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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J.

OLIVER

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

On Essay Writing: A pathway


to success in IELTS, TOEFL,
TOEIC and Cambridge exams
By Mark J. Oliver

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

Copyright © Mark J. Oliver 2016

Mark J. Oliver has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs

and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not,

by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out

or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior

consent in any form of binding or cover other than that

in which it is published and without a similar condition,

including this condition, being imposed

on the subsequent purchaser.

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

Table of contents

Table of contents

Link to PDF version

Reader feedback

Using the dictionary

Introduction

SECTION A: WRITING THE ESSAY

Chapter 1: The process

Chapter 2: Analysing the essay question

Essay questions: Examples

Essay questions: Practice

Chapter 3: Thinking of ideas

Essay ideas: Examples

Essay ideas: Practice

Chapter 4: Planning the essay

Essay plans: Examples

Essay plans: Practice

Chapter 5: Writing introductions

Introductions: Examples

Introductions: Practice

Chapter 6: Writing body paragraphs

Body paragraphs: Examples

Body paragraphs: Practice 1

Body paragraphs: Practice 2

Chapter 7: Writing conclusions

Conclusions: Examples

Conclusions: Practice

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SECTION B: LINKING YOUR IDEAS

Chapter 8: Linking words and phrases

Showing addition: Examples

Showing addition: Exercise 1

Showing addition: Exercise 2

Showing contrast: Examples

Showing contrast: Exercise 1

Showing contrast: Exercise 2

Showing cause and effect: Examples

Showing cause and effect: Exercise 1

Showing cause and effect: Exercise 2

Showing sequence: Examples

Adding examples: Examples

Adding examples: Exercise 1

Adding examples: Exercise 2

Review activity 1

Review activity 2

Chapter 9: Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners

Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners: Examples

Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners: Exercise 1

Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners: Exercise 2

SECTION C: GRAMMAR

Chapter 10: The first conditional

The first conditional: Examples

The first conditional: Exercise 1

The first conditional: Exercise 2

Chapter 11: The passive voice

The passive voice: Examples

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

The passive voice: Exercise 1

The passive voice: Exercise 2

Chapter 12: The present perfect simple

The present perfect simple: Examples

The present perfect simple: Exercise 1

The present perfect simple: Exercise 2

Chapter 13: Relative clauses

Defining relative clauses: Examples

Non-defining relative clauses: Examples

Relative clauses: Exercise 1

Relative clauses: Exercise 2

Chapter 14: Appositives

Appositives: Examples

Appositives: Exercise

Chapter 15: Free modifiers

Free modifiers: Examples

Free modifiers: Exercise

Chapter 16: Nominalisation

Nominalisation: Examples

Nominalisation: Exercise 1

Nominalisation: Exercise 2

SECTION D: APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Plans and introductions

Appendix 2: Plans, introductions and body paragraphs

SECTION E: ANSWERS

Answers: Analysing the question

Answers: Thinking of ideas

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Answers: Planning the essay

Answers: Writing introductions

Answers: Writing body paragraphs – Practice 1

Answers: Writing body paragraphs – Practice 2

Answers: Writing conclusions

Answers: Showing addition – Exercise 1

Answers: Showing addition – Exercise 2

Answers: Showing contrast – Exercise 1

Answers: Showing contrast – Exercise 2

Answers: Showing cause and effect – Exercise 1

Answers: Showing cause and effect – Exercise 2

Answers: Adding examples – Exercise 1

Answers: Adding examples – Exercise 2

Answers: Review activity 1

Answers: Pronoun reference – Exercise 1

Answers: Pronoun reference – Exercise 2

Answers: The first conditional – Exercise 1

Answers: The first conditional – Exercise 2

Answers: The passive voice – Exercise 1

Answers: The passive voice – Exercise 2

Answers: The present perfect simple – Exercise 1

Answers: The present perfect simple – Exercise 2

Answers: Relative clauses – Exercise 1

Answers: Relative clauses – Exercise 2

Answers: Appositives - Exercise

Answers: Free modifiers - Exercise

Answers: Nominalisation – Exercise 1

Answers: Nominalisation – Exercise 2

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Introduction

If you have plans to study at a university in the UK, the USA, Australia or another English-speaking
country, it is very likely that you are now preparing for an English language exam. Perhaps it is the IELTS
exam, or maybe it is the TOEFL test. One thing is for certain: to achieve the band or score you need to
enter your university you must be able to write an effective essay.

IELTS, TOEFL, TOIEC and Cambridge exams such as the FCE all contain an essay question. This question
may ask you to do one of the following: agree or disagree with a statement, discuss whether the
advantages of something outweigh the disadvantages, discuss two views and give an opinion, or identify
the causes of a problem and its solutions. On Essay Writing includes examples and practice activities for
each these types of essays.

On Essay Writing is divided into three sections. Section A takes you through the essay writing process:
analysing the question, thinking of ideas, planning, writing introductions, creating body paragraphs and
concluding your essay. Section B focuses on ways to link your ideas, such as using linking words and
pronoun reference. Finally, Section C presents and practices areas of grammar which can help improve
your writing.

With interesting sample essays, detailed explanation, engaging practice exercises with answers, On
Essay Writing is perfect for studying alone or with a teacher.

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Reader Feedback

After you finish the book, please leave a review on Amazon at http://ow.ly/TXdJ302SXYR or on
Goodreads at http://ow.ly/LHHY302SZJK

Good luck with your language learning and exams and ENJOY the book.

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

How to use the dictionary on your phone, e-reader or tablet

When you do not understand a word, press your finger on it. A definition will come onto the screen,
telling you what the word means and giving an example sentence. This is a great way for you to learn
new words and better understand a text. Some electronic readers (for example, Kindle) will also save
these words. Kindle calls this section “vocabulary builder”. It is a very useful learning tool and can make
flashcards. Looking at these new words every day will improve your English vocabulary.

Dictionaries are useful, but sometimes it is better not to use one. When you see a word you don’t
understand, try to guess the meaning by looking at the other words in the sentence to help you. This is
an important reading skill. It is called inferencing.

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Section A: Writing the essay


Chapter 1: The process

Good essay writing is a process. These are the stages:

1. Analyse the question


2. Think of ideas
3. Plan your essay
4. Write your essay
5. Check your essay
6. Edit your essay

In an exam the process stops here. However, for a piece of coursework the writer should continue
drafting (writing and editing more versions of the essay) like this:

7. Write a second draft


8. Check the second draft
9. Edit the second draft
10. Write a third draft . . .

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Chapter 2: Analysing the essay question

To write a good essay the writer must answer all parts of the essay question. Therefore, the first thing
the writer should do is determine what the essay question is asking them to do and how many parts it
consists of.

Essay questions: Examples

Question 1

Nowadays, more people are moving to other countries for work. What are the reasons for this? Do the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

This question looks at the topic of people moving to other countries for work and asks the writer to do
four things: 1 – explain why more people are moving to other countries for work, 2 – discuss the
advantages of this, 3 – discuss the disadvantages of this, and 4 – say if there are more advantages than
disadvantages.

Question 2

In some countries, it is common to see young children using smartphones. Some people believe that
children can benefit from using this technology while others believe it is harmful. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.

The question looks at the topic of young children using smartphones and asks the writer to do three
things: 1 – discuss the benefits of young children using smartphones, 2 – discuss the dangers of young
children using smartphones, and 3 – state their opinion on the issue.

Question 3

In some countries, it is popular for young people to spend three months to a year working for free as
interns to gain experience. Many believe that these internships are unfair and should be banned. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

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The question looks at the topic of banning internships and asks the writer to do three things: 1 –
discuss the reasons for banning internships, 2 – discuss the reasons for not doing this, and 3 – state
whether they agree, disagree or partially agree.

Question 4

In some countries (for example, the UK and the USA) the number of overweight people is increasing.
What are the reasons for this? What problems does this cause? What can governments do to stop people
becoming overweight?

The question looks at the topic of overweight people and asks the writer to do three things: 1 – explain
why more people are becoming overweight, 2 – discuss the problems an overweight population causes,
and 3 – discuss what governments can do to stop people becoming overweight.

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Essay questions: Practice

Look at the four essay questions below (5 – 8) and for each question state what the topic of the question
is and what the question asks the writer to do.

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

*****
Check your answers by clicking here.

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Chapter 3: Thinking of ideas

After the writer has analysed the essay question, they need to think of ideas. The aim at this stage is to
think of as many ideas, good or bad, as possible in the time given. Often good ideas come on the back of
bad ideas. These can be recorded as a list or a mind map. The writer can then choose the best ideas to
go into the essay.

Essay ideas: Examples

Question 1

Nowadays, more people are moving to other countries for work. What are the reasons for this? Do the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Reasons: European Union freedom of movement for workers / cheaper travel / English as an
international language / developed countries with small populations (Singapore, UAE)

Advantages: workers from developing countries can receive higher salaries and send it back home /
increased employment around the world / workers can experience new cultures / better understanding
and ties between countries

Disadvantages: not enough skilled workers in developing countries / poor or illegal treatment of foreign
workers / more competition for jobs in developed countries

Question 2

In some countries, it is common to see young children using smartphones. Some people believe that
children can benefit from using this technology while others believe it is harmful. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.

How children can benefit: learn to use new technology / they learn IT skills necessary for future jobs /
develop multi-tasking skills / children become more independent in their learning

How it is harmful: children have shorter attention spans (cannot concentrate for long periods) / social
skills do not develop / become less polite / parents spend less time with children

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Question 3

In some countries, it is popular for young people to spend three months to a year working for free as
interns to gain experience. Many believe that these internships are unfair and should be banned. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Reasons for banning them: unfair – people should be paid for their work / only graduates from rich
families can afford to do internships / no promise of work after internships

Reasons against banning them: graduates gain practical experience and develop skills / graduates can
try out a variety of careers / some internships pay salaries / charities benefit from educated voluntary
staff

Question 4

In some countries (for example, the UK and the USA) the number of overweight people is increasing.
What are the reasons for this? What problems does this cause? What can the government do to stop
people becoming overweight?

Reasons: unhealthy food and drink are cheap and delicious /advertising / bad eating habits / people
think fizzy drinks not unhealthy

Problems: heart disease is increasing / expensive for governments with free healthcare / fewer healthy
people to work / children copy their parents bad eating habits

Solutions: educate people about healthy eating / free cooking classes / ban advertising of unhealthy
food and drink / tax on unhealthy food

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Essay ideas: Practice

Look at the four essay questions below (5 – 8) and for each question think of ideas to discuss in the
essay.

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Reasons:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.

Advantages of studying languages online:


Disadvantages of studying languages online:
Advantages of studying face-to-face:
Disadvantages of studying face-to-face:

Question 7

Governments should create more green spaces (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads)
in major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Reasons for doing this:


Reasons for not doing this:

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Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Reasons:
Solutions:

*****
Compare your ideas with those written here.

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Chapter 4: Planning the essay

After analysing the essay questions and thinking of ideas, it is time to plan the essay. In exams, this stage
might seem like a waste of time; it is not. Planning an essay makes it easier to write it.
A plan is like GPS. It tells the writer where they are going and stops them from getting lost or going in
the wrong direction. Exam candidates who spend three or five minutes making a plan, write essays
which are better organised and which fully answer their exam question.
When writing a piece of coursework (generally with higher word counts), planning is also important, as it
keeps the writer on topic, improves cohesion and coherence and prevents the repetition of ideas.

Essay structure

Essays have the following structure:

introduction
+
body paragraphs
+
conclusion

The number of body paragraphs will depend on the question and the writer’s argument. In a 250-word
essay, there should be between two or three body paragraphs. As the word count goes up, so too does
the number of body paragraphs.
Here are two useful structures for “For and against” and “advantages and disadvantages” essays:

Structure 1

(Introduction)
+
(arguments for/advantages)
+
(arguments against/disadvantages)
+

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(conclusion)

Structure 2

(Introduction)
+
(argument + counter argument + rebuttal)
+
(argument + counter argument + rebuttal)
+
(conclusion)

In structure 1, the writer discusses advantages or arguments for in one body paragraph and
disadvantages or arguments against in another.
In structure 2, the writer discusses both sides of an argument in each body paragraph. The writer starts
with an argument (for example, “Recycling is a good way to help the environment.”) Then, they write a
counter argument (for example, “One disadvantage, though, is that the recycling process requires
energy and this causes pollution.”) Finally, they finish the paragraph with a rebuttal to the counter
argument (for example, “However, new technology is being developed which will make this process
more efficient.”)

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Essay plans: Examples

This section includes plans for the first four essay questions. After you have read these plans, write your
own plans for the four essay questions in the practice section.

Question 1

Nowadays, more people are moving to other countries for work. What are the reasons for this? Do the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Writer’s argument: the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons (EU freedom of movement for workers / job opportunities in developed countries)

Paragraph 3: advantages (higher salaries / movement of money between developed and less developed
countries)

Paragraph 4: disadvantages (fewer skilled workers in developing countries / high competition for jobs in
developed countries)

Paragraph 5: conclusion

Plan 2

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons (EU freedom of movement for workers / job opportunities in developed countries)

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Paragraph 3: advantage (movement of money between developed and less developed countries) +
counter argument (high competition for jobs in developed countries) + rebuttal (better-skilled workers
and growing economies in developing countries)

Paragraph 4: advantage (foreign workers experience new cultures) + counter argument (workers from
developing countries often prejudiced against) + rebuttal (cases of prejudice force governments to act,
making countries less prejudiced in the future)

Paragraph 5: conclusion

Question 2

In some countries, it is common to see young children using smartphones. Some people believe that
children can benefit from using this technology while others believe it is harmful. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.

Writer’s argument: although using smartphones can be harmful, with appropriate supervision from
parents this technology offers children some important benefits.

