A: Text cohesion

In this group of exercises you will practise text cohesion.

TIP:

TIP: Text cohesion describes the way that the different elements in a text are connected. A cohesive text flows well and is easy to read. Texts are made cohesive in the following ways:
lexically: repeating words, using word families: (coherent, cohesive, cohesion), and synonyms.
grammatically: using reference words (it, this, that, ...), using substitution with words like do, does, not and so (if so, then ...), ellipsis (They are working hard and (they are) bringing up the children.), and linkers (such as, therefore, then, ...).

1. Referring back.

Compare the examples below. Which example is better?

Example 1:

"We eat more than we need to," people believe. Because we eat more than we need to more people are overweight. Apart from eating more than we need to, we do less exercise.

Example 2:

It is believed that we eat more than we need to. This is why more people are overweight. Apart from that, we do less exercise.

By using pronouns like it, one, this and that, you can link ideas and sentences within a text and avoid repetition.

In general we can use it to replace a subject and one to replace a noun or noun phrase, use this or that to refer to something just said. This and that are sometimes interchangeable; however, that is used more to sum up or refer to an idea in general.

Look at the text again. Choose the best option to complete it.

2. Avoiding repetition.

Another way of avoiding repetition is to use ellipsis. Ellipsis is when we leave out unnecessary words. Compare the examples.

Young people nowadays are not as physically active as they should be physically active.

Young people nowadays are not as physically active as they should be.

Select the unnecessary words in the sentences below to strike them out. In each case the number of words to remove is given.

For example:

Young people nowadays are not as physically active as they should be physically active. (-2 words)

3. Substitution.

Another way of avoiding repetition is to substitute repeated phrases with a single word. Type one word to substitute the parts of the sentences in bold below.

For example:

Lifestyle is an important factor and the environment is another important factor. [one]

B: Staging

In this group of exercises you will practise staging a text.

TIP:

There are different models for staging and organising your writing. If you plan the stages effectively, this will give you a clear idea of what you are going to write and will make your writing more convincing for the reader. Three ways of staging your writing are:

  • problem + solution
  • topic + comment
  • question + answer

1. Staging models.

Look at the examples. Choose the correct staging model.

2. Staging models.

Match the two parts to complete the model examples from the previous exercise.

3. Staging models.

Type in the missing words to complete the examples from exercise 1.

C: More useful language

In this group of exercises you will practise more useful language for Task 2 of the writing test, describing cause and effect, and fact and opinion.

TIP:

To describe cause and effect in your writing you can use linkers like: because of, due to, a result of, that's why and results in.

 

1. Cause and effect.

When you provide evidence and give reasons in your writing, you will need to use linkers. Look at the examples:

Young people are more overweight because they are less active.
Because young people are less active, they are more overweight.

young people are more overweight = the effect
they are less active = the cause

Here is more useful language you can use:

Effect Linker Cause
The increase in weight problems of young people is because of
due to
a result of 		the decrease in their physical activity.

Cause Linker Effect
Young people are less active; that's why there is an increase in weight problems.
A decrease in physical activity results in an increase in weight problems of young people.

Order the words to make more cause and effect sentences.

2. Fact and opinion.

In your writing you will need to support your arguments with facts or opinions. The opinions may be yours or someone else's.

Read the text below. What does each sentence express: a fact or an opinion? Choose the correct option after each sentence.

Look at more language to express opinions.

It is arguably
possibly
perhaps
undoubtedly
surely		 becoming one of our most serious concerns.

It is a commonly held belief that...
It is believed that...
It is said that...
It is thought that...
It is suggested that...

Scientists believe that...
Scientists say that...
etc.

3. Contrast and concession.

When we present an opinion we often link ideas with expressions of contrast or concession. Look at the examples below.

Tourism brings in a lot of revenue. On the other hand, it has negative consequences for the local population.

They promised to solve the problem. However, the situation is worse now than it was before.

Governments are reluctant to react to global warming. Nevertheless, climatic changes are more dramatic every year.

Although we worked all night, we didn't get the assignment finished.
We didn't get the assignment finished, even though we worked all night.

Despite public opinion, the government went ahead with its policies.
The government went ahead with its policies, in spite of public opinion.

While working at home has its advantages, it can be difficult for parents of young children.
Working at home suits some people, whereas others are not in favour of it at all.


Look at the pairs of sentences. One sentence is correct and the other is incorrect. Choose the correct sentence from each pair.

4. Practice question.

Now you are going to practise Task 2 of the writing test. Remember the steps you will need to follow.

  • Analyse the question and identify key points.
  • Formulate and develop a position.
  • Decide on your overall response and approach, including evidence and personal experience.
  • Organise your ideas into paragraphs.
  • When you write, remember to link ideas in sentences, between sentences and between paragraphs.
  • Write at least 250 words.

Look at the Task 2 question below.

Write about the following topic:

A large proportion of the public health budget is spent on patients suffering from diseases caused by alcohol and tobacco consumption, while the companies that produce these products continue to make substantial profits.

To what extent do you think that these companies should be financially responsible for the cost of the diseases they cause?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


Remember, you have only about 40 minutes to complete the writing task. Incorporate language you have practised in this module. When you have completed the task, check your spelling and grammar.

When you have completed the writing task, you can look at a sample answer. Compare the sample answer with your own.

It is common knowledge that the treatment of diseases caused by tobacco and alcohol consumption use up a large proportion of the public health budget and resources. However, it is not clear up to what point companies that produce and sell these products should be made financially responsible for this drain on the public health system.

Should these companies be made to contribute to the cost of the diseases that they cause? It is difficult to answer this question. Couldn't the same be argued about the loss of life and injuries caused by car accidents, that automobile manufacturers should pay the cost of treating road accident victims? And what about people who simply overeat? It is generally accepted that obesity and heart disease also cause a drain on medical services. Are food companies responsible for that? What's more, it could be argued that the taxes collected from the sale of tobacco and alcohol are already contributing to the health system.

On the other hand, it could be said that all companies have a responsibility towards society. In the end, each person has the freedom to choose whether or not to smoke or drink to excess, but the companies that sell these products should make the possible dangers explicit, in both their advertising and in public health campaigns. In addition, what must be taken into consideration is the fact that these companies have been making large profits for decades – decades of not telling the truth about the products that they sell and not contributing fairly to the cost that these products impose on the public health system.

To sum up, I believe that the question to be addressed here is one of ethics, one of doing the right thing for society, placing the health and well-being of the population over the blind quest for profit at all cost.