Cambridge English: First

Writing Task (go to Checklist)

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Writing Paper Part 1. Task Type: Essay

Question
In your English class you have been doing a project on young people and their health in your country. Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

Research shows that young people today are not as healthy as they were twenty years ago. Why is this and can we do anything about it?

Notes Write about:

the degree to which young people are active the effect of diet on health ................ (your own idea)

Write your composition for the teacher. (around 140-190 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 evidence do you have that young people aren't as healthy? List some points to support the newspaper statement.
  e.g. young people are getting heavier; doing sport is less popular
• What reasons can you think of? Try to think of at least three.
  e.g. less time to exercise; too much junk food; use of machines to do everyday jobs; some sports are expensive
• What suggestions would you make to improve the situation? Make a list of at least two ideas.
  e.g. encourage people to do cheap forms of exercise and improve their diet

Decide how many paragraphs you are going to have (not more than three or four).

Drafting and proofreading your work

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

• Have you responded to the statement and the notes appropriately?
• Is the composition organised in a clear and logical way?
• Is the language accurate with a good range of structures?
• Will your teacher enjoy reading your essay?
• Is the style OK?

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