C2-Writing

Part 1
 In every essay task, you have to read two short texts (about 100 words each)

Make sure your answer:

 Contains a clear and concise summary of the key points of the two texts analyses and
evaluates the main ideas or opinions expressed In the texts.

 Includes possible counter-arguments and points the writer has failed to consider when
presenting his/her view (It is important that you address these in your answer,
even if you in fact agree with what the writer says)

 Includes your own views and opinions on the topics of the texts

 Is organised into clear paragraphs.

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The register should be neutral to formal as essays are usually part of academic
writing.

Formal English means that you shouldn’t use:

 contractions (I’m, don’t, etc.),

 informal phrasal verbs,

 colloquial expressions we would normally place in the realm of spoken English.

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 How to tackle it
Step 1- Text analysis
 Read both texts and decide if they are complimentary or contrasting.
 Underline the two key content points in each text.

Step 2 – Paraphrasing and summarising

 Brainstorm different ways to paraphrase and summarise the key points.
 What impressive structures can you use? Inversions, passives, collocations, expressions.

Step 3 – Evaluate and react

 Decide which points you agree and disagree with.
 Brainstorm your own thoughts and experiences on the subject.
◦

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Functional Language
Introduction
◦ Hardly a week goes by without another report of ................. appearing in the media.
◦ Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ...............
◦ The trend nowadays is towards (gerund)
◦ How has the public’s opinion on this issue shifted over the last few years?
◦ Although most people would generally agree that ............... few would deny that ................
◦ This raises the issue of whether or not.................
◦ This issue strikes a chord with the vast majority of the general public.
◦ What impact, if any, have these shifts/changes/developments had on the general public’s psyche?
◦ How are we to gauge the effect of such shifts/changes/developments?

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Stating opinion

As I see it,
It seems to me that ............ I would also say that ....
I am convinced that ...............
I am inclined to believe that ..................
There is no doubt in my mind that ..................
One of the drawbacks of ....... is ..........
However, one of the benefits is that ............

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Describing causes

One factor which has led to ............ is ..............

One of the factors which has brought this about is .........
The problem often stems from ....................
The situation has been exacerbated by ................
.............. has only made the situation worse.
One consequence of ................ is ................

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Concluding

All in all it seems to me that ...........

The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that .......................
All things considered, .............
On balance, I tend to believe that ............
The world would surely be a better place to live in if ..............
If people stopped ....ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a ...............
The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ...................

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 MODLE: Possible layout

Introductory paragraph: Find the common theme between the two input texts.
And or ask a question?
 2nd paragraph: Summarise in your own words the key points of input text
one. Give an opinion but try to do so objectively
 3rd paragraph: Summarise in your own words the key points of input text
two. Give an opinion
 Conclusion: Restate your previous arguments, sum up and relate to a broader
context.

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 Samples of ADVANCED GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURES

 We should rethink the evaluation process.

 It is necessary that we rethink the evaluation process

 It is necessary that the evaluation process be rethought.

 It is vital that we rethink the evaluation process

 It is vital that the evaluation process be rethought.

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 EXPECTED LANGUAGE
The essay should include and contain an appropriate level of accurate grammar and
vocabulary.

The vocabulary used should relate to the topics of the texts and the grammatical structures
should include language for:
 describing and comparing points of view;
 presenting and supporting opinions;
 linking points in complex sentences.
 Samples of ADVANCED GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURES
Inversions: Adverbs:
 Not only is/do…..but also…  Obviously,
 Rarely/seldom do people….  Ultimately,
 Apparently,
Conditionals:  Admittedly,
 Were these recommendations to be
implemented
 Had they known about/ if they Subjunctive:
happen to…  It is vital that ...should be
 If he should have any…  I recommend that ... should be done…
 It is advisable that… ought to be
Double comparatives: considered/done…
 The cheaper the…., the more  I would rather/ sooner… than…
popular…

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 Samples of ADVANCED GRAMMATICAL
STRUCTURES
Participle clauses: Advanced linkers & Phrases:
 Being a keen shopper myself,…  Despite the fact that…,
 Having bought many products online,….  ... due to the fact that, with a view to/
 As a consequence
 Nonetheless; however, albeit..
 On the one hand, / On the other
hand
Relative clauses:
 No matter how…
 reason for which…./
 Contrary to common belief
 students whose work ought to be
 It is becoming increasingly
assessed…
important
 …which would be paramount to….
 In the light of …./ given….

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Tackling Traffic Congestion The Joy of Motoring
Policymakers employ a wide range of measures to Recent research into the attitudes of motorists shows we
tackle the problem of traffic congestion. Enforcement are still more than happy to get behind the wheel.
schemes such as setting strict speed limits on major roads Despite rising fuel costs, insurance premiums and
and the use of congestion charges in city centres are two frequent traffic jams, 9 out of 10 of us still enjoy
driving. Whether it’s visiting friends and relations,
such examples as are vehicle exclusion zones or parking
taking the family for a day out or even commuting to
restrictions in busy pedestrian areas. However, it also work, the car remains first choice for many people.
makes sense to encourage motorists to become less Experts argue that unlike public transport, the car leaves
reliant on their car. This can be achieved by making us in charge of our own destiny, giving us the
public transport more efficient and promoting the benefits freedom to travel when and where we want. The car
of car-sharing with work colleagues, thus reducing also gives us the opportunity to express ourselves. The
kind of vehicle we drive tells the world something about
weekly fuel bills. And the increasing number of cycle
who we are or what we aspire to be. Cars are not simply
lanes on many roads is further evidence of how to win the
a means of transport but also something we wear.
hearts and minds of motorists in the fight against
congestion.

