UPM-CALC/CEL2103 WRITING ACADEMIC TEXTS/SEM 1/2021-2022

SCL WORKSHEET WEEK 3

SCL WORKSHEET WEEK 3

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

The activities should be completed by the due date.

A. Choose the best hook for the topics below.

Topic 1: The similarities and differences between mobile phones and smartphones

a) Before the advent of the smartphone, people were often carrying two devices, a
cellphone and a Personal Digital Assistant or PDA. Smartphones are any mobile phones
that are similar to a mini computer. Smartphones offer a variety of features that allows
advanced computing capability and connectivity. Mobile phones have the primary
purpose of only calling and sending text messages. They are a simple phone that is
used mainly by people that only require telephony services.

b) Do you know that a smartphone is a mobile phone, but a mobile phone is not always
smart? Smartphones are any mobile phones that are similar to a mini computer.
Smartphones offer a variety of features that allows advanced computing capability and
connectivity. Mobile phones have the primary purpose of only calling and sending text
messages. They are a simple phone that is used mainly by people that only require
telephony services.
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SCL WORKSHEET WEEK 3

Topic 2: The similarities and differences between coconut oil and olive oil

a) Olive oil is derived from olives, while coconut oil is derived from coconuts. Cooking with
the right kind of oil is essential to stay healthy and fit. There are many types of cooking
oils available in the market, which make it difficult to choose the right kind to reap the
maximum health benefits. Coconut oil has developed a cultlike following in recent years,
with proponents touting benefits ranging from body fat reduction to heart disease
prevention. Meanwhile, olive oil is a staple fat in the Mediterranean diet, and its
previously publicised benefits have largely relied on examining its use by European
populations.

b) When it comes to your health, olive oil and coconut oil are like two of your closest
friends. Cooking with the right kind of oil is essential to stay healthy and fit. There are
many types of cooking oils available in the market, which make it difficult to choose the
right kind to reap the maximum health benefits. Coconut oil has developed a cultlike
following in recent years, with proponents touting benefits ranging from body fat
reduction to heart disease prevention. Meanwhile, olive oil is a staple fat in the
Mediterranean diet, and its previously publicised benefits have largely relied on
examining its use by European populations.

Topic 3: The comparison between public and private transportation

a) “The key word for transportation in the 21st century is choice” by Anthony Foxx. Whether
it is a business meeting in a different town or daily commute to the place of work, the
question of how to reach the destination always arises. To get to the destination, people
are likely to choose between two forms of transport which are public or private
transportation. Buses, trains and metros are all classified as public transfers as it’s a
mode of transport in which a number of people share. These types of transport all have
their own schedules because they pass specific routes at certain times throughout the
day. In contrast to public transportation, with private transportation people do not share
the vehicle with others. The only people they share it with is the driver and their
friends/family/colleagues.
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b) When it comes to transportation, you essentially have two options: public and private
transport. Whether it is a business meeting in a different town or daily commute to the
place of work, the question of how to reach the destination always arises. To get to the
destination, people are likely to choose between two forms of transport which are public
or private transportation. Buses, trains and metros are all classified as public transfers
as it’s a mode of transport in which a number of people share. These types of transport
all have their own schedules because they pass specific routes at certain times
throughout the day. In contrast to public transportation, with private transportation people
do not share the vehicle with others. The only people they share it with is the driver and
their friends/family/colleagues.

Topic 4: The comparison between indoor and outdoor exercise

a) A study found that outdoor exercise was associated with increased energy and
revitalization, as well as decreased confusion, anger, depression and tension when
compared with exercising indoors. Everyone knows that exercise has a lot of health
benefits for the body and in order to get them, one has to stay consistent and
determined enough to push through. One of the things to consider is the workout place.
It is true that exercise can be done anywhere, but it is still best to do it in a place where
one will feel most comfortable and secure. Indoors or outdoors? It depends on the
person as different things work for different people.

b) There are days when you would rather grab an iced coffee or hot cup of tea. Same goes
with your exercise routine when you consider whether you should be working out inside
or outside. Everyone knows that exercise has a lot of health benefits for the body and in
order to get them, one has to stay consistent and determined enough to push through.
One of the things to consider is the workout place. It is true that exercise can be done
anywhere, but it is still best to do it in a place where one will feel most comfortable and
secure. Indoors or outdoors? It depends on the person as different things work for
different people.
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SCL WORKSHEET WEEK 3

Topic 5: The comparison between desktop computer and laptop

a) When deciding between purchasing a desktop computer or a laptop, one will need to
consider a handful of criteria and determine what best fits the needs. The computer is
one of the greatest inventions in the world. Nowadays, there are more and more people
who have their own computers. However, some people can easily get confused when
deciding to buy a laptop or a desktop computer. It is obvious that both of them can do
well at what they are needed for such as working, studying, researching and
entertaining. Desktop computer and laptop consist of the basic parts like main board,
ram, VGA card and hard disk. Despite these similarities, there are quite a few
differences between these two kinds of computer.

b) Choosing a new computer used to be an exercise in frustrating tradeoffs—would one

rather have more battery life or a lower price, a larger screen or greater portability? The
computer is one of the greatest inventions in the world. Nowadays, there are more and
more people who have their own computers. However, some people can easily get
confused when deciding to buy a laptop or a desktop computer. It is obvious that both of
them can do well at what they are needed for such as working, studying, researching
and entertaining. Desktop computer and laptop consist of the basic parts like main
board, ram, VGA card and hard disk. Despite these similarities, there are quite a few
differences between these two kinds of computer.
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B. Below is the background information in the introductory paragraph of compare and contrast
essays. Fill in the blanks with the correct information by choosing from the sentences below.

