65
U
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'university' topic
U
The book I mentioned in Monday's lesson (What are Universities for?) reminded me
of this question from Cambridge IELTS 7:
Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge
and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a
university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of
whether the course is useful to an employer.
What, in your opinion, should be the function of a university?
Here are some ideas:
•
It would probably be easiest to argue that universities should fulfil both roles
(providing vocational skills
and
knowledge for its own sake).
•
We could use examples to help us generate ideas: try to make a list of some
vocational degree courses (that provide training for a specific job), and a list of
courses that do not lead to a particular job.
•
Write one main paragraph explaining the benefits (to the student and to society in
general) of the two types of course.
U
IELTS Writing Task 2: 'prisons' topic
U
In today's lesson I'll try to explain what makes a good paragraph. We'll analyse a
paragraph that I wrote with some of my students.
Paragraph about the purpose of prisons:
On the one hand, criminals do need to be punished in some way. A person
who
U
commits a crime
U
must learn that
U
unlawful actions have consequences
U
. Prison
sentences punish
U
offenders
U
because they
U
lose their freedom
U
, and are separated from
family and friends. In this way, prison
U
acts as a deterrent
U
to make people think
carefully before
U
breaking the law
U
. Last year in the UK, many people were given
a
U
prison sentence
U
for
U
rioting
U
, and hopefully this punishment will
U
deter them from
similar behaviour
U
in future.
Analysis:
•
The paragraph contains 5 sentences, with a total of 85 words. This is the kind of
length I suggest aiming for.
•
The first sentence is short and simple. We often call this type of sentence a 'topic
sentence' because it introduces the topic of the paragraph.
•
Sentences 2, 3 and 4 develop the main idea in a logical, step-by-step way: crime has
consequences - loss of freedom is the punishment - this stops people from breaking
the law.
•
Sentence 5 contains a real example.
•
Remember that good vocabulary is the key to a high score. I've underlined the best
words and phrases in the paragraph.
Dostları ilə paylaş: