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Writing

Essay: Writing long sentences
Short sentences are easy for the reader to follow. Good writing,
however, normally has a mixture of short and longer sentences
so that the reader isn’t interrupted too often by full stops. Longer
sentences usually contain more than one idea, so you need to be
able to use words and phrases to link them together.

1 Look at three ways of linking contrasting ideas and use
them to join the two sentences below. Write the sentences
in your notebook.
a Although/Even though my mother was born in Spain, she can’t
speak Spanish.
b In spite of/Despite the fact that my mother was born in Spain,
she can’t speak Spanish.
c In spite of/Despite being born in Spain, my mother can’t
speak Spanish.

Chinese is a difficult language. Many people are learning Chinese.

2 Now look at two ways of linking similar ideas and use them to join the two ideas below. Write the
sentences in your notebook.
a As well as singing, many Greeks also dance.
b Greeks not only sing, but they also dance

Many Danish people speak English. Many Danish people speak German as well.

3 Read this writing task and underline what you have to give your opinion about.

The City Times
More school exchange visits
An increasing number of school head teachers are organising exchange visits
with schools in other countries. Teachers say that students who stay for a week
with, for instance, a Dutch family in the Netherlands, are able to learn more
about a different culture and language than they can from books.

ESSAY: Do you think staying in another country and experiencing its language and culture adds to a young
person’s education? Why or why not? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

4 Now read these two opening paragraphs written in answer to the task in 3. Which one correctly
answers the task question? What is the writer’s opinion?

a In my opinion, going to school for a while in a foreign country would not help
educate a young person. It would be better to stay in your own school as
understanding a new language and making friends would be very difficult.

b Maps and books can tell us a lot about the world, but they can never
replace actually being in other countries. I think that experiencing other
cultures opens young people’s minds to new ideas.

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