AN OPINION ESSAY (EXAMPLE AND WRITING)

Lee el siguiente artículo de opinión y luego escribe el que se te propone:

A.   Read the essay, ignoring the gaps. Match each paragraph to its purpose.

Paragraph 1      a) Give some facts to support your opinion.

Paragraph 2      b) Write a conclusion, restating your opinion.

Paragraph 3      c) Introduce the point, including your opinion.

Paragraph 4      d) Give some contrasting points of view and say why you don’t agree with them.

“Children under 16 shouldn’t be allowed to have mobile phones. They are a distraction from studies and an impediment to social interaction.” Discuss.

These days it is difficult to think of a world without mobile phones. Many people have more than one and some people spend half their lives on the phone. You also see more and more younger children with mobile phones. Some might find this a worrying trend but in my opinion (1) ______________ modern society’s obsession with technology. (2) _______________ there should be an age limit for owning a mobile phone, but I would put that limit at 8 or 9 years old, not 16. (3) ________________ whoever believes that teenagers shouldn’t have access to a mobile phone is out of touch with modern society.

Mobile phones are a necessary part of a teenager’s life. By using text messages and apps such as ‘Whatsapp’, modern teenagers build up social networks which are more enriching than hanging around on street corners. (4) ________________, mobile phones are a source of information. Most teenagers access the Internet via their mobile phones, and (5) ________________ distraction from studies they are actually a study aid. (6) ________________ owning a mobile phone is a form of security. Once upon a time parents didn’t know where the kids were if they hadn’t arrived home at the expected time. These days a quick phone call can put parents’ minds at rest.

There should be an age limit for mobile phones, in my opinion. Children under the age of 8 or 9 should not have unlimited access to a mobile phone, for security reasons. They are not old enough to know the risks involved in being part of social networks. (7) ________________ that this is also true for a 10 or 12 year old but I would reply to this argument by saying that we are now living in a world where technology is essential. It is normal for children to be in contact with technology at a young age. (8) ________________ mobile phones are an impediment to social interaction – that is not true. Teenagers have contact with huge groups of friends via their mobile phones. (9) ________________, they are an aid to social interaction.

(10) ________________, I would say that I am in complete disagreement with the idea that mobile phones should only be available to over 16s. It goes against modern trends in society, and is based on the misconception that mobile phones isolate teenagers from society. In the future, communication and information technology will be connected to almost everything we do, so it is futile to try and stop teenagers coming into contact with it.

B.   Use these phrases to fill in the gaps in the essay.

1. As for the idea that
2. far from being a
3. In conclusion
4. It can be argued that
5. it is no more than a consequence of
6. Many people would argue
7. Moreover
8. Not to mention the fact that
9. On the contrary
10. Personally, I think that

 C.   Write an opinion essay.

“Children shouldn’t be allowed to sit in their rooms surfing the net; it’s antisocial.” Discuss

Plan your essay. Make some notes for each of the four paragraphs. Use the model essay and the useful expressions from exercise B.

WRITING (AN FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY)

Lee el siguiente texto y escribe después un texto argumentativo:
 

A ‘for and against’ essay

1.- Read the essay ignoring the gaps. Does the author agree or disagree with the statement?

“A holiday should be a culturally enriching experience, not two weeks lying on the beach.” Discuss.

A holiday should be a culturally enriching experience, not two weeks lying on the beach. It should be an opportunity to have different cultural experiences, to travel to different places around the globe and learn about their history, art and traditions.

(1) __________ people believe that beach holidays are the best option when they have a few weeks off from work or study. (2) __________, the economy of many countries (including Spain) depends heavily on beach tourism. Lying on a beach for days on end is considered by many to be the best way to forget about the pressures of work. Beach holidays can be relatively cheap, too. You don’t have to pay admission into museums or theatres.

(3) __________ it is true that we need to relax when we are on holiday; it is also true that visiting museums, going to art galleries and travelling to see the wonders of the world are an equally good way to de-stress. (4) __________ is more, holidays with a more cultural focus enrich our lives and teach us how to be more tolerant to people from other cultures. Furthermore, while this kind of holiday is usually perceived as being more expensive, some beach holidays to exotic resorts can cost a fortune.

I believe that a cultural holiday is a far better option than a beach holiday. I have learnt far more from visiting museums and monuments around the world than from lying in the sun. I can relax at home and sunbathe in my garden so when I have a few weeks off I would prefer to broaden my mind and have new experiences.

(5) __________ the one hand beach holidays are a good way to relax and can usually be quite cheap. They are also an important part of our economy. Cultural holidays, on the other hand, sometimes cost more but the experiences you have are worth the extra money you spend. I think that this kind of holiday is a much better option.

