1

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 1

Read the guidelines below for writing a personal

profile. Does Tom follow them?
1 Give specific information about yourself. Dont
be vague.
2 Be positive.
3 Think about who you are writing to and give them
appropriate information.
4 Think about who you are writing to and use an
appropriate style: formal or informal.
5 Keep your profile brief and use short rather than
long sentences.
6 Structure your information in clear paragraphs.

a personal profile
WRITING TIP
When you write a personal profile, its very important
to think about who you are writing to and whether you
need to use formal or informal language. You also need
to think about what type of information the reader will be
interested in.

1 A Read the personal profile. Is it formal or informal?

Hi, everyone! My names Tom Woodford. Im 25, although everyone
says that I look younger! Im from a small village in north-east
England, but I live in Newcastle now. Im a qualified electrician
and am currently working as part of a maintenance team in a big
office. However, what I really want is to get a degree in business
studies and accountancy. I think it will open up a lot of doors for
me professionally.
Im married with two young kids, Ryan, whos three, and Tessa,
whos one. My wifes name is Gloria. In my free time I like playing
basketball and riding fast motor bikes! The problem is, with a young
family, a full-time job, and now this online course, I dont think Im
going to have much time for any hobbies in the near future!
I hope to get to know the rest of you a bit better as we do the
online degree preparation module together. Good luck to
everyone! And remember: Yes we can!

Read the stages for planning a personal profile and

put them in the order that you would do them.
a) Write a rough first dra.
b) Write down the points you are going to talk about.
c) Check your work and correct any mistakes.
d) Decide in what order you are going to present
the points.
e) Check through your first dra. Have you included
the right type of information? Is it presented in a
logical order?
f) Think about who you are writing to and what type
of information they will be interested in.
g) Make notes on each point.
h) Write your final dra.

4 A Look at the expressions in the box below. What two

constructions can each expression be followed by?

Complete the table.

I like Im keen on Im really into I love

Im crazy about

Name
Age

Where he lives now

Work
Ambitions
Family
Who is he writing to?

Write five sentences about what you like/like doing

using the expressions in the box above.
You are joining an internet dating site. Write your
own personal profile (160200 words).

Plan your writing

Think about who you are writing to. What information
will the reader be interested in? Your location? Your
appearance? Your personal possessions? Your job?
Your hobbies? Your academic qualifications? Decide
what areas you are going to write about, and in what
order.
Check your writing
Is your profile brief and written with short sentences?
Is the information clearly ordered in paragraphs?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 2

2 A Look at the linking devices in bold in the text. Which:

1
2
3
4

a discursive essay
WRITING TIP
A discursive essay is an essay that explores a particular
subject. A discursive essay needs to be balanced: you
should present arguments on both sides in a neutral
way before you express your own opinion.

Read the essay and say if these statements are

true (T) or false (F).
1 The author gives a firm opinion on the subject
in the introduction.
2 The second paragraph supports the
proposition in the title.
3 In the third paragraph the author says that he
thinks healthcare and university should be free.
4 The author offers an extreme opinion in the
final paragraph.
5 In general, the essay is balanced.
6 There are too many paragraphs in the essay for
the content. Two would be enough.

Should students pay their own university

tuition fees?
Twenty years ago, if you went to university in the UK, all of
your tuition fees were paid for by the government. Now,
however, you have to pay for them yourself. There is
currently a lot of debate about which of these two
situations is better. What is more, there are no
straightforward answers.
In an ideal world, all education would be free, including
tertiary education. Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is
that we do not live in an ideal world and there is not an
unlimited supply of money.
In addition to this, the more money the government
spends, the more it taxes its citizens, and the less money
they have.
On the other hand, it could be argued that in a modern
democratic society, citizens have some basic rights. For
example, many people would agree that universal free
healthcare is a basic right: no one should go without
medical attention because they cant afford it.
Likewise, a significant number of people also think
university fees should be free of charge. After all, they
maintain, if healthcare is free, why shouldnt university be
free, too?
In my own view, university tuition fees should not be totally
free. If they are, many people will go to university just
because they dont know what to do after secondary
school. Obviously, this is not the purpose of going to
university. At the same time, fees should not be so
expensive that they put off people from poor families from
carrying on with their studies. Consequently, the best
solution would be for the government to subsidise tuition
fees, but not to pay for them entirely.

introduce additional information?

indicate a contrast with what has come before?
follow a logical argument?
prove your point?

Add the linkers in the box below to the categories above.

additionally thus so furthermore for this reason
in conclusion evidently on the contrary hence

Delete the incorrect alternative in each sentence.

1 He pays his own fees. For this reason/However/
Consequently, he wants to complete his degree as
soon as possible.
2 Janes family have a lot of money. However/Thus/
Nevertheless, they dont give her much.
3 Everybody failed the exam. Evidently/In addition to this/
Obviously, it was too difficult.
4 Healthcare is very expensive in the United States.
On the contrary/For this reason/Hence, its a good idea
to have health insurance.
5 She lives a long way from the university. Furthermore/
Consequently/Whats more, public transport in the
area is very poor.
6 His sister studied Maths at university. Thus/However/
In contrast, he studied French.