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: problems (social skills do not develop / children spend less time with parents)

Paragraph 3: advantage (prepares children for future jobs)

Paragraph 4: advantage (children become more independent in their learning)

Paragraph 5: conclusion

Plan 2

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Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: advantage (prepares them for future jobs) + counter argument (social skills do not develop)
+ rebuttal (little evidence and good parenting can help)

Paragraph 3: advantage (helps them become more independent in their learning) + counter argument
(children have shorter attention spans) + rebuttal (develops multi-tasking skills)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

Question 3

In some countries, it is popular for young people to spend three months to a year working for free as
interns to gain experience. Many believe that these internships are unfair and should be banned. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Writer’s argument: internships which do not pay a fair salary should be banned

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons for banning internships (exploitative / only graduates from rich families can afford
to do them)

Paragraph 3: reasons against banning internships (graduates gain practical experience and develop skills
/ graduates can try out a variety of careers / students can do internships while at university)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

Plan 2

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Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons for banning internships (exploitative) + counter argument (graduates gain
practical experience and develop skills) + rebuttal (all new employees should get training while they
work)

Paragraph 3: reasons for banning internships (only graduates from rich families can afford to do them) +
counter argument (students can do them while at university) + rebuttal (students have large debts from
university and need paid jobs while they study)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

Question 4

In some countries (for example, the UK and the USA) the number of overweight people is increasing.
What are the reasons for this? What problems does this cause? What can governments do to stop people
becoming overweight?

Writer’s argument: this question does not ask the writer to argue whether they agree or disagree with a
statement.

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons (bad eating habits / unhealthy food and drink are cheap, delicious and heavily
advertised)

Paragraph 3: problems (heart disease is increasing / expensive for governments with free healthcare)

Paragraph 4: solutions (educate people about healthy eating / ban advertising of unhealthy food and
drink / tax unhealthy food)

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Paragraph 5: conclusion

Plan 2

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: problems (heart disease is increasing / expensive for governments with free healthcare /
less healthy people to work)

Paragraph 3: reason (bad eating habits) + solution (educate people about healthy eating)

Paragraph 4: reason (unhealthy food and drink are cheap, delicious and heavily advertised) + solution
(ban advertising of unhealthy food and drink / tax unhealthy food)

Paragraph 5: conclusion

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Essay Plans: Practice

Look at the four essay questions below (5 – 8) and write a plan for each. Try to write at least one essay
plan with an “argument + counter argument + rebuttal” structure.

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

*****
Compare your plans with those written here.

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Chapter 5: Writing introductions

All essays should begin with an introduction. This is not an optional paragraph. The introduction tells the
reader what the essay is about and, if it is an argumentative essay, what the writer’s argument is. It can
also describe how the essay is organised. It is the first part of the essay that the examiner or teacher will
read, so it should be clear, concise and well-written.
Remember, in exams the writer must not copy the wording in the question: they must use their own
words. This is called paraphrasing.

There are three parts to an introduction:

Hook
+
Background information
+
Thesis statement

The hook is a short sentence or rhetorical question which grabs the reader’s attention. Here the writer
can paraphrase the essay question.
Background information can be one or two sentences which add more information about the essay
topic. Like the hook, it can paraphrase the essay question.
The thesis statement is the sentence (or two) which tells the reader what the main idea of the essay is.
If the essay question asks for an opinion, it should be included here. The thesis statement is one of the
most important parts of an essay, so it must not be forgotten.
A thesis statement can be stated or implied.
A stated thesis statement tells the reader exactly what is in the essay and how it is organised (for
example, “There are three reasons smoking should be banned in public: the threat of passive smoking,
the risk of children copying smokers’ behaviour and the unpleasant smell of burning cigarettes.”)
An implied statement is not so explicit (for example, “There are three main reasons smoking should be
banned.”)

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Introductions: Examples

This section includes introductions for essay questions 1 to 4 based on the plans from chapter 4.

Question 1

Nowadays, more people are moving to other countries for work. What are the reasons for this? Do the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

In recent years, the number of people travelling abroad for work has increased. Foreigners now make up
a significant percentage of the workforce in many countries. Although this flow of labour between
countries has some disadvantages, overall I believe it is a positive development.

Hook: In recent years, the number of people travelling abroad for work has increased.
Background information: Foreigners now make up a significant percentage of the workforce in many
countries.
Thesis statement (implied): Although this flow of labour between countries has some disadvantages,
overall I believe it is a positive development.

Question 2

In some countries, it is common to see young children using smartphones. Some people believe that
children can benefit from using this technology while others believe it is harmful. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.

Nowadays, children are as likely to have a smartphone in their hand as a toy. Their easy-to-use
operating systems and touch screens make them attractive to young children. Some parents and
teachers find this worrying. However, I believe that with the right supervision this technology can
benefit children by preparing them for future jobs and helping them to become more independent in
their learning.

Hook: Nowadays, children are as likely to have a smartphone in their hand as a toy.
Background information: Their easy-to-use operating systems and touch screens make them attractive
to young children.

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Thesis statement (stated): Some parents and teachers find this worrying. However, I believe that with
the right supervision this technology can benefit children by preparing them for future jobs and helping
them to become more independent in their learning.

Question 3

In some countries, it is popular for young people to spend three months to a year working for free as
interns to gain experience. Many believe that these internships are unfair and should be banned. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

In today’s competitive environment, many young people are choosing to do internships. Although
interns work the same hours as regular staff, they are rarely paid well and often not paid at all.
Companies argue that the experience and skills the graduates gain are a fair reward for their services.
However, I believe that unless they are paid fairly, internships should be banned.

Hook: In today’s competitive environment, many young people are choosing to do internships.
Background information: Although interns work the same hours as regular staff, they are rarely paid
well and often not paid at all.
Thesis statement (implied): Companies argue that the experience and skills the graduates gain are a fair
reward for their services. However, I believe that unless they are paid fairly, internships should be
banned.

Question 4

In some countries (for example, the UK and the USA) the number of overweight people is increasing.
What are the reasons for this? What problems does this cause? What can governments do to stop people
becoming overweight?

Nowadays, being overweight has become the norm in many parts of the world. In countries, such as the
UK and the USA, almost two-thirds of the population weigh more than is healthy. This has led to a rise in
lifestyle-related diseases. It is, therefore, vital that governments do something to address the causes of
this problem: mass-marketed unhealthy food and drink and poor eating habits.

Hook: Nowadays, being overweight has become the norm in many parts of the world.
Background information: In countries, such as the UK and the USA, almost two-thirds of the population
weigh more than is healthy.

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Thesis statement (stated): This has led to a rise in lifestyle-related diseases. It is, therefore, vital that
governments do something to address the causes of this problem: mass-marketed unhealthy food and
drink and poor eating habits.

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Introductions: Practice

Now it is your turn. Look at essay questions 5 to 8 below and write an introduction for each. Try to write
some introductions with stated thesis statements and others with implied thesis statements. You can
write introductions for the essay plans you wrote in chapter 4 or for the essay plans provided in the
answers section here.

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Compare your introductions with four model introductions here.

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Chapter 6: Writing body paragraphs

English essays must have paragraphs. They are not optional. Writers use paragraphs to tell the reader
they have moved onto a new topic.
Each body paragraph should discuss a distinct topic and every sentence in that paragraph must relate to
that topic. If the sentence does not relate to it, it should go in another paragraph.
A 250-word essay should have between two and three body paragraphs. The more words the essay has,
the more paragraphs it needs. When writing in exams, the candidate should make it very clear every
time they start a new paragraph: leaving a space between paragraphs is a good idea.
Body paragraphs have two or three parts:

Topic sentence
+
Supporting sentences
+
Concluding sentence (optional).

The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about. It is the most general sentence in the
paragraph because its function is to introduce the central topic. It should be clear and not too long.
Usually, a topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.
Supporting sentences support the claim(s) made in the topic sentence. They provide detail, in the form
of explanations, evidence and examples. Depending on the essay structure, they can also include
counter-arguments and rebuttals (see chapter 4).
A concluding sentence is useful for long paragraphs but unnecessary for short ones. It is general and
summarises the main points made by the supporting sentences. The body paragraphs provided in this
chapter are short and do not have concluding sentences.

When writing body paragraphs it is important to avoid repetition of vocabulary. Using synonyms makes
essays more interesting and shows that the writer has a good range of vocabulary.
The same is true of grammar. Essays should have a variety of sentence types, both simple and complex,
long and short. Examples of complex sentences include conditionals and relative clauses (see Section C).

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Body paragraphs: Examples

This section includes body paragraphs for essay questions 1 and 2. They are based on the plans from
chapter 4 and introductions from chapter 5. In each body paragraph, the topic sentence is underlined.
Notice how they introduce the central idea of the paragraphs and link back to previous paragraphs.

Question 1

Nowadays, more people are moving to other countries for work. What are the reasons for this? Do the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Body paragraph 1
There are two main reasons for this trend. First, the European Union (EU) introduced freedom of
movement for its workers. This means that people from one EU country can live and work in another
without a visa. The number of Europeans working in other member states has increased as EU
membership has grown. Second, developed countries, especially those with small populations such as
Singapore require a large foreign workforce. Salaries and working conditions in these countries are
particularly attractive for workers from less developed countries.

Body paragraph 2
This movement of labour from less to more developed countries is beneficial on both an individual
and national level. These workers are able to earn higher salaries and have access to a range of career
or educational opportunities unavailable to them in their own countries. Moreover, many send their
salaries home, which boosts the economies of their countries and improves standards of living. This
exchange also benefits the countries employing the workers by providing them with a workforce large
enough to meet their needs.

Body paragraph 3
There are, however, some disadvantages. In developed countries the competition for jobs is high.
Employers can choose candidates from all over the world, and as a result, locals may struggle to find
work. This can lead to tension between the local population and the foreign workforce. Another
problem is that less developed countries are losing their most skilled and qualified people. Instead of
staying home to help develop their nation, talented individuals move abroad in search of better job
opportunities.

Question 2

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In some countries, it is common to see young children using tablets or smartphones. Some people believe
that children can benefit from using this technology while others believe it is harmful. Discuss both views
and give your opinion.

Body paragraph 1
Technology has and will continue to change the way we work. Children need to grow up using the
latest machines so that they can develop the skills they will need in their future careers. Some of the
fastest technological developments are currently happening in the field of mobile technology. Although
some have argued that overuse of smartphones can result in children failing to develop effective social
skills, there is little evidence to support this claim. Moreover, most parents limit the time their children
spend on these devices and encourage real-life interaction.

Body paragraph 2
Education is another part of our lives that has been affected by technology. A lot of the responsibility
for learning has moved from the teacher to the student. Today’s teachers often use social media to set
tasks which children do at home using their smartphones. Instead of reading about a topic in school,
children research it at home and discuss what they have learnt in class. While some suggest that using
this technology reduces a child’s attention span, others point out that it helps develop multi-tasking
skills, which are becoming increasingly important.

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Body paragraphs: Practice 1

This section includes body paragraphs for essays 3 and 4. However, the topic sentences are missing.
Look at the body paragraphs and write a suitable topic sentence for each. Then, compare your
sentences with the model topic sentences here.

Question 3

In some countries, it is popular for young people to spend three months to a year working for free as
interns to gain experience. Many believe that these internships are unfair and should be banned. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Body paragraph 1
_________________________________________ . First, they are exploitative. Asking interns to work
for free or below a living wage while other employees are paid well to do the same job is morally wrong.
This is especially the case in times of high unemployment when people are desperate to find a job.
Second, only those who come from wealthy backgrounds can afford to work as interns. Therefore, only
the children of the rich can gain the skills and experience needed to succeed. This keeps wealth and
power in the hands of the few.

Body paragraph 2
__________________________________________ . Internships, they argue, not only improve practical
skills and provide experience but help secure a full-time job in a company. They are also a good way for
young people to try out a variety of career paths without having to commit to a long-term post. In
addition, many companies offer internships to students who work part-time or during their summer
holidays. These interns are happy to work for free or low wages, as they are usually living at home or in
student housing.

Question 4

In some countries (for example, the UK and the USA) the number of overweight people is increasing.
What are the reasons for this? What problems does this cause? What can governments do to stop people
becoming overweight?

Body paragraph 1
__________________________________________. Food and drink corporations, such as Mars and
Coca-Cola, spend millions of dollars designing products that taste delicious and can be sold cheaply.

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These are then advertised on every form of media. Unless people have been raised to eat healthily, they
will be unable to resist. Unfortunately, many parents have failed to educate their children about basic
nutrition. It is, therefore, unsurprising that in some countries over half of the population is overweight.

Body paragraph 2
_______________________________________. The number of people suffering from heart disease and
diabetes, illnesses caused by being overweight, has risen sharply. Those two diseases are now amongst
the top causes of death in the world. Not only does this lower the quality of life for the public but it also
costs governments vast amounts of money in healthcare.

Body paragraph 3
____________________________________________. First, they should introduce a tax on unhealthy
food and drink. In the UK, this has been done successfully before with tobacco products. Fewer people
now smoke and the government invests the tax it collects in the health service. Second, governments
need to introduce a ban on advertising these products. Money should also be invested in educational
programs which promote good eating habits. This is especially important in schools so that children can
grow up eating healthily.

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Body paragraphs: Practice 2

In this section, you should write whole body paragraphs for essay questions 5 to 8. You can use the
plans and introductions you wrote in chapter 4 and 5 or you can use those provided here.

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

*****
Compare your body paragraphs with four model paragraphs here.

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Chapter 7: Writing conclusions

The conclusion is the last thing the teacher or examiner will read, so it is important that it is well-
written. A good conclusion will link back to the introduction, briefly summarise the main points and,
possibly, end with an insightful comment. Importantly, a conclusion should include no new information.
There is also no need to begin a conclusion with phrases, such as “In conclusion” or “To sum up”. In fact,
many argue against using these phrases.

Here is a useful structure to use when writing conclusions:

Reference to essay question

Paraphrased thesis statement

Brief summary of main arguments

Concluding comment (optional)

The summary of main arguments can stand alone or be included in the paraphrased thesis statement.

