Improve writing 7.5 Unit 6 Lesson 12

Aims:

TASK 2

• Giving reasons

• Ordering an 'evaluating solutions' essay

• Referencing to avoid repetition

Improve your skills – writing for IELTS 6.0-7.5

Unit 6_Lesson 12

Food and the environment

Ex1. Look at the pictures of farming methods. What similarities and differences can you identify?

Farming methods:

similarities?

• (types of crops, agricultural products, cultivation seasons)

differences?

• (agricultural output, human resources, farming efficiency, quality of agricultural products, environmental impact)

By : Phạm Hà - Improve writing 7.5_Lesson 12

Drag and Drop

Choose characteristics of traditional farming​ methods?​ ​ ​

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a reliance on family labor

crop rotation and intercropping

production for subsistence

low levels of mechanization

limited use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

production for subsistence

high levels of mechanization

adoption of modern technology and practices

involve the use of expensive machinery

reliance on external labor instead of family labor

Drag and Drop

Choose characteristics of mechanized farming methods?

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high levels of mechanization, chemical fertilizers

large-scale production for profit

reliance on external labor instead of family labor

involve the use of expensive machinery

adoption of modern technology and practices

a reliance on family labor

limited use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

production for subsistence

Ex2: How do the words in each set 1-4 connect to each other?

1) deforestation -> soil erosion -> less food production

2) global warming -> unreliable rainfall -> poor crops

3) war -> farming prevented -> imports and exports prevented

4) rising prices -> less available food -> starvation

___________________________

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Ex2: How do the words in each set 1-4 connect to each other?

Giving reasons

1. Use Linkers

2. Use Verbs

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1. Use Linkers to give reasons

BECAUSE is more common than as and since, both in writing and speaking.

• We didn't enjoy the day because the weather was so awful.

• Because breathing is something we do automatically, we rarely think about it.

AS/SINCE are more formal than because.

• As it was getting late, I turned around to start for home.

• We chose John to lead us as he said he knew the way.

• They're rather expensive, since they're quite hard to find.

• Since you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.

SEEING THAT (also informal seeing as (how)...)

• Seeing that he's been off sick all week he's unlikely to come.

• We may as well go to the concert, seeing as we've already paid for the tickets.

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1. Use Linkers to give reasons

FORMAL OR LITERARY WRITTEN ENGLISH

FOR (formal or literary written English)

• We listened eagerly, for he brought news of our families.

• I cannot tell whether she is old or young, for I have never seen her.

IN THAT (formal)

• I've been lucky in that I have never had to worry about money.

• The book is good, in that it's well written, but I didn't actually enjoy reading it.

INASMUCH AS (formal or literary written English)

• She is guilty, inasmuch as she knew what the others were planning.

• We should not use that source, inasmuch as it is badly out-of-date.

BECAUSE OF

• The flight was delayed because of bad weather.

• Because of the Asian crisis, the company's profits fell by 15% during 1997

DUE TO / OWING TO (As a result of/ As a consequence of.)

• The bus was delayed due to heavy snow. / A lot of her unhappiness is due to boredom.

• She was unable to run owing to a leg injury. / • The concert has been cancelled owing to lack of interest.

WITH/FOR + noun phrase (informal)

• With so many people ill, the meeting was cancelled.

• I couldn't sleep with the noise of the traffic.

• He was sick for lack of food.

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1. RESULTS

Therefore/ Consequently

• Therefore/Consequently, + clause

• Clause 1; therefore/consequently + clause 2

• Clause and therefore/consequently + Verb/Adjective

• Example: He is out of the city and therefore unable to attend the meeting.

SO

• Clause 1, so + clause 2

• So, clause

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​Hence/Thus

• Hence/Thus, clause

• Clause 1; hence/thus, + clause 2

• Clause, hence/thus + noun/noun phrase

• Example: She’s just failed her exam; hence/thus she was in a bad mood.

• Example: She’s just failed her exam, hence/thus her bad mood.

Thus / Thereby

• Clause, thus/thereby + V_ing

• Clause and thus/thereby + V

• Example: He failed the test, thus/thereby failing the course.

• Example: He failed the test and thus/thereby failed the course.

