UGRU CommunicationsEnglish, Level 3 Process Writing Editing

PROBLEM SOLUTION

Essay

Timed Writing Exam

Wednesday, May 20

40 minutes, 250 words, 5 paragraphs

Week 5 (3 days)

1.TUESDAY - Preview the Essay and Write a model

  1. (HW pp. 9-10 + Brainstorming activity from yesterday).

2.WEDNESDAY Focus on the Introduction & Body

  1. HW ______

3.THURSDAY –

  1. Conclusion
  2. Practice test #1 – 55 minutes

Week 6 (3 days + exam)

4.SUNDAY – Grammar, Vocab, Error Correction

5.MONDAY – Grammar, Vocab and writing

6.TUESDAY – Practice Exam #2- 45 minutes

7.FINAL EXAM – 40 minutes

Homework/Portfolio Points – Your work will be assessed as part of your FP mark (5%). Please assume that all activities and assignments are worthy and will be reviewed.

English Level 3

EXAMPLE Exam Timed Writing Examination

Exam Time: 40 Minutes

Present a written argument or a case to a non-specialist audience on the following topic:

Today, many people like to go for a picnic in the desert. However, they leave all their rubbish there.

What are some solutions to this problem?

You should write at least 250 words.

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

You can make notes in the space below.

Essay Format - Summary

Introduction / A general statement about the topic
Essay topic
Your opinion
The thesis statement
First Body Paragraph / Topic Sentence
Solution 1
Result
Second Body Paragraph / Topic Sentence
Solution 1
Result
Conclusion / Re-state the thesis statement
Summarize the main reasons of the essay
Final statement

Example topics

Directions:

  • Read and mark the key words (10 min)
  • Which topics look the most interesting? Mark * next to these
  • Which ones look difficult? Write ? next to these
  1. There are many car accidents in the UAE.
  2. Today, speeding on roads is a major problem in the UAE.
  3. In many countries today, obesity is a growing problem.
  4. Some students at universities in the UAE find studying for their major very difficult because most of their courses are in English.
  5. Many students feel tired and do not want to continue working hard towards the end of the semester.
  6. There are not enough parking spaces in large cities.
  7. Some cities are becoming overcrowded.
  8. As cities get bigger, crime increases. Today, many cities have a growing problem with pollution.
  9. Today, many universities have a major problem with cheating.
  10. Fresh water is necessary for life. Today, we are rapidly overusing it, and we may not have enough water in the future.
  11. Modern technology can make our lives easier but is not available to everybody.
  12. Some older people want to use the Internet. However, many of them do not know how to use it.
  13. Today, global warming is a major issue in the world.
  14. All over the world, many people smoke and this is causing huge health related problems.
  15. Today, many people like to go for a picnic in the desert. However, they leave all their rubbish there.
  16. Today, mobile phones are very popular. However, they can be a problem in public places – e.g. in hospitals, mosques & classrooms.
  17. In some universities, students miss too many lessons because they are absent too often. As a result, they fail their courses.

MODEL ESSAY

Guess the topic

Discuss

  1. What is the problem? Is it a big problem ? (How do you know?)
  1. What are the causes of this problem?
  1. What are the results of this problem?
  1. What about solutions?

Write the model essay on the next page. Then, write a short summary of the essay below:

Problem: ______

Why is it a problem (results of the problem) ______

Body 1 solution: ______

Body 2 Solution: ______

Body 3 Solution: ______

(Teacher: Can be done as Jigsaw Activity) Directions: First, order the words in the sentences. (The words in the middle of each sentence are in the wrong order.) Next, order the sentences in the paragraphs, and write the essay on the following pages.

(intro) 1-3

____ However, ... this are to there solutions several problem.

____ In ... fast eat many at people countries, often food restaurants.

____ This is a ... people junk who illnesses, problem because eat too much may serious develop food such as heart disease and diabetes.

