Cambridge English: Advanced

Writing Task (go to Checklist)

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Writing Paper Part 1. Task Type: Essay

Question
Your class has watched a documentary about the need for nations to fund space exploration. You have made the notes below:

Advantages of spending public money on space exploration: countries work together to further our understanding of the universe. we may discover raw materials. possible new living space for the world's growing population.

Some opinions expressed in the documentary: It's human nature to want to understand where we come from. we may discover raw materials. possible new living space for the world's growing population.

Write an essay discussing TWO of the advantages given for space exploration in your notes. You should explain which advantage is more important, giving reasons in support of your answer.

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary, but you should use your own words as far as possible. (around 220-260 words).

What you need to do to pass
Read our checklist first to understand what the examiner is looking for in a good answer.

Ideas for writing
Ask yourself the following questions to help you get started:

• What reasons can you give for how we would benefit from each of these two advantages?
  For example: 'planets may offer us a rich source of raw materials', 'we might gain a better understanding of how the universe started'.
• Which of the advantages you have chosen is most important and why?
  For example: 'discovering raw materials would help us deal with our own dwindling stocks on earth'.
• Do any of the three opinions expressed in the task mirror your own view? How could you express these in your own words?

Drafting and proofreading your work

You should look at your first draft of the task and decide:

• Have you responded to the arguments in the notes appropriately?
• Is the essay organised in a clear and logical way?
• Is the language accurate with a good range of structures?
• Is the style appropriate and consistent?
• Will the reader enjoy reading your essay?

If the answer is 'no' to any of these questions then you will need to do some more drafting!