2. Use Verbs to give reasons

Result from

• Arise from

• issue from

• stem from

• proceed from

• originate from

• derive from

• be the consequence of

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​Give results:

• Result in

• Lead to

• bring about

• produce

• cause

• engender (v) sinh ra

  Poverty engenders crimes.

• effect

• create.

Useful paraphrasing

The reason for this is that

=

1. The rationale for this is that...

2. The explanation given is that...

3. The justification provided is that...

4. The argument made was that...

5. The grounds for this is that...

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Ex2: How do the words in each set 1-4 connect to each other?

1) deforestation -> soil erosion -> less food production

2) global warming -> unreliable rainfall -> poor crops

3) war -> farming prevented -> imports and exports prevented

4) rising prices -> less available food -> starvation

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Fill in the Blank

1. Deforestation (1)................. soil erosion because there is less vegetation to protect the soil. (2)............ poor quality soil and food production is (3)............ damaged.

2. Global warming creates higher temperatures and this (4)......... on the climate. Rainfall becomes unreliable and farmers find there are periods where there is not enough rain, followed by periods when there is so much it causes floods. Either of these (5)........ the crops are damaged or cannot grow properly.

causes - impacts - means that - therefore - This results in

Fill in the Blank

3. During war, farmers can't work on their land (1)............. it is too dangerous or what crops they have are damaged by fighting or taken by the army. (2)............... food production drops. But also the war disrupts transport of imports or exports (3).................. food can't be brought in and exports don't raise money.

4. High prices reduce demand for food and make what is there difficult for poor people to buy. (4) ............., there is less available food for people and they starve.

Consequently - This means - because - so

Ex3. Read the sentences and check you understand the meaning of the words in italics.

1. Eating wholefoods and natural produce is important for me. They are healthier than other foods.

2. Intensive farming increases the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. I prefer to shop at a farmers' market where the food is usually locally produced and organic.

3. Genetically modified crops are crucial I think. They help to prevent starvation, producing much greater quantities of crops.

4. Overgrazing and deforestation mean there is less land for food production. Farmers and landowners should be banned from allowing this.

5. Developed countries should focus on solutions for climate change. This issue has a great impact on food production in developing countries.

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Match

Match the following

• food that does not contain artificial substances

• a chemical substance added to soil to help make plants grow

• genetic structure changed to make crops more suitable for a specific purpose

• animals are allowed to eat too much grass from fields so that the land's damaged

• affecting the world's weather, making it warmer/colder/ less predictable.

wholefoods

chemical fertilizers

Genetically modified

Overgrazing

climate change

• wholefoods

• chemical fertilizers

• Genetically modified

• Overgrazing

• climate change

Ex4: Change each sentence in 3, if necessary, so that it is true for you. Think about why the sentences are/are not true for you.

1. Eating wholefoods and natural produce is important for me. They are healthier than other foods.

2. Intensive farming increases the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. I prefer to shop at a farmers' market where the food is usually locally produced and organic.

3. Genetically modified crops are crucial I think. They help to prevent starvation, producing much greater quantities of crops.

4. Overgrazing and deforestation mean there is less land for food production. Farmers and landowners should be banned from allowing this.

5. Developed countries should focus on solutions for climate change. This issue has a great impact on food production in developing countries.

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Ex5: Read the following sentences and underline the conjunction in each.

Eating wholefoods and natural produce is important for me. They are healthier than other foods.

a) As wholefoods are healthier than other foods, eating natural produce is important for me.

b) Eating natural produce is important for me because wholefoods are healthier than others.

c) Since wholefoods and natural produce are healthier than other types, eating them is important for me.

Technique

When you need to give reasons, you can show this by extending the structure of your sentence using linkers.

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Ex6: Rewrite sentences 2-5 in 3. In each case use a different conjunction.

2. Intensive farming increases the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. I prefer to shop at a farmers' market where the food is usually locally produced and organic.

3. Genetically modified crops are crucial I think. They help to prevent starvation, producing much greater quantities of crops.

4. Overgrazing and deforestation mean there is less land for food production. Farmers and landowners should be banned from allowing this.

5. Developed countries should focus on solutions for climate change. This issue has a great impact on food production in developing countries.

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Open Ended

Rewrite sentences 2-5 in 3. In each case use a different conjunction.

"Intensive farming increases the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. I prefer to shop at a farmers' market where the food is usually locally produced and organic."

