6 Writing Task 2 - Getting ready to write In this unit you wi practise: * understanding the task * improving your * planning and organising ee eset ea coe your ideas * writing an introduction 1 Understanding the task wi ing Task 2 consists of ‘+ one or two statements on a topic OR a direct quotation giving someone's opinion on a to ‘* a specific task or question for you to answer * the types of idea you need to include in your answer. 1.1 The words and phrases 1-8 are often used in Writing Task 2. Match them with their correct meanings A-H. to what extent positive trend a factor an approach 1 connected to the topic 2 3 4 5 toregard 6 7 8 to give a summary of a means of achieving somet to consider the different side: how far or how much to view or judge a change for the better an clement or condition to outline to discuss relevant mO™moowD> 1.2 Read statements 1-6 carefully and make sure that you understand them. Then match the statements to questions A-E. 1 Children have to be educated, but they also have to be allowed to learn things for themselves. 2. ‘Advertisements spoil our enjoyment of today’s entertainment.” ‘Ithink the adverts are often more enjoyable than the programmes they interrupt.’ 3 The world would be a happier place if we all enjoyed our work. 4 Computers allow us to stay connected with each other. However, they also encourage people not to go out and socialise. 5 Some countries reduce inner-city tratfic by increasing public iransport. Others impose a tax on people who drive in the 6 Nowadays, more people are travelling to remote places, spreading their own language and culture as a result. ty. Questions ‘A What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system? B Discuss both statements and give your own opinion © To what extent do you think this isa positive trend? D How realistic do you think this is? E To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view? 119© Writing skills 2 Planning and organi: Before you begin to write, it’s important to make a plan. If you don’t get for Writing Task 2 do this, your ideas will be disorganised and you will lose marks. is two thirds of your total writing score, so Step 1: decide on your own position or attitude itis very important that you spend a full 40 minutes on this part 1 For statements 1, 3 and 6, decide how much you agree. of the IELTS Writing paper. You are given more time than for Test Tip The score you 2.1 Look at the statements from 1.2 again. 2. For the statements in 2, 4 and 5, decide which one you agree with. 3. For each of the statements in 1.2, explain why you agree or disagree. Then give your own opinion on the topic, Writing Task 1 because you need to write 250 words, and also 2.2. Study the following Writing Task 2 question. because you have to use your own ideas. The internet allows us to stay connected with each other no Spend at least four or matter where we are. On the other hand, it also isolates us and five minutes planning encourages people not to socialise. your ideas before you To what extent do you agree or disagree with these statements? start writing. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. The final part of the question is very include in your answer. portant. It tells you what you must You must include You can include * your own opinion about the + examples from your own personal statements. experience. BUT these must be «+ the reasons for your opinion. relevant to the question. 2.3 Look at the question in 2.2 again. 1 Decide on your own point of view. 2. Think about your own personal experience of this topic. Make notes. My own opinions and experience 120Writing skills ® Step 2: note down any ideas about the topic The examiner will mark your Writing Task 2 based on specific criteria, One of these is Task Response. To achieve a good Task Response score, you must + explain your own opinions on the topic + support your opinions (e.g. with personal examples or your knowledge of the world) + include only relevant ideas * write 250 words. 2.4 You will lose marks if you include ideas that are not relevant to the question. Look at these ideas that a candidate noted to answer the question in 2.2. Cross out four ideas that are not relevant to the task and should not be included. 4 Instant communication (e.g, emails diFRult to escape From work 2 The intaret makes it easier to do your homaucrk. 3 In my compary, computers have replaced many staf and have cause more unemploymont 4A Frond oF mine uses a socal-returking site a great deal but we rarely sce her 5 Virtual Friends made on the intamct camot be compared te aur actual Friends ard. Famly 6 I learred to type using a computer program, these prearams make it easy to understand. computers and make learning Fun 7 By caisn traveled fe a year but kept w toad ath hs famby ciary 8 with more amd mare tedrdogcal advances, cur soccty wil conte to develep Faster and Faster 4 Throuda the mntemet, we can share mamares with people who are Far away. “+ messages) means that tts 2.5 Check your answers, then look back at your own ideas from 2.3. Are there any you need to cross out? rs ‘Study Tip Articles that contain opinions can help give you ideas to use in the Writing tasks. The letters page of a newspaper usually contains people's personal opinions about different topics. Read them and decide whether you agree or disagree. Decide what your own opinion is. 121Writing skills Step 3: organise your ideas into paragraphs Itis important to produce a balanced answer that looks at both sides of the question equally. It is also important to organise your ideas into separate paragraphs. 2.6 Decide which of the remaining ideas from 2.4 can be put together into the same paragraph. Put the ideas from 2.4 into the correct box below. For: the internet helps us to Against: the internet isolates us stay connecte Step 4: check that you have enough ideas If you do not have enough ideas for both sides of the question, then your ideas will not be fully developed. 2.7 Which side of the argument do we need to add more to? 2.8 Which of the following ideas would be best to add? A. The business world benefits from the immediate contact provided by the internet, B_ The internet has both advantages and disadvantages. 3 Getting started - writing an introduction ‘Once you have your ideas planned out, you can begin to write. Your answer must be clearly developed, and so it needs a clear start. The best way to start is by restating the question in your own words. 3.1 Match introductory sentences A-D below to Writing Task 2 statements 1-6 in 1.2. A. Each year, there are more and more cars on our streets creating congestion and causing delays. There are several ways that local governments can try to solve these problems. B_ Unless we are born into wealth, we all need to find a way to earn a living. For many, our working life takes up most of our waking hours and this can make us very unhappy indeed. C Asa society, we have a duty to teach our young people. However, there are some lessons that we need to learn for ourselves. D_ Marketing involves teaching as many people as possible about a product, There is no better way to reach people than through television, popular culture and the internet. 122 Test Tip Your answer will also be marked on coherence (are your ideas clearly linked?). You need to make sure your ideas are organised into separate paragraphs. To help group your ideas together logically, make notes under different headings that show both sides of the discussion. These can ‘then form the middle paragraphs of your answer.Writing skills 3.2 In this introduction for the Writing Task in 2.2, too many words Test Tip You will have been copied from the question. Improve the introduction by lose marks if you replacing the underlined phrases. Use the words from the box. copy words from the question. Make sure to paraphrase the ideas keepin touch however_-—_anywhere in the world obsession stay athome see their friends ourage us not to socialise ‘Once you have restated the question, the rest of your introduction could 1 give your interpretation of the words or ideas used in the question 2. explain what you intend to write about 3. give a brief reaction to the question summarise the question or topic through a new question 3.3 What suggestions above (1-4) do sentences A-D relate to? A_ Does the internet really help us to develop relationships? B_ We need to consider both the benefits and the drawbacks of the internet € think the word ‘tool’ is important here. how impersonal this contact is D_ These statements summarise my own mixed feelings towards the internet In my view it shows 3.4 Look at sentences 1-4 below and decide which would make a good final sentence for the introduction, 1 It seems clear that the internet brings a lot of problems 2 Is the internet a positive or a negative influence on our lives? 3. How can we ensure that the internet does not cause widespread problems? 4 Let us consider the argu nents for and against computers. 2 ‘Study Tip Don't learn whole answers and expect to use them in the exam. You will receive a very low score if you do this. Candidates who receive a higher band score in writing are able to show flexible use of language. The more you practise writing and reading, the more flexible your writing will become. 123