of snowmobile engines fills the air,
and their tanklike tracks crisscross the snow. The snow reminds me of Mom’s mashed potatoes, covered
with furrows I would draw with my fork. Her mashed potatoes usually make me sick—that’s why I play with
them. I like to make a hole in the middle of the potatoes and fill it with melted butter. This behavior has
been the subject of long chats between me and my analyst.
3.
1. Choose one of the sentences as the
topic sentence or write your own.
2. Cross out any irrelevant details.
3. Decide on a logical order for the
supporting points.
4. Use appropriate linking words and
punctuation to connect your ideas.
To be creative you need to take risks. If I wanted to
become creative, I would decide which area I would be
creative in. Creativity can sometimes make you rich
or famous. I would tell myself I had to be confident
and never give up. Creativity is something which every
can aspire to. The worst enemy of creativity is trying
to be a perfectionist. It doesn’t require intelligence.
You need curiosity and adaptability. A lot of people
are afraid of criticism. You have to be able to make
mistakes.