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The over-arching theme of these two texts is the use of cars in our society- be it for
commuting or personal pleasure .

The first one adopts a more practical viewpoint on this subject, discussing different
alternatives to reduce a very common problem that many big cities have to deal with
nowadays, namely traffic congestions. This text makes the point that it is important to
find ways to tackle this increasing problem, whether it is through raising people’s
consciousness, setting speed limits, or even using congestion charges. The main point
made is that it is important that citizen not use their cars so frequently. It is very
important to try to reduce traffic congestions. However, the first text fails to take into
consideration reducing the price of public transport. This would enable people to travel
with ease and may encourage them to stop using their vehicles as much as they do now.
( objective opinion - no I think…)
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The second text is possibly more descriptive, in that it lists all the costly
drawbacks of having a car. However, these negative aspects do not
discourage people from getting behind the wheel. Most feel that benefits
outweigh all these disadvantages; especially for the freedom and
independence that they would not be able to have otherwise. In addition, for
some people their car is not just a means of transport, it is also an extension
of their personality. It is understandable the important role a car can
play in a person’s life.

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I firmly believe that given the fast pace of life, we have become very
dependent on our cars to take us everywhere. This is simply where
evolution has taken us. Nonetheless, as a society we need to start
reprogramming our commuting brains into more environmentally- friendly
options.

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EXAM SAMPLES
Match sample answers with examiners’ comments
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 Candidate A

Our modern life often poses us a question – what is acceptable in terms of behaviour considering the fast pace at
which modern society changes. Besides, the shift towards the cult of individuality has been obvious for the past years.

Nowadays, we are all aware of the fact that society is made up of different generations each of which has their own
preferences and habits deeply ingrained in their consciousness. In this connection the generation gap is considered to
be a perennial problem. It is a well-known fact younger generations are more technologically advanced than the
previous ones, moreover the young are quicker on the uptake and more resilient to ever changing demands of our life.
Despite that, I am inclined to believe that only by being tolerant to each other and accepting the right of each
generation to adhere to their own set of beliefs and ideas we will be able to peacefully co-exist in society.

At last society has recognised the need for each member to be an individual. Throughout the history of humanity members
of society have had to fit the mould and conform to the set of principles and beliefs accepted. For example, even 50 years
ago woman’s only domain was household chores. Nowadays, we are relieved to see that women are equal members of
society fulfilling their potential and rising thru the ranks. Some of them even manage to achieve dizzy heights.

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In conclusion, our society is moving forward by leaps and bounds, patterns of behaviour and social norms are
changing as well. So, only by coming to terms with the above-mentioned we, all members of it, won’t be deemed as
misfits and relish our existence in the society.

Candidate B

The over-arching theme of these two texts is social behaviour.

The first considers the fact that different groups of society have different ideas about what is acceptable behaviour. What
is normal for one set of people may appear rude to another group. This text makes the point that it is important to
appreciate that others may have differing viewpoints, claiming that such awareness can help to avoid social conflicts.
The second text looks at the issue from a contrasting angle. It argues against the desirability of behaving in socially
acceptable ways. Its contention is that being too concerned about social conventions stifles individuality and may even
have a negative effect on our own psychological health.

In my opinion, there is little to disagree with in the first text. It is an undeniable fact that behavioural norms vary across
generations, classes and cultures and it is also true that understanding and tolerance provide the soundest basis for our
approach to social difference.

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The second text is possibly more contentious. While it may be the case that some people are over-concerned about
etiquette and unimportant social rules, I feel that some conventions for social behaviour have a positive impact on
everyone’s lives. It all depends on the type of rule. I do not feel that it is important to know which way you ‘should’ tip
your bowl when eating soup or when
you should or shouldn’t wear gloves but I do think it is desirable to say please and thank you and to behave in a
considerate way towards one’s fellows. In other words, I think that basic social conventions serve a useful purpose but that
they should be used to oil our interactions rather than becoming too much of an end in themselves.

Candidate C

How should we behave in society? Should we follow social norms or should we use our own individual judgement to
decide what is the appropriate way to conduct ourselves?

Some people find it very important to obey the rules of etiquette, to do what others consider proper. There are people –
often the older generation – who get very upset when others do not follow social conventions, when they, for example,
speak loudly on mobile phones in public places or lick their fingers or queue jump.

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However, it should be noted that the things that irritate people will vary from one society to the next; the rules of queue
behaviour, for instance, are very different in London, Moscow and Istanbul, and how it is acceptable to use a mobile
phone differs considerably from one society to the next. Similarly, it is important to remember that social conventions
change over time. It was once considered improper to eat on the street but now no-one pays the slightest attention to
someone walking along munching a sandwich or an apple. The key to avoiding conflict, it seems, is imaginative
empathy
.
In general, it is counter-productive to worry too much about what the socially acceptable way to behave might be in
any given situation. It can stop you thinking about what is the moral way to behave as you may become more focused
on what is ‘proper’ rather than on what is right. You can also start suppressing your own important individuality and
originality as you become unhealthily anxious about what others might be thinking.

The rules that do not – and should not – change are those regarding behaviour that has an effect on others. Dropping
litter, for example, or pushing someone out of the way should always be condemned as inappropriate behaviour

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Examiners’ Comments
Candidate B

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Candidate A

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Candidate C

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