Unit 1. People — Student’s Copy

How to use this booklet

Life Elementary

This booklet is your writing practice companion for Life Elementary (National Geographic). For each of the 10 units, you will find a model paragraph to read and analyse, extra practice exercises to build the skill step by step, two writing assignments to practise the skill in full paragraphs, and extra writing tasks at the end.

Tips for success

Read the model paragraph carefully before you write — copy what works.
Count your words. Try to meet the minimum word count for each task.
After you finish, read your writing again. Check spelling, capital letters, and punctuation.
Swap with a partner — a fresh pair of eyes spots mistakes you miss.

Reference table

Use this table to find each unit and the writing skill you will practise.

Week	Unit / Theme	Writing skill	Text type	Min. words
Week 1	Unit 1 – People	and / but	Personal description	50 words
Week 2	Unit 2 – Possessions	Adjective order	Classified advert	50 words
Week 3	Unit 3 – Places	Capital letters	Place description	50 words
Week 4	Unit 4 – Free Time	Reference words	Short email × 2	50 words each
Week 4	Unit 5 – Food	Punctuation	Descriptive paragraph	50 words
Week 5	Unit 6 – Past Lives	Formal / Informal	Thank-you message	50 words
Week 5	Unit 7 – Journeys	because / so	Travel blog post	80 words
Week 6	Unit 9 – Entertainment	Sense verbs	Reviews × 2	80 words total
Week 6	Unit 10 – Learning	and / but / because	Descriptive paragraph	50 words
Week 7	Unit 11 – Tourism	Spelling	Longer email	80 words
Week 8	Extra practice	All skills	Paragraphs from information	70–80 words

Model paragraph

Read and analyse

Step 1

Find and / but

Read the model. Click every and and but that joins ideas, then check.

My name is Marco Ferreira. I am from Brazil, and I am Brazilian. I live in São Paulo, but I study in New York. I am a first-year engineering student, and I really enjoy my course. In my free time, I love playing football and watching documentaries. I am quite shy, but I love meeting new people.

and = addition (more information). but = contrast (something different or surprising).

Step 2

Why is each one used?

For each sentence from the model, choose addition or contrast.

1I am from Brazil, and I am Brazilian.

2I live in São Paulo, but I study in New York.

3I am a first-year engineering student, and I really enjoy my course.

4I love playing football and watching documentaries.

5I am quite shy, but I love meeting new people.

Extra practice

Build the skill

Exercise 1

and or but?

Join the two sentences. Use and or but. Write the new sentence. Use and for more information. Use but for something different or surprising.

1I am from Spain. I study in Germany.

2I like music. I don’t play an instrument.

3I have a sister. I have a brother.

4I am tired. I am happy.

5He is tall. He is not fast.

Exercise 2

Find the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Find it and write the correct sentence.

1i am a student.

2My name Marco.

3I am from turkey.

4I am student.

Assignment A

Minimum 50 words

Write a description of yourself for your class blog. Include your name, where you are from, where you live or study, and one or two things you enjoy. Use and and but to connect your sentences.

Minimum 50 words.

0 / 50 words

Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your text before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.

Assignment B

Minimum 50 words

Write a short description of a friend. Include their name, where they are from, what they study or do, and something interesting about them. Use and and but at least twice.

Minimum 50 words.

0 / 50 words

Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your text before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.