1. Match the informal phrases/ sentences (1-5) to the formal ones (a-e).

INFORMAL 1. I like this idea a lot. 2. I'm writing about... 3. I don't like what they've put forward at all. 4. I don't agree with the council's plan. 5. You can see that...

FORMAL a. I am writing in connection with ... b. I am totally in favour of this idea. c. I wish to express my disapproval of this proposal. d. Obviously, ... e. I strongly disagree with the plan proposed by the town council.

b. Now read the short extracts and replace the underlined phrases with formal ones from above.

I am writing with regard to a letter in your magazine about the town council's plans to build a new motorway in our area. I don't like what they've put forward at all.

You can see that it is a disastrous plan. First of all, we would lose all greenery in the area.

I'm writing about the government's plan to ban cars from the city centre. I like this idea a lot.

► Expressing opinions.

Ex 7.

a. Use the phrases in the box to make full sentences, as in the example.

Stating your Opinion
• In my opinion/ view, ...	• To my mind, ...
• I think/ believe/ am of the opinion that...	• My opinion/ feelings on the matter is/ are ...
• It seems/ appears to me (that)...	• It is my considered opinion that...
Agreeing	Disagreeing
• I (strongly) agree with ...	• I (strongly) disagree with ...
• I am in favour of...	• I am (totally) opposed to/ against...

1. ban cars/ city centre (agree)

I am strongly in favour of banning cars from the city centre.

2. town council/ introduce/ recycling scheme (agree)

3. close the zoo (disagree)

4. abolish school uniforms (disagree)

5. free public transport (agree)

b. Make sentences to match the viewpoints from above to the reasons/ examples below.

Justifying Opinion
• This would mean	• If..., the result would be ...
• By doing this, we	• The reason is that...
• In this way ...	• Then, ...

[ ] [ a ] students feel pressure to be fashionable

[ 1 ] [ b ] less pollution

[ ] [ c ] children not be able to learn about wildlife

[ ] [ d ] fewer cars on streets

[ ] [ e ] conserve valuable resources

1b This would mean that there would be less pollution.

► Understanding the Rubric 2

Ex 8.

Read the rubric, underline the key words and answer the questions.

Your class has had a discussion about the role of education in today's world. Now your teacher has asked you to write a composition giving your opinion on the following statement:

Earning money is more important than getting a good education.

1. What type of writing is it?

2. Who is the target reader?

3. What style of writing is appropriate? Why?

4. Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

5. In pairs, write two topic sentences to present your opinion.

6. In pairs, think of appropriate supporting sentences for the topic sentences you have written.

► Analysing a composition

Ex 9.

a. Read the two models and say which one is appropriate.

MODEL A.

Many people today believe that getting a well-paid job is essential, while finishing school or university is not. I strongly disagree with this view for a number of reasons.

First of all, education is the key to development. Doctors, scientists and teachers use their education to advance society. Without them, there would be no cures for diseases and no progress in technology.

What is more, a good education can help to achieve economic success. Businesses would not be successful without educated people to run them. Success and financial reward go hand in hand. As a result, highly trained people are often also better paid people.

Of course, there are people who argue that an education is not necessary in order to make lots of money. It is true that some highly paid jobs do not require a high level of education, but they are rare. What is more, a good education offers more rewards than just the ability to make money.

All in all, I believe that although money is important in life, it should not be given more emphasis than education. After all, with education comes knowledge and without this individuals and societies cannot advance.

MODEL B.

I don't agree with this opinion.

Earning money is important, that's true. I often work in the summer myself to make some extra money. Going to school is more important, though, I think. We can't do without a school diploma or university degree if we want to lead good lives. But you need lots of money too. Some people say that you can be rich without having a proper education. They believe that money opens doors for you and all you have to do is know the tricks. But you'd better not take them seriously. Besides, education ensures us that science progresses. It is essential for the development of a country in general.

In my opinion, nothing beats education. It is better to be clever and poor than rich and stupid.