SUMMIT 1

INTERMEDIATE 5
1ST WRITING TASK
PAGE 12

WRITING: PERSONALITY TYPE

(150-200 words)

Do make sure
you write the
topic sentence
at the beginning
of the
paragraph.

Do include in
your supporting
sentences facts,
examples,
details and
experiences.

Do not forget to
end with a
concluding
sentence by re
stating the topic
sentence or
summarizing the
paragraph.

Tyrants, who use their power cruelly and unjustly, can make the
workplace an unpleasant place to be and harm the productivity
of the organization. Bosses who are tyrants like to push the
employees to the limits. They always make them work extra
hours and demand perfection in their work. In addition to this,
they never give them any recognition, which is really unfair.
People working with tyrants usually feel uncomfortable and even
fearful. As a consequence, they do not perform well and end up
quitting their jobs.
I know about this because my former boss was a tyrant. I
remember he used to yell at everybody if something did not go
as he wished and made us work weekends and even holidays to
finish our work. Nothing was good enough for him; therefore he
fired people without compassion. After some time I realized I
could not keep working with him and that is why I decided to
leave.

DO organize
your ideas in
a clear and
logical way.

Do use a
concluding
phrase: in
conclusion or in
summary.

In conclusion, having a tyrant as a boss can not only break the

employees spirit but also affect their work performance, which
could in the end have a negative impact in the company.

DO check and
correct your spelling

SUMMIT 1
INTERMEDIATE 5
2ND WRITING TASK
PAGE 24

WRITING: DESCRIBING YOURSELF

(150-200 words)

Do
use
parallel
structure
with
gerunds

Do
use
parallel
structure
with clauses

Im a photographer, an art teacher and a video editor. When it

comes to my personality traits I would say that I am a people
person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different
people. I am a perfectionist as I like to pay attention to all the
details. I am also a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative
solutions and answers to problems and have an open mind about
what will work best. On the other hand, I believe I am flexible and
adaptable because I try to make a positive effort to accept
changes.
I like to travel, to experience new things, to try new food and to
meet people from different places. I enjoy being surrounded by
people who have the same interests I do, who are curious about
life, who like going to unusual places, and who like outdoor
activities.
I have been to many exciting, interesting and eccentric places;
for example, I have gone car driving and racing in Miami and
Orlando, I have gone swimming with sharks at the Coral World
Ocean Park, I have gone skiing in Zacopane, river bugging in New
Zealand and Scotland, canyoning, rock climbing and cliff jumping
in Argentina, Mexico and Costa Rica.

Do use parallel
structure with
infinitives

Do use parallel
structure with
adjectives

Do use parallel
structure with
tenses (For
example; present
perfect simple)

SUMMIT 1
INTERMEDIATE 6
1ST WRITING TASK
PAGE 36

WRITING: LONG-TERM FINANCIAL GOALS

(150-200 words)

Do start with
an
introduction.

Do develop
the main
ideas in the
body

When I think about my future two life plans come to mind. I

have decided to set up a short term goal and a long term one
for myself.
By this time next year I expect to have paid off all my debts. To
do this Ive considered taking some important steps. First of all,
I plan to stick to just one credit card; I think I can do without the
others. Second, I will start living within my means, in that way I
will avoid getting into more debts. Lastly, I am going put aside
more money to pay the credit card; with larger monthly
payments I should have paid everything I owe within a year.
As a long term goal, I expect to have bought my own apartment
by the year 2017.How do I plan to achieve this goal? To begin
with, I will cut down on my expenses and put away some
money for the down payment. After that, once I have saved up
the money for the down payment, I intend to ask the bank for a
loan. Finally, I expect to find a better paid job, which will help
me deal with the monthly payments of the bank loan and
maybe pay it off sooner.
Being organized and determined will help me fulfil these goals
and make my dreams come true.

DO organize
your ideas in
a clear and
logical way.

DO check and
correct your spelling

Do end with a
conclusion

SUMMIT 1
INTERMEDIATE 6
2ND WRITING TASK
PAGE 48

WRITING: COMPARING AND CONTRASTING FASHION TODAY WITH FASHION

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
(150-200 words)

Do
introduce
your topic

Do write
about the
differences.