4 A Read the sentences below.

1 I went to university, whereas my father didnt.
2 Despite all my advice, they didnt go to university.
3 Shes extremely intelligent. Having said that, shes
also very lazy.
4 Although he worked very hard, he failed all his exams.

Which of the expressions in bold

a) connects two clauses in the same sentence?
b) is followed by a noun clause?
c) has a similar meaning to however?
Write an essay on the subject: Royal families serve no
useful purpose in todays society (250300 words).

Plan your writing

Think about the content of your essay. Introduce the topic
and present both sides of the argument. Summarise by
giving your own view.
Check your writing
Have you used a good range of linking devices?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 3

a description of a place
WRITING TIP
When you write a description of a place, you need to try
to paint a picture with words so that the reader feels as if
they were in that place. For this reason, it is a good idea to:
give a lot of details describing the place;
use a wide range of vocabulary, especially adjectives;
describe what you can hear, smell, touch and taste.

1 A Read the description of Amsterdam. How does the

author feel about the city?

Read the text again and find:

1 three references to taste.
2 a reference to sound.

What adjectives does the author use to describe:

1 the bridges?
4 streets?
2 cafs?
5 the Jordaan district?
3 the historic centre?
6 architecture?

Amsterdam my kind of town

Ive travelled to many cities around the world, but
I dont think Ive ever been anywhere as photogenic as
Amsterdam. Waterside cafs, bright flowers in window
boxes, bikes with huge wicker baskets, and illuminated
bridges at dusk. Its an artists dream!
For me, Amsterdam ticks every box. You can wander
along the tree-lined canals, watching the chugging
barges as they pass. The historic centre is compact and
easy to explore on foot. And if its culture you crave you
can visit one of its world-class art museums.
When it comes to food there are tasty treats to try
wherever you turn. One of my favourites, which can
be found in bakeries and street markets, is Stroopwafel,
two thin waffles sandwiched together with gooey, sweet
syrup. And while raw herring may not excite everyones
taste buds, I think everyone should try it its fresh, salty
and delicious with pickles. And of course you cant go
to Amsterdam without sampling the tasty, tangy cheese.
For an introduction to Dutch cheeses, visit the Cheese
Museum, or for a more interactive experience, book
yourself onto a cheese-tasting evening.
One of my favourite parts of the city is the charming
Jordaan district, a vibrant hotspot for students and artists.
I love exploring the narrow alleys and scenic streets,
admiring the historic architecture and browsing the
speciality shops and chic boutiques.
I cant help but dream about living in this city I imagine
riding a bike every day through the peaceful streets,
whiling away the hours in the parks and trendy cafs,
gliding along the water on a colourful houseboat. If you
havent been to Amsterdam before and get the chance
then go, you wont regret it!

Completely rewrite the sentences to provide a more

vivid description. You may write more than one
sentence.
1 It was raining and windy.
2 The roast chicken looked good.
3 The band was very loud.
4 Her clothes were very colourful.
Look at this description of a journey in a horse and
cart from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle and check the meaning of any words
or phrases you dont understand. What details does
the author use to describe:
1 the lane?
2 the banks?
3 the general scene?
4 What is strange and memorable about the use of
the adjectives dripping (moss) and fleshy (fern)?
We curved upward through deep lanes worn by
centuries of wheels, high banks on either side,
heavy with dripping moss and eshy ferns.
Bronzing bracken and mottled bramble gleamed
in the light of the sinking sun.

Write a description of a place/town you know well

(200250 words).

Plan your writing

Think about the place you are going to and visualise it
in as much detail as possible. Decide what information
you are going to include in your description, and
in what order. Remember to provide a conclusion
outlining your own opinion of the place.
Check your writing
Does your description give the reader a good idea of
the place?
Have you used a wide range of vocabulary, especially
adjectives?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 4

3 A Find one example of parallelism in the

first paragraph and one in the third.

a problem-solution essay

WRITING TIP
In a problem-solution essay, you need to state the problem, analyse
the causes of the problem and suggest a solution.

Read the essay and match the underlined expressions to

uses (15).
1 Describing consequences of the problem
2 Concluding
3 Describing causes of the problem
4 Suggesting solutions
5 Introducing the problem
Match the expressions below to uses (15).
The purpose/aim of this essay was to
(This) illustrates one of todays most important issues
This has led to/resulted in/brought about
In conclusion, This is largely due to

What can we do about the number of people in prison in the UK?

