4.3 writing 1 activating background knowledge 2 understanding text structure essay writing about problems and solutions Discuss these questions with a partner or in small groups. • What do you think are the good things and the bad things about the town where you are studying English? • Could any of these things be improved? How? a Read the essay that a student wrote about her home town. Number the paragraphs in the correct order. | [ This situation could be improved and I feel the town council should take, some action. They could clean the, lake and put some fish and birds there, so people will see it as a protected natural area, not a place to throw rubbish. They could also make a small area in- the park where bicycles and skaters are not allowed. In- this Way, people could Walk, and sit in- the park in, safety. [ | I believe these actions would improve the town,. The park would become a more attractive place for people to enjoy some natural scenery in, the town- centre. It would also be much safer for people of all ages to Walk and children- to play. Q One of the worst aspects of my home town is the park in the centre. It is not a very pleasant place for people to spend their free time. The paths can be dangerous, as children-ride their bicycles and rollerskate along them at high speed. In addition to this, the small lake in the park is full of plastu- bottles and other rubbish so it is not very attractive. 3 identifying text type b Match each paragraph to its function. Paragraph 1 a suggests some solutions Paragraph 2 b explains the result Paragraph 3 c describes the problems Which do you think was the title / task for this piece of writing? 1 My home town 2 The problems in my home town and how to solve them 3 Describe something that is not satisfactory in your home town, and say how it could be improved. 4 Fun for all the family in the park! 4 using formal language 1^ I in I An essay is a serious piece of writing and so you need to use quite a formal style. This 31 includes full forms, not contractions, and more formal vocabulary, e.g. large rather than big. a Find more formal equivalents for these words and expressions from the essay. Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 1 things 2 also 3 I think 4 do something 5 so 6 I think 7 a lot PHOTOCOPIABLE © OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 41 b Choose the more formal option in each pair of words in italics. There are (1) several/quite a /ore/problems in my town. There are (2) very few/only a couple o/parks and (3) not enough/a lack of sports centres. It does not have many (4) things/facilities for children and (5) old/elderly people have (6) trouble/difficulty getting around because of the (7) poor/badbus service. Finally, the (8) issue/problem of dirt and litter in the streets has still not been resolved. a Look at the essay again and underline the first sentence in each paragraph. What is the connection between this sentence (called the topic sentence) and the other sentences in each paragraph? b Use the following topic sentences and paragraph plan for the writing task below. Paragraph 1 Topic sentence: One of the worst aspects of my home town is... Other sentences: explain the problem Paragraph 2 Topic sentence: This situation could be improved. Other sentences: suggest some steps the council/ local people could take Paragraph 3 Topic sentence: I believe these actions would improve the town. Other sentences: say what the result would be a Which of these problems does your home town have? • traffic congestion • limited facilities for young people / older people / children • not enough green spaces • dirty streets • pollution • problems with public transport • problems with shopping facilities • other:______________________ b Tell your partner(s) what you think. How could the situation be improved? Your English teacher has asked you to write this essay for homework: Describe a problem in your home town and say what you think could be done to improve the situation. Write between 120 and 150 words. PHOTOCOPIABLE © OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS