B1 Writing Classes + QR For Interchange 3
B1 Writing Classes + QR For Interchange 3
B1 Writing Classes + QR For Interchange 3
To: [email protected]
Subject: Advice
Hi Pam,
1 I’m writing to ask you about something personal. Remember John, my high school friend?
You met him at my birthday party. John and I have always gotten along well, but he’s
changed a lot recently. I’m not sure what to do.
2 To begin with, he’s been calling me practically every day. I like friends who are thoughtful,
but calling every day is too much! Also, he only calls to gossip about our friends. You know
I don’t like it when people talk about others behind their backs. I always try to change the
subject, but he keeps calling with gossip!
3 I don’t want to hurt John’s feelings, but I need this to stop. Should I tell him how I feel?
Do you think he’ll be upset? What would you do? Please let me know!
Your friend,
Carol
B Write an email to a friend asking for advice. Write one paragraph explaining
your purpose, one describing the problem, and one requesting advice. Use your
notes and Carol’s email as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s email. Write answers to these questions.
1. Is the explanation of the purpose clear?
2. Is the description of the problem clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
B Write an ad for the position. Use your notes and the ad above as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s ad. Write answers to these questions.
1. Does the ad include necessary information?
2. Is the information clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
B Write a note for each request. Use the information in your chart and the notes
above as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s notes. Write answers to these questions.
1. Does each note make a request?
2. Is the reason clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
• By the time Marco Polo arrived in Shang tu, China, in the 13th century, the country had already reached
a high level of development. Chinese citizens, for example, were already using paper money.
• When Pedro Álvares Cabral arrived in Brazil on April 22, 1500, he had been at sea for almost six weeks.
At the time, several million natives were living along the coast and in the rain forests of Brazil.
• By 1941, Britain and Germany had been at war for two years, and the British were seeking U.S. support.
On December 11, 1941, Germany declared war on the United States.
B Look at the time line below. Then make time lines for the other events in the fact box.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s fact box. Write answers to these questions.
1. Is the information accurate?
2. Is the sequence of events clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
• When you meet someone for the first time, you’re expected to shake hands.
• It’s usually not acceptable to kiss people on the cheek when you are introduced
to them.
• You’re supposed to maintain eye contact when talking to people. Breaking eye
contact is considered impolite.
• You aren’t supposed to look people in the eye on the street.
• People tend to stand close to each other when talking. Backing away might be
considered rude.
• It’s common for conversations to be very animated, with frequent interruptions and a
lot of physical contact.
• It’s not acceptable to push people who are waiting in line.
B PAIR WORK Read your partner’s tips. Write answers to these questions.
1. Are the tips clear?
2. Are the headings appropriate?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
LETTER OF COMPLAINT
Before You Write
A Read the letter. What is the purpose of the letter?
Attention: Customer Service Department
1 I’m writing to complain about a digital camera (Model DC1000) that I purchased
online on December 24.
2 The camera I was sent was not in good condition. There were a lot of scratches on it
and the lens was cracked. Furthermore the flash didn’t work.
3 On January 8 I took the camera to your local service representative. I was told that
the camera just needed “adjusting.” I was also told there would be a $25 charge for
this. I refused to pay and was told to write to you if I wanted to complain.
4 I am very dissatisfied with the condition of this camera. I would therefore like to
request a full refund.
Yours sincerely,
Spencer Barnes
a. Paragraph ______ explains how the writer tried to solve the problem.
b. Paragraph ______ contains the writer’s request.
c. Paragraph ______ describes the problem.
d. Paragraph ______ explains the purpose of the letter.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s letter. Write answers to these questions.
1. Is the purpose of the letter clear?
2. Is the request clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
• Too many cars are being used. As a consequence, cities are becoming more polluted. One thing to do
about this is to walk or ride a bike when traveling short distances. Another thing to do is to use public
transportation when traveling long distances.
• Many rivers have been contaminated. As a result, many species of fish are being destroyed. The best
way to solve this problem is to keep industrial waste out of rivers.
• People use a lot more water than they need. Because of this, our drinking water reserves have been
depleted. The best way to stop this from happening is to use less water.
B Write a tip about each problem. Use the information in your chart and the
Preserving Our Environment tips as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s tips. Write answers to these questions.