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Conclusions: Examples

Question 1

Nowadays, more people are moving to other countries for work. What are the reasons for this? Do the
advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

In recent years, the number of people travelling abroad for work has increased. Foreigners now make up
a significant percentage of the workforce in many countries. Although this flow of labour between
countries has some disadvantages, overall I believe it is a positive development.
There are two main reasons for this trend. First, the European Union (EU) introduced freedom of
movement for its workers. This means that people from one EU country can live and work in another
without a visa. The number of Europeans working in other member states has increased as EU
membership has grown. Second, developed countries, especially those with small populations such as
Singapore require a large foreign workforce. Salaries and working conditions in these countries are
particularly attractive for workers from less developed countries.
This movement of labour from less to more developed countries is beneficial on both an individual and
national level. These workers are able to earn higher salaries and have access to a range of career or
educational opportunities unavailable to them in their own countries. Moreover, many send their
salaries home, which boosts the economies of their countries and improves standards of living. This
exchange also benefits the countries in which they work by ensuring they have a large enough
workforce to meet their needs.
There are, however, some disadvantages. In developed countries the competition for jobs is high.
Employers can choose candidates from all over the world, and as a result, locals may struggle to find
work. This can lead to tension between the local population and the foreign workforce. Another
problem is that less developed countries are losing their most skilled and qualified people. Instead of
staying home to help develop their nation, talented individuals move abroad in search of better job
opportunities.

Conclusion
This trend of workers moving abroad to work looks set to continue. While this may result in greater
competition for jobs in some parts of the world and a lack of skilled labour in others, the benefits it
brings to both individuals and nations are vital. In the long term, it will lead to growth in the economies
of less developed countries and a fairer distribution of wealth.

Reference to essay question: This trend of workers moving abroad to work looks set to continue.
Paraphrased thesis statement: While this may result in greater competition for jobs in some parts of
the world and a lack of skilled labour in others, the benefits it brings to both individuals and nations are
vital.

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Brief summary of main arguments: (Given in paraphrased thesis statement)


Concluding comment: In the long term, it will lead to growth in the economies of less developed
countries and a fairer distribution of wealth.

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Question 2

In some countries it is common to see young children using tablets or smartphones. Some people believe
that children can benefit from using this technology while others believe it is harmful. Discuss both views
and give your opinion.

Nowadays, children are as likely to have a smartphone in their hand as a toy. Their easy-to-use
operating systems and touch screens make them attractive to young children. Some parents and
teachers find this worrying. However, I believe that with the right supervision this technology can
benefit children by preparing them for future jobs and helping them to become more independent in
their learning.
Technology has and will continue to change the way we work. Children need to grow up using the latest
machines so that they can develop the skills they will need in their future careers. Some of the fastest
technological developments are currently happening in the field of mobile technology. Although some
have argued that overuse of smartphones can result in children failing to develop effective social skills,
there is little evidence to support this claim. Moreover, most parents limit the time their children spend
on these devices and encourage real-life interaction.
Education is another part of our lives that has been affected by technology. A lot of the responsibility for
learning has moved from the teacher to the student. Today’s teachers often use social media to set
tasks which children do at home using their smartphones. Instead of reading about a topic in school,
children research it at home and discuss what they have learnt in class. While some suggest that using
this technology reduces a child’s attention span, others point out that it helps develop multi-tasking
skills, which are becoming increasingly important.

Conclusion
Smartphones have become a part of many children’s lives. Although there is a risk that overuse might be
harmful, I firmly believe the benefits they offer in terms of education and future employment make
them essential. Without the skills this technology helps develop, children may struggle to succeed in life.

Reference to essay question: Smartphones have become a part of many children’s lives.
Paraphrased thesis statement: Although there is a risk that overuse might be harmful, I firmly believe
the benefits they offer in terms of education and future employment make them essential.
Brief summary of main arguments: (Given in paraphrased thesis statement)
Concluding comment: Without the skills this technology helps develop, children may struggle to
succeed in life.

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Question 3

In some countries, it is popular for young people to spend three months to a year working for free as
interns. Many believe that these internships are unfair and should be banned. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?

In today’s competitive environment, many young people are choosing to do internships. Although
interns work the same hours as regular staff, they are rarely paid well and often not paid at all.
Companies argue that the experience and skills the graduates gain are a fair reward for their services.
However, I believe that unless they are paid fairly, internships should be banned.
There are two main reasons for banning internships. First, they are exploitative. Asking interns to work
for free or below a living wage while other employees are paid well to do the same job is morally wrong.
This is especially the case in times of high unemployment when people are desperate to find a job.
Second, only those who come from wealthy backgrounds can afford to work as interns. Therefore, only
the children of the rich can gain the skills and experience needed to succeed. This keeps wealth and
power in the hands of the few.
Supporters of this practice, however, point to a number of benefits. Internships, they argue, not only
improve practical skills and provide experience but help secure a full-time job in a company. They are
also a good way for young people to try out a variety of career paths without having to commit to a
long-term post. In addition, many companies offer internships to students who work part-time or during
their summer holidays. These interns are happy to work for free or low wages, as they are usually living
at home or in student housing.

Conclusion
As long as there is pressure on young people to gain experience by working for free or for low wages,
companies will continue to offer internships. The only way to stop this exploitative practice is for
governments to ban unpaid or poorly paid internships. This will create a fairer society where all people
are rewarded for their work and posts in successful companies are not limited to the rich. Governments
can achieve this by introducing a minimum wage for internships which all companies must by law
respect.

Reference to essay question: As long as there is pressure on young people to gain experience by
working for free or for low wages, companies will continue to offer internships.
Paraphrased thesis statement: The only way to stop this exploitative practice is for governments to ban
unpaid or poorly paid internships.
Brief summary of main arguments: This will create a fairer society where all people are rewarded for
their work and posts in successful companies are not limited to the rich.
Concluding comment: The government can achieve this by introducing a minimum wage for internships
which all companies must by law respect.

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Question 4

In some countries (for example, the UK and the USA) the number of overweight people is increasing.
What are the reasons for this? What problems does this cause? What can the government do to stop
people becoming overweight?

Nowadays, being overweight has become the norm in many parts of the world. In countries, such as the
UK and the USA, almost two-thirds of the population weigh more than is healthy. This has led to a rise in
lifestyle-related diseases. It is, therefore, vital that governments do something to address the causes of
this problem: mass-marketed unhealthy food and drink and poor eating habits.
Staying at a healthy weight has become increasingly difficult. Food and drink corporations, such as Mars
and Coca-Cola, spend millions of dollars designing products that taste delicious and can be sold cheaply.
These are then advertised on every form of media. Unless people have been raised to eat healthily, they
will be unable to resist. Unfortunately, many parents have failed to educate their children about basic
nutrition. It is, therefore, not surprising that in some countries over half of the population is overweight.
This trend has serious consequences. The number of people suffering from heart disease and diabetes,
illnesses caused by being overweight, has risen sharply. Those two diseases are now amongst the top
causes of death in the world. Not only does this lower the quality of life for the public but it also costs
governments vast amounts of money in health care.
Governments around the world must take action. First, they should introduce a tax on unhealthy food
and drink. In the UK, this has been done successfully before with tobacco products. Fewer people now
smoke and the government invests the tax it collects in the health service. Second, governments need to
introduce a ban on advertising these products. Money should also be invested in educational programs
which promote good eating habits. This is especially important in schools so that children can grow up
eating healthily.

Conclusion
This rise in the number of overweight people and the diseases linked to this is alarming. Governments
have an obligation to ensure the health and well-being of their citizens. They must invest in nutrition
education, particularly for children and parents, and reduce the negative impact of giant food
corporations on society. The future quality of life for many depends on this.

Reference to essay question: This rise in the number of overweight people and the diseases linked to
this is alarming.
Paraphrased thesis statement: Governments have an obligation to ensure the health and well-being of
their citizens.
Brief summary of main arguments: They must invest in nutrition education, particularly for children and
parents, and reduce the negative impact of giant food corporations on society.
Concluding comment: The future quality of life for many depends on this.

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Conclusions: Practice

Now it is your turn. Write conclusions for essays 5 to 8, using the introductions and body paragraphs you
have written or the ones provided here.

Once you have completed your conclusions, compare them with the ones written here.

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Section B: Linking your ideas

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Chapter 8: Linking words and phrases

Linking words and phrases (or linkers) improve the organisation of an essay. They make writing more
cohesive by acting as bridges between sentences and paragraphs. A writer cannot create complex
sentences without linking their ideas.
An important thing to remember is that some linkers connect clauses and others connect sentences. For
example, “although” connects two clauses while “however” connects two sentences, as in the following
examples: “Although it is difficult, I enjoy it,” and “It is difficult. However, I enjoy it.”
Linking words and phrases can show addition, contrast, cause and effect, and sequence. They can also
add examples. In essays, it is important to use a variety of linking words.
This chapter includes example linking words and phrases from the essays. After reading them, test your
understanding of how to use them by doing the practice exercises. Follow this up by writing your own
sentences using the different linkers.

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

Showing addition: Examples

These workers are able to earn higher salaries and have access to a range of career or educational
opportunities unavailable to them in their own countries. Moreover, many send their salaries home,
which boosts the economies of their countries and improves standards of living.

This can lead to tension between the local population and the foreign workforce. Another problem is
that less developed countries are losing their most skilled and qualified people.

They are also a good way for young people to try out a variety of career paths without having to commit
to a long-term post. In addition, many companies offer internships to students who work part-time or
during their summer holidays.

Second, governments need to introduce a ban on advertising these products. Money should also be
invested in educational programs which promote good eating habits.

Not only can learners take one-to-one classes with a teacher on Skype at a lower price but they can also
use language-learning applications such as Duolingo for free.

Not only does reading help people learn a language but it also improves lateral thinking and empathy.

The last linking phrase, “Not only . . . but also . . . ,” is used to add emphasis. Notice how the subject
and the verb ‘can’ is inverted in the first example and how the auxiliary ‘does’ is added in the second.

******

Position and punctuation

In ‘not only . . . but also’ sentences do not need commas.


‘Moreover’ and ‘in addition’ come at the start of a sentence and need commas after them.
When ‘also’ starts at sentence it is followed by a comma.

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Showing addition: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
Reading regularly helps students improve their grammar and vocabulary, moreover it increases their
word recognition speed.

2
Keeping a vocabulary diary is a good way for students to learn new words. Another effective technique
is writing mind maps.

Some students find relative clauses difficult. Also, they struggle with complicated tenses such as the past
perfect.

Studying abroad introduces students to new cultures, in addition it gives them the opportunity to learn
a foreign language.

Successful students ask questions when they do not understand something. Addition, they make clear
and effective notes.

Not only writing regularly is important for improving organisation and language but it is also a good way
to develop critical thinking skills.

Not only are online courses more convenient than face-to-face courses but they are also cheaper.

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Not only listening to podcasts develops listening for gist and specific information but it also improves
pronunciation.

*****
Check your answers here.

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Showing addition: Exercise 2

Join these two sentences using the linking word or phrase in brackets. Remember, some linkers connect
two clauses and others connect two sentences.

1
Dictionaries provide the definitions of words. They show the reader how to pronounce the words. (in
addition)

2
Nowadays, students need good language skills. Students must be able to think critically. (not only . . .
but also . . . )

In schools, children learn numeracy and literacy. They learn social skills. (moreover)

Essays should be well-organised. They should answer the question fully. (also)

Linking words connect sentences within a paragraph. Linking words join paragraphs within an essay. (not
only . . . but also . . . )

*****
Check your answers here.

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

Showing contrast: Examples

Although this flow of labour between countries has some disadvantages, overall I believe it is a positive
development.

Some parents and teachers find this worrying. However, I believe that with the right supervision this
technology can benefit children . . .

Despite these benefits, people continue to attend classes at language schools.

Despite international laws protecting endangered animals, their populations have continued to
decrease.

******

Position and punctuation

‘Although’ can come at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. If it comes in the middle of a
sentence it requires commas before and after it. When it introduces a two-clause sentence, it does not
have a comma after it. However, there should be a comma between the clauses.

When ‘however’ comes at the start of a sentence it has a comma after it. When it comes in the middle
of a sentence it needs a comma before and after it.
‘Despite’ comes at the start of a two-clause sentence and does not need a comma. However, there
should be a comma between the clauses.

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Showing contrast: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
Although it is well-known that smoking causes cancer. Many people continue to smoke.

2
Walking or cycling to work is a good way to stay healthy. However, most people prefer to drive or take
public transport.

Although a large percentage of the UK population is overweight, the government has not yet introduced
a ban on advertising products with a high sugar content.

Despite government campaigns promoting healthy eating, a large percentage of the population remains
overweight.

Many people believe smoking should be banned in public. However, I agree.

Despite offering benefits in terms of health and costs only a small percentage of the workforce cycle to
work.

*****
Check your answers here.

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ON ESSAY WRITING BY MARK J. OLIVER

Showing contrast: Exercise 2

Join these two sentences using the linking word or phrase in brackets. Remember, some linkers connect
two clauses and others connect two sentences.

1
There are some advantages. These are outweighed by the disadvantages. (although)

2
All secondary students take physical education classes in school. Not many secondary students play
sports in their free time. (although)

Swimming is a good way to stay fit and prevents people from drowning. Many children around the world
do not learn how to swim. (however)

Regularly eating fast food has been proven to increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes. Many
school canteens still serve chips, hamburgers and pizza. (however)

Cycling to work and school keeps people healthy and is good for the environment. Many cities do not
promote it by building cycle lanes or providing bicycles for hire. (despite)

Government advertising campaigns recommend eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Many
people are still not eating a healthy amount of fruit and vegetables. (despite)

*****
Check your answers here.

Click here for some online activities.

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Showing cause and effect: Examples

Employers can choose candidates from all over the world, and as a result, locals may struggle to find
work.

As a result of population growth and development, many of the parks, gardens and forests that once
made major cities attractive places to live and visit have been replaced by roads and buildings.

