B1 Article: FILMS

 

One of the most important things in the PET Writing exam is that you have to answer the questions in the task very clearly. Don’t talk about things that are unrelated, but focus on the topic.  Use good grammar, linking words, punctuation, and interesting vocabulary.

In this article, you were to write about the types of films you enjoy and if you prefer going to the cinema or watching films at home with reasons. It was necessary to consider:

Types of films:  action action / animated / biographical / cartoons / comedies / detective / disaster / drama / fantasy / historical / horror / love stories (romance) / musicals / mystery / science fiction / spy / thrillers...

Reasons to go to the cinema: newer films / atmosphere / big screen / sound system...

Reasons for staying at home: less expensive / more comfortable / can chat or do other things / stop and start / great selection / can watch many times...

Storytelling: The Snake Bite

What would you do if you were in this situation?
How do you think this story will end? 

What ending would you give the story?

Now create a story that begins with this sentence:
    The island didn't look far away, and I felt sure that I could reach it.  

WRITING Part 2: B1 - The Story

In Part 2, you can choose to write a STORY or an ARTICLE.  You must write ca.100 words.  As in all stories, you need a beginning, a development (main events), and an ending. The first sentence of your story will be given to you. Add another sentence or two to this beginning and then move on. 

• Be organized: THINK before you write!
• Be careful about punctuation;
• Use interesting adjectives and adverbs to set the scene and describe characters;
• Give background information (any information the reader needs to know that helps explain the character or the context);
• Use direct speech to express the character's mood and feelings ("Stop following me!" )
• Use past tenses: 
• past simple to describe the main events
• past continuous to describe something that is happening at the same time as another event  (I was studying while my brother was playing video games.) OR interrupted (I was getting into bed when the doorbell rang.)
• past perfect to describe an event that came before another (I was very tired because I hadn't slept at all.
• time expressions:

Expressions such as these below can give higher marks.

Here is an example from a past exam. Think about what you would change or do to make this a better story.

WRITING B1: the ARTICLE

In Part 2 of the WRITING test, you must choose to write an ARTICLE or a story of ca. 100 words.  An article is a text that expresses your opinion and knowledge.  

Remember the 3 parts to writing:
The introduction should catch the attention of your reader. You can ask a question or give a general opinion. 
The body is where you develop your ideas and relate them to personal experiences and opinions.
The conclusion is a recommendation and a summary of the main points. Readers should feel they have learned something. 

Before writing, ask yourself:
1) What do I have to write about?
2) Who is going to read my article?

Look at this exam task. 

You see this notice on an English-language website for young people. Write your answer in about 100 words on the answer sheet. (Remember that it's better to write at least 100 words; better more than less.)

Notice that there are 2 questions that must be answered. 
Read this sample answer:

Has the student answered both questions correctly? 
Does he give examples and opinions?
What could be done to improve this article? 
When YOU write YOUR article, use your own words.  Try not to use the same words as the text. 
Try substituting the underlined words with similar meanings from the list below.

    teenagers             make                find out about           willing       
    goes online           try to find        details                        searching for

Like the email, the examiners are judging:

• Content –  Have you done what you were asked to do?

• Communicative Achievement – How appropriate is your writing style and tone for the task, and its intended audience? Was it easy to understand?

• Organization – Does it have a logical order and paragraphing? Do you express your ideas clearly?

• Language – How good and accurate are your vocabulary and grammar? 

Grammer to Use;
Passive - The internet is considered the best place to find information.

Modal verbs - It might be best to stay home.
Conditional - If I were you, I'd stay home and study. 
Relative clauses - I know someone who speaks four languages fluently. 
Wish -  I wish I could travel more often. 

Phrases to involve the reader:

• Have you ever thought about…?
• How would you feel if …?
• What would you think of…?
• Are you one of those people who …?
• If the answer is …, you should….
• What would life be like if…
• Just think for a moment…
• Just imagine…

Use extreme adjectives instead of intensifiers: 
very good =  awesome, excellent, fantastic, marvelous
very bad   =  awful, terrible, horrible

big = huge, enormous, gigantic

cold = freezing

angry = furious

Use adverbs  importantly, surprisingly, absolutely, suddenly

Develop your points 
Another advantage of ...
On top of that…
What is more, …
Above all,,,
The reason I think this is…
The reason I feel this way is…
Let’s start with …

