Second Edition
Reading & Writing
1
UNIT 1 – CHARACTER
Writing task model answer
What makes a great leader?
A leader can be anyone – a politician, a CEO, a teacher or coach, or anyone
who people follow. There are many great leaders in the world, such as Hala
Gorani, Mark Zuckerberg, and Justin Trudeau. I think four qualities make a
great leader. First, a great leader needs to be intelligent and capable, like
Hala Gorani. Second, a great leader always has confidence and pushes
themselves to achieve a goal. He or she also believes other people can
achieve their goals. A great coach or teacher helps students to succeed.
Third, it is important for a great leader to be hardworking and determined.
Mark Zuckerberg works long hours and does everything he can to succeed.
Finally, a good leader has communication skills. Justin Trudeau is friendly
and he can talk with many different people. I believe these four things
qualities make a great leader.
Comments
This model answer fulfils the criteria of the task. It defines the meaning
of the question and explores it, drawing in relevant and appropriate
examples. It recycles new vocabulary and grammar using noun and
adjective forms along with present tenses correctly. It practices the
writing skills and structures seen through the unit and uses appropriate
punctuation and capitalization. The final sentence summarizes the
writer’s answer to the question.
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UNIT 2 – TIME
Writing task model answer
How well do you manage your time?
I am good at managing my time. Before I study, I take a little time to create
a list of things I need to do and a schedule. I do not want to waste any time
so I collect all the items and texts I need and put them on my desk. While
I am studying, I follow my schedule to make sure I finish on time. If I study
for a long period, I take a break so I can concentrate. The break is only a
few minutes, as I need to be efficient and finish my work in time. I think it is
important to have plenty of free time too. I have several hobbies, so I make
time for these. Overall, I think I have good time-management skills.
Comments
The piece answers the question well. It is well-organized and logical, with
a strong topic sentence that expresses the main idea clearly. The writer
makes good use of the unit vocabulary, including collocations with time
and also uses determiners of quantity flexibly.
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UNIT 3 – BUILDINGS
Writing task model answer
How can technology improve a building?
Technology can make buildings better in many ways. First, it can improve the
environment. Sensors1 on the walls can control the heating or air conditioning
so rooms are always a comfortable temperature. Second, technology can help
save energy. In some buildings the lights turn off automatically2 when there
is enough natural light, or when no-one is in the room. Finally, technology
can help improve security. Some colleges have cameras on the stairs, in
the elevators, or in the parking lot so people feel safer. In short, technology
improves buildings a lot.
Comments
This is a clear and concise answer to the question. Each point is
explained with clear supporting sentences to develop the ideas, and new
vocabulary from the unit is used correctly. The writer also uses articles
and prepositions of place accurately.
1 a piece of equipment that reacts to physical changes such as the amount of heat or light
that exists somewhere
2 by a machine, without people doing anything
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UNIT 4 – CITIES
Writing task model answer
How is traffic changing our cities?
Cars are causing big changes in our cities but the quality of life in urban areas
is getting worse. There are more people and cars, so cities are becoming more
crowded. The noise levels are increasing as the number of cars is growing.
Pollution is a problem, as vehicles produce harmful gases. Land is also
disappearing as city governments are building more streets and highways.
While driving is popular, the enormous increase in cars means in many ways
life is not improving for city residents.
Comments
The answer and the writer’s stance are clear. Each point is explained
and supported and the final sentence pulls all the ideas together. A good
range of vocabulary to describe changes is used. Grammar is also varied,
with fluid use of the present progressive and compound sentences. The
writer uses linking phrases confidently.
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UNIT 5 – CULTURE
Writing task model answer
Has technology changed your culture?
I am convinced that technology has changed my culture in three ways.
First, art and music have been transformed3. Artists and musicians have
replaced digital equipment with traditional paintings and instruments.
Second, language is an important part of culture, and technology has had a
huge effect on this. The Internet has meant there are no barriers, so people
from all around the world can watch TV shows from other countries. This has
changed the way people speak. For instance, British people have started
using American English words and phrases. Finally, behavior is also a key part
of culture, and technology has changed this too. Families used to eat together
and talk face to face, but technology, especially smartphones, has changed
this. Teenagers spend less time with their families and more time watching
screens. Some people worry that teenagers have lost important cultural and
social skills as a result. Overall, technology has certainly changed my culture.
It has brought benefits, but also negative effects.
Comments
The topic sentence opens the paragraph with a clear opinion, which is
justified throughout the paragraph. The paragraph includes relevant
examples, a good range of vocabulary and appropriate use of the present
perfect tense.
