Unit 1. Getting Started: How to Organise a Text

This booklet

Eight weekly units

This booklet has eight weekly units. Each unit follows the topic of Life Intermediate and teaches one part of B1 writing. Work through one unit each week.

Week	Unit title	Writing type	Course topic
Unit 1	Getting Started: How to Organise a Text	—	Culture & Identity
Unit 2	Descriptive Writing: Experiences & Feelings	Descriptive	Performing / Opportunities
Unit 3	Balanced Opinion 1: Two Points of View	Balanced opinion	Water / A Healthy Life
Unit 4	Balanced Opinion 2: Reasons & Examples	Balanced opinion	Mysteries / Living Space
Unit 5	Balanced Opinion 3: Agree or Disagree?	Balanced opinion	Travel / Shopping
Unit 6	Advantages & Disadvantages 1	Advantage – disadvantage	No Limits / Connections
Unit 7	Advantages & Disadvantages 2	Advantage – disadvantage	Experts
Unit 8	Review & Practice	All three types	Revision

How is a text organised?

Introduction, body, conclusion

A good piece of writing is not just a list of sentences. It is organised into clear parts, so that the reader can follow your ideas easily. At B1 level, a short text usually has three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

The three parts of a text

Introduction – tells the reader the topic and your main idea. The most important sentence here is the thesis statement.

Body – explains your ideas. Each body paragraph has a topic sentence, some supporting sentences, and often an example.

Conclusion – ends the text. It repeats your main idea in different words and gives a final thought.

Look at the sample below. Notice how the three parts work together to make one clear text.

Sample text

Introduction

Many people dream of living in a big city. Life in a big city is exciting, although it is not always easy.

Body

There are several reasons why I enjoy city life. Firstly, there are many jobs, so it is easier to find work. In addition, the city is full of shops, cinemas, and restaurants, so there is always something to do. For example, my friends and I often meet in a small café after work. Of course, city life also has some problems, such as heavy traffic and high prices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a big city has many good points as well as a few bad ones. Although it can be noisy and busy, I believe it is a wonderful place to live and work.

IntroductionBodyConclusion

Practice 1

The parts of a text

Read each part of the text below. Choose I (introduction), B (body) or C (conclusion).

1There are many advantages. For example, we can call our family, find information, and take photos at any time. We can also use a phone to learn new things.

B — it gives advantages and an example.

2To sum up, mobile phones help us in many ways, as long as we do not use them too much.

C — To sum up signals the ending, and the main idea is repeated.

3Mobile phones are now part of everyday life. In my opinion, they are very useful, but we must use them carefully.

I — it introduces the topic and gives the writer’s opinion (the thesis).

The thesis statement

The most important sentence in your introduction

The thesis statement is the most important sentence in your introduction. It tells the reader your main idea, or your opinion, about the topic. Everything else in your text should support this one sentence.

Here are some examples. Each thesis statement gives a topic and the writer’s main idea about it.

Examples

Question	Do you think students should wear a school uniform?
Thesis	School uniforms are a good idea, because they save time and money.
Question	What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media?
Thesis	Social media has both important advantages and some serious disadvantages.
Question	Describe your hometown.
Thesis	My hometown is a small but lively place that I am proud to come from.

How can we write a thesis statement?

A strong thesis statement is short and clear. Follow these strategies when you write one:

Answer the question directly. Read the task carefully and make sure your thesis matches it.
Give the topic and your opinion in the same sentence.
Keep it clear and simple. One sentence is usually enough.
Do not write “I will write about…”. Instead, state your idea.
Do not make it too general or too detailed.

Compare the two examples

Question: Should children use smartphones?

✗ Weak

I will write about smartphones and children.

This only names the topic. There is no opinion.

✓ Strong

Children can use smartphones, but parents should set clear rules.

This gives the topic and a clear opinion.

Practice 2

Choose the better thesis statement

Read each question. Choose a or b to show the better thesis statement.

1Question: Is it better to live in the city or the countryside?

b) The city is better for young people, but the countryside is better for families.
(a) only describes cities; it gives no opinion.

2Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping?

a) Online shopping has both clear advantages and some disadvantages.
(b) is a personal detail, not a main idea about advantages and disadvantages.

3Question: Should fast food be sold in schools?

b) Fast food should not be sold in schools.
(a) is a fact about fast food; it does not answer the question.