Some expressions for giving your opinion (SPEAKING or WRITING)
In my opinion, …
As far as I am concerned, …
Speaking personally, …
From my point of view, …
As for me, …
My view / opinion / belief / impression / conviction is that …
I hold the view that …
I would say that …
It seems to me that …   /  It is my impression that....
I am of the opinion that …
I am (was) under the impression that …
I have the feeling that …
My feeling on the subject is that …
I have no doubt that …
I am sure / I am certain that …
I think / consider / find / feel / believe / suppose / presume / assume / guess / reckon that 
I bet that ….
It goes without saying that …

Justifying opinions 
because…
due to the fact that ...
the reason is… / the main reason is...  /  that's the reason why ...
the reason I believe that is…
the facts suggest…
the evidence shows…
taking into account what I have seen…
seeing as how....
on account of....
In view/light  of the fact that....

Making recommendations and suggestions: 
it would be a good idea to…
Wouldn’t it be better to…?
Why don’t we…?
What / How about… ?
Shouldn’t we… ?
Let’s consider…
Why not… ?    

For more expressions click on this link to LBA Life 

WRITING PART 1- B1- EMAIL

The EMAIL is a MANDATORY task in the Cambridge Preliminary Test

1. You must write ca. 100 words. If you write too many words, you may have included irrelevant information, which could lower your score. If you write <100 words, you may lose points because you may not have included all the required information or used an adequate range of language.

2. Every email is different. You will usually write to a friend or teacher. Choose the correct tone: formal, informal, or neutral. NEUTRAL means you can use contractions (I'm, can't, doesn't, wouldn't) and phrasal verbs, but NO SLANG or words not found in a traditional dictionary.

3. Pay attention to the
    a. STRUCTURE: the correct layout, salutations, and paragraphing. 
    b. LANGUAGE and GRAMMAR.  Know the phrases to use when agreeing/disagreeing; giving your opinion; offering to do something; explaining something.

Below is an example from a past test. 
Your teacher, Mrs. Lake, has written to you about ideas for a class party she would like to organize.

BEFORE writing your email, ask yourself these questions: 

A. WHO am I writing to?

        You are writing to your teacher, so the tone can be neutral. 

B. What is the situation? 

C. What are the 4 things I need to include in my email?
        In this case: 1) react to the news that there is a party

                           2) explain your preference (classroom or park?)

                           3) suggest possible games/activities

                           4) give your opinion about which food should be served

Respond in the same format the teacher used in her email.

Here is my response:

Dear Mrs. Lake,

I think a class party is a great idea!  (9)

I would prefer to have the party at the park since we spend so much time in the classroom. (19)

 

Although there are badminton nets and a basketball court at the park, I would suggest organizing some traditional team competitions like sack and egg races, bobbing for apples, and a treasure hunt. (32)

The park has several grills, so in my opinion, we should have a picnic and barbecue. The students can bring the meat and vegetables they like. We can also ask them to bring chips, bread, drinks, and desserts. (38)

I hope I was helpful. See you in class. (9) Ellie

(107 body)                          

It's that time again....

How many of these words are you familar with? 
1) nyctophobia = abnormal fear of night or darkness
2) sepulchral = pertaining to burials
3) berserk = crazy, deranged
4) thanatopsis = a poem about death
5) perdition = loss of the soul
6) trepidation = sense of fear that makes you tremble (get goosebumps or get the shivers / get chills up and down your spine)
7) lycanthrope = wolfman
8) arachnophobia = an irrational or disproportionate fear of spiders.

What words (nouns, verbs, adjectives)  come to mind when you think of scary things?  
Make lists. You can also write them below in the comment section.

Which adjectives would you use to describe these pictures?

Click HERE for more vocabulary ideas. 

Now, use the words to create a story! 

MAD LIB STORIES: Create your word list according to what is asked (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) BEFORE reading the story. Then add the words in your list in the correct order to end up with (most often) a crazy story!

Story 1: Monstrous Halloween

Story 2: Description of a Horror TV Show              

Story 5: Halloween History

Story 4: The Best Halloween Ever

Story 5: The Scariest Halloween Ever    

Story 6:  A Ghost Story    

5L Writing Practice - the introduction

TOPIC-- Write about your favorite literary period, the author you enjoyed reading about the most, and why.

TITLE--Gives a clear focus               

Start with an OUTLINE to organize your work. 

INTRODUCTION--Present your main idea and arguments (briefly). Grab attention. Use a quotation or ask a question.