The number of people in the UK who are in prison represents
a growing problem: the prison population has more than doubled
since 1993, going from 41,600 to more than 86,000. Whats more,
no country in Western Europe jails more of its people than England
and Wales. The current figure is 154 people per 100,000 in prison
in Germany the figure is 96, and in Sweden its 75. Why have the
numbers increased so much? And what can be done to reduce them?
The first reaction of many people to these figures is to conclude that
the prison population is rising because more crimes are being
committed and so more people are going to jail. However, this is not
necessarily the case. In fact, since 1995 the number of crimes being
committed in the UK has steadily fallen. Evidently, there must be other
factors which help to explain why the prison population has risen so
alarmingly.
One of the causes of the high level of the prison population is politics.
When a new government is elected, one issue that always comes up
is how they are going to tackle crime. The typical response is for the
government to promise that they will be tough on crime, press for
longer prison sentences, and urge judges to put more people behind
bars. One of the consequences of this is that judges are now sending
people to prison for less serious offences, when before they would
have given them a suspended sentence and ordered them to do
community service.
Another important factor to take into account is the influence of the
media. Following some high-profile cases in the early 90s, the medias
position on punishment became harsher. They started demanding
longer sentences and an end to community-based measures. One
should certainly not underestimate the power of the media in
influencing people, and this includes even judges.
To sum up, it is clear that if we want to reduce the prison population in
the UK, attitudes will need to change. One possible solution to the
problem would be for politicians to stop trying to win support by
promising to be tough on crime. In addition, the media must stop
whipping up public sentiment about this issue in a way that does not
reflect the underlying reality of the situation.

Choose the best option.

Parallelism helps a writer to
a) connect contrasting ideas.
b) connect similar ideas.
c) express a conclusion.
Choose the correct option to maintain the
parallelism.
1 His time in prison was hard, frightening
and fun/depressing.
2 We need to reduce prison sentences,
send fewer people to jail, and release
prisoners earlier for good behaviour/
have more drink-driving controls.
3 The judge looked up, asked a question,
and took notes/was very tall.
4 How oen do you drive too quickly: oen,
rarely or never/when youre in a hurry?
Look at these examples. Which
expressions of cause and effect are
followed by a clause and which by a noun?
1 Owing to unrest in prisons, more prison
guards are being employed.
2 He is a hardened criminal because he
has spent many years in prison.
3 More people are now in prison because
of a change in sentencing policy.
4 He was put on a witness protection
programme owing to the fact that he
was being threatened by the mafia.
5 Since the judge was very lenient, she
wasnt sent to prison.
Write a problem-solution essay on ONE of
these topics (300350 words).
1 How can we reduce the number of
people out of work?
2 How can we reduce the high levels of
pollution in big cities?

Plan your writing

Think about the content of your essay.
Remember to state the problem and explain
the causes. Give one or two possible solutions
and conclude by giving your opinion.
Check your writing
Have you clearly stated the problem, analysed
the causes and provided a conclusion?
Have you used parallelism at least once?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 5

3 A Read the rest of the story and put the events in

order.
a) They start digging.
b) The boy is tackled.
c) They discover the diamonds.
d) Mr. Davies disappears.
e) The boy feels something in the ground.
f) They stop playing.

a narrative
WRITING TIP
When you write a narrative, you need to make the story
come alive. You need to write memorable descriptions
of people and places. So its a good idea to use plenty of
adjectives and adverbs of manner.

B
Read the first paragraph of the narrative. What
purpose does it serve?

A strange case
It was a bitingly cold day in January. There was a hint of snow in
the air, and the sky was so dark that it seemed to be night-time.
We were all standing in the playing fields, wearing our sports
kit and feeling pretty miserable, when a shrill whistle sounded.
OK everyone, line up! shouted our sports master, Mr. Davies, a
well-built Welshman with a full head of ginger hair, who didnt
understand the meaning of the word cold. He briskly selected two
teams and we reluctantly started to play a game of rugby.
It had been raining a lot the previous few days, and the pitch had
turned into a field of mud. I could hear the squelch under my boots
every time I moved. Suddenly, someone passed me the ball, and I
just managed to hold on to it as my hands were almost frozen. I ran
a few yards but then I was tackled hard and I fell to the ground. I
was pushing on the muddy surface with my hands to try to get up,
when I felt something hard and metallic.
I went over to Mr. Davies and told him about it after all, someone
could cut their knee if they happened to fall there. He immediately
stopped the match and we all quickly went over to look at the
mysterious object. Jenkins, Peters and Sullivan, go to the gardeners
shed and get some shovels, said Mr. Davies. In the meantime, the
rest of you run around the pitch to keep warm, he added. As soon
as the shovels appeared, we started digging. It was easy work as the
ground was so soft after all the rain. After a short time, we pulled
out a large metallic case from the depths of the mud.
We opened the case, and at first all we could see were some old
clothes. We were a bit disappointed because we were expecting
something a bit more exciting. But the moment we lifted the
clothes up, we saw lots of diamonds that were shining brilliantly,
despite the dullness of the day. Then Mr. Davies said, Ill take care
of this, boys. Theres no need to tell anyone about it.
The next day Mr. Davies didnt come in to school. He had called in
to say that he was sick. Its now three weeks since we found the
case, and he still hasnt come back

Read the first paragraph again. Write down the

words the author uses to describe:
a) the weather.
b) the boys.
c) the sports master.
d) how the sports master chooses the two teams.
e) how the boys begin to play the game.