Second, only those who come from wealthy backgrounds can afford to work as interns. Therefore, only
the children of the rich can gain the skills and experience needed to succeed.

Thailand, for example, has recently closed one of its islands to visitors because of harm to the
environment.

These interns are happy to work for free or low wages, as they are usually living at home or in student
housing.

******

Position and punctuation

‘Therefore’ can come at the beginning, or in the middle of a sentence. If it is in the middle of a
sentence, it needs commas before and after it. When it introduces a sentence, it has a comma after it.

‘As a result’ can come at the beginning, or in the middle of a sentence with ‘and’. It has a comma after
it.

‘As a result of’ can come at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence and does not need commas
before or after it. However, if it introduces a two-clause sentence, there should be a comma between
the clauses.

‘As’ joins two clauses and requires a comma after it.

‘Because of’ can come at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence and does not need commas
before or after it. However, if it introduces a two-clause sentence, there should be a comma between
the clauses.

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Showing cause and effect: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
People often only go to the cinema to watch movies which have their favourite stars in them. As a
result, film production companies pay famous actors and actresses millions of dollars to be in their
movies.

2
As a result improvements in the quality of television series, fewer people are going to the cinema.

Online streaming companies such as Netflix allow people to watch their favourite series whenever and
wherever they like, as a result many people have stopped subscribing to cable and satellite television
services.

Many film production companies are losing money as a result of criminals illegally uploading movies
onto the internet.

Having an award-winning actor or actress in a movie increases the perceived quality of a movie,
therefore Oscar winners are in high demand.

Nowadays, realistic landscapes can be created using special effects. Therefore, directors can now film
most of their movie inside a studio.

Marvel and DC Comics have become very successful because of the high demand for superhero movies.

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People watch movies because of they want to experience things that are impossible in their normal
lives.

Many people like to hear the actors’ real voices, as they prefer to watch movies with subtitles.

10

Historical movies are popular, as audiences enjoy seeing what life used to be like.

*****
Check your answers here.

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Showing cause and effect: Exercise 2

Join these two sentences using the linking word or phrase in brackets. Remember, some linkers connect
two clauses and others connect two sentences.

1
Genius sports stars, such as Lionel Messi and Dan Carter, can turn a good team into a championship-
winning team. Sports team are willing to pay them extremely high salaries. (as a result)

2
Whether they like it or not, sports stars are role models for children. They should behave like
responsible adults and avoid scandal. (therefore)

3
The best footballers are famous around the world. Sport clothing companies, such as Nike and Adidas,
pay them large sums to wear their clothes. (as a result of)

4
Many football fans are protesting. The cost of match tickets has increased. (because of)

In secondary schools, students learn how to play team sports. Team sports keep children fit and develop
team-working and leadership skills. (as)

*****
Check your answers here.

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Showing sequence: Examples

There are two main reasons for this trend. First, the European Union (EU) introduced freedom of
movement for its workers. This means that people from one EU country can live and work in another
without a visa. The number of Europeans working in other member states has increased as EU
membership has grown. Second, developed countries, especially those with small populations such as
Singapore require a large foreign workforce

Online courses have a number of advantages for language students. Firstly, they are cost-effective. Not
only can learners take one-to-one classes with a teacher on Skype at a lower price but they can also use
language-learning applications such as Duolingo for free. Secondly, they allow learners to study where
and when they like, for example, in lunch breaks or on the commute to work.

******

Position and punctuation

Sequencers come at the start of a sentence and are followed by a comma.

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Adding examples: Examples

Secondly, they allow learners to study where and when they like, for example, in lunch breaks or on the
commute to work.

Therefore, town planners and architects must think creatively. For example, in Japan parks have been
built on top of shopping malls and in Singapore roads are surrounded by trees, vines and flower beds.

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall.

******

Position and punctuation

‘For example’ can come in the middle or at the end of a sentence, and has commas before and after it. It
can also start a new sentence (if it is introducing a sentence). Here it is followed by a comma.
‘Such as,’ on the other hand, can come only in the middle or at the end of a sentence. When ‘such as’
introduces two or more examples it needs a comma before it. However, if it is introducing one example
no comma is needed.
Click here for more information about adding examples. Or you can click here to read about ‘such as’.

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Adding examples: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
Many illegally traded tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine. For example, their bones,
eyes, whiskers and teeth.

2
Many endangered animals are killed illegally and their parts sold to make traditional Chinese medicine,
for example, tigers, manta rays, black bears, rhinos and sea horses.

Deforestation has caused the populations of many endangered species to fall around the world. For
example, in Borneo the population of pygmy elephants has decreased dramatically as forests have been
chopped down to make space for palm oil plantations.

Agricultural Industries, such as palm oil and logging, are responsible for the destruction of large portions
of the world’s natural forests.

There are a number of ways consumers can help reduce deforestation. Such as, they can use recycled
paper or avoid products which contain palm oil.

*****
Check your answers here.

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Adding examples: Exercise 2

Join these two sentences using the linking word or phrase in brackets.

1
There are a number of ways that individuals can reduce their carbon emissions. They can take public
transport instead of using their cars or even better, cycle. (for example)

2
The public should pressure food corporations into using less palm oil in their products. Nestle and Mars
are two food corporations which can be pressured. (such as)

Offices should introduce policies to reduce the amount of paper they use. They should make it
compulsory for employees to print on both sides of a piece of paper and to use scrap paper for making
notes. (for example)

There are many endangered animals in Asia. The pygmy elephant, Sumatra rhino, black bear and tiger
are all endangered. (such as)

*****
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Linking: Review activity 1

Complete the two body paragraphs about aquariums with the correct linking words.

Aquariums have two important advantages. __1__, they educate the public about seas and marine life
__2__, schools often take their students to them as part of their science education. __3__, students
become more interested in science and some may even choose to study it in higher education. __4__,
aquariums raise public awareness of serious problems, __5__ overfishing, pollution and endangered
species. Visitors might later join or donate to charities targeting these issues __6__ what they have
seen.
__7__ these benefits, I believe the building of aquariums should not be encouraged. This is __8__ the
harm they cause to the sea creatures they house. It has been found that large sea animals, __9__ sharks
and dolphins, live shorter lives in captivity. They __10__ do not breed as often, which is especially
damaging for endangered species. __11__, many animals are mistreated. __12__, dolphins and sea lions
are kept in small tanks and forced to perform for audiences.

*****
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Linking: Review activity 2

This activity requires the use of a dice. Roll the dice once to select a linker from the left-hand column.
Roll the dice a second time to select a topic from the right-hand column. Now talk or write about that
topic using the chosen linking word.

1 1
Although Education
2 2
In addition Sport
3 3
For example The future
4 4
Despite Employment
5 5
As a result Crime
6 6
Another ( ) is The environment

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Chapter 9: Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners

Although linking words and phrases improve the organisation of your essay, they should not be
overused. It is important to use other cohesive devices, such as pronoun reference and demonstrative
determiners.
Pronoun reference is the name given to the practice of making pronouns (we, she, it, this, these, that)
refer clearly to the words they replace. When using pronoun reference, the writer must ensure that the
subject verb agreement is correct and that it is clear which noun (or noun phrase) the pronoun is
replacing. Pronoun reference has the added benefit of reducing repetition of key vocabulary in an essay.
Demonstratives determiners (this, that, these and those) modify a noun; they come before a noun and
say something about that noun or limit it.

Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners: Examples

In the following essay, all of the pronoun reference is in bold and all of the demonstrative determiners
are underlined.

In recent years, the number of people travelling abroad for work has increased. Foreigners now make up
a significant percentage of the workforce in many countries. Although this flow of labour between
countries has some disadvantages, overall I believe it is a positive development.
There are two main reasons for this trend. First, the European Union (EU) introduced freedom of
movement for its workers. This means that people from one EU country can live and work in another
without a visa. The number of Europeans working in other member states has increased as EU
membership has grown. Second, developed countries, especially those with small populations such as
Singapore require a large foreign workforce. Salaries and working conditions in these countries are
particularly attractive for workers from less developed countries.
This movement of labour from less to more developed countries is beneficial on both an individual and
national level. These workers are able to earn higher salaries and have access to a range of career or
educational opportunities unavailable to them in their own countries. Moreover, many send their
salaries home, which boosts the economies of their countries and improves standards of living. This
exchange also benefits the countries employing the workers by providing them with a workforce large
enough to meet their needs.
There are, however, some disadvantages. In developed countries the competition for jobs is high.
Employers can choose candidates from all over the world, and as a result, locals may struggle to find
work. This can lead to tension between the local population and the foreign workforce. Another
problem is that less developed countries are losing their most skilled and qualified people. Instead of
staying home to help develop their nation, talented individuals move abroad in search of better job
opportunities.

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This trend of workers moving abroad to work looks set to continue. While this may result in greater
competition for jobs in some parts of the world and a lack of skilled labour in others, the benefits it
brings to both individuals and nations are vital. In the long term, it will lead to growth in the economies
of less developed countries and a fairer distribution of wealth.

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Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners: Exercise 1

Underline the pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners in these two body paragraphs about
aquariums.

Aquariums have two important advantages. First, they educate the public about seas and marine life.
For example, schools often take their students to these as part of their science education. As a result,
students become more interested in science and some may even choose to study it in higher education.
Second, aquariums raise public awareness of serious problems, such as overfishing, pollution and
endangered species. Visitors might later join or donate to charities because of what they have seen.
Despite these benefits, I believe the building of aquariums should not be encouraged. This is because of
the harm they cause the sea creatures they house. It has been found that large sea animals, such as
sharks and dolphins, live shorter lives in captivity. They also do not breed as often, which is especially
damaging for endangered species. In addition, many animals are mistreated. For example, dolphins and
sea lions are kept in small tanks and forced to perform for audiences.

*****
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Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners: Exercise 2

Complete the two body paragraphs about reducing carbon emissions with the correct pronoun
reference or demonstrative determiner.

One way that governments can reduce carbon emissions is by promoting the use of solar panels. __1__
can be achieved by offering the public incentives to install solar panels on their roofs, for example,
reduced energy bills. The electricity __2__ generate can then be fed into the national grid. One problem
with __3__ is the high cost of the panels and their installation. However, governments can provide loans
to help overcome __4__ issue.
Governments can also decrease emissions by improving the public bus services in their countries. __5__
can do __6__ by creating more bus routes, reducing fares and improving the quality of bus travel. If
governments carry out __7__ actions, bus travel will become more appealing and fewer people will
travel by car. Although the initial costs of __8__ strategy are high, in the long term increased passenger
numbers will result in greater income for the state.

*****
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Section C: Grammar
Chapter 10: The first conditional

The first conditional is used to talk about a real or possible situation. The first conditional is useful in
essays because it allows the writer to talk about the definite or possible consequences of actions. It also
adds variety to a writer’s sentences and is an example of a complex sentence, one which uses
subordination (the use of dependent clauses).
Its form is as follows: if + present simple, will + infinitive.
The ‘if clause’ describes the condition and the ‘main clause’ describes the consequence. The ‘if clause’
can come first or second. The ‘if clause’ is a dependent clause and therefore cannot stand alone, unlike
the main clause, which is an independent clause.
In first conditional sentences ‘when’ or ‘as long as’ can be used instead of ‘if’, and ‘unless’ can be used as
an alternative to ‘if not’.
When ‘will’ is used in a first conditional sentence, it means the speaker or writer is sure the
consequence will happen. However, if the consequence is not certain, ‘will’ should be replaced with
‘might’ or ‘may’. It is also possible to replace ’will’ with ‘should’ or ‘can’.

The first conditional: Examples

Illegal trade will only stop if governments introduce harsher punishments . . .

If deforestation and illegal wildlife trade continue at their current levels, many of the planet’s most
loved animals will soon become extinct.

As long as there is pressure on young people to gain experience by working for free or for low wages,
companies will continue to offer internships.

However, I believe that unless they are paid fairly, internships should be banned.

Unless people have been raised to eat healthily, they will be unable to resist.

In the last sentence, the present perfect is used in the ‘if clause’. This emphasises that one action
depends on the completion of another.

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The first conditional: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
Unless we reduce our carbon emissions, global temperatures will continue to rise.

2
If drivers will reduce their carbon emissions, they drive at the speed limit, keep their tyres properly
inflated and accelerate slowly.

If more people travelled by public transport, there will be less traffic on the roads.

People can keep fit and reduce their carbon footprint when they cycle to work or school.

If companies pollute, they should be fined heavily and in serious cases their CEOs should be sent to
prison.

Many countries will face serious floods in the future unless more trees and mangroves are not planted.

If climate change continues at its current rate large parts of the planet will become uninhabitable.

As long as the world’s biggest emitters of carbon dioxide (the USA, China, India and the EU) fail to agree
on significant carbon reduction targets, the future of humanity will remain at risk.

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If children are taught in school to reduce, reuse and recycle, they will hopefully develop habits which
positively affect the environment.

10

If we do not change our behaviour, future generations might lived in a world far more dangerous than
the one we live in today.

*****
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The first conditional: Exercise 2

Make first conditional sentences by combining the real or possible condition with the consequence and
using the words in brackets.

Example
Condition: society does not view women and men as equals; Consequence: women continue to be
prejudiced against when applying for jobs; (unless + will)
Answer: Unless society views women and men as equals, women will continue to be prejudiced against
when applying for jobs.

1
Condition: governments are mostly male; Consequence: women have little influence in the running of
their country; (if + will)

2
Condition: more political leaders are women; Consequence: we have fewer wars; (if + might)

3
Condition: girls are not given the same educational opportunities as boy; girls are not able to achieve
their full potential; (unless + will)

4
Condition: women’s rights are not protected by law, women will suffer from violence and
discrimination; (if + will)

Condition: there are women around the world suffering from discrimination; Consequence: charities
such as Equality Now and Womankind, continue to fight for woman’s rights; (as long as + will)

Condition: women have financial independence; Consequence: they are more likely to influence
decisions in their communities; (if + will)

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Consequence: a society cannot be considered fair; Condition: men and women are not treated equally;
(can + unless)

Condition: a government has laws which discriminate against women; Consequence: it sends a message
to its citizens that it believes women are inferior to men; (if + will)

*****
Check your answers here.

Click here for online exercises practising the first conditional.