BODY--Backs up your intro with proof, explanations, and details.
            Write a topic sentence as a mini-intro or main idea, then explain with evidence and examples. 

CONCLUSION: Ties everything together.
                          Restates main points.
                          Strong, final statement. 
                               

For further help, check out HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY and HOW TO WRITE A COMPOSITION

What is the difference between an essay and a composition? An essay expresses the author's personal thoughts and judgment on a stated topic, whereas a composition can follow other authors' thoughts on the topic, explaining them but not adding personal opinion. 

DEAR DIARY - 3 A/L

Write an entry to your diary using the vocabulary on GADGETS and ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (Moving Up p. 27) 

Include the following grammar: 

1) used to 

2) simple past 

3) when/while + subject + verb 

4) before/after + -ing form 

5) during + noun

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE: 

Dear Diary,

Today was a crazy day. I used to think appliances and gadgets were useful and convenient until today.

It all started when I woke up late because I didn’t hear my alarm clock go off.  First, I went to the kitchen to start the coffee machine,  but it didn’t work, so I turned on the electric kettle for some tea.

Before having breakfast, I went to take a shower and wash my hair. On the way to the bathroom, I stepped on a bottle opener and cut my foot. When I turned on the hairdryer,  I saw smoke! I immediately turned it off and went back to the kitchen to warm my croissant in the microwave oven.  I set the table and prepared my tea during this time.

After some minutes of vacuuming,  all of a sudden the vacuum cleaner stopped working.  Luckily, it just needed to be cleaned.

I decided to surprise my mom and bake her a cake before going out. I used to mix everything by hand until we bought a new food mixer last year. When I added the eggs, the liquid splattered all over! Before taking the cake out of the oven, the alarm on my digital watch rang. It was time to meet my friend for our daily bike ride. When I went to get my bike, the bike lock was broken! I turned on my sat-nav so I wouldn’t get lost and cruised away.

I used to be a super relaxed person, but after today,  I feel super stressed out! While I am writing this, I am listening to my favorite songs on my personal computer.  I am glad this day is over!

 

BE THANKFUL...

Thursday, November 23 is THANKSGIVING. 

What are you thankful for?  write your answers in the comment section below.

Best and Worst Moments of 2011-2012

What was your best experience this school year?
           

What was the most embarrassing, disappointing or the worst thing that happened to you at school this year? How did you feel?

Write about what happened and tell us why you think these were the best/worst moments of 2011-2012.

1 A/L My Favorite TV Show

Write about your favorite TV show.
What is the name of the program?
What is it about? 
Why do you like it?
How often do you watch it? / What day (or days) of the week is it on?
Who are your favorite characters? / Why?


When did you watch it last?
What was it about?

Plans

2 + 3 A/L  Write in DETAIL about What you did last weekend and what you going to do this weekend. 

Some questions to think about:
Who were you with?      /   Who are you going out with?
What did you do?          /    What are you going to do?
Did you buy anything?  /     What are you going to buy?
Did you eat anything?  /      Are you going to eat anything?
Where did you go?      /      Where are you going (to go) ?
What time did you go out?   /   What time are you going out?
What time did you come back home?  /  What time do you think you'll go back home?
How did you get to the center/cinema/ disco/ friend's house/restaurant?   /  How are you going to get to the cinema...
How much did you spend?      /  How much do you think you'll spend?
Do you always do this or did you do something special?    /  Are you going to do something special?
If you went to the cinema, what did you see? Would you recommend the movie to others?   /   Are you going to see a film because someone recommended it?


Please NOTE: do NOT write "The last weekend..." but "Last weekend...."  OR "I went out with my friends last weekend." NO THE.

FOOD FUN

Food questionnaire
Ask your partner the questions below. Copy the questions and write the answers on your blog.

 1. How often do you cook? 

 2. What do you usually eat for breakfast? 

 3.  What did you eat for lunch yesterday? 

 4.  What foods do you like? (name 3) 

 5.  What foods don’t you like? (name 2) 

 6.  How often do you eat healthy food? 
                                          What do you eat? 

 7. How often do you eat unhealthy food (junk food)? 
                                           What do you eat? 

 8. Do you like to go to fast food restaurants?

 9. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?

10. What do you like to order at fast food restaurants?

11. How often do you go to fast food restaurants?

12.  Are you a vegetarian?

13.  What's your favorite meal?

14.  Are there any foods you like now that you didn't like when you were a child? 

Name ________________________ 
Partner’s name ____________________________


Food Quiz
Food Games

3L What do you want to be when you grow up?

Write about your dream job. 

Include the qualities you need, the characteristics and the benefits you think are important for a job.

• Do you need a degree or special training?
• Do you prefer working alone or on a team? in an office, at home or outside? 
• What benefits do you hope to have?
• What do you look for in a boss?
• Would you like to travel?
• Are you interested in career advancement and promotions?
• SIck leave? Vacations? Salary? Retirement funds?

 

Comenius Comments

Comment on today's Comenius discussion. What makes up your identity? Do you agree with what was said? Do you have any different ideas? REMEMBER to correct the work done last week. Use the comment section in the last post.

For Friday, Sept. 25

1/2 L and Susy (5L): REMEMBER to write your letters.

Letters need to start with Dear and end with Sincerely or some other closing.

Spend your Vacation Wisely

You have vacation until Monday, April 20. That's a very long vacation. While everyone else is in school, you could (and should) be studying.

What about trying the Trinity Test on the side column? REMEMBER, the ISE test is on April 22 (Earth Day), which is only 2 days after you go back to school!

So why don't you:

1. send me the writing assignment (that I gave you at your last lesson) by email;
2. try writing something below in the comment section so anyone can help correct your mistakes; OR
3. write me an email just for practice.

A New Year, a new beginning!

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays. I'm sure you all partied hard and slept a lot. Now it's time to get back to work!
Did you make any New Year resolutions? Try writing one below in comments. Let's see who has the best one!
Read how they say "Happy New Year" in these countries.
I wonder if the Turks pronounces Olsun like my last name.

China	"Gung Hay Fat Choy "
Denmark	"Godt Nytår"
France	"Bonne Année"
Germany	"Gutes Neues Jahr"
Hawaii	"Hauoli Makahiki Hou"
Ireland	"Aith-bhliain fé mhaise dhuit"
Israel	"Shana Tova"
Japan	"Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu"
Netherlands	"Gelukkig Nieuwjaar"
Norway	"Godt Nytt År"
Phillipines	"Maligayang Bagong Taon"
Poland	"Szczesliwego Nowego Roku"
Portugal	"Feliz Ano Novo"
Spain	"Feliz Año Nuevo"
Sweden	"Gott Nytt År"
Turkey	"Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun"

Advice Column

When people have problems, they often write a letter asking for advice. Try giving some advice to at least one of the troubled teens below. Write your answer in comments (after the letters below), or if you prefer, try writing a letter asking someone for advice!

***************************

1)
Dear Dana,
I like this really cute boy in my class, but he has no idea that I like him. There are 3 other girls in our class, who are my friends, and they like him, too. They don't know I like him either. They follow him wherever he goes, so he hangs out with them more than he does with me. If he does spend time with me, they get jealous and make fun of me. Lately he stopped talking to me, but I saw him writing my name on his notebook and he stares at me a lot. What do you think I should do? Do you think this boy likes me?
Shy Girl
*********************
2)
Dear Dan,
Every time I like a girl, my friend likes the same one. If I say a girl is pretty, he says she's pretty. If I say I want to ask her out, he says HE wants to ask her out. I always step back and tell him to ask the girl out because I don't want to ruin our friendship. This time there is a girl I REALLY like and don't want to watch my friend ask her out. What should I do? Do you think I'll lose my friend if he wants to ask her out, too?
Tired
*********************
3)
Dear Dana,
I always thought my best friend's boyfriend was cute. A couple of days after they broke up, I found out he had a crush on me! Now my friend won't talk to me any more. Then I found out that someone had told her that I had told her ex to break up with her so I could go with him. I tried to talk to her, but she won't listen to me! I told her ex to tell her the truth, but he won't! now none of my friends will talk to me. What should I do?
Abondoned.
*********************
4)
Dear Dan,
My boyfriend says he loves me, but the other day I saw him flirting with the most popular girl in school. Then yesterday, I saw him walking really close to another girl, laughing and touching her arm. This morning when I got to school, he was with a different girl! Do you think he's going to break up with me?
Nervous
**********************

NOTE on Email 8

NOTE: PLEASE write about your TOWN and AREA as written in my instructions. It is not necessary to write about Italy, which could be a different email! Use the model letter, which talks about the country, as model for our area rather than Italy.