(body 1) 4-6

____ As a ... eat people might more cheap result, healthy and and less food junk food.

____ For ... money could it cheap farmers to give grow example, fruit and vegetables.

____ The first... is solution make government food that the less should healthy expensive thanjunkfood.

(body 2) 7-9

____ A second ... schools to food is problem of junk that teach solution the shouldchildrenaboutnutrition.

____ For ... diabetes they instance, if get become could obese, children and needmedicine.

____ This is ... if eat children junk food because important all may time, they develop the health problems.

(body 3) 10-12

____ Because of ... would those money have to spend not this, on junk food they and children wouldhave to eat healthily.

____ Finally, ... more families their should make that eat children sure healthy food.

____ For ... instance, parents could give their children a lunch take school, instead to healthy ofgiving them money to buy lunch.

(conclusion) 13-15

____ I believe ... healthy eat because that good everybody should health more food is very important

____ In ... issue conclusion, affects eating although there the of people much food many too countries, junk aresolutionsto this problem.

____ The government ... schools parents should education healthy make food, should nutrition give their students and cheaper should givetheir children healthy school lunches.

INTRO
1
2
3
BODY 1
4
5
6
BODY 2
7
8
9
BODY 3
10
11
12
CONCLUSION
13
14
15

245 words

Vocabulary Practice

Unemploymentis a serious issue for many countries today. What are

possible solutions to this problem?

Fill in the gaps with the correct word from the box. Each word can only be used once.

In almost all countries of the world today, unemployment is one of the biggest 1)______that governments and people have to face. It is a problem for the people because without a salary it is very difficult to provide enough of the essential things for life for the family. For the government, it affects the 2)______, because if people cannot buy anything, then many businesses will fail. However, there are several 3)______for this problem.

The first solution is that the 4)______should support new businesses. If the government offered loans to people to set up their own business, this would provide employment for all the people employed in the business. For example, businessmen could use the 5)______to pay office staff and workers to work for them. As a result, the government would make money from the business in 6)______created by employment.

A second solution to the problem of unemployment is that the government should provide work schemes for people. For instance, unemployed people should be made to 7)______for a company instead of just getting money from the government. Consequently, they would 8)______new skills and could apply for new 9)______.

Finally, the government should make young people do a period of job 10)______after they finish their studies. Sometimes a university degree is not enough to get a job because employers want their employees to have training or work 11)______too. For instance, law students need some work experience to develop their ability as well as their knowledge. Because of this, graduates with work experience may get jobs more 12)______.

In conclusion, although the problem of unemployment 13)______every country, there are solutions to this problem. The government should help new businesses with 14)______support, and provide more training for 15)______people and students. I believe that the only way to solve this problem is to spend money.

Organization

There are 18 pieces to this essay. Write the name of each piece (e.g. topicsentence / example / result etc.) from the box on the left into the box on the right. The first one has been done as an example. Then, underline the words in the essay which show you what part of the essay each piece is.

*background & problem *problem detail #2 *problem detail #1 *thesis / Introduction
1) In almost all countries of the world today, unemployment is one of the biggest problems that governments and people have to face. 2) It is a problem for the people because without a salary it is very difficult to provide enough of the essential things for life for the family. 3) For the government, it affects the economy, because if people cannot buy anything, then many businesses will fail. 4) However, there are several solutions for this problem. / 1) Background & Problem
2)
3)
4)
* Example * Explanation * Result * Topic sentence – solution #1 / Body Paragraph 1
5) The first solution is that the government should support new businesses. 6) If the government offered loans to people to set up their own business, this would provide employment for all the people employed in the business. 7) For example, businessmen could use the money to pay office staff and workers to work for them. 8) As a result, the government would make money from the business in taxes created by employment. / 5)
6)
7)
8)
* Example *Result *Topic sentence – solution #2 / Body Paragraph 2
9) A second solution to the problem of unemployment is that the government should provide work schemes for people. 10) For instance, unemployed people should be made to work for a company instead of just getting money from the government. 11) Consequently, they would learn new skills and could apply for new jobs. / 9)
10)
11)
*Example *Explanation *Topic sentence – solution #3 * Result / Body Paragraph 3
12) Finally, the government should make young people do a period of job training after they finish their studies. 13) Sometimes a university degree is not enough to get a job because employers want their employees to have training or work experience too. 14) For instance, law students need some work experience to develop their ability as well as their knowledge. 15) Because of this, graduates with work experience may get jobs more quickly. / 12)
13)
14)
15)
*Signal word + thesis *Repeat solutions (#1, #2, #3) *Advice / Conclusion
16) In conclusion, although the problem of unemployment affects every country, there are solutions to this problem. 17) The government should help new businesses with financial support, and provide more training for unemployed people and students. 18) I believe that the only way to solve this problem is to spend money. / 16)
17)
18)

