WRITING A REPORT
INTRODUCING THE REPORT
The aim / purpose of this report is to examine / evaluate / describe / outline / assess ( the positive and negative features of two different forms of ….) ( the various options open to people …).
The following report describes / deals with / evaluates / outlines / presents / provides an account of (…).
This report aims to provide an overall view of the situation below.
It will also include / consider / suggest / recommend (…)
The report is based on a survey conducted among ( college students).
PRESENTING FACTS
Ø It is generally accepted that (…)
Ø The vast majority of (…)
Ø This is probably due to the fact that (…)
Ø While / although data is hard to come by, it is thought that …
PREDICTING THE FUTURE
The outlook for young people / jobs / the country is (far from) bright / optimistic / depressing (…)
The future looks bleak / remains uncertain / is promising (…)
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS
v One measure which may improve the situation would be to introduce (…)
v I would (strongly) recommend that the (company / college ) should (…)
v In the light of the results of the survey, I would (strongly) advise against (…)
v I feel it would be to our advantage if (…)
v It might be advisable to (…)
v It might be preferable to (…)
v I have no hesitation in recommending (…)
v I am of the opinion that (…) / It is my view that (…)
v It appears that (…)
v In conclusion / On balance / To sum up (…)
USEFUL SYNONYMS :
Various …… different
Available to …… open to
Problems …… difficulties
Faced …… encountered
Possible …. likely
Changes …. developments
Chosen …… selected
Thursday 28 August 2008
Wednesday 16 April 2008
Friday 21 March 2008
REVISING GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES
. You can find plenty of stuff here: verb tenses, phrasal verbs, vocabulary ...
Wednesday 19 March 2008
CAE ONLINE EXERCISES
. Some links with loads of interesting exercises to do during the Easter holidays. Enjoy!
Sunday 16 March 2008
Thursday 6 March 2008
OUR COMPOSITIONS: FORMAL LETTER, unit7.
FORMAL LETTER (PART 1)
Dear Mr Roberts,
I am writing on behalf of the members of Warden Park Health and Fitness Club to suggest some attractive alternatives to the changes that you proposed for the Club.
Firstly, I would like to point out that there are more pressing necessities than the installation of a second sauna. For instance, increasing the area for changing and showering. In fact, it is obvious that this aspect needs some improvement, as there is a distinct lack of space in the changing rooms.
In addition, I have to mention the serious lack of professional therapists. It would be a practical option to contract someone qualified. I would also like to suggest that there is no real need for the acquisition of extra exercise machines for the gym, as there is a serious lack of space.
Furthermore, we feel that purchasing a highly sophisticated and huge TV is entirely unnecessary.It is obvious that we could do without a new, wide screen TV and consider some essential improvements in kitchen appliances for the café. There are frequent complaints among members about the queues and slow service at peak times, so installing a second microwave would be a popular option.
Last but not least, I would like to mention the tremendous importance that these useful proposals have for the members of the Club. Therefore, I would be grateful if you would consider the possible solutions mentioned above.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
………………………………..
Member of the Warden Park Health and Fitness Club
_________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr Roberts,
I am writing on behalf of the members of Warden Park Health
and Fitness Club in response to your letter. I would like to make
some suggestions related to the changes you proposed for the
facilities.
Firstly, I feel that upgrading the changing rooms is a more pressing
need than having a second sauna installed. The changing
rooms are usually overcrowded after any group training finishes
and many members have made complaints about the obvious lack of
space.
Secondly, as for the new machines you would like to
include, there are two problems: lack of both space and necessity.
There is no real need for them as there is always something to do
when you enter the gym. As for the space, let me remind you of
the previous point. However, hiring some qualified therapists
for the treatment room would be an attractive option. The demand for
this type of services has increased enormously due to
globalisation.
Finally, despite the popularity of our snack bar, we find that a
single microwave is not enough. Too many people go there to chat
and stay and we are of the opinion that new kitchen appliances should
be installed, as there is a clear need for them.
Turning to the wide screen TV, I would like to remark that we
think it is an unnecessary expense: nobody goes to our snack bar to
Dear Mr Roberts,
I am writing on behalf of the members of Warden Park Health and Fitness Club to suggest some attractive alternatives to the changes that you proposed for the Club.
Firstly, I would like to point out that there are more pressing necessities than the installation of a second sauna. For instance, increasing the area for changing and showering. In fact, it is obvious that this aspect needs some improvement, as there is a distinct lack of space in the changing rooms.
In addition, I have to mention the serious lack of professional therapists. It would be a practical option to contract someone qualified. I would also like to suggest that there is no real need for the acquisition of extra exercise machines for the gym, as there is a serious lack of space.
