TOPICS FOR REPORTS

 The warden of your local park wants to make the park more attractive and popular.
Write a report making some suggestions on how the appearance of the park and its facilities
can be improved.

 Your English teacher has asked you to write a report on where people can eat out
in your area. You should include the views of visitors and local people, comment on
any recent trends and dissatisfaction and make a recommendation.

 TASK

 Your college has been asked to accept a group of 50 students from another country
for two weeks. Your principal has asked you to write a report. What would be the
advantages and disadvantages of accepting this group? What would you
recommend?

 TASK

 You work for the Student Travel Agency of your college. The principal of the college
is interested in the experiences of students who have worked abroad during their
summer holidays. She has asked you to write a report on the advantages and
disadvantages of such work. In particular, she wants to know whether the college
should recommend "working holidays" to its students.

 You do an evening class at the local community centre. The director wants to make the
centre more popular with young people and has asked you to write a report making some
suggestions.

 The warden of the flats where you live at university wants to improve them in order to
make them safer and more pleasant to live in. He has asked different students to write a
report making their recommendations.

 you belong to an association that promotes sports among children, and you have
received money from a sponsor to either organise a bycicle race or a football match.
You have been asked to write a report describing the benefits for the children of both
events and saying which one you think should be chosen and why.

You have a part-time job as a recepcionist in a big hotel. You have been asked by the
manager to write a report describing the problems that hotel guests report having
during the night and giving your recommendations on how to solve these problems.
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report-fce.html#sthash.VngJbsrp.dpuf
  Question
Last year a new sport and leisure centre opened in your home town. You have
recently received the following letter from the manager of the centre.

I am writing to all members of the Active Leisure Club to thank you for your custom
over the last year. We want to make the facilities even better this year! Please send a
short report to us, telling us what you think are the best and worst aspects of the club.
We also want to hear your suggestions for new facilities...

 Write your report to the manager of the club (around 140-190 words).

 The aim of this proposal is to give recommendations on what new events to

organise in order to attract more people to join our society. It also
suggests varied ways in which we can make our current activities more
appealing.

TOPICS FOR ARTICLES

1. You see this advertisement in a newspaper. We´ll be launching a special
supplement on technology next month and we invite you to write an article about
the use of mobile phones. How has the use of mobile phones changed your life?
Tell us the advantages and disavantages. The best article will be published in our
newspaper and its author will win an iPAD.
2. You see this announcement in a Lifestyle magazine. We invite you to write
an article on " Moving from the city to the countryside". How is it to live in the
countryside? What are the advantages and disadvantages? The best article will
be published in the magazine and its author will win a prize worth 500 pounds. -
3. Your school magazine has asked students to give their opinion on whether
computers should be used in the classroom.
4. A young people’s magazine has asked its readers to write an article promoting
the most famous holiday resort in their country.
5. A health and diet magazine has asked its readers to write an article giving their
opinion on junk food.
6. Your school magazine has asked its readers to write an article about how useful
exams are to test students’ knowledge.
7. An international young people’s magazine is investigating the question: do
today’s young people show enough respect towards older people?. Write your article
for the magazine.
8. Eco-friendly vehicles will soon be a fact of life. No more popping into the local
garage for £5.00’s worth of petrol. Instead, we will be plugging a battery into a spare
socket at home, filling up with water from the tap, or using whatever idea the
scientists come up with. Great you might think. But is it really possible that no giant
corporation will be making money out of us?
9. One of the most unusual places that I have visited on my travels around the
globe is Petra in Jordan. Nicknamed ‘The Rose City’, as the colour of the rock
changes throughout the day, depending on the angle of the sun, it is also fascinating
because every structure except one is built out of the rock of the mountains. The
 exception is a temple built by the Romans, who obviously did not have the instincts
of the Nabataeans.
10. They are two famous film stars in their own right, who between them have
been married seven times. After starring together in “Elizabeth”, they are now
divorcing their respective partners to marry each other. They say it was an instant
attraction that is much deeper and more intense than either have ever experienced
before. So what makes this time different? I went along to see them both at the
Hilton Hotel to discover their secret.
11. The British are said to be the most watched people in the world. Video cameras
on nearly every set of traffic lights, on motorways, on street corners, car parks,
football grounds and shopping centres - to name but a few - they cannot make a
move without being seen. For a country of people that refuses to have Identity Cards
as they consider them an invasion of privacy, why do they tolerate this?
12. They say there is nothing like a woman scorned, and after the exploits of Polly
Metcalfe, they might just be right. Her partner left her not just for another woman,
but a woman half Polly’s age and Polly was miffed, to say the least. What did she do
in reply? Cut all his clothes in half and destroyed one of each pair of his shoes.
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REVIEWS 1 You are a member of a reading group and you have been asked to choose a book
for the group to read. Before they decide whether your choice is suitable they have asked you
to write a review of the book outlining the plot and its characters and explaining why you think
it is a good choice.