Using:

Because/Since/As

Open Ended

Rewrite sentences 2-5 in 3. In each case use a different conjunction.

"Genetically modified crops are crucial I think. They help to prevent starvation, producing much greater quantities of crops."

Using:

Due to/Owning to/Because of

Open Ended

Rewrite sentences 2-5 in 3. In each case use a different conjunction.

"Overgrazing and deforestation mean there is less land for food production. Farmers and landowners should be banned from allowing this."

Using:

Seeing that/inasmuch as

Open Ended

Rewrite sentences 2-5 in 3. In each case use a different conjunction.

"Developed countries should focus on solutions for climate change. This issue has a great impact on food production in developing countries."

Using:

For/With

Suggestions: With a greater impact on agricultural production in developing countries, ....

Ex7: Look at the Task 1 question below. Is it asking you to find solutions or evaluate a solution?

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people believe that famine is caused by climate change and preventing this will stop famine. What is your view of this?

Write at least 250 words.

Ex8: Look at the introduction and conclusion of the essay. Put the sentences in the correct order.

Introduction

a) Some people believe this is the result of climate change and the impact it has on farming and the ability of less-developed countries to produce sufficient food.

b) Famine is a terrible problem which astonishingly still exists in the 21st century.

c) Indeed, millions of people still die from starvation every year.

d) However, I will argue that, whilst this is one factor which contributes to the problem of famine, there are other causes which have as much impact and must also be considered.

Conclusion

a) In summary, what is needed is for a range of causes to be tackled, and global warming is only one of them.

b) Politics, economics and technology also have a part to play.

c) Whilst global warming is a significant contributor to the problem, and addressing it would also help prevent famine, this alone would not end famine.

d) There are clearly many factors involved in the causes of famine.

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Reorder

Reorder the following: Introduction

a) Some people believe this is the result of climate change and the impact it has on farming and the ability of less-developed countries to produce sufficient food.

b) Famine is a terrible problem which astonishingly still exists in the 21st century.

c) Indeed, millions of people still die from starvation every year.

d) However, I will argue that, whilst this is one factor which contributes to the problem of famine, there are other causes which have as much impact and must also be considered.

• b

• c

• a

• d

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Reorder

Reorder the following: Conclusion

a) In summary, what is needed is for a range of causes to be tackled, and global warming is only one of them.

b) Politics, economics and technology also have a part to play.

c) Whilst global warming is a significant contributor to the problem, and addressing it would also help prevent famine, this alone would not end famine.

d) There are clearly many factors involved in the causes of famine.

• d

• c

• b

• a

1

2

3

4

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Ex9: An essay which evaluates solutions often describes the proposed solution and looks at the disadvantages and the advantages. Read paragraph 1 of the essay below. What order do these three elements appear in?

Evaluate a solution

• Description

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

Ex10: What problem can you see in the writing?

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Ex9: An essay which evaluates solutions often describes the proposed solution and looks at the disadvantages and the advantages. Read paragraph 1 of the essay below. What order do these three elements appear in?

Ex11: Replace the words in italics 1-7 in the text in 9 with the words below. Read the paragraph again. What is the effect?

a) It

b) former

c) such places

d) the

e) latter

f) one

g) Both of these

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Ex12: Match the reference words a-f with the definitions 1-7.

You can use some words more than once.

1. replaces a singular noun at the end of the previous sentence

2. replaces a plural noun at the end of a previous sentence

3. replaces a process or situation

4. replaces the first noun in the preceding sentence when there are two

5. replaces the last noun in the preceding sentence when there are two

6. combines with 'as this/as these' or similar to replace a repeated noun

7. replaces the article before a preceding noun

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a) they/these

b) one

c) the latter

d) it/this

e) such

f) the former

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Ex13: Read paragraph 2 of the essay. Does it evaluate the same solution as paragraph 1 or offer and evaluate an alternative solution?

Alongside climate change, politics can important issue to consider when looking at famine. The decisions of political parties and the impact of wars heavily affects the likelihood of famine. In some parts of India, for example, it was a consistent problem until independence was declared. After this it halted. War means that scarce resources are spent on weapons or armies and not invested in farming. Such approaches prevent farmers from long-term planning and managing their land in a normal way. Consequently, preventing war would also prevent famine. In other words, having control over unstable political systems and influence over the processes of war would allow governments to formulate more stable agricultural policies. However, managing these types of changes is demanding and it is unrealistic to suggest that this is achievable, at least for now.