Read the story again and identify all the time phrases.
Answer the questions.
1 Does the story use direct or indirect speech? Why?
2 What tense is used to describe the main events?
3 Look at paragraph 2 and identify three other
tenses that are used. Why is each one used?
Underline the time phrase that does not fit in each
sentence.
1 As soon as/While/The moment he got back, he
phoned the police.
2 We were waiting to get into the cinema. Meanwhile/
In the meantime/Before, we talked about which
film we were going to see.
3 They have very good customer service. When
you ring them up, they reply subsequently/
immediately/instantly.
4 This city was originally/eventually/previously called
Madras, but now its called Chennai.
5 I ran out of water while walking in the mountains
last year. Ever since/Subsequently/Previously,
Ive always made sure to bring enough water when
I go hiking.
Write a short story (200250 words). It can be:
a) a love story.
b) a thriller.
c) a horror story.
d) a true story based on something that happened
to you.

Plan your writing

Think about the content of your story. Set the scene
and describe what happened and how you felt.
Check your writing
Read your story aloud. Is it interesting? If not, why
not? Is it easy to follow? Is it easy to follow? Is it clearly
structured? Is there too much/not enough detail?
Have you used a good range of adjectives and adverbs
to make the story come alive?
Have you used time phrases to make it easy to follow?
Does it have a clear beginning, middle and end?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 6

2 A Read the first paragraph of the report. What does

it do?

a report
B

WRITING TIP
When you write a report, clarity is essential. You should
organise your report into paragraphs, and clearly explain
the objective of the report at the beginning, and draw
conclusions at the end. You should use a formal style and
avoid contractions.

Look at the table and answer the questions.

1 What information does the table describe?
2 In which area is most money spent?
3 What are the expected big growth areas?
4 In which area was there negative growth in the
previous year?

Global expenditure on advertising: change from the

previous year and three-year forecast
2011

North America

Growth from
2014:
20112014
previous year projection projected
growth

165,104

2%

186,344

13%

Western Europe 108,688

2%

112,642

4%

Asia/Pacific

132,172

6%

157,155

19%

Central &
Eastern Europe

26,151

7%

31,089

19%

Latin America

35,344

10%

45,600

29%

Middle East &

North Africa

4,155

15%

4,412

6%

Rest of World

11,592

6%

14,812

28%

483,206

4%

552,054

14%

World

Source: ZenithOptimedia

Trends in Global Advertising Expenditure

This report will examine the trends in worldwide advertising
expenditure, both past and future. The table above contains
information about advertising expenditure in the major areas of the
globe. The figures for last year (2011) are included, together with an
indication of the growth that the figures represent with respect to
the previous year. In addition, a projection for the next three years
(until 2014) is also shown.
It is clear from the table the North America (USA and Canada) is
the major market, despite sluggish growth in the previous year.
Furthermore, this market is set to expand considerably in the years
to come, with a 13% increase projected by the year 2014.
Western Europe, however, does not present such a rosy picture.
Whilst it is still a major market (third behind North America and the
Asia / Pacific region), it grew by only 2% in the previous year, and
has the lowest projected growth for any market over the next three
years. This is partly due to the fact that it is a mature market, with
an already high level of advertising. The other major factor that
helps to explain the relative underperformance of this market is the
continued economic weakness and political uncertainty in the area.

Read the rest of the report and answer the

questions.
1 What areas do paragraphs 2 and 3 discuss?
2 Find two examples of the passive in the first
paragraph.
3 In general, why is the passive oen used in reports?
4 Find two linkers of contrast.
Choose the correct option according to the text.
1 Expenditure in the Middle East and North Africa
plummeted/rose sharply last year.
2 Expenditure in Central and Eastern Europe is
predicted to drop alarmingly/soar.
3 There was a drop/a surge in expenditure in Latin
America last year.
4 The rest of the world is a market that is going to
collapse/explode.
5 There is going to be a sharp/gradual increase in
demand in Europe.
6 Expenditure in Latin America is going to
rocket /decline.
Use the prompts to write sentences describing
social and technological trends.
1 number / people / living / the countryside /
China / drop / alarmingly
2 surge / use / mobile devices / many countries
3 importance / Spanish / international language /
grow / the last ten years
4 sharp increase / number / immigrants / the UK
5 number / people / access / Internet / rocket
6 use / vitamin supplements / Western Europe /
rise sharply
Complete the report in exercise 2 (150 words).

Plan your writing

Remember to organise the information into
paragraphs. Conclude by drawing all the information in
the report into a short summary.
Check your writing
Does your conclusion summarise the information in the
report?
Have you avoided contractions and used a formal style?
Have you included some linkers?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

As far as the Asia / Pacific region is concerned,

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 7

a leaflet
WRITING TIP

Its always party time at Sycamore Fells!

Every evening we have fabulous tribute
acts playing live music from the last
seven decades at the Cabaret Suite; and
DJs playing the latest in pop, dance and
urban music every night at Twirlers, our
on-site club. The dancing isnt just for
grown-ups either our kids disco is every
Wednesday and Saturday evening from
6 until 9p.m.