2º BACHILLERATO (READINGS)

Aquí tenéis una lectura muy interesantes para seguir practicando:

READING

Graphene – the material of the future

One of the most amazing scientific developments of recent years is the invention of a new material called graphene. It was invented by a team of scientists at the University of Manchester in the UK. It is an incredible material with amazing properties and many potential applications. Experts agree that this new material will revolutionise the world of technology in the next few decades.

Graphene is made of carbon, which is one of the most abundant elements in the universe. Carbon comes in many forms – diamonds are made of carbon, and so is coal; the lead in your pencil is made of a kind of carbon called graphite. Graphene is the thinnest material known to man – it is only one atom thick. You would need to pile up 25,000 sheets of it to make a pile as thick as one sheet of paper. In fact, it is so thin that you can’t even see it.

Apart from being invisible and incredibly thin, it is also the strongest material in the world – around 300 times stronger than steel. And, despite its strength, it is completely flexible. It also conducts electricity efficiently.

All of these properties add up to make it the super material of the future. It will be used to make mobile phones slimmer and smarter and to make computers smaller and more powerful. Graphene will be used to make ‘smart’ windows – windows that can change from transparent to opaque. It will be used to make super strong plastics which will replace metals in the manufacture of cars and planes. In the not too distant future we’ll see ‘rollable e-paper’ – flexible screens you can read and then roll up and put in your pocket.

The problem is that, at present, not only is grapheme the thinnest, strongest and most adaptable material in the world, it is also by far the most expensive. At the moment the costs of producing graphene make it economically unviable. But there is huge investment by both governments and private companies in the new grapheme technology, and it won’t be long before we see it in products all around us.

A.   Decide whether these statements are true or false.

1. Graphene hasn’t been invented yet. _____
2. There are only limited uses for graphene. _____
3. There is a lot of carbon in the world. _____
4. One sheet of graphene is the same thickness as one sheet of paper. _____
5. Graphene is a stronger than other metals. _____
6. Graphene is not a good conductor of electricity. _____
7. They will use graphene in car factories one day. _____
8. We won’t have products made from graphene in the near future. _____

 B.   Complete the table with words from the article.

Adjective	Adverb
complete
	scientifically
efficient
	recently
economical
	incredibly
	potentially
	amazingly

 

 

2º BACHILLERATO (GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY REVISION)

Aquí tenéis un montón de ejercicios para repasar el vocabulario y la gramática:
 

2º  BACHILLERATO (REVISION)

VOCABULARY

Phrasal verbs TRAVEL

A.   Complete the sentences using the words in the box.

in   up   back   down   out   after   off x 2

1. We hired a car when we arrived at the airport but it broke _____ on the way to the hotel.
2. My mum always feels nervous just as the plane is taking _____ and landing.
3. I set _____ at six o’clock so that I would arrive at the hostel before the other travellers.
4. Phone me from the airport after you’ve checked _____.
5. I hate sleeping in a tent because I can’t put _____ with the mosquitoes and other insects.
6. The taxi had to turn _____ when it reached the mountain road because a tree had fallen and was blocking the way.
7. Would you mind looking _____ my cat while I’m on holiday next week?
8. We are planning to travel for six months but if we run _____ of money, we’ll be back sooner!

Words often confused

B.   Circle the correct words in each sentence.

1. Last year we went on an amazing travel / trip around Europe.
2. We visited about twenty antique / ancient churches along the route.
3. They are staying at a campsite / camping in the Pyrenees.
4. This is the most relaxing / relaxed holiday I’ve had in years!
5. I love getting sunburnt / suntanned, don’t you?
6. Those people are foreigners / strangers I think – they are speaking a strange language.
7. I’m sure Jack and Mary will pass / spend a lovely time in Las Vegas.
8. You can buy some recollections / souvenirs in the gift shop at the hotel.

GRAMMAR

Gerunds and Infinitives (+ infinitive without to)

A.   Circle the correct words in each sentence.

1. Travelling around Africa makes you to think / think / thinking about the comfortable life we lead at home.
2. We decided to look / look / looking for a different kind of holiday.
3. They enjoy visiting / to visit / visit museums and churches.
4. I really think you should taking / to take / take a trip up to the mountain top; it’s a fantastic view.
5. We’re fed up of go / going / to go to the same place every year; we want a change this year.
6. Let’s to get / get / getting some brochures from the travel agency.
7. Eating / Eat / To eat exotic gourmet food is one of my favourite things to do on holiday.
8. It’s quite difficult understand / to understand / understanding the local dialect; you have to use sign language.