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Ex14: Look at the underlined words in paragraph 2 and draw a line to show which noun each one refers to.

it - famine (example)

it

such

their

these

this

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Match

Alongside climate change, politics can important issue to consider when looking at famine. The decisions of political parties and the impact of wars heavily affects the likelihood of famine. In some parts of India, for example, it was a consistent problem until independence was declared. After this it halted. War means that scarce resources are spent on weapons or armies and not invested in farming. Such approaches prevent farmers from long-term planning and managing their land in a normal way. Consequently, preventing war would also prevent famine. In other words, having control over unstable political systems and influence over the processes of war would allow governments to formulate more stable agricultural policies. However, managing these types of changes is demanding and it is unrealistic to suggest that this is achievable, at least for now.

• famine

• resources are spent on weapons or armies

• farmers

• having control over unstable political systems and influence over the processes of war

• having control over unstable political systems and influence over the processes of war

it

Such

their

this

these

• it

• Such

• their

• this

• these

Ex15: Complete the next part of the essay with suitable reference words, to avoid repetition.

Finally, the use of technology could have an influence on when and how often famine happens. (1)_______ is an important factor because (2)_______ can help to improve the situation long-term by offering some control to the people of the countries affected. For example, if (3)_______ people were able to access water pumps to irrigate (4)_______ farms, they may be able to avoid losing crops. Also food technology and improved food distribution could allow people to manage long-term planning better. (5)_______ approach takes (6)_______ issue out of the hands of politicians and does not depend upon climate change being solved.

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Fill in the Blank

Finally, the use of technology could have an influence on when and how often famine happens. (1)_______ is an important factor because (2)_______ can help to improve the situation long-term by offering some control to the people of the countries affected. For example, if (3)_______ people were able to access water pumps to irrigate (4)_______ farms, they may be able to avoid losing crops. Also food technology and improved food distribution could allow people to manage long-term planning better. (5)_______ approach takes (6)_______ issue out of the hands of politicians and does not depend upon climate change being solved.

Ex16: Read the notes for the final part of the essay. Write them out using reference words, to avoid repetition.

Technology — difficult, requires economic investment

Some money for water pumps, etc raised through charity but often limited.

However, of all solutions this one viable immediately

_____

Technique

Leave time at the end of your essay to check it through and think about repetition. You will be graded on the range of language you use. Constant repetition suggests that your range is limited, so try to avoid it. Using reference words shows good control of language.

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Open Ended

Write the final part of the essay, using the following suggestion:

Technology — difficult, requires economic investment

Some money for water pumps, etc raised through charity but often limited.

However, of all solutions this one viable immediately

Lesson review

Giving reasons:

Linkers:

• Because/Since/As/Seeing that

• For/With

• In that/Inasmuch as

• Because of

• Owning to/Due to

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Lesson review

Referencing:

• it/this: refer danh từ số ít của câu liền trước, refer một quy trình hoặc tình huống

• they/these: refer danh từ số nhiều

• the former: refer cái thứ nhất trong 2 danh từ của câu liền trước

• the latter: refer cái thứ 2 trong 2 danh từ của câu liền trước

• such: kết hợp với "as this/as these" hoặc từ tương đương để tránh lặp danh từ

• one/ones: refer danh từ số ít/nhiều được nhắc tới ngay trước đó

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Lesson review

evaluating solutions:

• description: mô tả giải pháp

• advantages: ưu điểm của giải pháp

• disadvantages: nhược điểm của giải pháp

LƯU Ý: Give reasons: luôn nhớ đưa ra lý do tại sao advantages/disadvantages

By : Phạm Hà - Improve writing 7.5_Lesson 12

Lesson review

evaluating solutions:

• description: mô tả giải pháp

• advantages: ưu điểm của giải pháp

• disadvantages: nhược điểm của giải pháp

LƯU Ý: Give reasons: luôn nhớ đưa ra lý do tại sao advantages/disadvantages

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Assignment

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Poor nutrition and obesity is a problem in many developed countries and some people believe that a tax on fast food would reduce the problem. Do you agree?

Write at least 250 words.

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