2 Write a review of a book you have enjoyed reading for your teacher’s blog.

3 Write a review of a film based on a book you have also read and compare the film with the
book.

4 You have recently been to see a foreign film, one that had subtitles. Write a review of the
film for a media arts magazine and say whether you think the subtitles detracted from the
quality of the film.

5 You have been asked to write a film review for your college magazine. Choose one of your
favourite films and write your review.

Music reviews wanted

Have you been to a great music concert recently?
Write us a review of the concert, telling us about the band or singer and their performance.
Say whether you would recommend seeing them perform live.
We will publish the best reviews next month.

Write your review in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

Book reviews wanted

Have your read a book recently with a story that has held your attention? Write a review of
the book, explaining what the story is about and whether the characters are convincing. Tell
us whether or not you would recommend it both to younger and older readers
The best reviews will be published in the magazine.

Write your review in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

Topics for writings

Do you want to practise your writing skills but you don’t know what to write about?
Here’s a list with some ideas:
1. How has education changed in your country over the last 50 years?
Write an article for an English website about this topic.
2. A description of a place
3. Advantages and disadvantages of city life.
Write a for and against essay.
4. A narrative text: describe a funny experience.
5. Describe an exciting family party you have been to (a wedding party, a
Christmas lunch/dinner, a birthday, etc.)
6. You have a British friend who lives in England. She wants to move to Spain.
Write an email to your friend to give her/him some advice. You can talk about:
– the best place to live in.
– what the food is like.
– costumes, festivals and celebrations.
– weather and necessary clothes.
– how to learn Spanish.
– etc

Some English friends, Peter and Sue Hall, have written to you for advice. Their 20-yearold son,
Tom, wants to get a job teaching English in your country. This is part of a letter you have
received from them:

Tom’s doing a teacher-training course at the moment, as you know, but he thinks he ought
to learn something of the language before he comes, which seems like a good idea. He’s
bought a “Teach Yourself” book on the language, but we were wondering if you had any
other suggestions which would help him. It’s quite a while since he studied a language at
school, so he’d also be really grateful for some general tips on learning a language.

Write a letter/email to Tom giving advice and any helpful suggestions that you can.
2 You have received a letter from your friend, Trevor, asking for information about a health
spa. Read his letter and an advertisement for the health spa, on which you have made some
notes. Then write a letter/email to Trevor, using all your notes

FORMAL LETTER/EMAIL

You see this advertisement in a student newspaper.

Lifeguard assistants wanted

We are looking for someone in August to assist our lifeguards, provide supervision during
beach activities and observe swimmers.

Write to the Lifeguard Manager, saying what your experience and qualifications are and
stating the reasons why you are suitable for the job.

Write your email in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

You recently helped organise a college ski trip and you have received this email from a
parent of one of the students who went.

I understand you were one of the organisers of our son's ski trip. I have to say my husband
and I were extremely dissatisfied with the arrangements. My son has informed us that the
ski slopes were poor, the lessons were fewer than promised and the accommodation was
inadequate.

Can you please give us a satisfactory explanation?

You see this announcement in an English-language college prospectus.

Scholarships

Every year, two scholarships are offered to candidates from overseas who can show how
our one-year course in English and American studies would help their career.

Scholarships cover fees, accommodation and food, but not transport or personal spending
money.

To apply, write a letter explaining why you think you deserver a scholarship.