B.   Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

1. I try to avoid ________ to places where there are lots of tourists. (go)
2. We can’t afford ______ a holiday abroad this year so we’re going to a campsite near the local beach. (have)
3. Hello, pleased ______ you. (meet)
4. I’m going to the bank ______ some traveller’s cheques for our holiday in India. (order)
5. I’m not very good at ______ people when I’m travelling around. (meet)
6. Can you ______ to China overland? (get)
7. The hotel owner let us ______ our suitcases in the hotel for this morning. (leave)
8. ______ alone is not easy – you have to like your own company. (travel)

C.   Complete the sentences using the words in the box. Use the gerund or the infinitive.

save   see   have   talk   go   send   get   write

1. Don’t forget __________ a new passport before you go!
2. I’ll never forget __________ the Twin Towers in New York before the terrorist attack.
3. Did you remember __________ the postcards?
4. I remember __________ them but I’m not sure if I sent them.
5. We stopped at a service station on the motorway __________ lunch.
6. Everyone stopped __________ when the film started.
7. We didn’t mean __________ to Birmingham; we caught the wrong bus!
8. For many families, a summer holiday means __________ up all year round.

D.   Complete the second sentences using the word in bold.

1.   The customs official wouldn’t let us enter the country. (refused)

The customs official _________________________________________

2.   Jane said she would book the hotel and the ferry. (agreed)

Jane _____________________________________________________

3.   Do you want to go to Italy this year? (fancy)

Do you ___________________________________________________

4.   I don’t really want to go abroad this summer. (feel)

I don’t____________________________________________________

5.   I really hate spending time on the beach. (stand)

I can’t ____________________________________________________

6.   He said he would be careful with his money. (promised)

He ______________________________________________________

7.   I haven’t got enough money to go to Paris. (afford)

I ________________________________________________________

8.   The landowner allowed us to fish in the river. (let)

The landowner _____________________________________________

Grammar review (modal verbs, reported speech, the passive, conditionals)

A.   Choose the correct option: A, B or C.

1. I think you _____ book a hotel before you go.

1. must
2. should
3. ought

2. Everyone _____ off the bus and show their passports when we arrived at the border.

1. must get
2. must have got
3. had to get

3. We _____ for any of the meals in the hotel – everything was included.

1. didn’t have to pay
2. mustn’t pay
3. mustn’t have paid

4. There’s nobody waiting for the bus – I think we _____ it!

1. must have missed
2. must miss
3. have must miss

5. I’m not quite sure where we are – we _____ anywhere!

1. can be
2. could be
3. must be

6. You _____ a ticket before you got on the train.

1. should buy
2. should bought
3. should have bought

7. You _____ smoke on the bus – it’s strictly forbidden!

1. can’t
2. don’t have to
3. haven’t to

8. You _____ Bill in the supermarket today; he’s on holiday in China!

1. can’t see
2. couldn’t see
3. can’t have seen

B.   Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets. Use the correct tense.

1.   If we catch the 9 o’clock train, we __________ in Paris in time for lunch. (arrive)

2.   What will he do if he __________ the bus? (miss)

3.   If I __________ enough money, I’d gone on holiday tomorrow. (have)

4.   Where would you go if you ___________ go anywhere in the world? (can)

5.   If I were rich, I __________ all my time travelling around the world. (spend)

6.   What _____ you ____ if you found someone’s passport? (do)

7.   If I’d known you were coming to visit, I __________ a meal for us! (cook)

8.   We __________ at the station on time if we’d come by taxi. (arrive)

C.   Correct the mistakes in these sentences.

1. He told to me that he was going to travel around the world.
2. She said that she will meet us in the park the following day.
3. They asked him where was the beach.
4. I asked him was he on holiday.
5. The lawyer advised us that we complain about the hotel.
6. The guide told us to not go outside the city centre.
7. Do you know weather or not the shops are open this afternoon?
8. I asked him how long had he been travelling.