Furthermore, we feel that purchasing a highly sophisticated and huge TV is entirely unnecessary.It is obvious that we could do without a new, wide screen TV and consider some essential improvements in kitchen appliances for the café. There are frequent complaints among members about the queues and slow service at peak times, so installing a second microwave would be a popular option.
Last but not least, I would like to mention the tremendous importance that these useful proposals have for the members of the Club. Therefore, I would be grateful if you would consider the possible solutions mentioned above.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
………………………………..
Member of the Warden Park Health and Fitness Club
_________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr Roberts,
I am writing on behalf of the members of Warden Park Health
and Fitness Club in response to your letter. I would like to make
some suggestions related to the changes you proposed for the
facilities.
Firstly, I feel that upgrading the changing rooms is a more pressing
need than having a second sauna installed. The changing
rooms are usually overcrowded after any group training finishes
and many members have made complaints about the obvious lack of
space.
Secondly, as for the new machines you would like to
include, there are two problems: lack of both space and necessity.
There is no real need for them as there is always something to do
when you enter the gym. As for the space, let me remind you of
the previous point. However, hiring some qualified therapists
for the treatment room would be an attractive option. The demand for
this type of services has increased enormously due to
globalisation.
Finally, despite the popularity of our snack bar, we find that a
single microwave is not enough. Too many people go there to chat
and stay and we are of the opinion that new kitchen appliances should
be installed, as there is a clear need for them.
Turning to the wide screen TV, I would like to remark that we
think it is an unnecessary expense: nobody goes to our snack bar to
Saturday 1 March 2008
EXAM PREPARATION: SOME GUIDELINES
- As you know, the exam will be next week. We´ll do the Listening (2 parts) and the Writing next Tuesday (March 4), the Reading and part of the Use of English next Thursday (March 6) and we´ll finish the exam the following Tuesday (March 11), so I can give you your report on Thursday, just before the Easter holidays.
- To pass the WRITING EXAM, you have to hand in two compositions: the formal letter (CAE Writing Part 1) in the Coursebook (Unit 7), plus the writing you´ll do in the exam.
- In the exam the WRITING TASK will be another FORMAL LETTER. Here are some guidelines to practise for it:
1. Study the FORMAL LETTERS: WORD BANK sheet. You have a copy,
and you can also find it on the blog.
2. Try to correct the composition (you have a copy) you did not have time to
go through in class. I´ll post my suggestions.
- As for the Use of English and the Reading, you have plenty of practice exercises (with answers included) on this blog: go to HELP WITH WRITING - flo-joe.co.uk, and ONLINE EXAM PRACTICE. Also, remember to study the verb patterns (reporting verbs) we did in class.
GOOD LUCK!
Wednesday 27 February 2008
WRITING PART 1 - FORMAL LETTER
. Click here if you want to have a look at the WRITING BANK for FORMAL LETTERS.
Tuesday 26 February 2008
CLASSWORK, FEBRUARY 19
. We revised the FORMAL / INFORMAL flashcards. I included a few more.
. We went through the MARK SCHEME again, and completed some gaps in a text (photocopy).
. We corrected the homework: everybody had done it! You had to assess a piece of writing basing your assessment on the mark scheme and assignating a specific band. (Remember: Content / Organisation and Cohesion / Accuracy / Range / Register / Target Reader)
. We did some phonetics.
. We went through the MARK SCHEME again, and completed some gaps in a text (photocopy).
. We corrected the homework: everybody had done it! You had to assess a piece of writing basing your assessment on the mark scheme and assignating a specific band. (Remember: Content / Organisation and Cohesion / Accuracy / Range / Register / Target Reader)
. We did some phonetics.
Tuesday 12 February 2008
Thursday 7 February 2008
CLASSWORK, Thursday 7th
. We used FLASHCARDS to revise the different verb structures used for reported speech: verb + ing, verb+ to..., verb+sb. to do sth., verb+ (that) sb. (should) do sth.
. We corrected the USE OF ENGLISH exercise in the workbook, p. 57 ("Hospital plasters wrong leg"). We obtained first-hand information about what it´s like to work in a hospital as a surgeon!!
.We revised the word building FLASHCARDS from units 1 and 7. 100 % right answers!! Great!!
. Homework for next Tuesday: activity book p. 56 (grammar) and p.58 (gapped text).
. Enjoy your weekend, but study really hard so you can COME TO CLASS ON TUESDAY!!!!
. We corrected the USE OF ENGLISH exercise in the workbook, p. 57 ("Hospital plasters wrong leg"). We obtained first-hand information about what it´s like to work in a hospital as a surgeon!!
