Homework to help students prepare for their IGCSE English, Cheat Sheet of English

Download Homework to help students prepare for their IGCSE English and more Cheat Sheet English in PDF only on Docsity! C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S u m m e r W o r k Read! In the name of Allah, who created. (Al-Quran) From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan Name: Class: The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S u m m e r W o r k Write to Inform and Explain From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Where do you find language that persuades? •Newspaper and Magazine Articles. •Speeches What is persuasive writing? Persuasive language is when you try to convince someone to do something. You could be trying to change their mind about a topic. Language techniques These are some of the things we should include in our persuasive writing: 1) Emotive Language: Emotive Language is very effective. It is language that makes us feel something, for example sad or happy. What is the difference between a house and a home? The word ‘house’ gives us a picture simply of a building made of bricks and mortar, but the word ‘home’ creates an image of a place of security, comfort, family and love. Emotive vocabulary is very persuasive as it plays on the audience’s emotions. “Day after day, in temperatures of up to 128F, weary little donkeys are suffering and collapsing for want of a drink. Weighed down by back-breaking loads, exhausted by the heat and often in agony, the little brick kiln donkeys keep trudging patiently onwards.” What is the basic message of the text? The donkeys that carry loads in Pakistan’s kilns are often thirsty. Highlight the words that make you feel something for the donkeys. What effect do these words have on you? They make us feel sorry for the donkeys; filling us with empathy. You feel as though you want to do something to help, which makes the emotive language persuasive. 2) Repetition and list of 3 or Triad “Don’t ever do that again!” “Don’t ever, ever, ever do that again!” What effect does repeating the word ‘ever’ have on the audience? Repeating a word or phrase, especially three times emphasises and reinforces the point being made, which makes it persuasive. You can repeat an adjective, phrase or structure up to three times. 3) Alliteration In the poem ‘The Eagle’, the poet describes the bird in the following way: “He clasps the crag with crooked hands” Alliteration is a repeated consonant sound, which can be used to create rhythm or sound effects. What effect does repeating a sound have on the audience? In this example, the repeated hard ‘c’ sound creates a mental image of the eagle’s tough, gnarled claws and the scratchy sound they make against rock. This is persuasive because it grabs the audience’s attention. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t 4) Rhetorical Questions Rhetorical questions are questions which do not really need an answer. Examples include: “Who do you think you are?” “What time of night do you call this?” Rhetorical questions force the reader to think about a possible or obvious answer. Other examples include: “How would you feel if your child was run over by a drunk driver?” “How can we stand by and watch these people starve?” Can you think of another example? 5) Pronoun usage Find the difference between: “You must do a good deed and donate money to the charity” and “Donating to the charity is a good deed” 2) Find the difference between: “You can’t help but be moved by these images of suffering” and “We can’t help but be moved by these images of suffering” Pronouns can be used as ‘Team Building vocabulary’ and aim to draw the audience in and make them feel involved in the issues. The audience is now part of the discussion, not an outsider. The feeling of inclusion persuades the audience the other person is on their side. Example text Look at the following text. Can you find any examples of persuasive language devices within the paragraph? “Bring back beautiful cricket to mainstream television! In 2012, we all sat down with a can of Pepsi; a few Gatorades or a cup of tea, enjoying watching the enthusiastic English thrashing the awful Australians. Would you not like to make this possible again? Viewing figures would increase by over 80% with the movement of this heart wrenching sport from Sky to mainstream television.” Create your own writing and Assess Use the example questions to create your own responses: Write a letter persuading your local government to invest more money in recycling. Write a speech persuading your headteacher to invest money into a club of your choice. Write an article persuading your local community to donate to a charity of your choice. Remember that you must use persuasive devices. Furthermore, you must use the correct text layout. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Argue What is writing to argue? Writing to argue is when you try to convince someone to do something. You could be trying to promote your own point of view. You can use many of the language features for writing to persuade. The difference between persuading and arguing is that you provide the opposing argument and suggest why it is incorrect. Language techniques Use some of these phrases to help you organise your ideas and write a convincing argument: 1) To introduce your ideas/arguments. You need clear arguments for your point of view. Remember to plan these prior to writing. Use the following phrases to help you: I believe… I firmly believe… In my opinion… I strongly believe… I feel… Everyone must agree that… 2) To reinforce/ add to your ideas. It is important to expand and develop your ideas. Remember to use the following phrases: In addition, I think… Furthermore… Moreover, you could argue that… A further point is that… Current research shows… Statistics prove… From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t The Forma l Letter From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Writing From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t THE FORMAL LETTER FORMAT  Sender’s Address (OPTIONAL IN ASSESSMENTS)  Date  Recipient’s Name (Title/ Designation/ Address) (OPTIONAL IN ASSESSMENTS)  Salutation (e.g., Dear Editor,) (usually given)  Subject:  (Body of the letter) o P1: Introduction (Reason for writing) ■ P2: Content Point 1 ■ P3: Content Point 2 ■ P4: Content Point 3 o P5: Conclusion  Yours faithfully,  Signature  Full Name TYPES Letter of Application Letter of Complaint Letter to Report/ From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Yours faithfully/ Yours truly, Signature First name + surname REMEMBER 1) You can use ‘Yours faithfully’ if your letter started with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ (if you didn’t know their name!) 2) You can use ‘Yours sincerely’ when you’ve started “Dear John”, because you knew their personal name. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Letter of Complaint is another popular type of Formal letter. Salutation  Dear Mr/Ms (surname),  Dear Sir/Madam/Sir or Madam, Introduction “Reason for writing (Complaining / expressing dissatisfaction) Open with a sentence that immediately draws the reader's attention to the matter. Examples:  I am writing to complain about... (the faulty installation of my air conditioner.)  I wish to express my dissatisfaction with... (my stay at your hotel.)  I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with...  I am writing to express my annoyance with...  I am not happy about...  ...was very disappointing. Endings In the final body paragraph of your letter, you should state your expectations of how the company should resolve the matter, including specific actions and deadlines, e.g.:  I would appreciate it if you could replace... (the missing part by next week.)  Please let me know as soon as possible what action you propose to take.  I look forward to hearing from you within the next ten days.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if/should you require further information.  I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully OR Yours truly, Signature First name + surname From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t SEE SAMPLE LETTERS ON NEXT PAGES 1. See a letter of complaint about a faulty product. 2. See a letter of complaint about unsatisfactory workmanship. 3. See a letter of complaint about a disappointing holiday. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan SAMPLE 3 22 August, 2020 Dear Mr Christian, Following our telephone conversation earlier today, I am writing to give details of my dissatisfaction with my stay at the Avalon Hotel, Gulberg II, London, on 10–18 August 2020, which I booked with your company for me and my family. My central complaint is that the hotel fell far short of the description in the brochure. We had booked two double suites, in rooms 213 and 214. Although the rooms were billed as four-star accommodation, they were very cramped, and the furnishings were worn and dirty. In addition, the shower in room 213 did not work. The hotel’s grounds, described in the brochure as “pleasant, tranquil, and spacious,” were in fact bordered on two sides by a very busy main road. The swimming pool was closed the entire week for repairs. When we spoke to your representative, Ms Maryam Adeel, she promised to try to get the shower fixed, but this took an unacceptably long time to happen—three days from when we first complained. I asked her to fill out an accommodation report form detailing these issues and I enclose a copy for your information, together with photos of the bedrooms and the hotel grounds. As I stated in my telephone call, I feel that we are due a full refund for this hotel stay as it failed to meet the description in the brochure, and it ruined our holiday. I look forward to hearing from you within the next two weeks. Yours truly, Mark Davis Mark Davis DON’T FORGET TO READ THE CANDIDATE RESPONSE AND EXAMINER’S COMMENTS ON THE NEXT PAGE From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Formal Letter: The Grade A Response: Dear Sirs, Subject: To Report a Burglary in your jurisdiction. I, a law-abiding citizen of the country, am writing this letter to report a robbery that took place at my residence on 28th November. On the day in question, I was shopping in the market between 09:00 am and 11:00 am. When I returned to my house, I found out that the door lock was broken and the furniture inside was upside down and the interior, untidy. I immediately searched through my entire house and I found out that the perpetrators and unfortunately, my valuable possessions were long gone. After, I took an inventory of my remaining possessions. I pondered over for some time and I found out that the articles that were stolen included a diamond bracelet, a silver watch and £2,000 worth of cash. My watch is made up of genuine 925 silver with a bracelet clasp and about 15 cm in length. The face is round and measures approximately 2 cm in diameter with Roman numerals making the numbers. The bracelet is a simple white gold chain inlaid with Swarovski diamonds around the perimeter; I purchased it from Logo Diamonds. The £2,000 in cash was all the money I kept in the house. Furthermore, I noticed some fingerprints smudges on my bedroom mirror. A piece of red cloth -fairly not belonging to me - caught in the drawer handle was also found indicating that the thieves were in a hurry and any one of them wearing red. Moreover, there were footprints in my garden as well of approximately foot size eight. I believe that you might be able to trace the robbers by viewing the cameras installed in the 24 th street DHA. You may also visit the nearby jeweller shops to find out whether the bracelet is sold or not. To conclude, I hope that you can quickly solve the robbery and locate my belongings. I will help you in any way I can. You can contact me on my number 03XXXXXXXXX and even can pay a visit to the address that is mentioned at the back of the envelope this letter came with. Cordially, Mark Davis MD 13 February 2023 From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t 2013 Nov (11) LETTER of Application (Hotel Manager) The manager of a large hotel wants to employ full-time members of staff such as receptionists or chefs. The manager wishes to hire and train students who are about to leave school. You decide to write a letter to the manager to apply for one of the jobs. 1. Which job you are applying for and why you would like to do this work 2. Details of your achievements in and out of school and why they make you suitable for the post 3. How you would like to develop your career in the hotel business.  Tone/Register: You should make your letter polite and informative.  Start: ‘Dear Sir / Madam,’  Remember to provide a suitable ending. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t The Informa l Letter Writing From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t THE INFORMAL LETTER FORMAT 1. OPENING  Salutation [Example: Dear Sam]  Introductory paragraph 2. BODY  Content point 1  Content point 2  Content point 3 3. ENDING  Closing paragraph  Valediction [Warm regards, Best, Yours lovingly]  First name [ First name: Mark] From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t 3. ENDING a) CLOSING PARAGRAPH  Well, that's all for now…  Give my love/regards to … Say hello to …  I hope to hear from you soon… I look forward to hearing from you again…  See you soon! Write back soon! I hope to see you soon!  Once again, thank you for all your help…  All the best/ Best wishes/ Love, Lots of love… b) VALEDICTION Since an informal letter is always written to someone with whom you are on a first-name basis, it provides you the leverage to coin any suitable phrase as a complimentary close; however, the following may also be used:  Best/ kindest/ warm regards,  Best, Best wishes,  Love, Yours lovingly, c) FIRST NAME Sample: I suppose that’s all for now Uncle Dave. I’ll try and visit you and aunt on Eid, probably on its second day. Give her my respects, will you? Hope to see you soon! Love, Mark From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS: Previous Exam Questions:  2019 Oct (11) LETTER to Inform (Aunt)  2019 Oct (12) LETTER to Inform (Friend)  2012 Nov (11) LETTER of Apology (Friend)  2011 May (11) LETTER to Inform (Aunt)  2010 May (12) LETTER to Inform (Aunt)  2007 Nov LETTER of Invitation (Friend)  2005 Nov LETTER of Invitation (Friend)  2001 Nov LETTER of Concern (Relative) NOTE: You are advised to write between 200 and 300 words. Total marks for this part: 30. • You will be awarded up to 15 marks for following the task instructions. • You will be awarded up to 15 marks for the language you use. 2019 Oct (11) LETTER to Inform (Aunt) Recently, two of your relatives who live abroad came to stay with your family for a week. This was a very happy event for everyone. You decide to write to your aunt, who lives in another city, to tell her about this visit. Write your letter. You must include the following: 1. who the relatives are and when they came to visit 2. details about what you and your relatives did together during the visit 3. what your relatives enjoyed most about their visit and why.  Cover all three points above in detail.  Tone/Register: make your letter interesting and informative.  Start your letter ‘Dear Aunt...’,  Remember to provide a suitable ending. 2019 Oct (12) LETTER to Inform (Friend) Last year, your best friend at school moved away to live in another town. Recently, a very important person came to visit your school. You decide to write a letter to your friend with all the details of the visit. Write your letter. You must include the following: 1. who the important person was and when the visit took place 2. details of what happened during the visit 3. why the visit was important for you and your school.  