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Lesson planB280 minsNew. New: checked automatically for level, grammar, facts and originality; a teacher's review is still to come. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Students analyse an opinion article, practise lively ways to make, support and balance a point, and write a B2 First Part 2 article that gives a clear opinion and answers every question in the task.
Writing · Article
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Download all (ZIP, 2 PDFs)Read an article a student wrote for a college website. The task asked: Is writing by hand a thing of the past? How often do you write by hand? Should schools still teach handwriting? Are the sentences true, false or not given?
Pen and Paper: Past It? When did you last write a whole page by hand? Be honest. For most of us, it was probably years ago. The truth is, we type almost everything now: messages, homework, even birthday wishes. I'm no different. Apart from the odd shopping list, I hardly ever pick up a pen. Surprisingly, though, the school notes I still remember are the ones I wrote out myself, in my own untidy handwriting. The thing is, writing slowly makes you think about every word. So should schools still teach handwriting? Personally, I think they should. After all, batteries run out, and you can't always rely on a screen. What's more, a card written by hand means far more than a quick message. My grandad still keeps every postcard my mum sent him from university. Mind you, nobody needs beautiful joined-up writing any more. Handwriting lessons could be shorter, and children could spend the extra time learning to type properly. So next time you need to plan a story or say thank you, why not reach for a pen? You might be surprised how good it feels.
The writer opens the article with a question to the reader.
The writer often writes by hand.
The writer remembers the notes they wrote themselves better than other notes.
The writer thinks schools should stop teaching handwriting.
The writer's grandad writes to the family every week.
The writer admits that one part of handwriting lessons isn't needed any more.
The writer can type faster than they can write by hand.
The article ends with a suggestion for the reader.
Each sentence comes from the model article. Match it to the job it does in the article. There is one extra option.
Tap an item…
…then its match
Match the beginnings to the sentences that follow them. Look at the phrase at the start of each one: what does it do? There is one extra option.
Tap an item…
…then its match
Start or finish each sentence with an adverb from the box to show the writer's attitude. Use the clues in the sentence. There is one extra word.
Word box
Tap a gap, then a word, or type the answer.
Everyone told me the film would be boring. , I loved every minute of it, and so did my friends.
Our village bookshop closed last month after fifty years. , the building is still empty, and we all miss it.
The ferry was cancelled because of the storm. , my aunt lives near the port, so we stayed the night with her instead of sleeping at the station.
Some people love working from home. , I prefer an office: I need people around me.
, the old cinema has been sold to a hotel company. That's no surprise, as it's been empty for years, but I haven't seen it in the news: it's just what my neighbour told me.
My cousin is a professional chef, so , he always cooks when the whole family gets together.
Each sentence from a student's article has one mistake. Write the correction.
Let's face to it, nobody enjoys doing the washing-up.
Obvious, you can't learn a language in a week.
In the other hand, the tickets are quite expensive.
Is it still worth to learn handwriting at school?
Personally, I'm agree with the new rule.
So what are you waiting? Book your tickets today!
Put the sentences in the right order. The phrases at the start of each sentence will help you.
A paragraph that makes a point
Tap the sentences in order…
An ending
Tap the sentences in order…
A student is planning the article in exercise 8 with Plan C (answer the questions). Which paragraph does each of their notes belong in? There is one extra option.
Tap an item…
…then its match
Write your article in 140–190 words.
Exam task: Writing, Part 2
Tip: When a task asks what you think, give your opinion clearly, support it with an example from your own life, and answer every question in the task.
You see this announcement in an English-language magazine for students. Articles wanted! Is boredom bad for you? When do you feel bored, and what do you usually do about it? Do you think being bored can ever be a good thing? The best articles will appear in next month's magazine. Write your article.
Suggested minimum: 140 words
Before you hand it in
0 words · aim for at least 140
Bored? Good! It's a rainy Sunday, there's nothing to do, and your phone is already in your hand. Sound familiar? For me, boredom usually hits on long train journeys or in waiting rooms. The thing is, I hardly ever let myself feel it. Within seconds, I'm scrolling through videos that I'll have forgotten by dinner time. Last month, though, my phone died on a three-hour journey. At first I was restless and annoyed. Then, surprisingly, my mind started to wander, and by the time we arrived, I had planned my sister's birthday party from start to finish. After all, our brains need empty moments to come up with new ideas. What's more, a little boredom teaches us to enjoy our own company. Of course, nobody wants to be bored all the time. Even so, I think we've forgotten how useful it can be. So next time you're waiting for a bus, why not leave your phone in your pocket and let your mind wander? You won't regret it!
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