.We revised the word building FLASHCARDS from units 1 and 7. 100 % right answers!! Great!!
. Homework for next Tuesday: activity book p. 56 (grammar) and p.58 (gapped text).
. Enjoy your weekend, but study really hard so you can COME TO CLASS ON TUESDAY!!!!
Tuesday 22 January 2008
CLASSWORK Tuesday 22nd January
1) We did the GRAMMAR WORK (Reported Speech) on p. 94 (the whole page).
. I suggested doing some hw. for Thursday.
. I suggested that they should do some tiny little bit of hw.
. I suggested they should use the page "Splendid Speaking" on the blog (where else?)
. I suggested they buy the book which is waiting for them in the bookshop (ha ha ha)
. I didn´t suggest them to do anything because THIS SENTENCE IS WRONG!
2) We revised the word building flashcards of UNIT 7. I was AMAZED, FLABBERGASTED, OVER THE MOON to find that they had learnt ALL OF THEM! Wow!
3) We learnt some more word building flashcards from UNIT 1.
4) We watched an episode from Friends: "Ross gets a fake tan". Hilarious! We laughed our heads off!
5) This time I didn´t give in: homework: Reported Speech, workbook pp. 55 and 56.
. I suggested doing some hw. for Thursday.
. I suggested that they should do some tiny little bit of hw.
. I suggested they should use the page "Splendid Speaking" on the blog (where else?)
. I suggested they buy the book which is waiting for them in the bookshop (ha ha ha)
. I didn´t suggest them to do anything because THIS SENTENCE IS WRONG!
2) We revised the word building flashcards of UNIT 7. I was AMAZED, FLABBERGASTED, OVER THE MOON to find that they had learnt ALL OF THEM! Wow!
3) We learnt some more word building flashcards from UNIT 1.
4) We watched an episode from Friends: "Ross gets a fake tan". Hilarious! We laughed our heads off!
5) This time I didn´t give in: homework: Reported Speech, workbook pp. 55 and 56.
Sunday 20 January 2008
CLASSWORK Thursday 17th January
. We revised the WORD FORMATION flashcards.
.Pilar started to feel a bit desperate when she saw that ONLY TWO STUDENTS had done the homework!! (The reading on p. 52/53 of the Workbook, plus the Vocabulary on pages 54/55).
. Pilar felt desolate when she was told that the students found it absolutely impossible to do any homework at all for the following Tuesday!!
. We read a text on "The London plague of 1665" which made us happy to be living in the 21st century.
.We did and corrected the reading and vocabulary mentioned above.
. We matched some proverbs using flashcards.
.The students left straight for home, ready to spend 4 whole days studying non-stop!
.Pilar started to feel a bit desperate when she saw that ONLY TWO STUDENTS had done the homework!! (The reading on p. 52/53 of the Workbook, plus the Vocabulary on pages 54/55).
. Pilar felt desolate when she was told that the students found it absolutely impossible to do any homework at all for the following Tuesday!!
. We read a text on "The London plague of 1665" which made us happy to be living in the 21st century.
.We did and corrected the reading and vocabulary mentioned above.
. We matched some proverbs using flashcards.
.The students left straight for home, ready to spend 4 whole days studying non-stop!
CLASSWORK Thursday 15th January
. We revised the flashcards about HEALTH.
. We did the Vocabulary exercises on pages 54/55 in the Workbook.
. We did the WORD FORMATION section on page 95 of the Student´s book. We used flashcards to learn the spelling.
. We had a photo taken as it was a day to remember : the 11 of us were in class! There was a full house!
. We went home feeling tired but happy.
. We did the Vocabulary exercises on pages 54/55 in the Workbook.
. We did the WORD FORMATION section on page 95 of the Student´s book. We used flashcards to learn the spelling.
. We had a photo taken as it was a day to remember : the 11 of us were in class! There was a full house!
. We went home feeling tired but happy.
Tuesday 15 January 2008
EXAM TASK, XMAS TERM: CHARACTER REFERENCE
To whom it may concern:
Alice Watson
Alice and I have been working for five years for a local humanitarian help organization, and she has also helped in Africa with an organization named “Help in Action”.
During the time we have worked together, she has proved herself to be a patient person, rarely losing her temper even when she is under strain.She is never daunted when things go wrong, remaining self-possessed. She is a friendly and polite young person, who is always at hand to help.
When dealing with customers, her polite and tactful manner is vital, she is so friendly that it is a pleasure to work with her.
I have to say that she is not a very punctual person, but she is rarely absent from work. She also has a tendency to worry over detail; however, this is because she wants things to be done perfectly.