D.   Complete the second sentence. Use the passive form.

1.   Someone is going to fix my camper van.

I’m ______________________________________________________

2.   The government has passed a new law to promote rural tourism.

A new law ________________________________________________

3.   They are building a huge holiday centre near the beach.

A huge holiday centre _______________________________________

4.   They have opened a new airport near the city.

A new airport ______________________________________________

5.   A consortium of businessmen bought the ski resort last year.

The ski resort______________________________________________

6.   They will probably open a new hotel here.

A new hotel _______________________________________________

7.   They will have invented space travel for tourists by 2050.

Space travel for tourists  _____________________________________

8.   They can sell thousands of train tickets an hour using this new machine.

Thousands of train tickets an hour ______________________________

Relative clauses

A.   Complete the sentences. Choose the best option: A, B or C.

1. There’s a place in Switzerland _____ they found the Higgs Bosun particle.

A.   where

B.   which

C.   who

2. Graphene is a new material _____ was invented in Manchester.

1. what
2. where
3. which

3. Tesla was the man _____ discovered electricity, although many people think it was Thomas Edison.

1. who
2. which
3. what

4. I like inventions _____ humanity.

1. which they help
2. which help
3. who help

5. She’s the girl _____ father is a famous nuclear scientist.

1. who
2. whom
3. whose

6. Graphene, _____ was invented in Manchester, is the material of the future.

1. that
2. which
3. where

7. Stephen Hawkings, _____ is one of the world’s best-known physicists, is appearing on our programme to explain what happens around a black hole.

1. that
2. who
3. whom

8. Richard Dawkins, _____ books have sold millions, is an expert in the field.

1. who
2. who’s
3. whose

B.   Complete the sentences. Write who, which, where or whose.

1. This is the material ________ is going to change the future of construction.
2. Brian Cox is a famous physicist ________ used to be a famous musician.
3. This is the telescope ________ Galileo used to make his calculations about the movement of the planets.
4. He’s a scientist ________ I really admire.
5. This is the place ________ Copernicus was born.
6. Einstein, ________ theory of relativity is one of the greatest scientific achievements, wasn’t a brilliant student.
7. The new invention, ________ will revolutionise the communications industry, will be available next year.
8. The two scientists, ________ worked on the project for three years, have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.

C.   Which of the relative pronouns in exercise B can be replaced with that?

D.   In which of the following sentences can the relative pronoun be omitted? Write a ✓if it can be omitted or a X if it cannot be omitted.

1. This is a field of science which I find difficult to understand.
2. This is the scientist who discovered the new particle.
3. This is the new product that I was telling you about.
4. This is the product that will change the way we communicate with each other.
5. He’s the physicist whose books explain quantum physics in a simple way.
6. ‘Thumb generation’ is a phrase which is used to describe the children of today because of their skills with mobile phones.
7. Mr Jones, who says he has invented an amazing new gadget, is coming to see you tomorrow.
8. These days, mobile phones are an item that we just can’t do without.

Defining relative clauses

E.   Rewrite the two sentences as one sentence using the word in brackets.

Example: She’s the actress. She plays the lead role. (who)

She’s the actress who plays the lead role.

1. Brian Cox is a physicist. He appears on TV a lot. (who)
2. This is a book. It is about inventions of the future. (which)
3. That’s the school. Albert Einstein studied there. (where)
4. This is a product. It will sell millions. (that)

Non-defining relative clauses

F.    Rewrite the two sentences as one sentence using the word in brackets.

Example: This restaurant is very expensive. It is popular with tourists. (which)

This restaurant, which is popular with tourists, is very expensive.

1. My sister works as a nuclear scientist. She lives in Switzerland.
2. The product will be launched next spring. It was developed by Apple. (which)
3. Stephen Hawkins is tonight’s special guest. His new book is a best seller. (whose)
4. The laboratory is now a museum. Marie Curie discovered radiation there. (where)

Reported speech

A.   Circle the correct words in each sentence.

1. The scientist told / said journalists that he hoped to be able to reveal the new discovery that day.
2. They explained that the new product would be / will be in the shops before Christmas.
3. The inventor said that he worked / had worked on the project for ten years.
4. She asked us to have / that we have a look at the new product.
5. He asked me if I knew what graphene was / what was graphene.
6. I wonder what Einstein was doing / what was Einstein doing when he came up with his famous E = MC2.
7. The police told everyone to go / to everyone go home after the demonstration.
8. The company marketing department have suggested to change / changing the logo of the new product.

B.   Complete the second sentences with direct speech.

1. She asked me if I had seen the new product.

_________________________________________ she asked me.

2. We asked him what the material was made of.

_________________________________________ we asked him.

3. He asked us what we would be doing at this time next year.

_________________________________________ he asked us.

4. The journalist asked him how long he had been working on the new product.

_________________________________________ the journalist asked him.

5. They said they were going to visit the new factory the following day.

_________________________________________ they said.

6. The reporter said that they had launched the satellite into space from right there where she was standing.

_________________________________________ said the reporter.

7. He told us to have a look at the new product.

_________________________________________ he told us.

8. The technician asked us politely not to touch anything.

_________________________________________ the technician said politely.