Do write
about the
similarities

Do include
your
conclusion

Today's Fashion compared to the 20's

Our society has changed many times over the years and so has fashion
trends. In the 20's, fashion changed dramatically because of WWI and people
wanted to be listened. Women dressed in shorter dresses and skirts, cut their
hair, and wore more make-up.
The 20s was the beginning of modern dressing while todays fashion has
been taken to another level. Even though today's clothing is inspired by all
the expressive movement involved in that era, what you see back then is not
seen today. During the 20's, style changed depending on what was going on
in the world unlike today, when fashion changes almost every day demanded
on celebrities, and seasons. Moreover, today's fashion has many do's and
dont's that change rapidly.
Thus, the Twenties redefined womanhood and with this, future generations
branched out. Like in the 20s, todays fashion trends are notoriously fickle. In
the 20's women had their own fashion that was considered a political
statement. For example, during that time, women who wanted to express
themselves after the war could choose individuality, functionality and
creative ways to express themselves through fashion as well as in our time. In
our society long hair, grays and purples, structured big purses, boots, and
showing off your ladylike silhouette with pencil skirts are in.
Fashion is one way to define an era because fashion styles are going in and
out. Between the 20's and today fashion has changed and will continue to
change dramatically for decades to come.

Adapted from: https://sites.google.com/site/xevanxbrownx/Home/a-pe-n-g-l-i-s-h-/compare--contrast/todays-fashion-to-the-roaring-20sfashion

Do use
connectors
to contrast
(show
differences)
-green

Do use
connectors
to organize
your
thoughts.
-red

Do use
connectors
to compare
(show
similarities)
-green

SUMMIT 1
INTERMEDIATE 7
1ST WRITING TASK
PAGE 72

WRITING: EXPRESS YOUR OPINION ON ANIMAL TREATMENT

(150-200 words)

DO include
relevant
information to
develop the ideas
mentioned in the
topic sentence.
DO use language
of persuasion and
linkers to
introduce and
connect your
ideas.

DO use formal
language.
Abbreviations and
contractions
cannot be used.

Animal research plays a crucial role in scientists'

understanding of diseases and in the development of effective
medical treatments. It is believed that animals have rights and
being this the 21st century, the idea of having animal testing is
inconceivable since they suffer just as humans do and it is not fair for
them to have no voice. However, animals are considered effective
models for trials, so there is no other choice but to use animals so as
to have advancement in medicine. Dr. Jack Picasso an eminent
biologist claims that scientists have found that animals are
biologically similar to humans in many ways and they are vulnerable
to over 200 of the same health problems. In consequence, research
on animals provides scientists with complex living systems consisting
of cells, tissues and organs. Specifically, animal models can interact
and react to stimuli, giving researchers an idea of how those stimuli
might react in a human being. All in all, it is my belief that even
though I am a person that thinks that the conservation of species is
important, animals should be used for discovering new medicines,
and that way save more people with great discoveries such as a
cure for Cancer or AIDS.

Do state the topic

sentence in the first
paragraph.

DO state your
opinion either in
favor or against the
topic.
DO provide
examples, facts, or
experts opinions to
support your
argument.

DO summarize
your main point of
view in the last
sentence in the
paragraph (the
concluding
sentence).

SUMMIT 1
INTERMEDIATE 7
2ND WRITING TASK
PAGE 84

WRITING: EXPLAIN AN ARTICLE YOU READ

(150-200 words)

DO use
reporting verbs
to paraphrase
the writers
ideas.

DO connect
sentences with
linking
expressions.

DO include only
the authors point
of view or
conclusions.

DO NOT include
YOUR OWN
opinions.

"National Security Justifies Censorship"

The article states that information that is secret and vital to the security
of the nation should not be released to the press although many
journalists argue that the First Amendment guarantees unrestricted
printing freedom.

DO paraphrase what is
mentioned in the
original article. Use
your own words or
synonyms.

The writers point out that the press and the media have gained more
power than the framers of the Constitution foresaw and therefore
neglected to install safe guards that would protect national security.
Consequently, several acts since the writing of the Constitution have
been implemented to deal with the lack of protection regarding
national security. Nonetheless, those regulations have not been as
effective as experts thought. As the article explains, there was a
military operation that took place during Ronald Reagans government
which involved many casualties. In fact, it has been considered as a
massacre whose main cause was having classified information
widespread. In the authors opinion, the government is unprotected,
while the media is overpowered, so authorities must take action to
assure another disaster does not occur. They can either make the
publication of classified information a punishable offense, or
incorporate a "code of ethics" into media guidelines that safeguards
national security.
The writers conclude that not only is national security a governments
responsibility, but also the medias.