Brainstorm Practice – see previous HW OF May 11

Task: Brainstorm on one topic with a group. Then, share your topic/ideas with 1-2 other groups, and write their ideas. Just write ideas. You don’t need complete sentences.

Group #1 Topic:

  1. EXPLAIN TOPIC(2 minutes) What is problem / Why is this important? Why is this a problem?? Write 1-2 causes/effects of this problem. (“This is a problem because…”)

1.
2
  1. Write 3 -4 solutions. Circle the best 3.

1.
2
3
4

Group #2 Topic:

  1. EXPLAIN TOPIC(2 minutes) What is problem / Why is this important? Why is this a problem?? Write 1-2 causes/effects of this problem. (“This is a problem because…”)

1.
2
  1. Write 3 -4 solutions. Circle the best 3.

1.
2
3
4

INTRODUCTION

  1. The intro has three main parts:
  1. Background & Topic(why topic is important – change from the past/ happens worldwide etc)

Tip – Use the info from the exam paper.

  1. Problem details (1-2 sentences) – see more info below.
  2. Thesis - “However, there are several solutions to this problem.” (or something similar – use correct spelling!)
  1. Problem details (such as causes or effects) – in the 2nd part of your intro, you should explain the problem. Some suggestions:

Give the causes of the problem (junk food)

Style 1: This happens because people are busy and they don’t have time to cook.

Vocab/Grammar: “This happens because…..” + (clause)

Style 2: This happens because of stress in society

Vocab/Grammar: “This happens because of …” + (noun)

(Notice: after the preposition  NOUN)

Or the effects of the problem

i.This is a problem because smoking ______many health problems, such as cancer.

ii.This is a problem because car accidents ______a lot of deaths every year)

  1. Guided Practice: Use the brainstorming notes below to write an intro for the topic of SMOKING
  1. BACKGROUND IDEAS (cause/effect):
  • many people smoke, children, addiction, disease, death
  1. SOLUTIONS – Circle the three best ideas to use in your BODY:
  • Education – especially for teenagers. Show teens pictures and
  • Ban advertising from TV and internet – they try to make it look cool for kids
  • Raise the price of cigarettes (tax) – if
  • Make a law the children should not smoke
  • No smoking in public
  1. INTRODUCTION: Complete the intro, and write a thesis. Use the words in the box. One of them is not used.

dangerous - Everyone - causes - This is a problem - know - knows – smoke – people – smoke

______that smoking is very ______, but ______all over the world continue to ______, even teenagers. ______because smoking ______serious diseases and early death. Fortunately, ______

  1. On Your Own. Choose 2 topics. Do some quick brainstorming, and write introductions.

Topic #1 Just the key words :…………………………………………………………

  1. EXPLAIN (2 minutes) Why is it a problem? (…… because …..==>)

1.
2
  1. 3 -4 solutions.

1. / 3
2 / 4
  1. Write an intro - DOUBLE SPACE

Topic #2 Just the key words : …………………………………………………………

  1. EXPLAIN (2 minutes) Why is it a problem? (…… because …..==>)

1.
2
  1. 3 -4 solutions.

