miércoles, 28 de diciembre de 2016

An essay providing solutions to problems

Essays providing solutions to problems are pieces of writing in which we present a problem and its causes, then discuss our suggestions as well as their expected results.

Introduction

First paragraph = we present the problem and its causes.

Main body

Second, third and fourth paragraphs = we write our suggestions and their expected results.

We write each suggestion and its results in separate paragraphs. We should link our ideas using appropiate linking words.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = we summarize our opinion.

Such essays are normally written in semi-formal or formal style, depending on who is going to read them and where it is going to bepublished. They are usually found in magazines, newspapers, etc.

To make our piece of writing more interesting to the reader, we can use certain techniques to start or end it such as:

  • addressing to reader directly: If you want to help the environment, there are lots of things that you can do.
  • using a quotation (a sentence/phrase from a book, a play, etc), don't forget to mention the name of the person who said/write it: ...as American anthropologist Margaret Mead said "We have nowhere else to go...this is all we have."
  • using a rhetorical question (a question that makes a statement rather than expecting an answer): Is it important to protect endangered species?

USEFUL VOCABULARY

To make suggestions:
It (would help if)/(be a good idea if)...;
A/Another useful suggestion would be to...;
The situation could be improved if/by...;
Steps/Measures should be taken in order to solve/deal with...

To present results and consequences:
In this way...;  This would...;  Then...;  If..., the result would be...;
The effect/consequence/result of...would be...



Example:

How can we make our planet a safer place for animals?

Is our planet a safe place for animals? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it. Thousands of species have become extinct and many more are now endangered. We need to do something fast before it is too late for them.

Firstly, measures need to be taken to protect our wildlife. The destruction of threatened animals' habitats should be illegal, with long prison sentences for people who break these laws. This would protect animals and the environments they live in.

Another solution is to promote education about endangered species. If people are aware of the problem, then they will buy fewer products made of materials such as ivory or fur.

Finally, we should create more national parks and conservation areas. This would allow animals to live and breed safely in their natural habitats. As a result, their numbers would increase and species would not die out.

In conclusion, there are many ways to make our world a better place for animals. We all need to do whatever we can. As Malcolm Bradbury said, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem".


jueves, 22 de diciembre de 2016

viernes, 16 de diciembre de 2016

Vocabulary (9) - Art and heritage

a landscape
a palette
a portrait
a sculpture
a still life
an easel
a watercolour
clay
a potter's wheel
classical beauty
Gothie architecture

viernes, 9 de diciembre de 2016

viernes, 2 de diciembre de 2016

Special uses of the past simple

You have previously seen how the past simple is used to talk about unreal situations:

    If we had more money, we could improve the facilities for young people in 
    the area.
    If only the government spent more money in local transport.
    I wish there was more interest in helping the homeless in this city.

Here are some other ways of talking about unreal, desired situations using the past simple.

It's (about/high) time...

    It's time you had a holiday.
    It's high time the politicians sttoped talking and started doing something.
    It's about time you grew up and started facing up to your responsibilities.

Would rather +  subject + past simple


    I'd rather you didn't smoke while I'm eating.
    I'd rather Kate didn't work in the evenings.
    I'd rather I didn't have to work in the evenings.

When would rather is not followed by a subject you do not use the past simple. Instead you use an infinitive.

    The government would rather spend the money on health care than 
    helping the elderly.
    I'd rather not work in the evenings.


jueves, 24 de noviembre de 2016

Vocabulary (8) - crime and punishment

to commit a crime or an offence
to be sought for questioning
to be arrested for fraud
to be accused of theft
to be convicted of theft
to be allerged to have stolen a diamond ring
to serve a sentence
to have a criminal record
scene of crime
(to) investigate a crime
(to) collect evidence
(to) take fingerprints
(to) look for clues
(to) arrest a suspect
(to) fight crime
(to) test someone for drink-driving
a policeman on patrol
commute a sentence
a defendant
an immate
a whole-life sentence
death penalty

viernes, 18 de noviembre de 2016

martes, 15 de noviembre de 2016

Idioms and fixed phrased

once in a blue moon ----------------------- rara vez
to have green fingers --------------------- ser bueno en algo
to be a bit green -------------------------- estar un poco verde
to tell somebody a little white lie ------ decir a alguien una mentira piadosa
to see something in black and white --- ver algo claro y simple

viernes, 11 de noviembre de 2016

miércoles, 2 de noviembre de 2016

A semi-formal transactional letter

Example: You are a teacher and you are are taking a group of students on a skiing trip to France. You have made a preliminary booking at the hotel and now the assistant manager has contacted you for more details. Read part of the letter and the notes you have made, then write a letter answering her questions.

