Teacher notes – Unit 1
Learning aim: Students write a connected personal description — not a list of separate sentences.
Before writing: Write on the board: ‘and = more information’ and ‘but = something different or surprising’. Give one example: ‘I am from Brazil, and I study in New York.’ and ‘I like music, but I don’t play an instrument.’ Drill with two or three more examples together as a class.
During writing: Walk around and check. If a student writes only isolated sentences, point to two sentences and ask ‘Can you join these with and or but?’
Common errors: (1) Using only and for everything — remind students but shows contrast. (2) Forgetting to write a capital I in the middle of a sentence. (3) Writing a list instead of connected text.
After writing: Ask students to circle every ‘and’ and ‘but’ in a partner’s text. Is it addition or contrast? Is it used correctly?
How to use this booklet
Life ElementaryThis 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 analyseFind 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).
Why is each one used?
For each sentence from the model, choose addition or contrast.
Extra practice
Build the skilland 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.
Two different countries, so but works best — like the model. and is also possible.
Also accepted: I am from Spain, and I study in Germany.
Also accepted: I like music, but I do not play an instrument.
Also accepted: I have a sister and a brother.
Also accepted: He is tall, but he isn't fast.
Find the mistake
Each sentence has one mistake. Find it and write the correct sentence.
capital I
missing verb: is
Also accepted: My name's Marco.
capital T — Turkey is a country name
Also accepted: I am from Türkiye.
missing article: a
Assignment A
Minimum 50 wordsWrite 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.
Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your text before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.
Sample answer · 62 words
My name is Sofia Andersen. I am from Denmark, and I am Danish. I live in Copenhagen, but I study at a university in London. I am a second-year psychology student, and I love my course. In my free time, I enjoy reading and listening to music. I am not very sporty, but I try to go for a walk every day.
Assignment B
Minimum 50 wordsWrite 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.
Nothing is saved automatically. Copy or save your text before you close this tab — only your own writing is saved, not the exercises.
Sample answer · 59 words
My friend is Kenji Nakamura. He is from Japan, and he is Japanese. He lives in our university dormitory, but his family is in Osaka. He studies computer engineering, and he is very good at maths. He is quiet in class, but he is very funny with his friends. He loves music and sport. He is a great friend.
Answer key at a glance
Prints with the page| Step 1 — Words | and, but, and, and, but |
| Step 2 — Answers | 1 addition · 2 contrast · 3 addition · 4 addition · 5 contrast |
| Exercise 1 — 1 | I am from Spain, but I study in Germany. |
| Exercise 1 — 2 | I like music, but I don't play an instrument. |
| Exercise 1 — 3 | I have a sister, and I have a brother. |
| Exercise 1 — 4 | I am tired, but I am happy. |
| Exercise 1 — 5 | He is tall, but he is not fast. |
| Exercise 2 — 1 | I am a student. |
| Exercise 2 — 2 | My name is Marco. |
| Exercise 2 — 3 | I am from Turkey. |
| Exercise 2 — 4 | I am a student. |