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Chapter 11: The passive voice

The active voice is used to show interest in the person or people doing the action (the agent(s) of the
verb), for example, ‘The people of the UK elected David Cameron prime minister.’ Here we are
interested in ’the people of the UK’.
The passive voice, on the other hand, shows interest in the person or the object experiencing the action,
for example, ‘David Cameron was elected prime minister’. Here our attention is on ‘David Cameron’. In
this sentence it is possible to add the agent(s) of the verb by using of the preposition ‘by’: ‘David
Cameron was elected prime minister by the people of the UK’.
We use the passive voice when we are more interested in the person or object experiencing the action
than the agent. We also use it when the agent of the verb is unknown or obvious.
The passive voice is often used in academic writing because it is more formal and distances the writer
from the claim they are making. It also allows the writer to increase the variety of sentence types in
their writing. However, it is important to note that the passive should not be overused. The active voice
is clearer and should make up the majority of sentences.
The passive form is as follows: be + past participle. When the tense changes, it is the form of ‘be’ that
changes: is elected; was elected; has been elected; will be elected; should be elected.

The passive voice: Examples

Here are some essay extracts containing the passive voice with the passive forms in bold and the tense
in (brackets):

Education is another part of our lives that has been affected by technology. (Present perfect passive)

However, I believe that unless they are paid fairly, internships should be banned. (Present simple
passive / passive voice with should)

This will create a fairer society where all people are rewarded for their work . . . (Present simple passive)

Therefore, measures must be taken to protect the environment in these areas. (Passive voice with
must)

However, others believe their taxpayers’ money is better spent elsewhere. (Present simple passive)

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The passive voice: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
In the future, robots might be employed by restaurants to serve customers.

2
Nowadays, robots used in a variety of industries.

Some people believe that one day a robot will be created which is more intelligent than a human.

Although I do not know when it will be happened, one day I believe most manual jobs will be done by
robots.

Artificial intelligence is the ability of a machine to be copied intelligent human behaviour.

An interesting article about artificial intelligence was published last week.

Many movies have been made about the dangers of artificial intelligence.

Ian M. Banks has been written a series of novels about aliens, humans and artificial intelligence.

*****

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Check your answers here.

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The passive voice: Exercise 2

Rewrite these sentences in the passive voice.

1
Tesla Motors introduced their electric car, the Tesla Model S, in June 2012.

2
Tesla Motors manufactures the Tesla Model S in California.

3
An electric motor powers the Tesla Model S.

4
The Tesla Model S won the 2013 World Green Car of the Year award.

5
This year Tesla Motors has updated the design of the Model S.

6
In the future, more people will drive electric cars.

7
One car magazine has named the Tesla Model S the Car of the Century.

8
Governments should promote the use of electric cars.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Motors )
*****

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Check your answers here.

Click here for online exercises practising the passive voice.

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Chapter 12: The present perfect simple

The present perfect simple is formed with has/have + past participle, and has several important uses.
First, it is used to refer to events which are unfinished.
Example: Tourists have visited Thailand for decades. (Tourists continue to visit Thailand).
Second, it is used to talk about the present result of a past action.
Example: Commuters are happy because public transport has improved. (Happy = result; Public
transport has improved = past action)
Third, the present perfect simple is used to focus attention on the action or state, rather than the time it
occurred.
Example: “Many changes have occurred,” compared with, “Many changes occurred last year.”
Ultimately, the present perfect simple acts as a bridge between the past and the present. Therefore, it is
a useful tense, which is often used in essays.
The present perfect simple is often used with expressions of unfinished time, such as today, this week,
this month, this year, this decade and since + point in time. The present perfect simple cannot be used
with expressions of finished time, such as yesterday, last week or March 2012. For these expressions,
the past simple is used.
Correct example: The government has introduced three new environmental laws this year.
Incorrect example: The government has introduced three new environmental laws last year.

The present perfect simple: Examples

In recent years, the number of people travelling abroad for work has increased.

A lot of the responsibility for learning has moved from the teacher to the student.

Nowadays, being overweight has become the norm in many parts of the world.

The tourism industry has changed dramatically in the last decade.

Thailand has recently closed one of its islands to visitors because of harm to the environment.

Click here for more information about the present perfect simple.

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The present perfect simple: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
The United Nations (UN) has been established on 24 October 1945.

2
Since 1945, the UN’s mission has been to preserve world peace.

The membership of the UN has grown significantly in the 1960’s.

4
The UN has seen a large expansion in its peacekeeping duties since the end of the Cold War.

5
The UN has won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.

6
The UN has sent thousands of peacekeepers to the Middle East this year.

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has condemned the terrorist attack.

A recent study has found the UN to be successful in two out of three peacekeeping efforts.

(Source: http://www.un.org/en/ )

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*****
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The present perfect simple: Exercise 2

Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) _____ on 5 October 1948. (established)

2
The protection of habitats and species _____ a core activity of IUCN. (remain)

In 1991, IUCN _____ a new world conservation strategy called Caring for the Earth. (publish)

The increased attention on sustainable development _____ IUCN closer to the business sector. (bring)

IUCN _____ with the energy company, Shell International between 2007 and 2012. (collaborate)

In 2012 IUCN _____ a list of the world’s 100 most threatened species. (publish)

Education _____ part of IUCN’s work program since its creation. (be)

IUCN _____ one of the most influential conservation organisations in the world for many years. (be)

(Source: http://www.iucn.org/ )

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*****
Check your answers here.

Click here for online exercises practising the present perfect.

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Chapter 13: Relative clauses

Relative clauses are useful in essay writing because they help avoid repetition and increase the variety of
sentence types. They are also an example of subordination, which will help improve grammar scores.
There are two kinds of relative clause: defining and non-defining.
A defining relative clause modifies the noun (person, place, object, possession, time) it comes after. It
is used to clarify which person, place, time period or object the speaker or writer is referring to (for
example, “Companies which pollute should be fined.”)
A non-defining relative clause, on the other hand, provides extra information about a person, place or
object (for example, “BP, which is an oil and gas company, spends a lot of money on improving its
image.”) Non-defining relative clauses require commas (unlike defining relative clauses).
Relative clauses are introduced by the following relative pronouns: who, which, whose, where, and
when. For defining relative clauses, we can use that instead of which or who.
In defining relative clauses the relative pronoun can be the subject or object of the sentence.
Subject: The President who has had the biggest impact on views towards climate change is Obama.
Object: The environmental problems which governments must tackle first are deforestation and
increasing carbon emissions.
When a relative pronoun is the object of a sentence, it can be omitted, for example:
Object: The environmental problems governments must tackle first are deforestation and increasing
carbon emissions.

Defining relative clauses: Examples

Today’s teachers often use social media to set tasks which children do at home using their
smartphones.

Internships which do not pay a fair salary should be banned

Governments can achieve this by introducing a minimum wage for internships which all companies
must by law respect.

This will create a fairer society where all people are rewarded for their work . . .

This is a useful advantage in today’s high-paced world where people have a limited amount of free
time.

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Many companies offer internships to students who work part-time or during their summer holidays.

Non-defining relative clauses: Examples

Moreover, many send their salaries home, which boosts the economies of their countries and improves
standards of living.

. . . others point out that (using technology) helps develop multi-tasking skills, which are becoming
increasingly important.

Click here for more information about relative clauses.

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Relative clauses: Exercise 1

Look at these sentences and decide whether they are correct. If a sentence is incorrect, rewrite it
without the mistake.

1
Fair trade is a social movement which has the goal of helping producers in developing countries achieve
better trading conditions.

2
The Fairtrade foundation is an independent non-profit organisation that licenses the use of the
FAIRTRADE Mark on products around the world.

The FAIRTRADE Mark, which symbolise a farmer in a field, is blue, black and green.

Only products which meet the international fair trade social, economic and environmental standards can
have the FAIRTRADE Mark on their packaging.

One study which was published in 2015 concluded that some producers had not benefited from fair-
trade initiatives.

Guatemala is a country which fair trade has had a positive impact.

Around the world, coffee is grown by farmers typically earn less than two dollars a day.

A product people often associate with fair trade is coffee.

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9
Patagonia, that is an American clothing company, works with fair trade certified factories in India and Sri
Lanka.

10

The fair trade movement is popular in the UK, where thousands of schools are registered in fair trade
schemes.

(Source: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ )

*****
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Relative clauses: Exercise 2

Combine these sentences using defining or non-defining relative clauses.

1
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a conservation organisation. It works in 100 countries.

2
WWF is the world’s leading conservation organisation. It has over five million members globally.

3
WWF originally stood for World Wildlife Fund, but in 1986 it changed its name to World Wide Fund for
Nature. The organisation believes this new name better reflects its activities.

TRAFFIC is the name of a wildlife trade monitoring network. It was created by WWF and IUCN.

In 1972 the great bamboo lemur was rediscovered by WWF researchers. Many thought this animal was
extinct.

WWF has many projects in Africa. There are many endangered species in Africa.

WWF helped persuade Ecuador to introduce a law. This law protected the Galapagos Islands.

WWF often works with local communities. These communities depend on nature for agriculture.

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The preservation of some animal species affects the survival of other species. WWF works to protect
those animal species.

10

People donate money to WWF. They can then choose a thank-you gift.

(Source: http://www.worldwildlife.org/ )

*****
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Click here for online exercises practising the passive voice.

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Chapter 14: Appositives

Using appositives adds variety to a writer’s sentences. An appositive is a phrase or word which renames
the noun it comes after. Appositives can be nouns or adjectives and are separated using a comma.

Appositives: Examples

Samsung’s latest product, the Gear VR, has brought virtual reality into the hands of the public.

Steve Jobs, the former CEO of Apple Inc., revolutionized mobile technology.

Miguel de Cervantes, the famous Spanish writer, was a diabetic.

Appositives can be a long phrase, for example, “The country was divided into four kingdoms, each with
its own leader and each hoping to become dominant.” Dependent clauses (for example, non-definitive
relative clauses using the passive) can also be changed into appositives, as in the examples in below:

Example 1: “Singapore, an island state, has one of the highest standards of living in Asia.” Here the
appositive “an island state” could also be written as “which is an island state”.

Example 2: “Anna Karenina, written by Leo Tolstoy, is argued by many to be the finest novel ever
written. Here the appositive “written by Leo Tolstoy” could also be written as “which was written by
Leo Tolstoy”.

In addition, appositives can be a clause set off by dashes (– . . . –), for example, “It has been said that the
best teachers – those who help students the most – are compassionate, flexible and innovative.”

Click here for more information about appositives.

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Appositives: Exercise

Rewrite these sentences using appositives:

1
Margaret Thatcher, who was born in 1925, was the first female prime minister of the UK.

2
David Beckham, who is a former captain of the England football team, is a Goodwill Ambassador for
UNICEF.

3
Avatar, which was directed by James Cameron, has an environmental message.

4
The Mona Lisa, which was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, is one of most famous paintings in the world.

5
UNICEF, which was created by the UN, promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child.

*****
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Chapter 15: Free modifiers

Like appositives, free modifiers add variety to a writer’s sentences. They also help create complex
sentences.
Free modifiers add detail to a sentence and can begin with a present participle (eating, playing, writing)
or a past participle (eaten, played, written). Free modifiers come at the end of a sentence and modify
the subject of that sentence. They are separated from the main part of the sentence with a comma. Free
modifiers can be moved to the beginning or middle of a sentence, but they will then be a different kind
of modifier.

Free modifiers: Examples

Example 1: Increased tourism creates a demand for more hotels, restaurants, transportation services
and shops, boosting the economies of these countries.

In this sentence the writer uses the present participle, boosting. The writer could have written the free
modifier as a second sentence, for example, “It also boosts the economies of these countries.”

Example 2: This leads to a happier workforce, increasing productivity and making it easier to recruit
good staff.

Here the writer uses the present participle, increasing. The writer could have written the free modifier
as a second sentence, “It also increases productivity and makes it easier to recruit staff.”

Example 3: Made using recycled paper, these disposable coffee cups are an example of the company’s
attempts to be more environmentally friendly.

In this last sentence, the writer uses the past participle, made. The writer could have written the
sentence as, “These disposable coffee cups are made using recycled paper and are an example of the
company’s attempts to be more environmentally friendly.”

Sometimes a free modifier can mean the participle ‘being’, for example, “Environmentalists look to the
future, uncertain, pessimistic, and desperate”. Here the reader understands that the environmentalists
are uncertain, pessimistic, and desperate and the reader’s mind adds the participle (being):
Environmentalists look to the future, (being) uncertain, pessimistic, and desperate.

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Free modifiers: Exercise

Rewrite these sentences as a single sentence using an appositive:

1
UNICEF has been working for children for almost seventy years. It has promoted children’s rights and
improves the lives of many children around the world.

2
UNICEF is the world’s leading supporter of children’s rights. It operates in over 185 countries.

UNICEF has offices around the world. Each office carries out the organisation’s mission by working
together with the host government.

UNICEF recognises the importance of girls’ education. It promotes gender equality in the classroom
through its Child-Friendly Schools project.

UNICEF carries out research on the situation of women and children around the world. UNICEF works
with a wide range of partners.

16,000 children die every day. Many of them die from preventable or treatable causes.

Children with disabilities are often excluded. They are discriminated against because of negative
attitudes.

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With the help of organisations such as UNICEF one day we might have a world where every child can live
in freedom and safety. They will be educated and healthy too.

(Source: http://www.unicef.org/ )

*****
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Chapter 16: Nominalisation

Nominalisation is the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns. For example, ‘believe’ is changed
to ‘belief’ and ‘dangerous’ becomes ‘danger’.
Nominalisation makes a writer’s essay appear more confident and academic. It also adds variety to their
writing and is an example of English as used by a proficient user.

Nominalisation: Examples

In these extracts from the essays, nominalisation in bold. Below each example is a version without
nominalisation, with the verb or adjective underlined.

Example 1A: Overuse can result in children failing to develop effective social skills . . .
Example 1b: When it is overused it can result in children failing to develop effective social skills . . .

Example 2a: . . . . this has resulted in environmental damage in some tourist destinations.
Example 2b: . . . . . this has resulted in the environment being damaged in some tourist destinations.

Example 3a: This helps reduce ignorance, fear and prejudice.


Example 3b: This helps reduce the number of ignorant, fearful and prejudiced people.

Example 4a: Budget airlines have made air travel affordable for many across the world.
Example 4b: Budget airlines have made it more affordable to travel by air for many across the world

Example 5a: Increases in tourism and business will lead to economic growth.
Example 5b: The economy will grow because tourism and business increase.

It is important to note that both sentences in the pair are perfectly acceptable. However, having some
nominalisation in an essay will add variety to the sentences and show that the writer can write in an
academic way.

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Nominalisation: Exercise 1

Change the following words into nouns. The first word has been done for you.

Promote - Promotion
Employ
Research
Use
Develop
Need
Assist
Educate
Communicate
Persuade
Creative
Convenient
Useful
Flexible
Adaptable
Literate
Motivating
Independent
Harmful
Addicted to

*****
Check your answers here.

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Nominalisation: Exercise 2

Rewrite these sentences nominalising the underlined verb or adjective.

1
Primary schools should educate their students in basic computer programming.

2
Teachers can help their students become more independent by asking them to research topics online
before they come to class.

Teenagers are becoming more digitally literate, which is a further benefit of internet use.

Teenagers can become addicted to online computer games, wasting time which could be better spent
on other more important activities.

If teenagers use the internet excessively, they will communicate less with their family.

*****
Check your answers here.

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Link to printable PDF version

Type the following link into your browser to get a free printable PDF version of this book:
http://ow.ly/qSRm302T06N

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Section D: Appendices
Appendix 1: Plans and introductions

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – reasons (easier and cheaper travel / large countries, such as China and Russia, have
become richer)
Paragraph 3 – advantage (good for economies of countries which tourists visit) + counter-argument (bad
for the environment) + rebuttal (the government must introduce measures to protect environment)
Paragraph 4 – advantage (better relations between countries) + counter-argument (tourists do not
respect local culture) + rebuttal (locals can teach tourists how to behave more respectfully)
Paragraph 5 – conclusion

Introduction

Nowadays, more tourists are choosing to go abroad on their holidays. Cheaper flights and the growing
economies of Russia and China mean there are more holiday-makers who can afford to travel
internationally. Although this has resulted in environmental damage in some tourist destinations, the
benefits it brings in terms of development and improved intercultural relations lead me to believe it is a
positive development.

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

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Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – advantages of learning a language online (cheap or free / can study anytime and
anywhere)
Paragraph 3 – advantages of learning a language face-to-face (the teacher is in class with student / more
social interaction)
Paragraph 4 – conclusion

Introduction

Today’s language learners have a choice: go to school like traditional students or study online. Online
courses range from applications, downloaded onto smartphones, to regular video chats with a real-life
teacher. These courses are generally cheaper and allow students the freedom to choose when and
where they study. However, I believe face-to-face classes are more effective because of the social and
motivational benefits they offer.
Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – a reason for governments creating green space (better quality of life) + counter-argument
(not enough space) + rebuttal (can find space by being creative: building roof gardens, planting roadside
trees)
Paragraph 3 – a reason for governments creating green space (can attract tourists and business) +
counter-argument (government should spend money on more important areas) + rebuttal (tourism and
new business can improve economy)
Paragraph 4 – conclusion

Introduction

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As a result of population growth and development, many of the parks, gardens and forests that once
made major cities attractive places to live and visit have been replaced by roads and buildings. Some
countries are investing heavily in bringing back the green space they have lost. However, others believe
their taxpayers’ money is better spent elsewhere. In my opinion, the benefits green space offers make it
a worthwhile investment for governments.

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – reasons (deforestation and illegal wildlife trade)
Paragraph 3 – solution (consumers buy brands with zero deforestation policies)
Paragraph 4 – solution (people pressure governments to stop wildlife crime)
Paragraph 5 – conclusion

Introduction

Despite international laws protecting endangered animals, their populations have continued to
decrease. Species currently at risk of extinction can be found across the planet, on land and in sea.
Examples include the Sumatra rhino, the tiger and the Atlantic grouper. The main threats to their
survival are deforestation and illegal trade. People can help save these animals by buying brands with
zero deforestation policies and by pressuring their governments to stop the international trade in animal
parts.

*****
Click here to return to chapter 7.

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Appendix 2: Plans, introductions and body paragraphs

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – reasons (easier and cheaper travel / large countries, such as China and Russia, have
become richer)
Paragraph 3 – advantage (good for economies of countries which tourists visit) + counter-argument (bad
for the environment) + rebuttal (the government must introduce measures to protect environment)
Paragraph 4 – advantage (better relations between countries) + counter-argument (tourists do not
respect local culture) + rebuttal (locals can teach tourists how to behave more respectfully)
Paragraph 5 – conclusion

Introduction and body paragraphs

Nowadays, more tourists are choosing to go abroad on their holidays. Cheaper flights and the growing
economies of Russia and China mean there are more holiday-makers who can afford to travel
internationally. Although this has resulted in environmental damage in some tourist destinations, the
benefits it brings in terms of development and improved intercultural relations lead me to believe it is a
positive development.
The tourism industry has changed dramatically in the last decade. Budget airlines have made air travel
affordable for many across the world. These companies save costs by offering services, such as in-flight
meals and checked baggage, as optional add-ons. At the same time, Russia and China have experienced
considerable economic growth. These countries have large populations and their citizens are now able
to travel and see the world.
Many of the world’s most popular tourist destinations are developing countries. Thailand, Sri Lanka and
Brazil are just a few examples. Increased tourism creates a demand for more hotels, restaurants,
transportation services and shops, boosting the economies of these countries. However, this can have
negative consequences for the environment. Thailand, for example, has recently closed one of its islands
to visitors because of harm to the environment. Therefore, measures must be taken to protect the
environment in these areas.

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Another positive consequence is a greater cultural exchange between countries. When people travel,
they interact with locals and this improves understanding on both sides. This helps reduce ignorance,
fear and prejudice. Although there have been cases of visitors offending locals, for example, by wearing
shoes in temples, the majority of tourists respect a country’s customs. Moreover, these instances can be
prevented by displaying clear signs or handing out leaflets which inform holiday-makers how to act
appropriately.

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Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – advantages of learning a language online (cheap or free / can study anytime and
anywhere)
Paragraph 3 – advantages of learning a language face-to-face (the teacher is in class with student / more
social interaction)
Paragraph 4 – conclusion

Introduction and body paragraphs

Today’s language learners have a choice: go to school like traditional students or study online. Online
courses range from applications, downloaded onto smartphones, to regular video chats with a real-life
teacher. These courses are generally cheaper and allow students the freedom to choose when and
where they study. However, I believe face-to-face classes are more effective because of the social and
motivational benefits they offer.
Online courses have a number of advantages for language students. Firstly, they are cost-effective. Not
only can learners take one-to-one classes with a teacher on Skype at a lower price but they can also use
language-learning applications such as Duolingo for free. Secondly, they allow learners to study where
and when they like, for example, in lunch breaks or on the commute to work. This is a useful advantage
in today’s high-paced world where people have a limited amount of free time.
Despite these benefits, people continue to attend classes at language schools. Face-to-face classes give
learners the opportunity to learn and practise languages with others. This is motivating and resembles
how people learn languages in real life. In addition, teachers are there to answer students’ questions,
provide feedback and set up communicative activities. This creates a positive learning environment
which helps to improve students’ confidence and language skills.

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Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – a reason for governments creating green space (better quality of life) + counter-argument
(not enough space) + rebuttal (can find space by being creative: building roof gardens, planting roadside
trees)
Paragraph 3 – a reason for governments creating green space (can attract tourists and business) +
counter-argument (government should spend money on more important areas) + rebuttal (tourism and
new business can improve economy)
Paragraph 4 – conclusion

Introduction and body paragraphs

As a result of population growth and development, many of the parks, gardens and forests that once
made major cities attractive places to live and visit have been replaced by roads and buildings. Some
countries are investing heavily in bringing back the green space they have lost. However, others believe
their taxpayers’ money is better spent elsewhere. In my opinion, the benefits green space offers make it
a worthwhile investment for governments.
Residents of cities with parks, gardens and tree-lined streets have a better quality of life than those
surrounded by concrete. Access to green space has been proven to reduce levels of stress and
depression. At the same time, it promotes exercise, helping to tackle the growing levels of obesity and
life-style related diseases in society today. Unfortunately, finding land to create green space is difficult
because many cities have growing populations and need to build more housing. Therefore, town
planners and architects must think creatively. For example, in Japan parks have been built on top of
shopping malls and in Singapore roads are surrounded by trees, vines and flower beds.
Cities with green space not only offer their citizens better health and well-being but also attract tourists
and businesses. Singapore’s Gardens by the bay and Dubai’s Zabeel Park were both recently created and
have helped increase tourism in these cities. Multinational companies also tend to locate their offices in
cities with parks and gardens because they create a pleasant working environment for their employees.
This leads to a happier workforce, increasing productivity and making it easier to recruit good staff. One
argument against creating new green space is that it is expensive and this money should be invested in
education or healthcare. However, increases in tourism and business lead to economic growth, which
justifies investing in parks and gardens.

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Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Plan

Paragraph 1 – introduction
Paragraph 2 – reasons (deforestation and illegal wildlife trade)
Paragraph 3 – solution (consumers buy brands with zero deforestation policies)
Paragraph 4 – solution (people pressure governments to stop wildlife crime)
Paragraph 5 – conclusion

Introduction and body paragraphs

Despite international laws protecting endangered animals, their populations have continued to
decrease. Species currently at risk of extinction can be found across the planet, on land and in sea.
Examples include the Sumatra rhino, the tiger and the Atlantic grouper. The main threats to their
survival are deforestation and illegal trade. People can help save these animals by buying brands with
zero deforestation policies and by pressuring their governments to stop the international trade in animal
parts.
Around the world, forests are being destroyed for wood and to clear space for farming. These forests
are habitats for some of the most endangered species on the planet. Some environmentally-friendly
companies have policies of zero deforestation where they only use suppliers who have a minimal impact
on natural forests. When consumers buy products from these companies, they help save these animals
by protecting their homes.
In recent years there has been an increase in the illegal trade of animal parts. Elephants and rhinos are
being killed for their ivory, tigers for their furs and manta rays for their gills. Criminal networks sell these
products for large profits to consumers who are unaware or simply do not care that their actions may
cause the extinction of these animals. People must put pressure on their governments to be tougher on
wildlife crime. They can do this by signing petitions and joining campaigns run by animal charities, such
as the World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC. Illegal trade will only stop if governments introduce harsher
punishments, increase law enforcement and educate their citizens that buying illegal animal parts is
wrong.

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*****
Click here to return to chapter 7.

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Section E: Answers

Answers: Analysing the question

Question 5

The question looks at the topic of people travelling to other countries on holiday and asks the writer to
do four things: 1 – explain why more people are travelling to other countries on holiday, 2 – discuss the
advantages, 3 – discuss the disadvantages, and 4 – say if there are more advantages than disadvantages.

Question 6

The question looks at the topic of students studying languages online and asks the writer to do three
things: 1 – discuss why studying languages online is better than face-to-face, 2 – discuss why studying
languages face-to-face is better than studying face-to-face, and 3 – give and explain their opinion on
studying languages online.

Question 7

The question looks at the topic of governments creating green space in major cities and asks the writer
to do three things: 1 – discuss the reasons governments should create more green space in major cities
2 – discuss the reasons governments should not create more green space, and 3 – state whether they
agree, disagree or partially agree that governments should do this.

Question 8

The question looks at the topic of the falling populations of endangered animals and asks the writer to
do two things: 1 – explain why this is happening, and 2 – discuss what can be done to stop this.

*****
Click here to return to chapter 2

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Answers: Thinking of ideas

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Reasons: cheaper flights / internet makes people interested in foreign countries / easier to get visas /
large countries, such as China and Russia, have become richer

Advantages: tourists learn about foreign cultures improving relationships between countries / good for
economies of countries which tourists visit

Disadvantages: bad for the environment (air travel / beaches and national parks) / overcrowded tourist
areas / tourists do not respect local culture / important historical sites damaged / more traffic

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.

Advantages of studying languages online: cheap (sometimes free) / can study anytime and anywhere /
can have face-to-face interaction using programs such as Skype

Disadvantages of studying languages online: less motivation to study / less face-to-face interaction / less
feedback from teacher / boring

Advantages of studying face-to-face: the teacher is in class with student / more face-to-face interaction /
social – can make friends (practice together after class) / more motivation

Disadvantages of studying face-to-face: expensive / not always available in hometown

Question 7

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Governments should create more green spaces (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads)
in major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Reasons for doing this: more attractive cities / higher standard of living / green spaces attract tourists
and business / better for animals / trees produce oxygen
Reasons for not doing this: expensive / people or businesses should do it / not enough space / money
should be spent on more important areas, such as health and education

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Reasons: deforestation / illegal trade in endangered animals


Solutions: consumers buy products from companies with zero deforestation policies / governments
work together to prevent illegal trade / animal charities pressure governments to change laws

*****
Click here to return to chapter 3

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Answers: Planning the essay

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Writer’s argument: the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons (easier and cheaper travel / large countries, such as China and Russia, have
become richer)

Paragraph 3: advantages (good for economies of countries which tourists visit / better relations
between countries)

Paragraph 4: disadvantages (bad for the environment / important historical sites damaged)

Paragraph 5: conclusion

Plan 2

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons (easier and cheaper travel / large countries, such as China and Russia, have
become richer)

Paragraph 3: advantage (good for economies of countries which tourists visit) + counter-argument (bad
for the environment) + rebuttal (the government must introduce measures to protect environment)

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Paragraph 4: advantage (better relations between countries) + counter-argument (tourists do not


respect local culture) + rebuttal (locals can teach tourists how to behave more respectfully)

Paragraph 5: conclusion

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss
both views and give your opinion.

