B
WRITING
C. EADE
About the Exam
Part One: Reading Comprehension
You will read an article on a topic of general interest and answer various types of
comprehension questions (multiple choice, matching, ordering etc).
Length of reading text: 6-7 paragraphs
Number of questions: 10-15
Time: 20 mins
Part Two: Writing a Composition
You will be asked to write an essay on the topic presented in the Reading test.
You will discuss two points of view (advantages/disadvantages, pros/cons) on the topic and
give your own opinion.
You may use the ideas from the Reading as a starting point, but you should also add your
own ideas.
Minimum Length: 250 words
Time:
70 minutes
You will be evaluated on your ability to:





organize your composition (introduction, development, conclusion)
use cohesive devices to link your ideas
construct paragraphs with topic sentences
write in full sentences,
express your ideas clearly and accurately using a relatively wide range of lexical items
Websites for Writing
The Purdue On-line Writing Lab
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/678/01/
Using English for Academic Purposes: A guide for Students in Higher Education.
http://www.uefap.com/writing
Vocational Information Center: Communication Skills
http://www.khake.com/page66.html
1
B
SAMPLE EXAM
PART ONE:
READING
QUESTIONS BELOW.
COMPREHENSION.
SKIM
THE ARTICLE THEN ANSWER THE
The hardest language to learn
People often ask which is the most difficult language to learn, and
it is not easy to answer because there are many factors to take into
consideration. Firstly, in a first language the differences are
unimportant as people learn their mother tongue naturally, so the
question of how hard a language is to learn is only relevant when
learning a second language.
A native speaker of Spanish, for example, will find Portuguese
much easier to learn than a native speaker of Chinese, for example,
because Portuguese is very similar to Spanish, while Chinese is very
different, so first language can affect learning a second language.
The greater the differences between the second language and our
first, the harder it will be for most people to learn. Many people
answer that Chinese is the hardest language to learn, possibly
influenced by the thought of learning the Chinese writing system,
and the pronunciation of Chinese does appear to be very difficult
for many foreign learners. However, for Japanese speakers, who
already use Chinese characters in their own language, learning
writing will be less difficult than for speakers of languages using the
Roman alphabet.
Some people seem to learn languages readily, while others find it
very difficult. Teachers and the circumstances in which the
language is learned also play an important role, as well as each
learner's motivation for learning. If people learn a language
because they need to use it professionally, they often learn it faster
than people studying a language that has no direct use in their day
to day life.
Apparently, British diplomats and other embassy staff have found
that the second hardest language is Japanese, which will probably
come as no surprise to many, but the language that they have
found to be the most problematic is Hungarian, which has 35 cases
(forms of a nouns according to whether it is subject, object,
genitive, etc). This does not mean that Hungarian is the hardest
language to learn for everyone, but it causes British diplomatic
personnel, who are generally used to learning languages, the most
difficulty. However, Tabassaran, a Caucasian language has 48 cases,
so it might cause more difficulty if British diplomats had to learn it.
Different cultures and individuals from those cultures will find
different languages more difficult. In the case of Hungarian for
British learners, it is not a question of the writing system, which
uses a similar alphabet, but the grammatical complexity, though
native speakers of related languages may find it easier, while
struggling with languages that the British find relatively easy.
No language is easy to learn well, though languages which are
related to our first language are easier. Learning a completely
different writing system is a huge challenge, but that does not
necessarily make a language more difficult than another. In the
end, it is impossible to say that there is one language that is the
most difficult language in the world.
Questions: Based on what you have read, decide if the following are True or False. Write T or F on the line provided.
1) _____The main idea of this article is to discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of learning Hungarian.
9) _______ According to the writer, it is easy to
determine which language is the hardest to learn.
2) _____ The question of how hard a language is to
learn is relevant to both first and second language
acquisition.
3) _____ Portuguese is definitely easier than Chinese.
4) ______A Japanese speaker may well find the
Chinese writing system easier than a speaker of a
European language.
5) _____ The Hungarian alphabet causes problems for
British speakers.
6) ______Hungarian has as many cases as Tabassaran
______ Hungarian is the hardest language in the world.
7) ______ Many British diplomats learn Tabassaran.
8) _______The writer thinks that learning new writing
systems is easy.
2
eade
SECTION TWO: COMPOSITION
Topic:
Top universities around the world offer a variety of courses in the languages field, ranging from
linguistics to degree courses in French, Russian, or Japanese. Combined degrees involving languages
in addition to another discipline are also popular. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
getting a university degree in modern languages. You may use information from the article you
read, but you may also include your own knowledge, experience and ideas.
Task: Write an essay on the topic above. You may use the ideas from the Reading, but you should also add your own
ideas.
Length: 250 words
Time: 70 minutes
You will be evaluated on your ability to:





organize your composition (introduction, development, conclusion)
use cohesive devices to link your ideas
construct paragraphs with topic sentences
write in full, well-structured sentences
express your ideas clearly and accurately using a relatively wide range of lexical items
Process:
1) Brainstorming: Before you begin writing, make a list in note form of all the advantages and disadvantages that
come to mind. Use the table below for your notes.
Advantages
Disadvantages
2) Organizing your ideas: Now decide how you will organize these ideas into a logical structure. Use the paper
provided to make an outline or plan of your composition. This outline will be evaluated with your composition.
