Read the
following question from part 2 of the writing paper.
Approximately how much time should you allow for planning and
note-taking before you begin to write your composition?
minutes.
Check
Planning
Divide the following points into two groups; the advantages and the
disadvantages of watching TV. Follow the examples.
can be addictive
affects children – violence/sex
people don’t go out (cinema)
watch sports, international competitions - Olympics activity for family together
watch videos, DVDs, home movies
passive not active (relax after a hard day)
passive not active (‘watch’ and not ‘do’)
news influences the public – brainwashing
stops conversation
cheaper than cinema, theatre
see the world from your home
educational – news, nature programmes, documentaries arguments about which channel to
watch
company if you live alone
Advantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Disadvantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Check
Match the linking words (conjunctions) on the left with their
Spanish equivalents.
nevertheless
however
Check
although
even though
even if
whereas
despite
in spite of
Now read the following sentences and choose the best linking
words to connect the ideas. Follow the example.
Example:
watching television could be an activity for all the family to enjoy
together, there are often arguments about which channel to watch and about who
has the remote control.
1. Television is cheaper than going to the cinema or
the theatre. , it can be addictive and it may stop people from leaving their houses
and socialising.
2. Television often stops people talking to each other
if you live alone it can provide company.
3. being criticised for being a passive and lazy activity, watching
television and be relaxing and help you to unwind after a long hard day at work.
4. young children could be affected by the violence and sex on
TV, there is also a wide selection of educational programmes such as
documentaries and nature programmes.
5. With a television you can travel the world in your
living room, and also see world sporting events such as the Olympics and the
football World Cup. , TV can have a huge influence on the way we think, the things we buy
and who we vote for.
Check
Now read the completed composition and focus on the expressions
in red.
Is television a positive or a negative
influence on our lives?
To begin with,
watching television is cheaper than going to the cinema or the theatre.
However, it can be addictive and it may stop people from leaving their
houses and socialising.
Another point is that television often
stops people talking to each other whereas if you live alone it can
provide company. It is worth remembering thatdespite being criticised for being a passive and lazy activity,
watching television can be relaxing and help you to unwind after a long
hard day at work.
In addition to this, even though
young children could be affected by the violence and sex on TV, there is
also a wide selection of educational programmes such as documentaries and
nature programmes.
To sum up, with a television you can
travel the world in your living room, and also see world sporting events
such as the Olympics and the football World Cup. In spite of this,
TV can have a huge influence on the way we think, the things we buy and
who we vote for. If we are not careful it could brainwash us.
Useful Expressions
To begin with......
On one hand…….On the other hand…
In addition to this…..
Another point is that…
It is worth remembering that..
As far as I am concerned….
In conclusion…
To sum up…
On the whole…
addictive = adictivo lazy = vago / perezoso to unwind = relajarse to brainwash = lavar el cerebro
(convencer a alguien)
Now repeat the process by yourself. Read this exam question about
the mobile phone.
An internet ‘virtual classroom’ is investigating the opinions
of people in different countries on the question:
Is the mobile phone a positive or a negative influence on our lives?
Write a composition and give your views on this question.
Write your composition of between 120 and 180 words.
Make notes below. Time limit – 6 minutes.
Advantages of the mobile phone
Disadvantages of the mobile phone
Expand your notes into paragraphs. Connect your ideas
using the linking words from the previous exercise and use some of the ‘useful
expressions’ above. Time limit – 35 minutes.
Finally, check your writing for grammar, spelling and
punctuation mistakes (4 or 5 minutes). (Total time to answer the question– 45 minutes).
Remember
to add new words to your vocabulary lists!
El
presente material es de utilidad para la preparación de FCE. El material online es una pequeña parte de
un completo Curso de FIRST CERTIFICATE disponible en CD Rom
y para su Descarga Online. Si deseas
conocer si tu nivel actual es adecuado para preparar el examen, puedes
realizar también una prueba de nivel.
TAMBIÉN TE PUEDE
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Read the
following question from part 2 of the writing paper.
Remember
to add new words to your vocabulary lists!
El
presente material es de utilidad para la preparación de FCE. El material online es una pequeña parte de
un completo Curso de FIRST CERTIFICATE disponible en CD Rom
y para su Descarga Online. Si deseas
conocer si tu nivel actual es adecuado para preparar el examen, puedes
realizar también una prueba de nivel. 
¿Quieres recibir en tu e-mail gratis y
periódicamente ejercicios, programas gratuitos, explicaciones y otros recursos
para mantener tu inglés sin esfuerzo? Apúntate a nuestro
cuaderno quincenal de inglés.