When you write a leaflet, it must be easy for the reader to see the main
points at a glance. To achieve, this you need to include:
a clear title in big letters, saying what the leaflet is about;
a slogan, summing up the message of the leaflet;
clear subheadings.

1 A Look at the leaflet quickly. Which features of a good leaflet does

it include?

Read the leaflet in detail and answer the questions.

1 Where is Sycamore Fells?
2 Where would you stay if you didnt want to spend a lot of money?
3 Is Sycamore Fells a good place to bring children? Why?
4 Is Chinese food available?

Take advantage of our summer offer:

25% off all tickets! Thats 5 off for adults
and 2.50 off for kids. The discount only
lasts until the end of August, so book
your tickets today!

Sycamore Fells Holiday Resort

Happy holiday of family fun
ABOUT SYCAMORE FELLS
Sycamore Fells Holiday Resort is nestled amongst the beautiful wooded slopes
of the Midlands County Forest. It is a wonderful place for adults and children
alike, especially those who love nature and the great outdoors.
Just because youre close to nature, it doesnt mean youre far from civilization:
Sycamore Fells has all the facilities of a small town, including a mini-supermarket,
a post office and a cash machine, not to mention the fantastic range of cafs
and restaurants.
ACCOMMODATION
No matter what your budget is, Sycamore Fells has the perfect accommodation
for you. For the more money-conscious, our Cosy Cabins offer all the basic
amenities, including an open-plan kitchen/living space and a good-sized family
bathroom. For those looking for a little more luxury, our Premier Cabins offer
more space, fully equipped kitchens, en suite bathrooms and their own private
hot tubs on their roof gardens!
THINGS TO DO
Whether youre a sports fanatic, a nature lover or just want to kick back, relax
and unwind, Sycamore Fells offers a huge range of activities to suit families,
groups, couples and individuals. Here is a small selection of whats on offer at
Sycamore Fells:
Huge indoor swimming complex, including water slides, swimming lanes
and a baby pool
Horse riding
White water rafting
Tennis
Cycling/mountain biking
Spa
Kids clubs
Nature walks
EATING AND DRINKING
Sycamore Fells has dining options to suit every taste and budget. Stock up your
kitchen from our mini-supermarket and cook for yourself; take the kids out for
pizza; go for a romantic, candle-lit dinner for two; or even order Thai food to
take away! At Sycamore Fells, youll never go hungry or be stuck for mealtime
inspiration.

Pearson Education Limited 2016

Read the additional information about

Sycamore Fells. Think of a suitable
subheading for each paragraph.

What type of holiday do you think

these slogans are describing?
Sun, sand and great food!
Get away from it all!
Discover the secrets of the ocean!
Visit the last virgin continent!
Ancient monuments and towering
mountains!
Write a promotional leaflet for a
holiday destination (250 words).

Plan your writing

Think about the content of your leaflet.
What does the destination have to
offer? Relaxation? Adventure? Nightlife?
Beautiful scenery?
Think of a title and slogan and then write
four or five short paragraphs about the
destination, with a subheading for each.
Check your writing
Is it clear to see at a glance the main
points of the leaflet?
Does it sound like an attractive
destination?
Have you checked your grammar and
spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 8

a personal memory
WRITING TIP
When you write about a memory, you should include rich detail
so that the reader feels that they are in the story or the place
with you. Use lots of description.

1
2

Read paragraph 1. What details does the author include to

describe the cottage, walls and roof? What three types of
floor are described?
Read paragraph 2 and answer the questions.
1 What details does the author include about:
a) the wind?
b) the outside world?
c) the roof?
2 Find three adverbs.
3 What is onomatopoeia? Find five examples.
4 What memorable simile does the author use?
Read paragraph 3. What words and phrases are used to
express the following ideas?
1 to appear with sudden force
2 very many
3 moved slowly and silently
4 move/travel around freely
5 everywhere/all over
We lived in an old dilapidated cottage deep in the
countryside. The thick walls were made of honey-coloured
stone, the roof of old grey slate. Dark red tiles lay across the
kitchen floor and the dining room boasted huge flagstones,
solid and freezing against our tiny bare feet. Upstairs were
two crooked bedrooms with creaking wooden floors and
small, dark windows.
In the winter, the outside world felt dark and threatening.
When it rained heavily the ancient roof leaked and we would
rush from room to room with pots and pans to catch the
water as it dripped and trickled from the ceiling. We would
huddle around the huge sooty fireplace, listening to the pop
and hiss of the fire, my brothers and sisters and I squeezed
tightly together for warmth and comfort against the dark
night. I can still remember the whistling of the wind through
the cracked windows, the tree branches creaking, their
shadows arching across the floor like long ghostly fingers.
The winter was long and hard and held us in its grip for
what, to our childs minds, felt like an eternity. But finally
signs of spring would appear, with bright daffodils bursting
forth and carpets of bluebells lining the woods. By summer
our world was transformed; red and white roses grew in
abundance around the cottage and climbing vines crept up
the walls. We would roam the countryside, exploring the
fields, woods and stream. We found the hedgerows littered
with berries, which wed cram into our small mouths, our
cheeks stained red with their dark sweet juice. Only at
dusk would we reluctantly start the journey home, already
impatient for the next days adventures to begin.