It is undeniable that Alice has a talent for foreign languages, and she is fluent in English, French and Spanish. She is also doing a course in German and Chinese. Despite being such an intelligent person, she keeps a low profile.
Naturally, she has outstanding communication skills; what is more, the experience she has in working with different charity organizations in her free time is one of her greater strengths.
For all these reasons, I strongly believe that Alice would have much to contribute to your company and therefore I have no hesitation in supporting her application.
Alice Watson
Alice and I have been working for five years for a local humanitarian help organization, and she has also helped in Africa with an organization named “Help in Action”.
During the time we have worked together, she has proved herself to be a patient person, rarely losing her temper even when she is under strain.She is never daunted when things go wrong, remaining self-possessed. She is a friendly and polite young person, who is always at hand to help.
When dealing with customers, her polite and tactful manner is vital, she is so friendly that it is a pleasure to work with her.
I have to say that she is not a very punctual person, but she is rarely absent from work. She also has a tendency to worry over detail; however, this is because she wants things to be done perfectly.
It is undeniable that Alice has a talent for foreign languages, and she is fluent in English, French and Spanish. She is also doing a course in German and Chinese. Despite being such an intelligent person, she keeps a low profile.
Naturally, she has outstanding communication skills; what is more, the experience she has in working with different charity organizations in her free time is one of her greater strengths.
For all these reasons, I strongly believe that Alice would have much to contribute to your company and therefore I have no hesitation in supporting her application.
Monday 14 January 2008
Saturday 12 January 2008
CLASSWORK Thursday 10th January
1) We read each other´s compositions, and everybody had to guess who´d written what.
2) LISTENING: coursebook p. 93. It´s about the use of botox.I posted an article about it on the blog ("Botox:not my cup of tea"). I´ll try to upload the audio so that you can listen to it (but you´ll have to wait till next Monday).
3) VOCABULARY: HEALTH. We revised the flashcards.
2) LISTENING: coursebook p. 93. It´s about the use of botox.I posted an article about it on the blog ("Botox:not my cup of tea"). I´ll try to upload the audio so that you can listen to it (but you´ll have to wait till next Monday).
3) VOCABULARY: HEALTH. We revised the flashcards.
CLASSWORK Tuesday 8th January
1) WRITING: we wrote a short paragraph about the best and worst moments of the Xmas holidays. They are posted on the blog ("Improving our speaking skills by leaps and bounds"). We talked about the importance of using plenty of adjectives to improve the quality of our writing and, at the same time, trying to minimize the use of words such as "good", "very", "a lot", "nice".A Collocations dictionary is essential here.
2) VOCABULARY: multiple choice.(Photocopy)
3) FLASHCARDS: HEALTH. I presented them on the feltboard. I did some mimic and the class had to guess which word I meant. I´ll give everybody the photocopy next Tuesday.
2) VOCABULARY: multiple choice.(Photocopy)
3) FLASHCARDS: HEALTH. I presented them on the feltboard. I did some mimic and the class had to guess which word I meant. I´ll give everybody the photocopy next Tuesday.
Thursday 10 January 2008
IMPROVING OUR WRITING SKILLS BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS!
CHRISTMAS IS OVER! WELCOME BACK TO REALITY…
Tuesday, 8th January 2008
My Christmas has been very boring because I only had five days off and I spent three of them at home because of a very inconvenient cold.
My son´s marks were so bad that I had to study with him. Fortunately, I was able to remember my math knowledge, I mean square or cube roots, quadratic equations and things like that.
Despite this, the fact of focusing my attention on other things quite different from my current work has given me a breath of fresh air.
However, I would prefer to forget my daily problems doing anything more interesting.
Christmas has been wonderful! I had a fantastic time. It is difficult for me to choose the best moment. Of course, I had many presents and opening them was fascinating; as was giving my parents and my sister the presents I had bought for them. But maybe the most amazing thing about Christmas was New Year´s Eve. After having eaten the 12 grapes in family I went out with my friends and had a fantastic time! As for the worst moment, it was after all the celebrations had finished and I realized how much homework I had!
The best moments of these holidays have been those I have spent with my friends. Christmas Day or New Year´s Day were fantastic, I had a delicious lunch with my family, and we had presents too. But being able to go out at night with my friends was just better. I had the opportunity to go to different pubs and meet people I hadn´t seen for ages. I had a whale of a time on New Year´s Eve.
However, despite the good moments, there were some which weren´t so nice. I hated it when I had to do my homework or study. Those moments didn´t seem to be holidays. But, without doubt, the worst moment was the night of the last day, when I realised everything had finished!