Topic 1: The similarities and differences between mobile phones and smartphones

This gives the option of answering emails via phone and to share photos taken with friends
right away.
A mobile phone and a smartphone are both mobile devices that can be used to call and send
texts.

Even though we often call smartphones mobile phones, the two terms technically refer to
different devices. A mobile phone and a smartphone are both mobile devices that can be used
to call and send
texts.__________________________________________________________________
___________That is about where a mobile phone stops, too, though some also feature a
camera. A smartphone has all kinds of extra functionalities, like Internet access, the option of
downloading apps, and a camera. __This gives the option of answering emails via phone and to
share photos taken with friends right
away.____________________________________________________ ___________ Another
difference is that mobile phones often have a physical keyboard, while smartphone keyboards
are usually virtual.

Topic 2: The similarities and differences between coconut oil and olive oil

Both olive oil and coconut oil are plant-based fats extracted from fruit.
Extra virgin olive oil is squeezed from olives, whereas coconut oil is squeezed from the flesh
of the coconut.
It is even more important if a person is trying to lose weight.

We all know that cooking with the right kind of oil is essential to stay healthy and fit. _It is even
more important if a person is trying to lose
weight.______________________________________________________________________
_____There are many types of cooking oils available in the market, which make it difficult to
 UPM-CALC/CEL2103 WRITING ACADEMIC TEXTS/SEM 1/2021-2022
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choose the right kind to reap the maximum health benefits. _Both olive oil and coconut oil are
plant-based fats extracted from fruit.______________________________________
____________________________ They are both used in cooking, baking and cosmetics. The
primary difference between the two oils is the fruit from which they are extracted.
____________
_Extra virgin olive oil is squeezed from olives, whereas coconut oil is squeezed from the flesh of
the coconut.________________________________________________ While olive oil is liquid
at room temperature, coconut oil is more like a soft solid (similar to butter), which makes it a
popular option for things like spreads and shortenings.

Topic 3: The comparison between public and private transportation

Many people use public transportation such as busses, while others choose to drive their own
cars.
The two transports allow people to work farther away from their homes, and still commute
relatively easily.
Nowadays, people are beginning to live farther away from their place of work but still
commute daily.

_Nowadays, people are beginning to live farther away from their place of work but still commute
daily.________________________________________________________________________
____________ Better forms of transportation account for this growing trend. Both public and
private transportations are improving. _Many people use public transportation such as busses,
while others choose to drive their own
cars___________________________________________________
_______________________ Busses and cars are both modes of transportation, and they both
will get people where they want to go. _The two transports allow people to work farther away
from their homes, and still commute relatively
easily._____________________________________________
____________________ Moreover, busses and cars are also quite common across the world
and are available at all times.

Topic 4: The comparison between indoor and outdoor exercise

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Although this is true, it is also true that training indoors provides a safer, more-controlled
environment that lessens the chance of injury.
Staying healthy is about eating right and getting regular exercise, not how that exercise is
done
But which one is better?

Many people frequent the gym to get the majority of the exercise done, indoors, while other
people prefer to take things on in the great outdoors such as running, cycling, and making use
of the hidden wonder the "outdoor gym". __But which one is better?
_______________________________________________
Studies have shown that when training outdoors, people generally feel happier and revitalised; a
natural response to simply being around nature. Although this is true, it is also true that training
indoors provides a safer, more-controlled environment that lessens the chance of
injury._____________________________________
____________________________________________ In fact, exercising is what really
important. _Staying healthy is about eating right and getting regular exercise, not how that
exercise is
done___________________________________________________________________
______________ Obviously, exercising outdoors and indoors is going to elicit different
hormonal responses and each is beneficial in its own way, just as it is different from the other.

Topic 5: The comparison between desktop computer and laptop

As students prepare for the year ahead, the battle between laptops and desktop computers
has reignited once again.
On top of that, with all the different options available these days, finding the one that meets a
student’s needs can be tough.
These days, however, choosing one over the other is proving to be more difficult than it used
to be.

Weighing between laptops and desktop computers – or more specifically, which is better – is a
debate as old as modern time, even though plenty of households have both.
________________
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_These days, however, choosing one over the other is proving to be more difficult than it used
to be._________________________________________ This is because laptops now are
being fitted with more powerful internal components and closing that performance gap they
used to have with desktop computers. _As students prepare for the year ahead, the battle
between laptops and desktop computers has reignited once
again.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________ Both students and parents are baffled in trying to
decide if it is better to buy a desktop or laptop. _On top of that, with all the different options
available these days, finding the one that meets a student’s needs can be
tough.______________________________________
____________________________________________