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Writing Paper: Part 2
Task type: Letter to an editor

Question
You are reading your favourite newspaper and you come across a letter which attacks the education system in your country (or a country that you know well).

 

...What a pity our school system is so out-of- date. I would suggest that some major educational reforms are needed in this new century!

Yours sincerely
Prof Collins

To give YOUR view contact the editor by writing to...

 

Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper giving your response to Prof. Collins' letter (220-260 words)



Answer

Click on the underlined words or phrases for comments. The numbers in brackets offer suggestions. General feedback appears below the essay.

Name: Augusto Yassuo Teoi

School: EPI-English Proficiency Institute

Dear Prof. Collins,

I am writing to express my agreement with the criticisms that you spread{1} in the news concerning our school system's hindrance. {2}

As you suitably mentioned, in the new century, named for {3} the researchers as the information era {4}, we'd better have our children well prepared to face the future job market, otherwise the globalized competitors will knock them down.{5}

Nevertheless, I have already realized that, as it is an ordinary concern in the population's opinion, drawing the politics' {6} attention to solve this problem might be an excellent short cut to raise funds to acquire some schools primary necessities.

Regarding the reforms that you've suggested, I would say that not only the schools are {7} poorly prepared but our teachers do not have the necessary tact to interact with the students. Maybe a recycling compulsory course{8} should {9} be a good way to take them out {10} from their desktop. It should probably cost less than renewing the hole team and indemnify all of them{11}.

I would be grateful if you could look into my suggestion. In case of further comments, I am available for a conversation.{12}

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully{13}

Augusto Yassuo Teoi


Feedback

Augusto, this is a good attempt at quite a difficult task. The layout of your letter and the opening and closing phrases are good. Your style of writing is very fluent, although on occasions your phraseology is a bit awkward (e.g. 'recyling compulsory course' and 'should' substituted for 'would').

The reader would have a basic understanding of your views but at approximately 190 words you have plenty of scope to develop your arguments further. The word limit in the exam is about 250 at CAE level so you should aim to get as close to the target as you can.

Good luck!

Best wishes
Fiona Joseph
1.10.01



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