Practice

1. PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press 2015
Writing practice Unit 2
An opinion essay
1 Organise paragraphs A–D under the headings 1–4.
A In conclusion, I believe that while plastic bags are very useful, we should stop using them so that we cause less damage to the
environment.
B Plastic bags are a great invention. They are cheap and easy to transport things. They are so useful you don’t even think about the
damage they cause to the environment or about how long it takes for them to decompose. However, they are everywhere. I believe
plastic bags should be banned all over the world.
C Secondly, plastic bags are made from petroleum, and this uses up one of our non-renewable sources of energy. The extraction of
petroleum also causes further damage to the environment.
D First of all, to my mind they cause long-term environmental problems and they can often be seen floating in the sea or blowing
through streets. They are also the cause of the deaths of many fish and animals.
1 introduction
2 main supporting point
3 final supporting point
4 conclusion
2 Correct the underlined mistakes in the sentences.
1 First all, travel leaves a huge carbon footprint.
2 In conclude, there is far too much packaging on products.
3 Second of all people think they can’t do anything to help.
4 In adition, I feel that we don’t recycle enough.
5 To mind, people should think about protecting the environment more.
Write!Write!
Step 1
Here are three exam questions. Choose one topic to write about. Before you start writing, look at Steps 2–5.
• ‘We need to act responsibly to protect the environment.’ Write an opinion essay.
• ‘We waste too much water in our homes.’ Do you agree?
• ‘Businesses do not do enough to reduce their carbon footprint.’ Write an opinion essay.
Step 2
Brainstorm your ideas on a piece of paper. Then extract your two main supporting ideas.
Step 3
Do you have another idea you could add to one of the supporting paragraphs?
Step 4
Which of the following expressions are you going to use?
Step 5
Write your composition. Don’t forget to check your work for grammar and spelling mistakes.
To my mind In my view I feel I (don’t) think First of all In conclusion I strongly believe