Cover all three points above in detail.  Tone/Register: make your letter interesting and informative.  Start your letter ‘Dear (name)’,  Remember to provide a suitable ending. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t 2012 Nov (11) LETTER of Apology (Friend) Your friend recently asked you to deliver an item of value to a relative. Unfortunately this item was lost during the journey. You need to explain this in a letter to your friend. 1. when and how the item was lost 2. your attempt to find it 3. An offer to replace or pay for the item.  Cover all three points above in detail.  Tone/Register: make your letter polite and apologetic.  Start your letter ‘Dear (name)’,  Remember to provide a suitable ending. 2011 May (11) LETTER to Inform (Aunt) Your aunt has written to you asking how you are getting on at school. You reply, telling her about a recent incident which upset you very much. 1. what happened 2. why you were so upset 3. How the situation was resolved.  Cover all three points above in detail.  You should make sure your Aunt will understand your feelings and sympathise with you.  Start your letter ‘Dear Aunt…’  Remember to provide a suitable ending. 2010 May (12) LETTER to Inform (Aunt) You recently attended a wedding. Unfortunately, your aunt missed the occasion and she wants you to write her a letter to tell her about everything that happened. 1. the names of both of the people getting married 2. a description of where the wedding took place 3. an account of the ceremony 4. what you thought was the most interesting moment 5. What else you think your aunt would have liked.  You must cover all five points in detail.  You should add further details if you wish  Make your letter friendly and informative.  Start your letter ‘Dear Aunt,’ From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t The Report FORMAT STEP 1 To: Recipient’s Name or Position To: the Principal OR To: The Investigating Officer Scotland Yard STEP 2 From: Writer’s Name (additional info) From Huzaifa Naveed, School Student Council President STEP 3 Date STEP 4 Title/ Subject (should be underlined) Subject: Report on the Accident at Hyde Park STEP 5 Body  P1: Introduction (Sub Heading Can be Effective)  P2: Content Point 1 (Sub Heading Can be Effective)  P3: Content Point 2 (Sub Heading Can be Effective)  P4: Content Point 3 (Sub Heading Can be Effective)  P5: Conclusion (Sub Heading Can be Effective) STEP 6 Signature From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan As a general rule, reports should be written in a formal register, using plain English, as the primary purpose of a report is to convey essential details as clearly and effectively as possible. Reports should be logically structured and, as with other genres, it is sensible to use the bullets in the question to provide your basic structure. Exam Question Here is an example of a typical Directed Writing examination question: During the lunch-time recess , one of your friends fell over while taking lunch in the school canteen and suffered an injury. It was necessary to summon paramedics and although there were no serious injuries , your friend was taken to the Outpatients’ Department at the local hospital to be checked over. You witnessed the accident and the head teacher/principal of your school/ college has asked you to write a report of the incident giving details of what happened. You should include the following details in your report: ● When and where the accident took place ● How the accident occurred and the injuries suffered by your friend ● Suggestions as to how similar accidents can be avoided in future. You should cover all the points above in detail and ensure that your report is clear and informative . You should write between 250 and 300 words. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t The comments below refer to the underlined details in the wording of the question: ● The first paragraph of the question sets the situation or scenario of the incident. It is important to note key details – you are told when the incident happened; that one of your friends was involved and that your friend was not seriously injured – be careful here; it’s very easy in the heat of the moment to write an account involving seriously broken limbs which does not fulfil the requirements of the question! ● You witnessed the accident but you do not have to be involved in it; all that matters is that you saw events at close hand so that you are able to provide a reliable report. ● You are given the genre of what you should write (a report) and the audience to whom it is to be addressed (headteacher/principal of your school/college). Ensure that you use an appropriate format for your response – a report and not a letter. ● You should cover all the points above in detail. For the report to be helpful, it is important that you add some convincing details to the basic facts that the question provides. For example, it is important to give the precise date and time (not just ‘last Wednesday during the lunch hour’) and also some added detail about exactly where your friend was in the canteen when the accident happened and so on. Note also that the third bullet requires some expansion over and above the information given in the question – a successful response to this question is likely to provide information in response to the second bullet (for example, ‘My friend slipped on some food which had been spilled by another student’) which can be used when answering the final bullet (for example, ‘I suggest that the canteen staff ensure that any spillages are dealt with immediately and that students are directed away from areas where a spillage has occurred’). ● It is also important that you stay within the scenario as set out in the question. You may find it helpful to take a few moments to visualise yourself in the canteen and work out what you could have seen or not seen. For example, you could not have seen that the canteen staff failed to clean up the spillage earlier in the morning, even if the failure contributed to the accident. ● Remember the purpose of your answer – this is a report that should focus clearly on the facts; it should be written in a tone that is appropriate to a report and should make its points clearly. In this case your reaction to the events would not be relevant. In a real-life situation it is quite possible that your report could be used as evidence if the school was considered liable for the injuries your friend incurred. DON’T FORGET TO READ THE CANDIDATE RESPONSE AND EXAMINER’S COMMENTS ON THE NEXT PAGE From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t O Level Report Writing Question: Section 1: Directed Writing You are advised to write between 200 and 300 words. ● You will be awarded up to 15 marks for following the task instructions. ● You will be awarded up to 15 marks for the language you use. Task 1: Many new students join your school every year. Your principal wants to make starting at the school as easy as possible for the new students and she asks you to write a report for her about how to do this. Write your report. You must include the following: ● Some of the difficulties that you and other students had when you joined the school ● Suggestions about what the school can do to help new students ● How the students and the school will benefit Cover all three points in detail. You should make your report polite and informative. Start your report “To the Principal”. Remember to give an initial and a date in the ending. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t O Level Report Writing Sample: To: The Principal From: Mark Davis Date: 30 January 2023 Report: Challenges for the new students. Introduction This report is going to deal with the problems faced by new students and various possible solutions on how to make starting at school easier for them. Problems with the New Comers It is very delightful to hear that many students are willing to join our school this year (2020). However, the students are likely to face some problems during their initial days in school. The sudden change in the environment is what makes the candidates uncomfortable. They do not feel a part of the institute. Moreover, approaching teachers and students is even more difficult. Suggestions To help the new students, an assembly can be conducted on the first day of school to introduce the teachers and students. Furthermore, a warm-hearted welcome will give them a friendly atmosphere which is likely to make them comfortable. Possible Outcomes Simultaneously, all of this will bring some benefits to the students and the school. This will allow the candidates to adjust to new surroundings in less time span. The students will feel like a part of the institute and therefore, they will be able to concentrate on their studies from the very beginning. Thus, producing good grades. Due to all this, the reputation of the school is likely to enhance and the biggest achievement of a school is the satisfaction of its students. Conclusion From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Suggestions and Conclusion Finally, this account is based upon my personal experience and, I will be available for further explanation for a transparent enquiry. According to my experience, both students should be suspended from school for a week due to their misconduct. If the issue is resolved, it can prevent further unpleasant events like this from happening. MD 26 January 2023 Examiner report:This response is a perfect sample to discuss the requirements of eye-witness writing. The positive points in this sample to be highlighted are: 1. Both aspects of the first content point (date and name of students) were addressed. 2. The response includes a heading that states the subject and purpose of the writing. 3. The events are addressed in a proper sequence. 4. The response has an introduction that highlights the topic which indicates the awareness of the candidate about the purpose. 5. The candidate addresses all three content points. 6. The instructions to begin with “To the Principle…” and end with signature and date have been followed. 7. The response is within the word limit, 200 to 300 words. 8. The transition words such as moreover, furthermore and apart are used for coherence and linking the paragraphs. 9. The writing was fairly unbiased and the writer provided the suggestions at the last (as asked in the question). 10. The response was organised in proper paragraphs and the conclusion was reasonable. The areas of improvement in this sample are: ● The writing should be accurate and natural (prevent exaggeration of the events). This applies to your language as well. Let me explain. When writing an account, you should try to be natural. If you are using “fancy vocabulary” just to create an impression, then it will do more harm than good. Therefore, focus more on providing relevant details. ● The use of complex words should be prevented if it disturbs the fluency of the response. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t ● The candidate could have developed the second content point in a better way to give a wider response to the reason the incident took place. ● You should spend some extra time, in the end, to read your response and correct the grammatical mistakes and error. ● In report and account, you should prevent giving unnecessary opinions and personal evaluations (unless asked) to keep the response relevant and unbiased. ● You should be writing in a literary way. Here is what I mean. Look, account writing is not like a typical essay. You should try to use technical language and common phrases for your topic. For example. let’s suppose that you are writing regarding the banking sector. In this case, you should try to use financial terms (whenever possible). SOME DOS AND DONTS 1. It is important not to confuse a report with a formal letter; a report should not contain a salutation (‘Dear Headteacher’, for example) nor a valediction (‘Yours faithfully’). 2. There should be a heading that states the report’s purpose (‘Report on Accident in the School Canteen’). 3. A report should contain only the specific details required; you should adopt an objective tone and avoid falling into narrative or adding unnecessary descriptive details or personal reactions to or speculations about what is being reported. 4. It is acceptable, however, to include recommendations as to further actions to be taken in your concluding remarks – the final bullet in the exam question often indicates the need for this. Tips for writing reports Be concise: Your introduction and conclusion should be concise. It is important that you convey key information relating to the subject of your writing as clearly and concisely as possible. Your readers will want to gain a swift overview of the main points and may not have time (or inclination) to wade through lengthy paragraphs of introductory comments. Give a balanced view: You may have strong opinions about the subject of your writing and you should certainly express them, as long as they are justified by reference to events or examples. NOW ATTEMPT THE PRACTICE QUESTION ON NEXT PAGE From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t PRACTICE QUESTION Your head teacher has asked for ideas for a new sport to be added to your co-curricular activities at your school. It so happens that several of your friends and you have recently attended a ‘taster’ day at the local sports club and tried out several different sports that you had not played before, including one sport that you all found very enjoyable. Write a report for your head teacher stating why you would like this sport to be added at school. Your report must include the following details: ● what the sport is and why you enjoyed playing it ● what the school needs to provide, (for example, a playing field, equipment, qualified instructors) ● what benefit would come to you and the students and the school if you played this sport. Cover all three points above in detail. You should ensure that your report is clear and informative. You should write between 200 and 300 words. TIPS You may use the following while writing:  The Introduction The aim/purpose of this report is to consider/suggest/... This report is intended to... Below is a summary of the most important relevant points as well as some recommendations.  While Reporting results Most people seem to feel that... Several people said/told me/suggested/thought that…  Making recommendations I would therefore recommend that we expand the library/installing a new coffee machine... It would seem that banning mobile phones is the best idea. Having considered the options, … I would like to suggest/recommend … I therefore suggest/recommend … You may wish to consider … From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Some Differences From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Newspaper Article Purely based on FACTS. An OBJECTIVE presentation, without opinion or emotion. Simple and straightforward re-telling of FACTS, with NO CREATIVE WRITING. It is not DISCURSIVE it just gives facts. STYLE: The writing is very FORMAL, there are NO CONTRACTIONS and NO SLANG is used. Grammar and punctuation are formal. Magazine Article Based on FACTS; however,... It can be SUBJECTIVE and has room for opinion and emotion. More in-depth, with more detail and questioning. /Discursive. It canbecreative The writing should be more FLUENT. STYLE: The writing here must be FORMAL because it is an exam, but it can be more INFORMAL than a newspaper a r t i c l e . It CONVERSATIONALand canbe engagethe reader; it can USE CONTRACTIONS. INTRODUCTION SAMPLE 1 ON THE OCTOBER 1st, 2019, SENIOR STUDENTS of TIS and BS set up a medical camp near Mayfair Road, London. The purpose of the camp was to help the local community in their struggle against the recent dengue outbreak. Armed with banners and brochures to raise awareness about the epidemic, the enthused students were welcomed by an equally charged crowd of people, including doctors from nearby hospitals... ANALYSIS ► WHEN ON THE OCTOBER 1st, 2019, ► WHO … SENIOR STUDENTS of TIS and BS ► WHAT …set up a medical camp ► WHERE …near Mayfair Road, London. ► WHY …The purpose of the camp was to help the local community in their struggle against the recent dengue outbreak. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t ► HOW Armed with banners and brochures to raise awareness about the epidemic, the enthused students were welcomed by an equally charged crowd of people, including doctors from nearby hospitals... From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t THE MAMA BEAR INSTINCT By Andy Simmons In September 2017, Angela McQueen, then 40, had finished only one lap when a 14- year-old freshman standing not far from her – pulled out a gun. As was her routine, McQueen routine was on lunch-monitoring duty at the time. The longtime physical training teacher at Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Illinois, was keeping an eye on the hundreds of students in her charge by walking laps around the school cafeteria. “Oh, my God!” she recalls saying to herself. “He’s going to start shooting.” School employees had been trained on how to handle active shooters: Attack their ability to aim. So with the shooter’s finger on the trigger, McQueen lunged at him. Grabbing at his arm, she forced the gun barrel into the air, but not before he got off a couple of rounds, striking one student in the hand and chest and grazing another. As students ran for the exits, McQueen subdued the shooter with help from the school resource officer, who disarmed the student and took him into custody until police arrived minutes later. Afterward, McQueen went outside to dole out hugs and support to her shaken students. “It’s the mama-bear instinct,” she told the local paper, the Pantagraph. “I don’t have kids of my own, but these are still ‘my’ kids. You’re not going to do this to my kids.” And so, thanks to McQueen, a story that has played out tragically at far too many schools across the country had a relatively happy ending. “If it hadn’t been for her, the situation would have been a lot different,” Police Chief Jeff Branson said at a news conference. As one impressed student told CBS News, “Ms. McQueen is Chuck Norris, basically.” (282 words) From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t FIREWOOD FOR FREE By Janet Jones and Hillary Swanson Shane McDaniel and his sons cut 80 truckloads of wood for those in need. It is late November and the winter bite is at its severest. Washington is known for being home to lots of trees, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves too. But what if you couldn’t chop wood or couldn’t afford to pay someone to do it? Luckily, Shane McDaniel and his twin sons, Harrison and Henry McDaniel, 21, are happy to lend an axe. The three men chop truckloads of wood—then donate it to those in need. “I want to help people who are freezing out here and have no way of keeping their families warm,” Shane explained to heraldnet.com. “The idea started as a father-son bonding project,” he told msn.com. “I had to cut wood with my dad. He just loved doing it,” says Shane, 48, a divorced father of six. He wanted to pass along that feeling, so he and the twins spent the summer of 2018 together, and the result was a great wall of wood piled up around their house in Lake Stevens, 35 miles outside of Seattle. Technically, it was 40 cords—a cord measures four feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet deep. To buy that much would cost about $10,000. When the weather turned cold that November, Shane started thinking of people who might have no other option but to freeze. He posted on Facebook: “IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF FIREWOOD AND CANNOT AFFORD IT, CONTACT US!” The response was immediate. Requests started pouring in. Single mom Katelyn Ticer, 29, and her four-year-old daughter rely on a wood-burning stove as their sole source of heat, so it was a relief to receive a truckload of firewood from the McDaniels before the holidays. “To get that much wood brought me to tears,” she told msn.com. “So much stress and anxiety is off my shoulders. I couldn’t be more thankful.” “Giving is the reward,” he says. “It has nothing to do with how well it’s received; it’s about how much it’s needed.” From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t ASSIGNMENT Previous Exam Questions:  2015 Nov (11) school magazine article about the success of the team  2015 Nov (12) school magazine article about a festival  2013 May (11) school magazine article about a community welfare project  2013 May (12) school magazine article about the visit of a foreign student  2004 Nov school magazine article about a person you would like to change places with for a day 2015 Nov (11) You are a member of a school team which recently won an important competition. Your Principal is very pleased with the team’s improvement and asks you to write an article for your school magazine about the success of the team. (You can choose any kind of team: for example, debating, quiz, sports etc.) Write your magazine article. You must include the following: • Some details about the team and the competition it won • Why the team was so successful this year • How team members and the whole school have benefited from this success. Cover all three points above in detail. You should make sure your article is lively and informative. Start your article with a suitable headline. 2015 Nov (12) Recently, you and some other members of your class were chosen to take part in a festival. Your Principal is very pleased that you took part. He has asked you to write an article for your school magazine about what you did at the festival. Write your magazine article. You must include the following: • details of the festival and where it was held • what you and the other students did at the festival • why you feel taking part was a benefit to you and the other students and to your school. Cover all three points above in detail. You should make sure your article is lively and informative. Start your article with a suitable headline. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t FORMAT OF A SPEECH BODY OF THE SPEECH P1: Introduction  Direct address e.g., Respected Principal and honourable guests,  Greeting/ Welcome note e.g.: good morning etc.  Introduce yourself  Introduce the topic of your speech P2: Content Point 1 While elaborating on your point you may use:  Direct address  Triad  Rhetorical question P3: Content Point 2 While elaborating on your point you may use:  Direct address  Triad  Rhetorical question P4: Content Point 3 While elaborating on your point you may use:  Direct address  Triad  Rhetorical question P5: Conclusion  thank the audience  You may reiterate or reemphasize on the purpose… From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t PRACTICE QUESTION You are advised to write between 200 and 300 words. Total marks for this part: 30. FEW TIPS ON ATTEMPTING THE ABOVE QUESTION • Thank the person/group/organization for giving you the opportunity to speak. • State the purpose of your speech (you can refer to the situation given in the introductory paragraph) • Elaborate content points • Thank the audience for their time. Example: I wish all of you a very good morning. My name is Adeel Khan. I am a student of grade 11, and also the secretary of the Student Council. Today, I stand here before you, to extend my support to my good friend and fellow student, Qasim Omar, in his bid for the council elections. In case you have invited the audience then • Thank the audience for accepting your invitation. • Explain why they had to be/ or have been invited • Elaborate the content points • Ask for their cooperation, or ask them to take some action • Thank them again OR From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Your friend has decided to run for the post of Student Council President. Write a speech that you have to present to the whole school during assembly, to support your friend. Write your speech. You must include the following. PARAGRAPH POINTS: His achievements and contributions to the school What your friend can achieve for the students if he is elected. What your friend can achieve for the school if he is elected. DIRECTIONS: Cover all three points above in detail. You should make sure your speech is enthusiastic and informative. Start your speech, ‘Respected Principal, teachers and fellow students...’ • Refer to the situation first which prompted you to invite your guests • Thank them for taking time out. • Explain your purpose/Elaborate the content points. • Urge for action • Thank them again Subsequent paragraphs  Highlight the points that are given in the question. The question may force you to maintain a persuasive tone throughout the speech; if so, use the techniques of persuasion and rhetorical devices. Using non-sentences & rhetorical questions at times: Should we worry about the cost? No, not at all!  using short forms: I'm, I'll, We'll, don't  It is customary to mention the audience every once in a while, (direct address): And so, you see, my friends, that this is not the only way to solve the problem. Ending  Sum up at the end of your speech, or tell your audience what you want them to do e.g. vote for whomever. End with a personal or general comment e.g. I hope I have convinced you that Mark Davis is indeed an ideal candidate and should be elected to the Student Council. Thank you. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Parents’ Benefits: Parents’ pride in their children’s achievements friendship and contacts with other parents new interests or hobbies to brighten up dull lives a ‘prize’ for helpful parents Show Interest: Parents were urged to ‘fill a form’ contact the school by e-mail or telephone or simply to turn up at the school A WORD OF CAUTION BY THE EXAMINER The best speeches made use of rhetorical devices, direct appeal to the audience, even a touch of humour, but most relied purely on force of argument to encourage participation and sometimes this could become aggressive, rather than persuasive, suggesting ‘You must come to school...’, ‘You have to attend’, or even ‘Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves that you do so little?’ Others were too casual and colloquial: ’You guys could help your kids, if you people were really interested.’; ‘If you wanna help that’d be good, cause, like, we’re gonna need the aircon in the heat.’ From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t June 2012 (12) * To celebrate the start of a special environmental project, a tree is being planted in your school grounds. As secretary of the project committee, you are to make a speech to mark the occasion in front of the Principal, guests, staff and students of the school. Write your SPEECH. CONTENT POINTS • details of what the environmental project hopes to achieve (A strong, clear indication of what the speaker hoped the project would achieve. This might be on a local level or might be much more national or even global in its concerns) • why you think this project is important (Precise details of the importance of the project, whether it would be to provide something visual or something to do with immediate or long-term health benefits) • how your audience could support the project (An indication of how the audience could support the project, possibly financial, possibly practical.) DIRECTIONS • Cover all three points above in detail. • You should make sure your speech is enthusiastic and informative. • Start your speech, ‘Principal, guests, teachers and fellow students...’ POINTS FROM THE EXAMINER REPORT Aims of the project: • Improvement of the school grounds or neighbourhood areas • wider concerns of saving the planet from global warming, deforestation Why this project was important: • adding beauty to the surroundings • saving of the planet for future generations Audience was asked to help: • By donating funds • Subscribing to the scheme • by planting a tree, themselves at home • moral support Many candidates recognised that thanking members of the audience and/or individuals was a good opportunity to make their responses sound like a speech. Most successful responses employed rhetorical devices (usually questions) to engage with the audience, thus giving the writing the genuine feel of a speech. The use of rallying calls such as ‘plant a tree today for a better tomorrow’ or ‘more trees for more oxygen’ was a nice touch. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t The Narrativ e Essay From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Language of Narrative Writing Do not be afraid to have moments of description within the narrative. This might include using the senses. One of the most important word classes in narration is verbs. They can provide much description, which adds mood to your story. Consider the following: I could keep this child safe now. I could keep this child protected now. I could keep this child guarded now. I could keep this child uninjured now. How do each of the underlined words create different meanings? You must choose a word that conveys your ‘correct’ meaning. None are right or wrong and they are all synonyms of ‘safe’; however, each word creates a different meaning. Tenses of Narrative writing You need to make sure that you assign a tense to each sentence that you produce. A common error when writing to describe is to leave a sentence ‘floating’ with no tense attached to it. Example of an incorrect sentence: · Covering the ground in purest white, the snow continuing to fall. This needs to be changed to either the present tense: · Covering the ground in purest white, the snow continues to fall. Alternatively, it could be changed to the past tense: · Covering the ground in purest white, the snow continued to fall. Your Task: Add whatever is necessary to the sentences below to make sure that they are either in the present or past tense. It may be a verb in either the present or past tense; it may also be a punctuation mark or another word… it’s up to you. 1. Walking through the crowd, the pickpocket targeting his prey. 2. Sitting quietly by the edge of the track, noticing the passers-by. 3. Quietly crying, the child trying not to draw attention to herself. 4. With rain pelting down on the tarmac, the airplane struggling to land. 5. Keeping his hand on the steering wheel, singing along to the radio. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t EXAMINER’S COMMENT Planning is a sensible idea, especially when it helps to determine the proper sequence of events and tenses. It is important not to spend too much time doing this, especially if it stops the candidate checking afterwards. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t EXAMINER’S COMMENTS ON PAGE 1 1. This is a slightly awkward sentence but it is short and dramatic and sets the tone for a spy narrative of this sort. 2. It is clear from the whole of this paragraph that, although the sentence structure is not very varied at this stage, the writing is accurate. 3. Another short sentence helps to set the correct atmosphere. 4. The correct use of tenses is helping to suggest the correct sequence of events. 5. The inclusion of speech by the candidate helps to vary the sentence structure so that it reads fluently and naturally. 6. Appropriate images are used. 7. Effective choice of vocabulary and detail (‘annoyed’) helps to create character. EXAMINER’S COMMENTS ON PAGE 2 8. The candidate continues to write in a way which is accurate and also manages to include some sophisticated expression (‘keen on completing…’). Three lines later the word ‘housing’ is precise enough to convey shades of meaning. 