3) Writing: Use the paper provided for your composition. You should write clearly and legibly. If you make a mistake
or wish to make changes, simply cross out the words and keep on writing.
4) Editing: Leave yourself time to check your writing for errors and missing links.
DOS AND DON’TS FOR WRITING A COMPOSITION
3
eade
Worksheet
Here is a list of points giving advice on writing for General Training Writing Task 2. Decide
if you should or shouldn’t do each one.
1
Read the instructions carefully
2
Include all the information you are required to
3
Write less than the required number of words (250 words)
4
Write your answer on the answer sheet
5
Keep to the timing.
6
Order information in the sequence that is common in discursive writing in
English, including an introduction, a development and a conclusion
7
Support arguments with examples or other evidence
8
Copy from other people’s work
9
Check the composition after writing – for style, completeness, linking, logical
structuring of arguments and accuracy of language
10
Link the ideas and paragraphs
11
Include information not asked for
12
Write illegibly
13
Leave out any required information
14
Plan your writing before you start doing it
What you MUST do
What you MUSTN’T do
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF WRITING
4
eade
PARTS OF SPEECH
In your notebook, write definitions for the following and give examples.
noun, countable noun, uncountable noun, verb, action verb, state verb,
adjective, adverb, subject, object, definite article, indefinite article
SENTENCES
A sentence must contain a subject and a verb.
Identify the correct subjects and verbs. Circle the subjects and underline the verbs. Are they
always in the same position?
1. He depends on her in times of need.
2. Watch your step.
3. The insurance agent gave them sound advice.
4. How many new roads have been built?
5. The reporter asked how many roads had been built.
6. On the battleground, lay the wounded soldier.
7. In the newspaper, an interesting article was published.
8. Only by working effectively can you hope to succeed.
9. Some voted in favour of the motion, others against.
10. In spite of the economic crisis, consumers are expected to continue spending.
A sentence must begin with a capital letter, end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation
point, and express a complete idea.
Which of the following are sentences? Explain.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The river runs through the forest.
Because I like it.
I think.
For example, my university.
I enjoy.
I enjoy learning new things.
7.
After a long winter, when the snow begins to
melt and the first blossoms begin to appear.
8. The longest river in the world.
9. The government has decided to reduce taxes, in
spite of the lack of funds.
10. Engineers, who have an aptitude for drafting and
mechanics.
CLAUSES
A clause is a group of words containing at least one subject and one verb. Clauses are used to
form sentences.
There are two types of clauses:
1) Independent clause: subject + verb expressing a complete thought
e.g. The cost of living is rising.
2) Dependent clause: begins with a subordinator (when, while, if, that, who etc) not a
complete thought, needs an independent clause
e.g. Although the price of oil has decreased.
What kind of clauses are these?
1. she is the prime minister
2. because global warming is an issue
5
eade
3. whose task it is to fight crime
4. though it is crucial
5. when it was first created
6. the climate is changing
SENTENCE TYPES
There are four types of sentences:
1) simple sentences: one independent clause
e.g. The economy is getting worse.
2) compound sentences: two independent clauses joined by a coordinator
e.g. The economy is getting worse, and unemployment is rising.
3) complex sentences: a dependent and an independent clause
e.g. Although the price of oil has decreased, the cost of living is rising.
e.g., The company has had to downsize because of the economic crisis.
4) compound-complex sentences: combination of two or more independent clause and one
or more dependent clauses.
e.g. After getting my degree, I had planned to take a year out to travel, but I had to go to work
immediately.
What kind of sentence are these?
1. The equipment was expensive to buy, but it has been a good investment.
2. The share price went up yesterday.
3. Although we may have to lay off some workers, we should be able to meet the deadline, as
long as there are no more strikes.
4. Although we may have to lay off some workers, we should be able to meet the deadline.
Underline the dependent clause is the following.
1. When students from other countries come to the US, they often suffer from culture shock.
2. Many students are having financial problems because the cost of education has risen.
3. Albert Einstein, who is recognized as the a genius, was a high school dropout.
4. That professor who you should see is the chair of the English department.
5. Even though the new prime minister has asked for tax cuts, this is unlikely to happen in the
near future.
6. Last year, the government reported that drug use is increasing.
Now write your own examples of the four types of sentences about the following topic: the
importance of a university degree today
1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………..………………………
2. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………..………………………
3. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………..………………………
4. …………………………………………………………………………………………………
6
eade
……………………………………………………………………………..………………………
PRACTICE
Practice with Complex Sentences.
7
eade
Subordinating expressions are needed to form complex sentences. Here are the most commonly
used subordinators. Study them carefully and be sure you know their meaning. Look in the
dictionary if you’re not sure.
After
As soon as, as
long as
How
Unless
Where
While
Although
Because
As, just as
Before
As if, as though
Even though
If
Until
Wherever
Who
Since
When
Whether
So that
Whenever
Which
Exercise.
1) Underline the dependent clause in each sentence. One sentence has two.
2) Circle the
subordinator.
Now that you know the basic kinds of sentences, you can develop a good writing style. Overuse of
the same type of sentence, whether it be simple or complex, leads to boring writing.
Look at the following example. What problems do you spot. How can it be improved?
8
eade
9