LETTERS/EMAILS OF COMPLAINT

1 You have recently ordered an item through the Internet, but are not happy with the
purchase. Write to the company. In your letter/email: - describe what you purchased - explain
why you are not happy with the purchase - tell them what you would like them to do about
the situation
2 You have seen a commercial on your local television station which appeared during a
children's programme. You feel that an advertisement of this type is not suitable for showing
on children's TV. Write a letter/email of complaint to the television company, explaining why
you object to it and what you would like them to do about it.

3 You have just returned from a trip to Florida. You flew there and back with “Ocean Air”. You
decide to write to the airline to complain about your flight and ask for some money back. Read
the advertisement and the notes you made and then, using the information, write a letter to
the airline. You may add other relevant points of your own.

FLY OCEAN AIR TO FLORIDA

We offer: • 4 flights a day late boarding • wide, comfortable seats • friendly, well-trained staff
quite rude • a good choice of food (no problems with special diets) no vegetarian for me! • the
latest in in-flight entertainment movie already been on TV!

4 Write a complaint about a tape recorder that stopped working after just two days since
you've bought it. -describe what is wrong with it -write about your disappointment with the
quality of the device -describe what are the consequences of this situation - offer some
solution of this situation

5 You are attending a course in London. Last week, because the trains were delayed by bad
weather, you were late for college every day. On the worst day, the train was 1 hour 20
minutes late and you missed two classes.

This is an extract from an information leaflet you have picked up at the station.

We hope you have a pleasant journey with Capital Rail, but if you have any comments or
complaints about our services, please write to the Customer Care Manager.

What we promise to do when things go wrong:

• If you are delayed for more than one hour you may claim rail vouchers to the value of 50%
of the journey made.

Write a letter to the Customer Care Manager at Capital Rail complaining about the poor
service you have experienced and asking for compensation. Use your own words as far as
possible

TOPICS ESSAY

Is is a good thing that countries spend a lot of money on their heritage?

Write about:
1. preserving the past
2. investing in the future
3. ________ (your own idea)
 Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

Science is very important in the 21st century. How do you think it could be made
more appealing to young people?

Notes

Write about:
1. television programmes
2. interactive museums
3. ________ (your own idea)

Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

Is it better to live alone or with someone else?

Notes

Write about:
1. independence
2. money
3. ________ (your own idea)

Whether you are happy or not depends on the personality you are born with. Do you
agree?

Notes

Write about:
1. money
2. health
3. ________ (your own idea)

1. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural
environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping
animals in zoos.
2. Imaginethat your teacher wants to teach a new subject for the next few
weeks. Your teacher will take suggestions, and then let the students vote on
the new subject. What subject should your class choose? Write an essay to
support your choice and to persuade the other students to vote for your choice.
3. Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?
4. Should teachers have to wear uniforms or have a dress code?
5. Since the invention of nuclear weapons we have had a long period of GLOBAL
peace and stability. Are nuclear weapons global peacemakers or killing
devices?
6. Should boys and girls be in separate classes?
7. Is the death penalty effective?
8. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable?
9. What age is appropriate for dating?
10. Pretend you woke up one day and there were no rules. People could suddenly
do whatever they wanted! Explain what the world would be like. Use
your imagination!
11. Should student’s textbooks be replaced by notebook computers?
12. Should students be allowed to have cell phones in elementary and high
schools?
13. Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer
nations?
14. Should money be spent on space exploration?
15. Is fashion important?
16. Are we too dependent on computers?
17. Ifyou had the opportunity to bring any person — past or present, fictional or
nonfictional — to a place that is special to you (your hometown or country, a
favourite location, etc.), who would you bring and why? Tell us what you
would share with that person
18. Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a
certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?
19. Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
20. In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie?
21. The destruction of the world’s forests is inevitable as our need for land and food
grows. Do you agree?
22. Many parents give their children certain chores or tasks to do at home.
Should children have to do chores or tasks at home? Be sure to explain why
you think it is a good idea or a bad idea. Include examples to support
your reasons.
23. Should the voting age be lowered to thirteen?
24. Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks?
25. Should more be done to protect and preserve endangered animals?