Writer’s argument: although students can learn a language online, studying face-to-face is more
effective

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: advantages of learning a language online (cheap or free / can study anytime and anywhere)

Paragraph 3: advantages of learning a language face-to-face (the teacher is in class with student / more
social interaction)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

Plan 2

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reason learning face-to-face is more effective (more face-to-face interaction with other
students and teacher) + counter-argument (can contact teacher or other students on Skype) + rebuttal
(less time to talk and not like real speaking)

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Paragraph 3: reason learning face-to-face is more effective (more motivating) + counter-argument (can
have classes with teacher on Skype) + rebuttal (spend the whole lesson in front of a computer)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Writer’s argument: although there are other important areas also requiring investment, governments
should create more green space.

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons for governments creating green space (more attractive cities / better quality of life
/ can attract tourists and business / better for animals)

Paragraph 3: reasons against governments creating green space (not enough space / expensive / money
should be spent on more important areas, such as health and education)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

Plan 2

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: a reason for governments creating green space (better quality of life) + counter-argument
(not enough space) + rebuttal (can find space by being creative: building roof gardens, planting roadside
trees)

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Paragraph 3: a reason for governments creating green space (can attract tourists and business) +
counter-argument (government should spend money on more important areas) + rebuttal (tourism and
new business can improve economy)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Writer’s argument: this question does not ask the writer to argue whether they agree or disagree with a
point.

Plan 1

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reasons (deforestation and illegal wildlife trade)

Paragraph 3: solution (consumers buy brands with zero deforestation policies)

Paragraph 4: solution (people pressure governments to stop wildlife crime)

Paragraph 5: conclusion

Plan 2

Paragraph 1: introduction

Paragraph 2: reason and solution (deforestation)

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Paragraph 3: reason and solution (illegal wildlife trade)

Paragraph 4: conclusion

*****
Click here to return to chapter 4

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Answers: Writing introductions

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Nowadays, more tourists are choosing to go abroad on their holidays. Cheaper flights and the growing
economies of Russia and China mean there are more holiday-makers who can afford to travel
internationally. Although this has resulted in environmental damage in some tourist destinations, the
benefits it brings in terms of development and improved intercultural relations lead me to believe it is a
positive development.

Hook: Nowadays, more tourists are choosing to go abroad on their holidays.


Background information: Cheaper flights and the growing economies of Russia and China mean there
are more holiday-makers who can afford to travel internationally.
Thesis statement (stated): Although this has resulted in environmental damage in some tourist
destinations, the benefits it brings in terms of development and improved intercultural relations lead
me to believe it is a positive development.

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Today’s language learners have a choice: go to school like traditional students or study online. Online
courses range from applications, downloaded onto smartphones, to regular video chats with a real-life
teacher. These courses are generally cheaper and allow students the freedom to choose when and
where they study. However, I believe face-to-face classes are more effective because of the social and
motivational benefits they offer.

Hook: Today’s language learners have a choice: go to school like traditional students or study online.
Background information: Online courses range from applications, downloaded onto smartphones, to
regular video chats with a real-life teacher.

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Thesis statement (stated): These courses are generally cheaper and allow students the freedom to
choose when and where they study. However, I believe face-to-face classes are more effective because
of the social and motivational benefits they offer.

Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

As a result of population growth and development, many of the parks, gardens and forests that once
made major cities attractive places to live and visit have been replaced by roads and buildings. Some
countries are investing heavily in bringing back the green space they have lost. However, others believe
their taxpayers’ money is better spent elsewhere. In my opinion, the benefits green space offers make it
a worthwhile investment for governments.

Hook: As a result of population growth and development, many of the parks, gardens and forests that
once made major cities attractive places to live and visit have been replaced by roads and buildings.
Background information: Some countries are investing heavily in bringing back the green space they
have lost. However, others believe their taxpayers’ money is better spent elsewhere.
Thesis statement (implied): In my opinion, the benefits green space offers make it a worthwhile
investment for governments.

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Despite international laws protecting endangered animals, their populations have continued to
decrease. Species currently at risk of extinction can be found across the planet, on land and in sea.
Examples include the Sumatra rhino, the tiger and the Atlantic grouper. The main threats to their
survival are deforestation and illegal trade. People can help save these animals by buying brands with
zero deforestation policies and by pressuring their governments to stop the international trade in animal
parts.

Hook: Despite international laws protecting endangered animals, their populations have continued to
decrease.

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Background information: Species currently at risk of extinction can be found across the planet, on land
and in sea. Examples include the Sumatra rhino, the tiger and the Atlantic grouper.
Thesis statement (stated): The main threats to their survival are deforestation and illegal trade. People
can help save these animals by buying brands with zero deforestation policies and by pressuring their
governments to stop the international trade in animal parts.

*****
Click here to return to chapter 5

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Answers: Writing body paragraphs — Practice 1

Question 3

In some countries, it is popular for young people to spend three months to a year working for free as
interns to gain experience. Many believe that these internships are unfair and should be banned. To what
extent do you agree or disagree?

Body paragraph 1

There are two main reasons for banning internships. First, they are exploitative. Asking interns to work
for free or below a living wage while other employees are paid well to do the same job is morally wrong.
This is especially the case in times of high unemployment when people are desperate to find a job.
Second, only those who come from wealthy backgrounds can afford to work as interns. Therefore, only
the children of the rich can gain the skills and experience needed to succeed. This keeps wealth and
power in the hands of the few.

Body paragraph 2

Supporters of this practice, however, point to a number of benefits. Internships, they argue, not only
improve practical skills and provide experience but help secure a full-time job in a company. They are
also a good way for young people to try out a variety of career paths without having to commit to a
long-term post. In addition, many companies offer internships to students who work part-time or during
their summer holidays. These interns are happy to work for free or low wages, as they are usually living
at home or in student housing.

Question 4

In some countries (for example, the UK and the USA) the number of overweight people is increasing.
What are the reasons for this? What problems does this cause? What can governments do to stop people
becoming overweight?

Body paragraph 1

Staying at a healthy weight has become increasingly difficult. Food and drink corporations, such as
Mars and Coca-Cola, spend millions of dollars designing products that taste delicious and can be sold

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cheaply. These are then advertised on every form of media, which makes it even harder for people to
resist buying them. Combined with poor eating habits, passed down to children from parents, it is not
surprising that in some countries over half of the population is overweight.

Body paragraph 2

This trend has serious consequences. The number of people suffering from heart disease and diabetes,
illnesses caused by being overweight, has risen sharply. Those two diseases are now amongst the top
causes of death in the world. Not only does this lower the quality of life for the public, but it also costs
governments vast amounts of money in health care.

Body paragraph 3

Governments around the world must take action. First, they should introduce a tax on unhealthy food
and drink. In the UK, this has been done successfully before with tobacco products. Fewer people now
smoke and the government invests the tax it collects in the health service. Second, governments need to
introduce a ban on advertising these products. Money should also be invested in educational programs
which promote good eating habits. This is especially important in schools so that children can grow up
eating healthily.

*****
Click here to go to chapter 7 — Practice 2.

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Answers: Writing body paragraphs — Practice 2

Question 5

Nowadays, more people are travelling to foreign countries on holiday. What are the reasons for this? Do
the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

The tourism industry has changed dramatically in the last decade. Budget airlines have made air travel
affordable for many across the world. These companies save costs by offering services, such as in-flight
meals and checked baggage, as optional add-ons. At the same time, Russia and China have experienced
considerable economic growth. These countries have large populations and their citizens are now able
to travel and see the world.
Many of the world’s most popular tourist destinations are developing countries. Thailand, Sri Lanka
and Brazil are just a few examples. Increased tourism creates a demand for more hotels, restaurants,
transportation services and shops, boosting the economies of these countries. However, this can have
negative consequences for the environment. Thailand, for example, has recently closed one of its islands
to visitors because of harm to the environment. Therefore, measures must be taken to protect the
environment in these areas.
Another positive consequence is a greater cultural exchange between countries. When people travel,
they interact with locals and this improves understanding on both sides. This helps reduce ignorance,
fear and prejudice. Although there have been cases of visitors offending locals, for example, by wearing
shoes in temples, the majority of tourists respect a country’s customs. Moreover, these instances can be
prevented by displaying clear signs or handing out leaflets which inform holiday-makers how to act
appropriately.

Question 6

Advances in technology mean that students can now study languages online. Some students prefer this
type of learning. Others believe it is important to study face-to-face in language classrooms. Discuss both
views and give your opinion.

Online courses have a number of advantages for language students. Firstly, they are cost-effective. Not
only can learners take one-to-one classes with a teacher on Skype at a lower price, but they can also use
language-learning applications such as Duolingo for free. Secondly, they allow learners to study where
and when they like, for example, in lunch breaks or on the commute to work. This is a useful advantage
in today’s high-paced world where people have a limited amount of free time.
Despite these benefits, people continue to attend classes at language schools. Face-to-face classes give
learners the opportunity to learn and practise languages with others. This is motivating and resembles
how people learn languages in real life. In addition, teachers are there to answer students’ questions,

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provide feedback and set up communicative activities. This creates a positive learning environment
which helps to improve students’ confidence and language skills.

Question 7

Governments should create green space (parks, gardens, roof gardens, trees planted along roads) in
major cities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Residents of cities with parks, gardens and tree-lined streets have a better quality of life than those
surrounded by concrete. Access to green space has been proven to reduce levels of stress and
depression. At the same time, it promotes exercise, helping to tackle the growing levels of obesity and
life-style related diseases in society today. Unfortunately, finding land to create green space is difficult
because many cities have growing populations and need to build more housing. Therefore, town
planners and architects must think creatively. For example, in Japan parks have been built on top of
shopping malls and in Singapore roads are surrounded by trees, vines and flower beds.
Cities with green space not only offer their citizens better health and well-being but also attract
tourists and businesses. Singapore’s Gardens by the bay and Dubai’s Zabeel Park were both recently
created and have helped increase tourism in these cities. Multinational companies also tend to locate
their offices in cities with parks and gardens because they create a pleasant working environment for
their employees. This leads to a happier workforce, increasing productivity and making it easier to
recruit good staff. One argument against creating new green space is that it is expensive and this money
should be invested in education or healthcare. However, increases in tourism and business lead to
economic growth, which justifies investing in parks and gardens.

Question 8

The populations of endangered animals, such as tigers and rhinos, continue to fall. What are the reasons
for this? What can be done to save these animals from extinction?

Around the world, forests are being destroyed for wood and to clear space for farming. These forests
are habitats for some of the most endangered species on the planet. Some environmentally-friendly
companies have policies of zero deforestation where they only use suppliers who have a minimal impact
on natural forests. When consumers buy products from these companies, they help save these animals
by protecting their homes.
In recent years there has been an increase in the illegal trade of animal parts. Elephants and rhinos
are being killed for their ivory, tigers for their furs and manta rays for their gills. Criminal networks sell
these products for large profits to consumers who are unaware or simply do not care that their actions
may cause the extinction of these animals. People must put pressure on their governments to be
tougher on wildlife crime. They can do this by signing petitions and joining campaigns run by animal

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charities, such as the World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC. Illegal trade will only stop if governments
introduce harsher punishments, increase law enforcement and educate their citizens that buying illegal
animal parts is wrong.

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Answers: Writing conclusions

Question 5

As the cost of air travel falls and more countries become developed, the number of people travelling
abroad on holiday will continue to rise. The benefits international tourism brings in terms of economic
growth and intercultural relations outweigh the problems it sometimes causes. Nevertheless, it is
important that countries try to minimise its negative effects by protecting their environments and
promoting positive behaviour among tourists.

Reference to essay question: As the cost of air travel falls and more countries become developed, the
number of people travelling abroad on holiday will continue to rise.
Paraphrased thesis statement: The benefits international tourism brings in terms of economic growth
and intercultural relations outweigh the problems it sometimes causes.
Brief summary of main arguments: (Given in paraphrased thesis statement)
Concluding comment: Nevertheless, it is important that countries try to minimise its negative effects by
protecting their environments and promoting positive behaviour among tourists.

Question 6

Technological developments have given us new ways to learn languages. And yet for me, none are as
effective as face-to-face study with a real-life teacher and classmates. Although it is cheaper and more
convenient, online study lacks the social dynamics of a traditional classroom which are key to language
acquisition. Until technology advances to the point where students can project their image and voice
into a virtual classroom, face-to-face language classes will remain the best form of study.

Reference to essay question: Technological developments have given us new ways to learn languages.
Paraphrased thesis statement: And yet for me, none are as effective as face-to-face study with a real-
life teacher and classmates.
Brief summary of main arguments: Although it is cheaper and more convenient, online study lacks the
social dynamics of a traditional classroom which are key to language acquisition.
Concluding comment: Until technology advances to the point where students can project their image
and voice into a virtual classroom, face-to-face language classes will remain the best form of study.

Question 7

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Massive population growth has turned many major cities into concrete jungles. To make these cities
healthier and more enjoyable places to live, I believe it is essential that governments find ways to
reintroduce green space. Parks and gardens improve the quality of life for a city’s residents by improving
both their mental and physical health. Although creating green space is costly, the boost to the economy
from increased tourism and business make it profitable in the long term.

Reference to essay question: Massive population growth has turned many major cities into concrete
jungles.
Paraphrased thesis statement: To make these cities healthier and more enjoyable places to live, I
believe it is essential that governments find ways to reintroduce green space.
Brief summary of main arguments: Parks and gardens improve the quality of life for a city’s residents by
improving both their mental and physical health.
Concluding comment: Although creating green space is costly, the boost to the economy from increased
tourism and business make it profitable in the long term.