1. Is each tip about a different problem?
2. Does each tip give a clear result and solution?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
Choosing a career is a very difficult decision. I don’t know what I’d really
like to do, but I know very well what I’d rather not do.
Given the choice, I’d rather not have a job that is stressful. A stressful job
can be dangerous for your health. Also, I’d prefer not to work long hours.
Working long hours interferes with your family life. In addition, I’d rather
not choose a career that requires studying. In fact, I’d prefer not to study
at all. I find studying very stressful.
Making the right career choice is not going to be easy. For this reason,
I’m going to take a long long vacation before I decide!
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s essay. Write answers to these questions.
1. What is the decision?
2. Is the explanation of the reasons clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
First, have you thought about doing some of the writing exercises in class? I prefer
writing in class because I can ask you for help. You’re better than any dictionary!
Second, maybe you could email us your comments on our writing. Then we could
read your comments at home and save time in class. Another thing you could do is
organize a writing competition. That would make writing more fun.
Sincerely,
Alex D.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s letter. Write answers to these questions.
1. Are the suggestions and reasons clear?
2. Do you agree with the suggestions? Why or why not?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
B Write an article about one of the events. Use the information in your
chart and the article above as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s article. Write answers to these questions.
1. Is the article accurate?
2. Is the sequence of events clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
Hi Liz,
1 It’s great to hear from you. Moving to a small town is quite a change for me. You
asked how I like Springfield. In three words: I LOVE it!
2 Springfield is not a big town but people from around the country and abroad are
studying or working at Springfield College. I’ve been really lucky, too. As soon as I
moved here I made friends with several people in my apartment building and at
work. After a couple of weeks I felt completely at home. My job at the college
library is really interesting. There’s very little stress, and I have a lot of free time
after work.
3 In short, I should have accepted this job when they first offered it to me two years
ago! If I’d moved then, I wouldn’t have wasted almost two years trying to find a
good job in Los Angeles.
4 Do you want to come visit me for a few days? The apartment is small but I have
an extra bed.
Love,
Jackie
B Write an email to a friend you haven’t talked to recently. Use your notes and
Jackie’s email as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s email. Write answers to these questions.
1. Are the effects of the change clear?
2. Are the regrets clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
B Write an article. Use the information in your chart and the article
above as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s article. Write answers to these questions.
1. Are the factors clear?
2. Do the reasons and examples support the factors?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
ADVICE LETTER
Before You Write
A Read the letter and reply. Do you agree with Clara’s advice?
Dear Clara, Dear Desperate Daughter,
I needed money, so I sold the ring my Selling the ring wasn’t a very smart thing to do. You
father gave me for my 18th birthday. should have thought about the consequences first. If
you needed money, you could have borrowed it from
Next week, my parents will celebrate
your parents or a friend.
their 30th wedding anniversary, and
Dad wants me to wear the ring to the The best thing you can do now is apologize to your
party! I can’t think of a good excuse. father and explain why you sold the ring.
Why did I sell it? What should I do?
Here’s one last word of advice. Don’t worry too much.
Desperate Daughter Your father must have made mistakes when he was
your age. I’m sure he’ll understand.
Clara
B Read Clara’s reply again. Is she giving advice about the past, present, or both?
B Write a reply to Worried Son. Use your notes and Clara’s reply to
Desperate Daughter as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s reply. Write answers to these questions.
1. What is the advice?
2. Do you agree with it? Why or why not?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
Email 1 Email 2
Paragraph 1 reference to previous email, news
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3 reason for ending the email
B Write an email telling a friend about the job. Use your notes and
Jeff’s and Karen’s emails as models.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s email. Write answers to these questions.
1. Is the job description clear?
2. What information is in each paragraph?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
B Write a survey about the problem. Use your notes and the survey
above as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s survey. Write answers to these questions.
1. Are the goals relevant to the problem?
2. Are the ways to achieve the goals clear?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
B Write a letter to students. Use your notes and Adrien Blanc’s letter as a model.
C PAIR WORK Read your partner’s letter. Write answers to these questions.
1. Does the letter include general and specific information about the school?
2. Is there information about how students will benefit?
3. Can you suggest any improvements to the content or grammar?
Encuesta estudiantil