DO include only the

most relevant
supporting details
mentioned in the
original article.

DO NOT include
additional information
(not mentioned in the
article)

DO keep the summary

short.

SUMMIT 1
INTERMEDIATE 8
1ST WRITING TASK
PAGE 96

WRITING: DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER

(150-200 words)

DO avoid runon sentences

and comma
splices by
connecting
sentences with
linking
expressions,
coordinating
conjunctions or
punctuation
marks.

It is a common belief that parents are the role models in a family,

but in my particular case, my brother is the person I look up to.
Charles is in his early thirties, and he has just finished his
graduated studies in mechanical engineering. He is very intelligent
and analytical, yet he sometimes enjoys being in the limelight.
Charles is currently working in a prestigious company, so
managing time between work, family, friends and even his
girlfriend must be tough. However, he is always there when I need
some advice, or I just want to have fun. We have spent great
moments together, and bad ones as well. I still remember those
days as a teenager when I was such a troublemaker in high school.
My parents usually were in trouble because I used to be
disrespectful and too rebellious. Moreover, I almost got expelled
once! I thought I was doomed since my parents didnt have any
idea to deal with the problem. Fortunately, Charles attended the
meeting with the principal to show me that everything is possible
if you show courtesy when talking to people, and if you give good
explanation for issues. I have to admit that ever since I have been
inspired and influenced by him. Now my brother and I are
somewhat alike in terms of personality; I am very responsible and
well-behaved at university, for example. On balance, my brother
is that relative I not only admire, but also find reliable, someone
who will always be there no matter what the circumstances may
be. In other words, I can say that my brother is a heaven-sent
sibling.

DO state your
opinion in the first
sentence in the
paragraph (the topic
sentence).
DO provide general
information on the
relative you are
writing about.

DO include relevant
information to
develop the ideas
mentioned in the
topic sentence
(situations,
examples, etc.)
DO summarize your
main point of view
in the last sentence
in the paragraph
(the concluding
sentence).

SUMMIT 1
INTERMEDIATE 8
2ND WRITING TASK
PAGE 108
WRITING: NEWS ARTICLE
(150-200 words)

Cracking Down on Skipping Class

DO use
subordinating
conjunctions to
introduce
dependent clauses.

DO attach a
dependent clause
to an independent
clause to give a
complete thought.

Skipping class undetected for a game of ultimate Frisbee might become a

thing of the past since universities have adopted mandatory-attendance
policies and have acquired high-tech trackers that snitch when students
skip.
Nowadays many colleges are using retention alert systems that monitor
behaviors that can lead to dropping out including playing hooky. Theres
just so much more at stake now than there was 20 years ago and parents
want to make sure their kids are in class because they want to protect
their investment, said Rosalind Alderman, who leads the retention effort
at St. Marys University.
The latest entrant into the market of tracking students whereabouts:
Class120, a $199-a-year notification service that tracks a student through
the GPS in their smartphone and alerts their parents (or another third
party) in real time if their child isnt within a geofence mapped around
the classroom where they are scheduled to be. I think its good stuff,
Mr. Hiltunen said. I had a roommate freshman year kicked out of college
for not attending enough classes. This kid was smart but he was lazy and
had no motivation. I think something like this could have helped him.
Even though scores on admission tests are standardized and reliable,
attendance is considered to be the best predictor of college grades, said
Marcus Crede, a professor of psychology at Iowa State University who
studies the subject. The correlation is particularly high in science,
engineering and math. And grades, in turn, seem linked to graduation
rates, he said. As a result of that, the University of Arkansas began
experimenting with mandatory attendance as a way to boost its 62% sixyear graduation rate, said Provost Sharon Gaber. We talk about helicopter
parents, she said. Well, some of these kids havent learned how to get
out of bed on their own yet.

Taken and adapted from: http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/daily-newsarticle/cracking-down-on-skipping-class/

DO choose a title
that reflects the
main idea of the
article.

A news article
answers
information
questions about
an event.

DO think of
information
questions to notice
what is
relevant/necessary
to mention.
- Who?
- What?
- When?
- Where?
- Why?
- How?