4
5

What qualities of a good description can

you identify from your answers to
questions 13?
Look at these verbs to describe different
ways of seeing. What does each one mean?
Use a dictionary if necessary.
1 He peered into the mist.
2 She glanced at the book.
3 They stared at me.
4 He examined the gold coins
5 We could just make out the town in the
distance
Write a description of something you
can clearly remember. Try to make your
description as vivid as possible.
(220250 words).

Plan your writing

Think about what you are going to describe.
A person? A place? A holiday?
Write down possible adjectives you can use to
describe your memory, and details that you can
include to make it more vivid for the reader.
Divide your description into three or four
paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a
clear focus.
Check your writing
In general terms, is your description vivid?
Have you included details that help the reader
to experience the memory?
Have you included strong verbs and adjectives
that describe exactly the sensation that you
want to communicate?
Have you included figurative language: at
least one example of onomatopoeia, simile or
metaphor?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED UNIT 9

a review
WRITING TIP
When you write a review of a book or a film, you should provide a
basic description of what it is about, without describing the plot
in a lot of detail. You should also say what you like and dont like
about it. Aer reading your review, the reader should have a good
idea of whether the book or film will be of interest to them.

1 A Read the review and choose the best option.

The reviewer
1 describes the plot in detail.
2 gives a basic idea of the plot.
3 gives no indication of what the film is about.
4 ruins the film because he describes the ending.
5 really likes the film.
6 really dislikes the film.
7 thinks that the film has strong and weak points.
8 doesnt give an opinion about the film.

Is the review helpful? Why?/Why not?

Mentir Es Vivir

Film review

Mentir Es Vivir, or To Lie Is To Live in English, is a film based on

the novel by the 18th Century Spanish author, Ignacio
Gonzalez Hidalgo. It has an all-star cast, headed by Ronnie
deMotta, Sophia Jones and Eduardo Montoya.
The story begins with the arrival in Madrid of Alejandro
Velazquez, a young penniless actor who has spent the
previous six years performing in street theatre in Paris.
A chance meeting at a bull fight with another ex-street
performer propels Velazquez into the world of politics.
The film chronicles his gradual rise up the social and
economic ladder thanks to his friendships with various
powerful members of society, rather than his own merits as
a politician.
Although written well over 200 years ago, the story has a
distinctly modern feel to it, as it tells a tale of corruption
with characters who are driven purely by greed and ambition.
The best thing about the film is without doubt its wonderful
portrayal of life in Madrid at the end of the eighteenth
century. Sophia Jones also puts in a great performance as
Velazquezs power-hungry wife, pushing her husband to take
bigger and bigger risks to climb to the top of Spanish society.
However, everything hinges on deMottas performance; and
although he is by no means dreadful, he really does not have
the on-screen charisma or depth to carry the picture.
In conclusion, this is a wonderful story that has all the
ingredients for making a classic film. However, the final
product can only be described as disappointing, when
compared to the superlative raw material on which it is
based.

Find the words and phrases the reviewer

uses for:
1 a lot of well-known actors
2 poor, without money
3 describes/tells
4 greedy and ambitious
5 Sophia Jones acts very well
6 the quality of deMottas acting is vital
7 he isnt totally terrible
8 the very good book
Look at the words and expressions in bold.
What does each one mean? Use a dictionary
if necessary.
1 The film was riveting from start to finish.
2 Im sorry to say that I thought it was one
big yawn.
3 Its a fast-paced film and the tension never
lets up.
4 The book is a real page-turner.
5 The plot has so many twists and turns that
its extremely difficult to follow.
Write a review of a book, film or music
album (200250 words).

Plan your writing

Decide what you are going to write about.
Make notes on what the book /film/music album
is about.
Makes notes on its strong and weak points,
in your opinion.
Ensure the review has an introduction,
a paragraph outlining the basic plot/
characteristics, your opinion and a conclusion.
Check your writing
In general terms, does your review give the
reader a good general idea of the film/book/
music album?
Have you used a good range of vocabulary?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

10

WRITING EXTRA

ADVANCED UNIT 10

a for and against essay

One advantage is On the positive side,

On the other hand, The danger is
In contrast to this On the negative side,
What could be better than ?
The arguments against

WRITING TIP
When you write a for and against essay, you need to
describe both sides of the question in a balanced way.
You should offer your own opinion at the end in the
conclusion.

Read the essay and answer the questions.

1 What three arguments in favour of the Internet
does the author give?
2 What two arguments against the Internet does the
author give?
3 Does the author have a firm opinion, either in
favour or against?

Is the Internet a good thing?