First of all, you have booked from the 16th to the 30th January. Can you confirm these dates, please? Also, I would like to know if you have the final numbers of boys and girls so we can assign the rooms to you.
     dates are the same
     20 students (12 boys - 8 girls) / 2 teachers (female)
Secondly, I will need to know if any of your students have any special needs.
     4 vegetarians
Finally, could you let me know your flight details so I can make arrangements for your transfer from the airport?
Yours sincerely,                  flight details: BA 257 arrives 16th 10:20 am
Maria Reeve

  • Special discount price still applies?
  • Can she arrange ski lift apsses in advance?

Possible answer:

Dear Maria,

Thank you for your letter. I have the information you requested and I also have a few questions.

Firstly, we haven't changed the dates. We shall be coming from the 16th January to the 30th. Also, our flight details are as follows, we will arrive on flight BA 257 at 10:20 am. Our party will consist of twelve boys and eight girls. There will also be two adults, myself and another female teacher. With regard to special requirements, there will be four vegetarians in our party.

Also, could you kindly inform me if the special discount price is still available? Finally, would it be possible for you to organise our ski lift passes in advance?

I hope this covers everything. I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
Yours truly,
Jennifer Taylor

viernes, 21 de octubre de 2016

Patterns with have

You can use have to talk about results or arrangements.

Results

You can use have + someone/something + present participle to say:

1) that you encouraged someone to do something:

    In the end I had them all dancing and singing.

2) that you managed to get a machine or an animal to do something:

    I had the computer working five hours after I'd starting to work on it.
    I had the parrot talking in no time.

3) that something happened as a consequence of an action:

    The party was a bit noisy; we had the police knocking on the front door 
    at one point.

Arrangements

You use the pattern have + someone/something + infinitive to say you have asked someone to do something for you.

    I had my neighbours look after the dog last weekend.
    She had someone come round to give her a quote for the decorating work.

viernes, 7 de octubre de 2016

Vocabulary (7) - The consumer society

basic necessities
brand
supermarket chains
groceries
grower
merchandise
retailer
supplier
consumerism
carrier bags
consumer durables
compulsive shopping
impulsive purchase

viernes, 30 de septiembre de 2016

viernes, 23 de septiembre de 2016

Vocabulary (6) - Health and medicine

a consultant
a general practitioner (GP)
to consult
an operating theatre
to prescribe
surgery (UNCONTABLE)
a surgery (CONTABLE)
a nose job
cosmetic surgery
chubby
to glow with health
vigorous
fit
junk food
fresh food
underweight babies
a vaccination
(to) vaccinate against
respiratory problems
a heart monitor
a surrogate mother
(to) prolong life/pain/suffering
(to) interfere with the course of nature
(to) let nature take its course
(to) overcome fertility problems

viernes, 16 de septiembre de 2016

Idiom of the day (19)

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
A caballo regalado no le mires el diente.

viernes, 9 de septiembre de 2016

Writing a story

To write a story we first decide on the type of story, the plot and the main characters. Our story can be a comedy, a spy story, a thriller, an adventure story, a detective story, a fairy tale, etc.

Introduction

First paragraph = We write when and where the event happened, who the people in the story were and what happened first.

Main body

Main body paragraphs = We describe the events in the order they happened, one of the events should be the climax event.
We can use so, because, and, also, etc. to join our sentences or ideas.

Conclusion

Last paragraph = We write what happened in the end and how the people in the story felt.




We can use a variety of adjectives or adverbs to make our story more interesting. We normally use past tenses in stories.

viernes, 2 de septiembre de 2016