9. Paragraphing is effective throughout. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t 10. The very occasional slips in verb forms only serve to highlight that the sequence overall is consistent and clear. EXAMINER’S COMMENTS ON PAGE 3 11. Again, the precise use of vocabulary such as ‘instantly’ conveys the meaning well and the use of tense (‘had happened’) adds sophistication. 12. The candidate cleverly uses the punctuation of ‘couple’ to convey meaning. The same is true of the word ‘wife’ later on this page. Overall in this essay the punctuation is accurate and helpful. 13. Excellent vocabulary here in ‘lunged’. This also demonstrates how good the spelling is throughout the essay. 14. The punctuation and the short dramatic sentence combine to contribute to the atmosphere. 15. The effective use of a modern idiom is sophisticated as it is typical of the genre. EXAMINER’S COMMENTS ON PAGE 4 16. This is a long, sustained essay and the final paragraph provides a sensible summing up of the action. A sense of unity is achieved. Total mark awarded = 25 out of 30 Common mistakes candidates made in this question  Adding variety to a Narrative essay is essential and one of the best ways is to include convincing dialogue. However, for this to work properly, it must be punctuated correctly, including setting out different speakers on different lines. Many candidates found it difficult to do this.  Another common mistake made in writing direct speech was when candidates confused it with reported speech so that it became a mixture of the two – She said that ‘I am going out.’  Prepared opening paragraphs were used in Narrative essays, usually involving the candidate waking up on a bright, sunny morning and going through the whole routine of washing and having breakfast when in fact it all had very little to do with the story which tended to start in paragraph 2. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t REF: Example Candidate Responses, Cambridge O Level, English Language 1123, For examination from 2018 From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t PRACTICE QUESTIONS May/June 2019 (12) Write a story which includes the sentence: ‘He spoke in such a nervous way, she thought he was going to change their plan.’ Write a story in which a map plays an important part. May/June 2019 (11) Write a story which includes the words: ‘Two years after they last saw each other, she was amazed at how confident he seemed.’ Write a story in which a promise plays an important part. October/November 2018 (12) Write a story which includes the words: ‘The house they lived in as children now looked very different.’ Write a story about a time when you wanted to do something adventurous but you had to change your plans. October/November 2018 (11) Write a story which includes the words: ‘They both read their letters and then walked away in opposite directions.’ Write a story about someone who became successful because of their determination and hard work. May/June 2018 (12) Write a story which includes the words: ‘When they entered the room, we were impressed by what they were wearing.’ Write a story about someone who lost all his possessions while he was helping other people. May/June 2018 (11) Write a story which includes the words: ‘When they did not agree with her solution, she felt angry.’ Write a story in which two people unexpectedly agreed to help each other. October/November 2017 (12) Write a story which includes the sentence: ‘Because the space was so small, it did not seem possible to get the vehicle through it.’ Write a story in which a text message plays an important part. October/November 2017 (11) Write a story which includes the sentence: ‘When the announcement was made, two people got up and left the room.’ Write a story in which a diary plays an important part. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t May/June 2017 (12) Write a story which includes the sentence: ‘I don’t want any argument about this; we are going to see him now and that’s final.’ Write a story in which an unexpected guest arrives at a wedding. May/June 2017 (11) Write a story which includes the sentence: ‘It suddenly became clear that they were not as lazy as everyone said they were.’ Write a story in which a locked door plays an important part. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t DESCRIPTIVE WRITING From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t A Friendly Clown On one corner of my dresser sits a smiling toy clown on a tiny unicycle--a gift I received last Christmas from a close friend. The clown's short yellow hair, made of yarn, covers its ears but is parted above the eyes. The blue eyes are outlined in black with thin, dark lashes flowing from the brows. It has cherry-red cheeks, nose, and lips, and its broad grin disappears into the wide, white ruffle around its neck. The clown wears a fluffy, two-tone nylon costume. The left side of the outfit is light blue, and the right side is red. The two colours merge in a dark line that runs down the centre of the small outfit. Surrounding its ankles and disguising its long black shoes are big pink bows. The white spokes on the wheels of the unicycle gather in the centre and expand to the black tire so that the wheel somewhat resembles the inner half of a grapefruit. The clown and unicycle together stand about a foot high. As a cherished gift from my good friend Tran, this colourful figure greets me with a smile every time I enter my room. How should you write your description? SHOW - DON’T TELL If there's one thing you should remember as you write your descriptive essay, it's the famous saying: show, don't tell. But what's the difference between showing and telling? Consider these two simple examples: •I grew tired after dinner. •As I leaned back and rested my head against the top of the chair, my eyelids began to feel heavy, and the edges of the empty plate in front of me blurred with the white tablecloth. The most effective descriptive essays are loaded with such showing because they enable readers to imagine or experience something for themselves. The first sentence tells readers that you grew tired after dinner. The second sentence shows readers that you grew tired. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t Telling: The pancake tasted bitter, and he couldn’t stand it. Showing: He took a bite and quickly spit out the pancake. “Susan! Why’d you put too much baking powder in the pancakes again?” Telling: The job applicant is nervous about his job interview Showing: Try as he might, he could do nothing but think about the questions he might be asked, the answers he would need to give, the way he would have to walk and talk and sit, the times he would need to speak or listen and nod, the things he would have to say or not say, the response he would need to give if asked about his legal status in the country. His throat went dry. His palms moistened. Unable to reach for his handkerchief in the packed downtown subway, he wiped both palms on his pants. Now to try SHOW the following:  A thief is feeling very scared before appearing in front of the judge.  A boy weeps, thinks he’s lost.  He couldn’t hide his excitement upon seeing his result.  A dog is overjoyed to see / misses its master.  An old man, waits in anticipation, for his test results, inside a hospital.  A kid felt sick after eating a leftover sandwich gone bad.  A parent feels mad at his/her son for skipping school. DESCRIPTIVE WRITING EXERCISE TOPIC: A MORNING WALK TASK: Write a descriptive essay, of 200 words, on the above-mentioned topic INSTRUCTIONS: a) Use "IMAGERY" as a technique, and; b) Try to engage all 5 senses + your 6th sense (e.g., feelings) in your description. ----NOTE: It is difficult to write interesting descriptions, so this type of composition should not be attempted unless you have had practice and success at this type of writing. Description must rely on range of vocabulary and use of imagery to engage reader interest. Unless the reader can see the picture, they will not be able to relate to From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t the experience. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t THE ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY – AN INTRODUCTION The main aim of an argumentative essay is to build a case for one's opinion or stand on a particular issue. Students often think that argumentative essay questions are best left to be tackled by highly intelligent peers. This is not necessarily so. In Cambridge O level exams, students are generally provided topics they are already familiar with. Hence, with the correct and reasonable approach, a student can generally do quite well. You may be asked to provide your perspective of an issue. Example: 'Superstars today make lousy role models.' What is your view? / Discuss / Comment. OR You may be asked to support or criticise an issue. Example: 'The modern world has no place for compassion.' Do you agree or disagree? HOW TO APPROACH AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY There are two main ways to approach an essay effectively. You could: a) The Argumentative Approach: Establish your stand on the issue before proceeding onto a discussion of your argument. Here, you have to provide evidences to support your opinion to make your argument convincing. This approach can be used for questions like, "Do you agree or disagree?" or "What is your opinion or thesis?" b) The Discursive Approach: Divide your essay into two parts; one in support and the other criticising the issue, and concluding with a negotiation of both stands e.g. Though I believe that most superstars today fail to make positive role models, there are some who do make good role models because of their humanitarian efforts. This approach is best for questions asking you to "Comment" or "Discuss." From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t STRUCTURE Whichever approach you choose, an Argumentative Essay has the following STRUCTURE: i. Introduction: It consists of the Topic Statement + one’s Thesis (Thesis Statement) ii. Middle: multiple paragraphs to prove one’s Thesis iii. Conclusion: a summation of your main argument + a reiteration of your stand (thesis). INTRODUCTION Writing an Introduction When you begin an essay, it is important to explain the title and meaning of the issue to be discussed, and briefly introduce the layout of your argument. Example (1) The global village phenomenon is more detrimental than beneficial for the human race." What is your view? To begin, you have to explain the term, 'Global village,' especially, its relevance to the world today; state what you think about the issue and how you intend to approach the essay. Such a clear introduction will enable any reader to follow your flow of thought or argument in the essay based on your understanding of the question. You may begin in this manner: The term 'global village' originates from the idea that the world is now becoming smaller by the day due to advancements in technology and transportation. Humans are now more connected than ever to everywhere else in the world. This can be both beneficial and detrimental for the human race. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t NOTE: If a question asks for your opinion, it is better to state whether you agree or disagree with the proposition in the introduction itself so that the examiner is clear about your stand and how you intend to approach the essay. Example (2) 'Studying History is a waste of time.' Do you agree or disagree? You may begin in this manner: The world is moving at such a rapid pace today that many people often regard the humanities and the arts as mere wastes of time. Prominence is given to subjects like science and engineering while subjects like history are relegated to a lower position. History, however, can be a useful source of information. It not only teaches us lessons about the past but can also teach us lessons about our future. As such, a study of history is not only useful but to a large extent necessary as well. CONCLUSION Writing a Conclusion It is important not to rush through your conclusion. Your conclusion serves two main purposes: (a) a summation of your main argument; (b) a reiteration of your stand(thesis). An effective conclusion is one that ties up your essay succinctly. Thus, an abrupt or ill-written one can undermine your argument and stand. Example: 'Studying History is a waste of time.' Do you agree? As seen from the above discussion, history is extremely useful to anyone who is interested in the wellbeing of his nation, himself and his fellow citizens. History can thus be applied to our everyday lives and as long as it continues to be relevant to us, studying history will never and should never be considered a waste of time. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan C A M B R I D G E O L E V E L E N G L I S H 1 1 2 3 S e l f - S t u d y B o o k l e t ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS Attempt the following: 1. What are the most important qualities a friend should have? Give reasons and examples to support your view. 2. Is being a brave person always about using physical strength or are there other ways of being brave? Give reasons and examples to support your view. May/June 2019 (12) 3. Some people say that we learn more outside the classroom than inside it. Do you agree? Give reasons and examples to support your point of view. 4. What are the best and worst things about being a teenager? Give reasons and examples to support your point of view. May/June 2019 (11) From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan The Summary From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan HOW TO WRITE A SUMMARY Step 1) Read the passage closely: PASSAGE Juanita Garcia is a coffee farmer living high in the Nicaraguan hills. We met at the end of her long, back-breaking day. Her house, miles from her small farm, is simple. Outside are a few bananas and orange trees, inside a bed, chairs, an open fire, a few months’ corn supplies. No decoration, no ornaments, no frills. Juanita summed up her aspirations. What she wanted for herself, her family and community she said, was just ‘a life of dignity’. Until recently there was little chance of that. The world market that bought her small crop was always precarious and unstable. The coffee went through the hands of dozens of middlemen all taking their cuts. The price yo-yoed around but mostly was near the basement. Life for her and the others in her community was uncertain, poverty-stricken and with little hope. Several years ago, the Fairtrade Foundation in London helped put her co-operative in touch with a British chocolate maker who wanted to offer a new quality bar. It now buys directly from the co- operative farmers on the alternative European ‘Fairtrade’ market at a price guaranteed at or above the world price. The few pennies more that the consumer pays in Britain go directly to the farmers to help themselves develop. ‘We didn’t make enough money to live on before Fairtrade’, said Juanita. ‘Now we get a better price and the money comes directly to us. Now we have hope’. Talk to small farmers around the world about their aspirations and few mention money. Words like ‘dignity’, ‘pride’, ‘hope’, and ‘decency’ keep coming up instead. In the Dominican Republic, Jose Rodriguez, a small cocoa farmer, said: ‘I am not in search of money. I just want everybody to have the means to a decent life. ‘Fairtrade has given him and the 8,000 other small farmers who make up the Conacado association and sell to British chocolate makers that hope, he says. From the desk of: Abdul Majid Khan