Writing Practice Test 3
Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You have just received a credit card statement from your bank. The statement lists a
number of expensive purchases that you are sure you did not make. Write a letter to the bank manager. In the letter:
- Introduce yourself.
- Explain that you did not buy the items listed.
- Say what you would like the bank to do to fix the problem.
Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Answer
Native speaker model answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Danielle Waters. I have been a customer at your bank, Honest Savings and Loans,
for close to seven years. I am writing today because the recent credit card statement I have
received from you is completely incorrect.
According to the statement, I spent $500 on sporting equipment on August 2nd. This is
ridiculous, as I have no interest in sport and have never in my life purchased any sporting
goods. Moreover, the statement claims I bought this equipment in a shopping centre in
Sydney, but I was in Perth at the time. Clearly, someone has gained access to my credit card
details and used them to make expensive purchases in my name.
Please remove these false charges and any associated interest immediately. Unless you
do so, I will be forced to contact the Consumer Protection Bureau. I would also like a new
credit card sent out to me as soon as possible.
I thank you in advance for dealing with this matter promptly.
Yours faithfully,
Danielle Waters
(170 words)
Task 2
You should spend around 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:
Some people feel that paparazzi should not follow celebrities and invade their privacy by
taking pictures of them everywhere, while others believe this is just the price of fame.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answer, and include any
relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Answer
Real student answer and comments
This answer was written by a student from Russia:
Today the show business has reached an ineffable level compared to what was decades ago
and, consequently, the celebrity life has become an object of extreme interest which attracts
tactless and ubiquitous paparazzi to invade their privacy. Some could argue that celebrities
have to have rights on private life whereas others consider it is the price they agreed to pay
for being famous.
It is undisputable that people intruding on your territory, trying to take a picture of your
every movement could, to put it mildly, irritate. Apart from great annoyance, the feeling
of the constant chase could eventually lead to different sorts of mental disorders. As a
result, celebrities themselves and their families would suffer. From this point of views, it is
crucial to clarify to what extent could paparazzi should invade celebrities· privacy. Moreover,
this clarification must be written in laws so that photographers had an idea of probable
repercussions in case of violation of the laws.
However, famous people should not expect the Legislation to protect all parts of their
lives. The fame they have got requires them to give their fans something back. Making the
decision to become a star is considered as volunteer and this means that a wannabe celebrity
understands which consequences his or her popularity would have.
In conclusion, even though the attention to celebrities' lives is exacerbated by media
workers trying to pictures every its moment and going sometimes over the norms of civilized
behaviour, celebrities in their turn should understand that it is the price they agreed to pay
for being on the cover of tabloids.
(265 words)
COMMENTS
Task response: the task response is appropriate, and ideas are supported and developed
well. A clear position is presented. Length is appropriate.
Coherence and cohesion: paragraphing is achieved well, and ideas are logically arranged.
A wide range of linking words and devices have been used including whereas, as a result,
moreover and however. Grammatical links such as pronouns and articles are used
extremely well.
Lexical resource: the candidate has used a very wide range of vocabulary, including a number
of less common items such as ubiquitous, to put it mildly, repercussions and exacerbated. While
there are some problems with word form (undisputable), register (wannabe) and word choice
(an ineffable level). vocabulary is generally handled very well, with a good understanding of
collocation. Spelling is flawless.
Grammatical range and accuracy: the candidate has used a variety of complex structures
such as relative clauses, passives and noun clauses. Errors that occur in articles (the show
business). singular/plural (from this point of views) and word order (every its moment) do not
affect understanding. Punctuation is controlled well.
This candidate would be likely to receive a high score in the exam.
|