No one would deny that our lives have been revolutionised by
the Internet. However, have they been changed for the better
or for the worse? This is not a black-and-white question, and
there are powerful arguments on both sides.
On the one hand, it seems obvious that the Internet has
improved our quality of life. One of the benefits of the Internet
is the unparalleled access to information that it gives us. With
three clicks of a mouse, you can learn about almost any subject
under the sun. Those in favour of the Internet also point out
that nowadays it is much easier to keep up-to-date with current
affairs thanks to the Web. For example, we can read three or
four newspapers online every day, as well as a huge range of
blogs. We also need to take communication into consideration.
Before the arrival of the Internet, making a long-distance phone
call was very expensive. Now, if you use a programme like
Skype, it costs you next to nothing.
While the Internet has many undoubted advantages, it is also
true to say that it presents serious challenges. Paradoxically,
one of the drawbacks of the Internet lies in the fact that it
contains so much information. This means that people can
become addicted to it, and spend all day going from one
website to another. Those against the Internet also mention the
problem of reliability. There is no quality control, so literally
anyone can post information about anything, even though they
havent got a clue what they are talking about. Imagine, for
example, that a member of your family has a serious condition,
and you go looking for information on the Internet about
alternative cures. How can you be sure that the people
providing these cures have any real medical knowledge and are
not just trying to earn a fast buck at your expense?
When all is said and done, the Internet is a fantastic tool.
Nevertheless, like all tools, it needs to be used in the right way.
Used incorrectly, it can create more problems than it solves.

2 A Look at the underlined expressions in the text.

Look at the phrases in the box. Do they express

contrast (C), pros (P) or cons (CN)?

Look at the sentences below. In which sentences

is the gerund used because it is the subject of the
sentence? And in which sentences is it used because
it comes aer a preposition or a conjunction?
1 The arguments against using the Internet
include
2 On the negative side, becoming addicted is a real
danger.
3 Those in favour of restricting the use of the
Internet argue that
4 One of the drawbacks of saving everything on
your computer is that
5 On the one hand, having a broadband connection
is essential.
6 What could be better than making free phone
calls?
Write a for and against essay on ONE of these
statements (350450 words).
1 Its best not to have children until you are at
least 30.
2 People should pay the cost of their medical
treatment.
3 Pupils should be able to leave school when they
are 14.

Plan your writing

Think about the content of your essay and make notes
about the pros and cons. Decide what you personally
think about the issue.
Remember to include an introduction, a few paragraphs
on the pros and cons, and a conclusion outlining your
own opinion.
Check your writing
Is your essay balanced?
Have you avoided giving your own opinion until the
conclusion?
Have you used at least three of the expressions in
exercise 2?
Have you checked your grammar and spelling?
Did you find any mistakes?

Which ones express

1 a contrast?
2 pros?
3 cons?

Pearson Education Limited 2016

WRITING EXTRA
ADVANCED
ANSWER KEY

UNIT 3

1A

1B

Name: Tom Woodford

Age: 25
Where he lives now: Newcastle
Work: Works as part of a maintenance
team in a big office
Ambitions: Get a degree in business
studies and accountancy
Family: Wife and two young children
Who is he writing to?: His classmates,
other people doing an online course
1 Yes

1f

2 Yes

2b

3 Yes

3g

4 Yes

4d 5a

5 Yes

6 Yes

6e 7h 8c

4A

4B

Students own answers.

Students own composition.

UNIT 2

1C

1 illuminated 2 trendy 3 compact

4 scenic, peaceful 5 charming, vibrant
6 historic

3 False

4 False

1 what is more; in addition to this; likewise

2 however, nevertheless;
on the other hand
3 consequently
4 obviously

2B

additionally; furthermore
on the contrary
thus, for this reason; hence; so
in conclusion; evidently

1 However 2 Thus 3 In addition to this

4 On the contrary 5 Consequently
6 Thus

4B

a) whereas; although
c) having said that

b) despite

Students own composition.

4
5

1 noun 2 clause 3 noun

5 clause

4 clause

Students own composition.

UNIT 5

Suggested answers
1 The rain was beating down and gusts of
wind shook the trees.
2 The roast chicken was a golden-brown
colour and smelt deliciously of butter
and garlic.
3 My ears were throbbing as the band
belted out their pulsating songs.
4 She was wearing a green and purple
dress and smooth shiny silver tights.
1 deep; worn by centuries of wheels
2 high; heavy with dripping moss and
fleshy ferns
3 Bronzing bracken and mottled bramble
gleamed in the light of the sinking sun.
4 These adjectives are not normally used
to describe the words they modify in the
text. This makes them more memorable.

2A

1 depressing 2 release prisoners earlier for

good behaviour 3 took notes 4 never

to set the scene

a) bitingly cold; There was a hint of snow

in the air, and the sky was so dark that
it seemed to be night-time.
b) standing in the playing fields, wearing
our sports kit and feeling pretty
miserable
c) a well-built Welshman with a full head
of ginger hair, who didnt understand
the meaning of the word cold
d) briskly
e) reluctantly

3A

b), e), f), a), c), d)

3B

UNIT 4

the previous few days, every time,

suddenly, when, immediately, in the
meantime, as soon as, aer a short time,
at first, the moment, the next day, now,
three weeks since, still

Students own composition.