When it comes to checking out what we have done these last holidays, I realise that I am not able to choose the best thing. It´s really hard to choose just one moment. On the one hand, Christmas holidays are special for most people, not only because of the free time or the gifts. I´m talking about the family and all those people who you can´t see during the year.
On the other hand, I also have to mention the best and last party of the year. It was fantastic!
However, as everything, holidays also have their bad things. I am completely convinced of what has been the worst thing of these days: studying for the next exams! They are so close, just two weeks left. That´s why I haven´t been able to make the most of Christmas days, because I didn´t have so much free time as I would have liked to.
One of the best moments of my holidays was when all my nephews, my 3-year-old niece and my son stood in line before unwrapping all the presents brought from far away by the Three Wise Men. It´s a really exciting moment, and it makes me go back to my childhood and the feeling of thrill and expectation I had the night before, when I could hardly go to sleep.
What I don´t like about this time of year is having to rush to the shops, which are always packed with late shoppers like me, to buy the latest game which is usually out of stock. I hate the crowds, and I feel silly for not having bought the presents earlier. Procrastinating is no good thing, you know …
Tuesday, 8th January 2008
My Christmas has been very boring because I only had five days off and I spent three of them at home because of a very inconvenient cold.
My son´s marks were so bad that I had to study with him. Fortunately, I was able to remember my math knowledge, I mean square or cube roots, quadratic equations and things like that.
Despite this, the fact of focusing my attention on other things quite different from my current work has given me a breath of fresh air.
However, I would prefer to forget my daily problems doing anything more interesting.
Christmas has been wonderful! I had a fantastic time. It is difficult for me to choose the best moment. Of course, I had many presents and opening them was fascinating; as was giving my parents and my sister the presents I had bought for them. But maybe the most amazing thing about Christmas was New Year´s Eve. After having eaten the 12 grapes in family I went out with my friends and had a fantastic time! As for the worst moment, it was after all the celebrations had finished and I realized how much homework I had!
The best moments of these holidays have been those I have spent with my friends. Christmas Day or New Year´s Day were fantastic, I had a delicious lunch with my family, and we had presents too. But being able to go out at night with my friends was just better. I had the opportunity to go to different pubs and meet people I hadn´t seen for ages. I had a whale of a time on New Year´s Eve.
However, despite the good moments, there were some which weren´t so nice. I hated it when I had to do my homework or study. Those moments didn´t seem to be holidays. But, without doubt, the worst moment was the night of the last day, when I realised everything had finished!
When it comes to checking out what we have done these last holidays, I realise that I am not able to choose the best thing. It´s really hard to choose just one moment. On the one hand, Christmas holidays are special for most people, not only because of the free time or the gifts. I´m talking about the family and all those people who you can´t see during the year.
On the other hand, I also have to mention the best and last party of the year. It was fantastic!
However, as everything, holidays also have their bad things. I am completely convinced of what has been the worst thing of these days: studying for the next exams! They are so close, just two weeks left. That´s why I haven´t been able to make the most of Christmas days, because I didn´t have so much free time as I would have liked to.
One of the best moments of my holidays was when all my nephews, my 3-year-old niece and my son stood in line before unwrapping all the presents brought from far away by the Three Wise Men. It´s a really exciting moment, and it makes me go back to my childhood and the feeling of thrill and expectation I had the night before, when I could hardly go to sleep.
What I don´t like about this time of year is having to rush to the shops, which are always packed with late shoppers like me, to buy the latest game which is usually out of stock. I hate the crowds, and I feel silly for not having bought the presents earlier. Procrastinating is no good thing, you know …
Sunday 6 January 2008
Friday 4 January 2008
The 10 top songs of 2007 according to TIME magazine
The 10 Best Songs
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 By JOSH TYRANGIEL
Rehab, Amy Winehouse
1234, Feist
Umbrella, Rihanna
All My Friends, LCD Soundsystem
Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Radiohead
I Get Money, 50 Cent
Hey There Delilah, Plain White T's
Me Llaman Calle, Manu Chao
Potential Breakup Song, Aly & AJ
Baby Fratelli, The Fratellis
To hear all 10 singles, go to time.com/toptens
Do you agree with this list? Which is your favourite one?
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 By JOSH TYRANGIEL
Rehab, Amy Winehouse
1234, Feist
Umbrella, Rihanna
All My Friends, LCD Soundsystem
Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Radiohead
I Get Money, 50 Cent
Hey There Delilah, Plain White T's
Me Llaman Calle, Manu Chao
Potential Breakup Song, Aly & AJ
Baby Fratelli, The Fratellis
To hear all 10 singles, go to time.com/toptens
Do you agree with this list? Which is your favourite one?
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