162 Teacher’s Comments;

This introduction is too long almost 100 words. It is a good idea to include some of these ideas in the main body of your essay where you give reasons for your opinion.

This is a good introduction. You’ve mentioned some general measures that have been taken to deal with cars, and your major opinion is clear.

You’ve just copied some sentences from the writing task. It’s OK to briefly outline the issues involved in the introduction, but you should do it in your own words. Try not to copy the question word for word.

This is supposed to be a serious essay, written in an academic formal style.

Don’t start with personal anecdote you had in the past. Start with a more general statement, summarising the problem and using more formal language.

It is too short. One way to expand is to give examples of kinds of problems heavy traffic in cities causes.

You don’t have enough space in a 250-word essay to write about the history of the car, and the history of the problems it caused. And you haven’t said what your opinion is. A good introduction shows where the composition is going. It should prepare the reader for what is coming next.

Signposts

It will help you in your writing if you use linking words and phrases and also ‘signposts’ to show what the purpose of each paragraph is. Examples of signposts are;

The most important reason why cars should be banned is...

In conclusion, ...

The former indicates that this is the first reason or argument you are going to give to support your opinion. The latter indicates that this is your final paragraph where you will summarize you opinion.

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Put the linking phrases and signpost expressions into the correct group according to how each one is used.

Giving opinion

introducing reasons for opinions giving examples

I strongly support the idea that I think

Read this sample answer to the writing task. Complete the composition by choosing the word or phrase which best fits each gap.

Most cities now have pedestrian precincts and from time to time cities are in the news because cars have been temporarily banned from the centre

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to reduce pollution. However, no town council has yet had the courage to completely prohibit private motor vehicles from entering the city centre.

There are several reasons why 1 ... this should be done.

2 ... pollution from car exhausts, which damages people’s health causing respiratory disease such as asthma and bronchitis.

At the same time, traffic fumes attack the stonework of historic monuments and buildings, while the vibrations from passing vehicles damage their foundations. This, 3..., has happened to many old cathedrals in Europe.

4 ... why I am 5 ...cars being banned is in order to reduce the noise pollution from traffic, which forces people to keep their windows permanently closed and may cause psychological problems including stress and depression among people living in busy streets.

6 ...is that most cities were not designed for motor traffic. 7 ... the historic centre of Valencia, which has narrow streets and few facilities for parking. As a result, traffic moves very slowly and there are frequent traffic jams. Beautiful buildings are sspoilt by always having cars parked in front of them and pretty streets become unpleasant due to permanent traffic congestion and exhaust fumes.

Finally, 8 ... that if cars were banned, people would find other more pleasant ways to move around cities.

9..., they would walk or use bicycles as these would once more become safe and enjoyable activities within the city. This in turn would bring about a general improvement in people’s health.

In conclusion, therefore, 10 ... that traffic should be banned from city centres, as this would enable people to rediscover cities as pleasant and healthy places to live.

1. A I support B I believe C I am in favour of

2. A The most important reason is B I am opposed to C A good example of this is

3. A I agree, B for instance, C I am against

165 benefits the countries which tourists visit. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Read the sample answer to the writing task above, and find 15 mistakes The growth of tourism means that nowadays most countries have a tourist industry and for many countries it is an essential sector of their economy.

However, like any major industry, tourism may have some drawbacks, i strongly oppose that it rarely benefits countries. On the contrast, I am in favour of, for a number of reasons, the vast majority of countries derive great benefit from it.

Another reason is that tourism provides regular employment for many local people who might otherwise be unemployed. They can find work in restaurants or hotels, or with tourist agencies as guides or drivers, for example, and earn regular wages. This, on the other hand, means that they may be able to save money and improve their standard of living.

The main reason is that tourists spend money in the country and this allows local businesses as restaurants, bars and taxi companies to flourish.

In turn, other businesses, food suppliers or petrol stations, including, may be established in order to provide services to support the companies

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which cater for tourists. In other words, the whole economy of the region develops.

A final reason is that in order for tourists to be able to visit remote areas, roads, airports and hotels have to be built and local people also benefit by being able to use these new facilities. Furthermore, when communications improve, it becomes possible for other industries to move into the area, bringing with them more employment opportunities and increased prosperity.

A second reason why I am against tourism is that visitors from outside bring fresh ideas and different ways of doing things to the local community. For example, local people may learn from tourists. In contrast, visitors learn about the local people and culture, and return home with a deeper understanding of the host country.

In conclusion, I firmly support that governments should encourage tourism because of the opportunities it offers for ordinary people to improve their quality of life.

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