4Question: Describe an important festival in your country.

b) The most important festival in my country is a colourful celebration that brings families together.
(a) is too general — it is true of every festival.

Practice 3

Write your own thesis statement

Write a thesis statement for each question. Remember to give the topic and your opinion in one clear sentence.

1Should students have homework every day?

Model. Students should not have homework every day, because they also need time to rest and play.

2What are the good and bad points of living alone?

Model. Living alone has both clear advantages and some disadvantages.

3Is it better to travel by car or by train?

Model. I believe that travelling by train is better than travelling by car for long journeys.

Practice 4

Find the thesis statement

Read the text. Click the thesis statement – the sentence that gives the writer’s main idea.

Many families think about getting a pet. In my opinion, having a pet is good for children, because it teaches them to be kind and responsible. When children look after a dog or a cat, they learn to feed it, walk it, and think about its feelings. Of course, pets need time and money, but the lessons they teach children are worth it.

In my opinion, having a pet is good for children, because it teaches them to be kind and responsible.
It gives the topic (pets and children) and the writer’s opinion. The first sentence only introduces the topic.

Practice 5

Complete the introduction

Read the text. The thesis statement is missing. Write a suitable thesis statement for gap (1).

Many people argue about whether homework is useful. (1) . On the one hand, homework helps students to practise what they have learned in class. On the other hand, too much homework can make students tired and unhappy. All in all, homework is helpful only when teachers give the right amount.

1Gap (1)

Model. In my opinion, homework is useful, but teachers should not give too much of it.

Teacher’s note – Week 1 (answers may vary)

Practice 5 – sample answer for gap (1): In my opinion, homework is useful, but teachers should not give too much of it.

Marking tip: accept any clear thesis that gives both the topic and the writer’s opinion in one sentence.

Supporting sentences

Reasons, details and examples

After the topic sentence, you need supporting sentences. These sentences explain your idea and make it stronger. They give reasons, details, and examples, and they often use linking words such as because, for example, and in addition.

Sample

Topic sentence

Living in a city is very convenient.

Supporting sentences

Firstly, shops, schools, and hospitals are usually close to your home. In addition, there is good public transport, so you do not always need a car. For example, in my city I can take a bus to almost anywhere in twenty minutes.

Topic sentenceSupporting sentences

Practice 6

Choose the supporting sentences

Read the topic sentence. Tick the TWO sentences that support it.

✓Topic sentence: Reading books is a useful hobby.

aReading helps you learn new words and new ideas.bSome books are very long and heavy.cReading before bed can help you relax and sleep better.dMany people prefer watching films to reading.

a ✓ · b ✗ · c ✓ · d ✗
(a) and (c) give reasons why reading is useful; (b) and (d) are true but do not support the idea.

Concluding sentences

End with your main idea

The concluding sentence ends your text. A good conclusion repeats your main idea in different words and gives a final thought. It often begins with phrases such as In conclusion, To sum up, or All in all. Do not add new ideas in the conclusion.

Sample

Doing sport has many benefits. It keeps the body strong, it reduces stress, and it is a good way to make friends. Many people feel happier and sleep better when they exercise often. In conclusion, doing sport keeps us healthy and happy, so everyone should try to be active every day.

Supporting sentencesConcluding sentence

Practice 7

Choose the best conclusion

Read the short text. Choose the best concluding sentence: a, b or c.

Learning a new language is hard work. You have to study new words every day and practise speaking, even when you make mistakes. However, learning a language opens many doors. You can travel more easily, make new friends, and find better jobs.

b) In conclusion, learning a language takes effort, but the rewards make it worth it.
It repeats both ideas in the text (hard work, many rewards). (a) and (c) add new ideas.

✓

Answer key at a glance

Prints with the page

Practice 1 — Answers	1 B · 2 C · 3 I
Practice 2 — Answers	1 b · 2 a · 3 b · 4 b
Practice 3 — 1 (model)	Students should not have homework every day, because they also need time to rest and play.
Practice 3 — 2 (model)	Living alone has both clear advantages and some disadvantages.
Practice 3 — 3 (model)	I believe that travelling by train is better than travelling by car for long journeys.
Practice 4 — Thesis	In my opinion, having a pet is good for children, because it teaches them to be kind and responsible.
Practice 5 — Gap (1) (model)	In my opinion, homework is useful, but teachers should not give too much of it.
Practice 6 — Answers	a ✓ · b ✗ · c ✓ · d ✗
Practice 7 — Answer	b