Question 8

If deforestation and illegal wildlife trade continue at their current levels, many of the planet’s most
loved animals will soon become extinct. To stop this from happening, people must switch to brands with
zero-deforestation policies and increase the pressure on governments to do more to tackle wildlife
crime. For some species it may already be too late, but for others there is still hope.

Reference to essay question: If deforestation and illegal wildlife trade continue at their current levels,
many of the planet’s most loved animals will soon become extinct.
Paraphrased thesis statement: To stop this from happening, people must switch to brands with zero-
deforestation policies and increase the pressure on governments to do more to tackle wildlife crime.
Brief summary of main arguments: (Given in paraphrased thesis statement)
Concluding comment: For some species it may already be too late, but for others there is still hope.

*****
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Answers: Showing addition — Exercise 1

1
Incorrect: Reading regularly helps students improve their grammar and vocabulary. Moreover, it
increases their word recognition speed.
2
Correct
3
Correct
4
Incorrect: Studying abroad introduces students to new cultures. In addition, it gives them the
opportunity to learn a foreign language.
5
Incorrect: Successful students ask questions when they do not understand something. In addition, they
make clear and effective notes.
6
Incorrect: Not only is writing regularly important for improving organisation and language but it is also a
good way to develop critical thinking skills.
7
Correct
8
Incorrect: Not only does listening to podcasts develop listening for gist and specific information but it
also improves pronunciation.

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Answers: Showing addition — Exercise 2

1
Dictionaries provide the definitions of words. In addition, they show the reader how to pronounce the
words.

2
Nowadays, not only do students need good language skills but they also must be able to think critically.

In schools, children learn numeracy and literacy. Moreover, they learn social skills.

Essays should be well-organised. (Also,) They should (also) answer the question fully.

Not only do linking words connect sentences within a paragraph but they also join paragraphs within an
essay.

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Answers: Showing contrast — Exercise 1

1
Incorrect: Although it is well-known that smoking causes cancer, many people continue to smoke.
2
Correct
3
Correct
4
Correct
5
Incorrect: Many people believe smoking should be banned in public. However, I disagree.
6
Incorrect: Despite offering benefits in terms of health and costs, only a small percentage of the
workforce cycle to work.

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Answers: Showing contrast — Exercise 2

1
Although there are some advantages, these are outweighed by the disadvantages.

2
Although all secondary students take physical education classes in school, not many play sports in their
free time.

Swimming is a good way to stay fit and prevents people from drowning. However, many children around
the world do not learn how to swim.

Regularly eating fast food has been proven to increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes. However,
many school canteens still serve chips, hamburgers and pizza.

Despite keeping people healthy and being good for the environment, many cities do not promote
cycling to work and school by building cycle lanes or providing bicycles for hire.

Despite government advertising campaigns recommending eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a
day, many people are still not eating a healthy amount of fruit and vegetables.

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Answers: Showing cause and effect — Exercise 1

1
Correct
2
Incorrect: As a result of improvements in the quality of television series, fewer people are going to the
cinema.
3
Incorrect: Online streaming companies such as Netflix allow people to watch their favourite series
whenever and wherever they like. As a result, many people have stopped subscribing to cable and
satellite television services.
4
Correct
5
Incorrect: Having an award-winning actor or actress in a movie increases the perceived quality of a
movie. Therefore, Oscar winners are in high demand.
6
Correct
7
Correct
8
Incorrect: People watch movies because they want to experience things that are impossible in their
normal lives.
9
Incorrect. Many people prefer to watch movies with subtitles, as they like to hear the actors’ real voices
10
Correct

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Answers: Showing cause and effect — Exercise 2

1
Genius sports stars, such as Lionel Messi and Dan Carter, can turn a good team into a championship-
winning team. As a result, sports team are willing to pay them extremely high salaries.

2
Whether they like it or not, sports stars are role models for children. Therefore, they should behave like
responsible adults and avoid scandal.

As a result of the best footballers being famous around the world, sport clothing companies, such as
Nike and Adidas, pay them large sums to wear their clothes.

Many football fans are protesting because of increases in the cost of match tickets.

In secondary schools, students learn how to play team sports, as they keep children fit and develop
team-working and leadership skills.

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Answers: Adding examples — Exercise 1

1
Incorrect: Many illegally traded tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine, for example, their
bones, eyes, whiskers and teeth.
2
Correct
3
Correct
4
Correct
5
Incorrect: There are a number of ways consumers can help reduce deforestation, such as using recycled
paper or avoiding products which contain palm oil.

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Answers: Adding examples — Exercise 2

1
Version 1: There are a number of ways that individuals can reduce their carbon emissions. For example,
they can take public transport instead of using their cars or even better, cycle.
Version 2: There are a number of ways that individuals can reduce their carbon emissions, for example,
taking public transport instead of using their cars or even better, cycling.

2
The public should pressure food corporations, such as Nestle and Mars, into using less palm oil in their
products.

Version 1: Offices should introduce policies to reduce the amount of paper they use. For example, they
should make it compulsory for employees to print on both sides of a piece of paper and to use scrap
paper for making notes.
Version 2: Offices should introduce policies to reduce the amount of paper they use, for example,
making it compulsory for employees to print on both sides of a piece of paper and to use scrap paper for
making notes.

There are many endangered animals in Asia, such as the pygmy elephant, Sumatra rhino, black bear and
tiger are all endangered.

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Answers: Linking review — Activity 1

Aquariums have two important advantages. First, they educate the public about seas and marine life.
For example, schools often take their students to them as part of their science education. As a result,
students become more interested in science and some may even choose to study it in higher education.
Second, aquariums raise public awareness of serious problems, such as overfishing, pollution and
endangered species. Visitors might later join or donate to charities targeting these issues because of/as
a result of what they have seen.
Despite these benefits, I believe the building of aquariums should not be encouraged. This is because of
the harm they cause to the sea creatures they house. It has been found that large sea animals, such as
sharks and dolphins, live shorter lives in captivity. They also do not breed as often, which is especially
damaging for endangered species. In addition, many animals are mistreated. For example, dolphins and
sea lions are kept in small tanks and forced to perform for audiences.

*****
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Answers: Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners — Exercise 1

Aquariums have two important advantages. First, they educate the public about seas and marine life.
For example, schools often take their students to them as part of their science education. As a result,
students become more interested in science and some may even choose to study it in higher education.
Second, aquariums raise public awareness of serious problems, such as overfishing, pollution and
endangered species. Visitors might later join or donate to charities targeting these issues because of
what they have seen.
Despite these benefits, I believe the building of aquariums should not be encouraged. This is because of
the harm they cause the sea creatures they house. It has been found that large sea animals, such as
sharks and dolphins, live shorter lives in captivity. They also do not breed as often, which is especially
damaging for endangered species. In addition, many animals are mistreated. For example, dolphins and
sea lions are kept in small tanks and forced to perform for audiences.

*****
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Answers: Pronoun reference and demonstrative determiners — Exercise 2

One way that governments can reduce carbon emissions is by promoting the use of solar panels. This
can be achieved by offering the public incentives to install solar panels on their roofs, for example,
reduced energy bills. The electricity they generate can then be fed into the national grid. One problem
with this is the high cost of the panels and their installation. However, governments can provide loans to
help overcome this issue.
Governments can also decrease emissions by improving the public bus services in their countries. They
can do this by creating more bus routes, reducing fares and improving the quality of bus travel. If
governments carry out these actions, bus travel will become more appealing and fewer people will
travel by car. Although the initial costs of this strategy are high, in the long term increased passenger
numbers will result in greater income for the state.

*****
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Answers: The first conditional — Exercise 1

1
Correct
2
Incorrect: Drivers will reduce their carbon emissions if they drive at the speed limit, keep their tyres
properly inflated and accelerate slowly.
3
Incorrect: If more people travel by public transport, there will be less traffic on the roads.
4
Correct
5
Correct
6
Incorrect: Many countries will face serious floods in the future unless more trees and mangroves are
planted.
7
Incorrect: If climate change continues at its current rate, large parts of the planet will become
uninhabitable.
8
Correct
9
Correct
10
Incorrect: If we do not change our behaviour, future generations might live in a world far more
dangerous than the one we live in today.

*****
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Answers: The first conditional — Exercise 2

1
If governments are mostly male, women will have little influence in the running of their country.

2
If more political leaders are women, we might have fewer wars.

Unless girls are given the same educational opportunities as boys, they will not be able to achieve their
full potential.

If women’s rights are not protected by law, women will suffer from violence and discrimination.

As long as there are women around the world suffering from discrimination, charities such as Equality
Now and Womankind, will continue to fight for woman’s rights.

If women have financial independence, they will be more likely to influence decisions in their
communities.

A society cannot be considered fair unless men and women are treated equally.

If a government has laws which discriminate against women, it will send a message to its citizens that it
believes women are inferior to men.

*****

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Answers: The passive voice — Exercise 1

1
Correct
2
Incorrect: Nowadays, robots are used in a variety of industries.
3
Correct
4
Incorrect: Although I do not know when it will happen, one day I believe most manual jobs will be done
by robots.
5
Incorrect: Artificial intelligence is the ability of a machine to copy intelligent human behaviour.
6
Correct
7
Correct
8
Incorrect: Ian M. Banks has written a series of novels about aliens, humans and artificial intelligence.

*****
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Answers: The passive voice — Exercise 2

1
The electric car, the Tesla Model S, was introduced in June 2012 (by Tesla Motors).

2
The Tesla Model S is manufactured in California (by Tesla Motors).

The Tesla Model S is powered by an electric motor.

The 2013 World Green Car of the Year award was won by the Tesla Model S.

This year the design of the Model S has been updated.

In the future, more electric cars will be driven.

The Tesla Model S has been named the Car of the Century.

The use of electric cars should be promoted (by governments).

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Answers: The present perfect simple — Exercise 1

1
Incorrect: The United Nations (UN) was established on 24 October 1945.
2
Correct
3
Incorrect: The membership of the UN grew significantly in the 1960’s.
4
Correct
5
Incorrect: The UN won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.
6
Correct
7
Correct
8
Correct

*****
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Answers: The present perfect simple — Exercise 2

1
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was established on 5 October 1948.

2
The protection of habitats and species has remained a core activity of IUCN.

In 1991, IUCN published a new world conservation strategy called Caring for the Earth.

The increased attention on sustainable development has brought IUCN closer to the business sector.

IUCN collaborated with the energy company, Shell International between 2007 and 2012.

In 2012 IUCN published a list of the world’s 100 most threatened species.

Education has been part of IUCN’s work program since its creation.

IUCN has been one of the most influential conservation organisations in the world in recent years.

*****
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Answers: Relative clauses — Exercise 1

1
Correct
2
Correct
3
Incorrect: The FAIRTRADE Mark, which symbolises a farmer in a field, is blue, black and green.
4
Correct
5
Incorrect: One study, which was published in 2015, concluded that some producers had not benefited
from fair-trade initiatives.
6
Incorrect: Guatemala is a country where/in which fair trade has had a positive impact.
7
Incorrect: Around the world, coffee is grown by farmers who typically earn less than two dollars a day.
8
Correct
9
Patagonia, which is an American clothing company, works with fair trade certified factories in India and
Sri Lanka.
10
Correct

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Answers: Relative clauses — Exercise 2

1
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a conservation organisation which works in 100 countries.

2
WWF, which has over five million members globally, is the world’s leading conservation organisation.

WWF originally stood for World Wildlife Fund, but in 1986 it changed its name to World Wide Fund for
Nature, which the organisation believes better reflects its activities.

TRAFFIC is the name of the wildlife trade monitoring network which was created by WWF and IUCN.

In 1972 the great bamboo lemur, which many thought was extinct, was rediscovered by WWF
researchers.

WWF has many projects in Africa where there are many endangered species.

WWF helped persuade Ecuador to introduce a law which protected the Galapagos Islands.

WWF often works with local communities who depend on nature for agriculture.

WWF works to protect those animal species whose preservation affects the survival of other species.

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10

People who donate money to WWF can choose a thank-you gift.

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Answers: Appositives

1
Margaret Thatcher, born in 1925, was the first female prime minister of the UK.

2
David Beckham, the former captain of the England football team, is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.

3
Avatar, directed by James Cameron, has an environmental message.

4
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, is one of most famous paintings in the world.

5
UNICEF, created by the UN, promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child.

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Answers: Free modifiers

1
UNICEF has been working for children for almost seventy years, promoting children’s rights and
improving the lives of many children around the world.

2
UNICEF is the world’s leading supporter of children’s rights, operating in over 185 countries.

UNICEF has offices around the world, each carrying out the organisation’s mission by working together
with the host government.

4
UNICEF recognises the importance of girls’ education, promoting gender equality in the classroom
through its Child-Friendly Schools project.

UNICEF carries out research on the situation of women and children around the world, working with a
wide range of partners.

16,000 children die every day, many dying from preventable or treatable causes.

Children with disabilities are often excluded, discriminated against because of negative attitudes.

With the help of organisations such as UNICEF one day we might have a world where every child can live
in freedom and safety, educated and healthy.

*****

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Answers: Nominalisation — Exercise 1

Promote - Promotion
Employ - Employment
Research - Research
Use - Use
Develop - Development
Need - Need
Assist - Assistance
Educate - Education
Communicate - Communication
Persuade - Persuasion
Creative - Creation
Convenient - Convenience
Useful - Usefulness
Flexible - Flexibility
Adaptable - Adaptability
Literate - Literacy
Motivating - Motivation
Independent - Independence
Harmful - Harm
Addicted to – Addiction

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Answers: Nominalisation — Exercise 2

1
Primary school should offer education in basic computer programming.

2
Online research about topics, carried out before class, can improve students’ independence.

Digital literacy is increasing among teenagers, which is a further benefit of internet use.

4
Addiction to online games can result in teenagers wasting time which could be better used for other
more important activities.

5
Excessive use of the internet will result in less communication between teenagers and their parents.

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