PRACTICE: Writing 2 – Essay exam

Your class has been watching a panel discussion about how the problem of lack of housing in towns and cities can be solved. You have made the notes below.

How housing problems in cities and towns can be solved
– Renovate empty properties
– Extend the suburbs
– Build high-rise blocks

Some opinions expressed in the documentary
‘We shouldn’t use up any more countryside because we’ve lost enough green space over the years as it is.’
‘There’s no point building more new houses when there are so many empty places with no one in them.’
‘High-rise buildings are terrible places to live and people can feel really isolated in them.’

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the solutions in your notes. You should explain which solution is better, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has attended a panel discussion on how schools can help students develop skills important for their future lives. You have made the notes below.

Ways schools can help students develop important life skills
– Encourage more competitive sports
– Have off-site team-building days
– Introduce home-making and parenting classes

Some opinions expressed in the discussion
‘Too much competition can have a negative effect on some students.’
‘Team-building activities can be fun and kids learn thing without realising!’
‘Cooking and looking after children should really be taght by parents, not schools, din’t you think?’

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the solutions in your notes. You should explain which solution is better, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has watched a documentary about the difficulties of knowing the truth about historical events. You have made the notes below.

Why it is difficult to know the truth about historical events
– Evidence
– Popular culture
– Politics

Some opinions expressed in the documentary
‘One way is to look at official records – they can’t lie, can they?’
‘Stories get passed down to generations but who knows if they’re true or just exaggerated?’
‘Politicians can interpret history to their own advantage!’

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the solutions in your notes. You should explain which you think has the most influence on how historical events are described, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has watched an online discussion programme about the importance of honesty today. You have made the notes below.

The importance of honesty today
– To our friends and family
– To ourselves
– To those in authority

Some opinions expressed in the discussion
‘It’s impossible to be honest to our friends all the time. It can be hurtfull’
‘It’s quite normal to pretend things to ourselves. But sometimes we need to be straight’
‘I’m pretty sure most people have lied at some time or another to authorities about minor matters but important things you should tell the truth’

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the solutions in your notes. You should discuss why you think honesty is or isn’t important, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has attended a panel discussion on how to make science more interesting for young people at school. You have made the notes below.

Ideas for making science more interesting for young people at school
– Organising visits to science shows and exhibitions
– Providing better training for science teachers
– Setting up local and national science competitions

Some opinions expressed in the discussion
‘Some science shows have fun experiments that the kids can get involved in.’
‘It’s not really the training; it’s the type of people who become science teachers.’
‘I think competitions might make the subject too serious, particularly if the students feel pressurised by the school.’

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the solutions in your notes. You should explain which idea you think would be most succesful, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has attended a panel discussion on what methods governments should use to discourage the use of private cars in the centre of the city. You have made the notes below.

Methods governments could use to discourage the use of private cars in the city cente
– Investment
– Education
– Taxes

Some opinions expressed in the discussion
‘Make businesses pay parking levies for their employees and they’ll move out of the city centre.’
‘Improve the public transport system, then people won’t need their cars.’
‘If people understood how much better pedestrianised city centres are, they wouldn’t want to bring their cars in.’

Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain which method you think is more important for governments to consider, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has attended a seminar on the benefits of training students to think positively. You have made the notes below.

The benefits of training students to think positively
– Reduces stress
– Improves productivity
– Increases creativity

Some opinions expressed during the seminar
‘The training is empowering. I feel I can achieve so much more.’
‘Having a positive outlook helps people to put their problems into perspective.’
‘It gives people the tools they need to find alternative solutions to their problems.’

Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the benefits in your notes. You should explain which benefit you think is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has attended a lecture on the action governments can take to make sure culture heritage is preserved for future generations. You have made the notes below.

Priorities for governments aiming to preserve cultural heritage
– Increase funding for museums
– Protect old buildings
– Teach the importance of cultural heritage in schools

Some opinions expressed in the discussion
‘Cultural heritage isn’t just about buildings – it’s about a way of life.’
‘It’s the responsibility of the older generation to pass on a cultural heritage to the next generation.’
‘Museums are the best places to keep shared memories of a community.’

Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the benefits in your notes. You should explain which priority you think is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write an essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.