1. / 3
2 / 4
  1. Write an intro - DOUBLE SPACE

Writing the BODY

  1. Topic Sentences

Review Steps 1-2: Brainstorm and organize IDEAS: (Body 1 + Body 2)

Obesity / Mobile Phones / Smoking
Schools – should not allow fast food restaurants on campus - /
  1. Find good ways to use phone in school
/ Education – show students picture, and bring visitors to class
Exercise /
  1. rules at home – limits
/ Ban advertising on TV and internet
Food at home - /
  1. Encourage active lifestyle
/ Raise the price of cigarettes

Topic sentences - Below are three different styles for topic sentences. Underline the clauses in the topic sentences below. (a clause is a group of words with a subject + verb)

Style #1 Firstly, teachers need to find good ways to use phones at school

Style #2: The first solution is finding (to find) good ways to use phones at school.

Style #3: The first solution to the problem of mobiles is finding (to find) good ways to use them at school.

Write TS sentences other topics, using the styles above

Style 1: (obesity)

(Body 1 TS) Firstly, schools should not sell fast food on campus.

(Body 2 TS) Secondly (exercise) ______

(Body 3 TS) Thirdly (parents make lunch at home), ______

Style 2 (smoking)

(Body 1 TS) The first major solution is education

(Body 2 TS) ______

(Body 3TS) ______

Style 3 (speeding)

(Body 1 TS) ______

(Body 2 TS) ______

(Body 3 TS) ______

D .WRITE Body PARAGRAPHS

Body Paragraphs have 3 Basic Parts:

  1. __ Clear Topic sentence gives firstsolution (styles below)
  2. Firstly,+ clause with subj & V (ex: Firstly, parents should teach about X at home.)
  3. The first/second solution is + N (ex: “The first solution is x ”)
  4. The first solution is to + V (ex: “The first solution is to educate young people”)
  5. The first solutionis that + clause (ex: “The first solution is that X could provide Y to help young people understand about ……..”)
  6. Using the styles above but include the problem in the topic sentence)

The first solution [to the problem of X] is/ is to / is that (ex: “The first solution to the problem of X is X .”)

  1. SS (supporting sentences) – just give 1 or 2: Example patterns for supporting sentences:
  1. give example: “For example + clause; “For instance” + clause
  2. To explain: “This means….+ clause” Or “This is because + clause” or “If… + clause”
  1. CS (concluding sentence): RESULT – just one sentence - Result of your solution - connection between solution and problem Example patterns for concluding sentences:
  1. “As a result + clause… “
  2. “If …. + clause, clause”
  3. “Consequently…”

Writing the Body

Group WRITING TASK (In class)

BODY 1

TS -
Solution #1
SS
Explain/Example:
CS
Result:

BODY 2

TS -
Solution #1
SS
Explain/Example:
CS
Result:

BODY 3

TS -
Solution #1
SS
Explain/Example:
CS
Result:

Writing the Conclusion

Finally, you need to write a conclusion about your topic

  1. __ Signal word (“In summary, …” to sum up… ) + problem + thesis

(ex: In summary, X is a problem but there are several solutions.

  1. __ repeat paragraph topics (solutions) – use different words
  2. __ suggestion, advice, prediction
  3. __ NO NEW SOLUTIONS!!
  4. __ clear grammar for each sentence.

Exercise #1 Complete and Review a conclusion about speeding – 5 minutes

and - although - conclusion – this – so

In 1) ______, 2) ______some people drive much too fast, there are solutions to 3) ______problem. The government should educate people about the risks of speeding, put in more speed cameras with higher fines, 4) ______take cars away from people who speed too much. All lives are important, 5) ______we should all drive safely.

Exercise #2 Complete the conclusion about fast food

In conclusion, although the issue of people eating too much junk food affects many countries, there are solutions to this problem. The government should make healthy food ______, schools should ______and parents should ______. I believe that ______

CONCLUSION PRACTICE

Put the words in the sentences below into the correct order and then put the sentences in the correct order.

Problem 1 - Rubbish in the desert

Conclusion

In conclusion, people / behind / desert / time / in the/ but/ the / they / leave/ spending / enjoy / rubbish is a big problem.

______

The government shouldput in the desert, fine who litter and place large for picnickers bins camerastopeople put their rubbish in.