Aims: w ords describing fam ilies and relationships • m odal verbs • Structuring paragraphs and essays • Structuring a Task 2 opinion essay Part 1: Language development Howard Susan

What is wrong with the other two?
Paragraph A: Children should learn rules from their parents. Teachers alone cannot teach a child 
rules. If a child doesn't have a strict home life, they could ignore the rules of the school and behave 
badly. Parents should teach a child rules from an early age so that when they reach school age 
they are more likely to behave and make friends with the other children at school.
Paragraph B: Children will be really terrible if they have terrible parents. For example, 
some children in my school misbehave and their parents don't care. Although the teacher 
complains to the parents, the parents don't do anything about it. It is better for children if 
their parents teach them rules from an early age. Then the child will behave better. Rules 
must be taught by parents and teachers.
Paragraph C: Rules are important things which must be taught by parents and teachers. 
Rules need to be taught by parents first because this will help when the child gets into 
school. If a child has no rules, he will misbehave. Also, beliefs need to be taught by parents.
A child needs to learn their belief in things like religion from their parents. Parents should 
also teach a child some social skills, but a teacher should teach them school subjects.
1. Main idea: 
the family is important.
2. Supporting idea which explains / adds to main 
idea: people 
learn how to get on with others
and how to behave in a family
3. Supporting idea: 
the family gives love and
support.
Circled words = use of cautious language
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Get Ready for IELTS: Writing

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Unit 4
Exam information I Paragraphs
An essay should be made up of separate paragraphs and the points within each 
paragraph should follow a logical order: firstly a main idea, followed by supporting 
ideas which explain or add to the main idea.