3 to make someone or something completely different, usually in a way that makes them
more attractive, easier to use etc
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UNIT 6 – FOOD
Writing task model answer
Why is it important to manage what we eat?
The figures in the graph on Student’s Book page 114 show students select
healthier or organic food for four reasons. First, 58% of them think healthy
eating, and a balanced diet is important. A similar number of students
interviewed say they do not use ingredients which contain chemicals. A lower
number – about 42% – choose healthy or organic food because they want
to protect the environment. Finally, a smaller number of interviewees eat
healthy or organic food because it is more delicious. In conclusion, following
a healthy diet seems to be the most important factor that influences why
students choose healthy or organic food.
Comments
This paragraph describes the data well and uses a range of appropriate
vocabulary and grammatical structures, especially comparatives. The
writer also does not copy language from the instructions or labels,
showing both an understanding of the content and an ability to
reformulate information.
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UNIT 7 – EXTREMES
Writing task model answer
Why do people live and work in extreme places?
People live in the desert, in the middle of a rainforest, on top of a mountain,
or in other extreme places for three reasons. First, sometimes living in
these environments is required for work. Miners4 explore far away places so
that they can find gold. Scientists sometimes live in freezing conditions in
Antarctica because they are able to do their research there. Second, some
people are not able to live in more normal places as they cannot afford to
rent or buy a house in a big city. The final reason is some people grow up in
extreme places, enjoy living there and do not want to leave. Since they like
their tiny villages, they think they couldn’t enjoy life in a huge, crowded city.
Although it can be difficult, living in extreme places can allow people to have
the lifestyle5 they want.
Comments
This is a well-structured paragraph with a clear opinion and reasons
given throughout. The writer uses a good range of vocabulary, especially
extreme adjectives, and uses correct structures to express ability and
probability. The piece also includes the structures since / as / because / so
that to explain reasons effectively.
4 someone whose job is to dig coal, gold etc from the ground
5 the type of life that you have, for example the type of job or house you have or the type of
activity you like doing
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UNIT 8 – VISION
Writing task model answer
How do people choose new glasses?
According to the diagram, people do three things when they choose a new
pair of glasses. First, they have a professional eye test. They look at different
letters, objects and scenes and the eye doctor tells them exactly the lenses
they need to see clearly. Second, they try individual frames and look at their
face in a mirror to see if they look good. They sometimes have help from
one of the team in the store. Finally, they look at the price. If one pair is too
expensive, they choose another instead. In short, they select new glasses
according to what they need in order to see, what looks good, and what they
can afford.
Comments
The opening and closing sentences are clear, and the stages are
well-explained, using the key vocabulary and exemplifying their
understanding of the difference between look at and see. The writer also
uses infinitives of purpose effectively.
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UNIT 9 – PROGRESS
Writing task model answer
The use and discovery of penicillin
Penicillin is an antibiotic drug. It is given to many patients because it kills
bacteria. It was first discovered by accident in 1928. Later, in 1939, small
portions were produced in Oxford, and soon afterward the first patients
were healed. Now, it is prescribed6 by most physicians but some say their
colleagues use it too much. They have to follow the instructions because if it
is taken too often, it stops working. In short, using penicillin is a great method
of controlling bacteria, if it is used well.
Comments
A good description of a scientific discovery, using the information given
to present the information clearly and efficiently. The writer makes good
use of passive and active sentences in past and present tenses, along
with words to indicate a sequence.
6 if a doctor prescribes a drug or treatment, they say you should have it
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UNIT 10 – WORK
Writing task model answer
Robots will do most of the work in factories by 2050
Robots will certainly do most, but not all of the work in factories by 2050.
They will do all the dull work that people want to avoid. They will also be
reliable colleagues and employees. They will not ask for time off, or take a day
off sick. They will save factories money too, as they will not need to get paid
or promoted, and will not ask for a raise. However, employing people will be a
better option in some situations, as only people can have the right skills and
attitude. Robots will not contact clients, make phone calls or go to meetings,
so people will still need to talk to each other like they do now. In short, robots
will do most of the work in factories by 2050, but because they do not have
the same abilities as humans, they won’t be doing all of it.
Comments
This is detailed, clear answer, with good structure and use of the
language from the unit, especially collocations related to work and
future forms with will and be going to. The writer’s view is clear
throughout, and well supported with examples. The concluding sentence
summarizes the paragraph, restating the main idea and bringing the
paragraph to a concise close.
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