1 False 2 True
5 True 6 False

1
2
3
4

1B

Noun or gerund

b)

1 sweet syrup; fresh, salty and delicious

herring; tasty, tangy cheese
2 chugging barges

Informal

1A

its photogenic, an artists dream

UNIT 1

3B

1
2
3
4
5

One of the consequences of

To sum up
One of the causes of
One possible solution
represents a growing problem

The purpose/aim of this essay was to 2

(This) illustrates one of todays most
important issues 5
This has led to/resulted in/brought
about 1
In conclusion, 2
This is largely due to 3

3A

The current figure is 154 people per

100,000 in prison in Germany the figure
is 96, and in Sweden its 75.
The typical response is for the government
to promise that they will be tough on crime,
press for longer prison sentences, and urge
judges to put more people behind bars.
Pearson Education Limited 2016

1 Direct speech. It gives the story more

impact.
2 Past simple
3 It had been raining: past perfect
continuous. A continuous event in the
past before the events took place.
had turned: past perfect simple. A
single event in the past before the
events took place.
I was pushing: past continuous.
Provides the context for another action
that happens at the same time: when
I felt something.

1 While 2 Before 3 subsequently

4 eventually 5 Previously

Students own composition.

WRITING EXTRA
2

UNIT 6

UNIT 8

1
2
3
4
5

1 Global expenditure on advertising:

change from the previous year and
three-year forecast.
2 North America
3 Latin America and the rest of the world.
4 Middle East and North Africa

2A

introduces the report, a summary of

information from the table

2B

1 North America; Western Europe

2 are included; is shown
3 Because it is typical of a formal and
impersonal style.
4 in addition; furthermore

1 plummeted 2 soar 3 surge

4 explode 5 gradual 6 rocket

1 The number of people living in the

countryside in China has dropped
alarmingly.
2 There has been a surge in the use of
mobile devices in many countries.
3 The importance of Spanish as an
international language has grown in
the last ten years.
4 There has been a sharp increase in the
number of immigrants in the UK.
5 The number of people with access to
the Internet has rocketed.
6 The use of vitamin supplements in
Western Europe has risen sharply.

Students own composition.

UNIT 7

1A

a clear title and slogan, clear subheadings,

bullet points

1B

1 In the Midlands County Forest.

2 In a Cosy Cabin.
3 Yes, it is. There is a kids club, and lots of
activities for kids to do.
4 No.

Possible answers
Nightlife; Special offer

Students own answers.

Students own composition.

the cottage: dilapidated, deep in the

countryside
the walls: thick, made of honey-coloured
stone
the roof: made of old grey slate
Three types of floor described:
tiles (kitchen), flagstones (dining room),
wooden (bedrooms)
1 a) it whistled through the windows
b) it felt dark and threatening
c) it leaked when it rained heavily
2 heavily (paragraph 2), tightly
(paragraph 2), reluctantly (paragraph 3)
3 Onomatopoeia is the use of words
that sound like the thing that they
are describing. Examples: whistling,
creaking, squeezed, pop, hiss
4 the tree branches shadows arching
across the floor like long ghostly
fingers

1 bursting forth 2 in abundance

3 crept 4 roam 5 littered

Possible answers
Use a lot of detail, including lots of
adjectives.
Use onomatopoeia.
Describe what things are made of.
A detailed description is better than a
general one.
Describe what you can hear.
Use strong verbs to give a more precise
and vivid description.
Use memorable similes or images.

5
1
2
3
4
5

look with caution or with difficulty

look at quickly
look at fixedly
look at carefully
manage to distinguish

Students own composition.

UNIT 9

1A
2, 7

1B

Possible answer
Yes, it is helpful. It gives you a good
general idea of what the film is about,
while not describing everything that
happens. In addition, the reviewer
expresses his opinion in a clear and
reasoned way.
Pearson Education Limited 2016

an all-star cast
penniless
chronicles/tells a tale
driven purely by greed and ambition
Sophia Jones puts in a great
performance
6 everything hinges on deMottas
performance
7 he is by no means dreadful
8 the superlative raw material
Suggested answers
1 very interesting
2 very boring
3 with a plot that develops quickly
4 makes you want to read the next page/
addictive
5 complicated changes in the story

Students own composition.

UNIT10

Possible answers
1 access to information; keeping
up-to-date with current affairs;
communication
2 danger of addiction; reliability
3 Not really. He/She thinks that it all
depends on how we use the Internet.

2A

1 contrast: on the other hand; while it

is also true to say that
2 pros: one of the benefits of; those in
favour; we all need to take into
consideration
3 cons: one of the drawbacks of; those
against

2B

Contrast: In contrast to this

On the other hand,
Pros: One advantage is
On the positive side,
What could be better than ?
Cons: The danger is
The arguments against
On the negative side,

3
1
2
3
4
5
6

aer a preposition
subject of the sentence
aer a preposition
aer a preposition
subject of the sentence
aer a conjunction

Students own composition.