EnglezdCompetenti lingvistici

Ghid de pregitire

Mihaela StdrceanuMirela Chelaru

WlB,ookletBucuregti,2OlA

CONTENTS

I. DISCURSIVE ESSAYS ........31. OPIN|ON ESSAY ..........3

1. Speak about the qualities that would make a good doctor. Givearguments and examples to support your ideas . . . . . . . . .5

2. Speak about three factors that affect our lives in a negative wayin today's world. Give arguments and examples to support yourideas.. .....7

3. Speak about the measures authorities can take to stop violence atsports events. Give arguments and examples to support your ideas. 10

4. Should countries import or produce the food they consume?Give arguments and examples to support your ideas. .........12

5. What do you think would be the best ways to keep your hearthealthy? Give reasons and examples to support your choice. . . .'14

6. ln your opinion, is immigration a problem or a solution? Givearguments and examples to support your ideas. j . . . . . . . . . . . .16

7. Do you lead a simple life or do you need many hobbies to behappy? Give arguments and examples to support your ideas . . .18

8. Speak about the qualities that team sports develop in a person.Give arguments and examples to support your ideas .........20

9. Do you agree with the following statement: "We are alone in theuniverse"? Give arguments and examples to support your ideas 22

10. Speak about the benefits of speaking a foreign language. Givearguments and examples to support your ideas ..... ...24

11. Do you think human rights are respected in your country? Givearguments and examples to support your ideas . ...... .26

12. Speak about the dangers of the lnternet. Give arguments and

examplesto supportyourideas ........2713. Speak about the impact of technology on society. Give

arguments and examplesto supportyour ideas ........2914. Speak about the shock that a foreign student might have on

coming into contact with the Romanian cullure. Give arguments

15. Speak about the way in which a teacher can also be an artist.Give arguments and examplesto supportyour ideas ... . .....33

16. Speak about the importance of toys in shaping a child'spersonality. Give arguments and examples to support your ideas .35

17. Speak about the benefrts of the advances in science and technology on

human heahh. Give arguments and examples to suppon your ideas . . . .37

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'l 8. Express your opinion on the following: "ls cheating or plagiarism

the only method likely to produce success?" Give arguments and

examplestosupportyourideas ........3919. Speak about the values and ideals of today's youth. Give

arguments and examplesto supportyour ideas - - -.....4120. Speak about the role of women in today's society. Give

argumentsand examplesto supportyourideas ... - -. - -43

21 . Speak about the way you imagine life in a tribal society' Give

arguments and examplesto supportyour ideas ... ' '...4522. Speak about the gap between generations and the chances of

' bridging it. Give arguments and examples to support your ideas 47

23. Speak about your generation's attitude towards school and

study. Give arguments and examples to support your ideas ' - . .49

24. Give your own opinion on the power of the press to change

things (destiniesisituations). Give arguments and examples to

supportyourideas '......5125. Speak about the effects of global warming on the environment.

Give arguments and examplesto support your ideas . .' . . . .. .53

26. Speak about the importance of music in people's lives. Give

arguments and examplesto supportyourideas ... '....5527. Speak about the ways one can learn a foreign language. Give

arguments and examples to support your ideas . ..' . .. .56

28. Speak about the role of television in people's lives. Give

arguments and examples to supportyour ideas .. . . .. . .58

29. Speak about what people should do in order to live a healthy

life. Give arguments and examples to support your ideas . . . . . .60

30. Express your opinion on the following: "Advertisements do msre

harm than good". Give arguments and examples to support your

ideas. .-----622. FOR AND AGAINST ESSAY . . ... .64

1 . Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of losing weight. Do you

agree with dieb? Give arguments and examples to support your ideas . . .65

2. Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of being a

vegetarian. Would you ever consider becoming a vegetarian one

day? Give arguments and examples to support your ideas . . . . .66

3. Speak about the downsides and upsides of globalization. Give

arguments and examplesto supportyour ideas ........684. Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of shopping on the

lnternet. Give arguments and examples to support your ideas . . . . . '695. Speak about the pluses and minuses of advertising. Give

arguments and examples to support your ideas -. . . . . . .70

6. Give your opinion on whether intemational adoptions should be banned

or not. Give arguments and examplesto supportyourideas . ..--. -.. -72

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II. DESCRIPTIVE ESSAYS .....741. DESCRIPTIONOFAPERSON ....742. DESCRIPTION OFA CHARACTER . . ....753. DESCRIPTIONOFAPI.ACE ...,..764. DESCRIPTIONOFABUILDING .........765. DESCRIPTION OF AN EVENT . . . .T/

1. How would you describe your ideal teacher? ln what way didhelshe influence your life? Give arguments and examples tosupportyourideas .......78

2. Describe a building you have encountered in your trips that reallyimpressed you. Give details and make a clear description of it, aswell as examples to support your impressions of it . . . . . . .80

3. What part of RomAnia would you recommend to your foreignlriends coming to spend two weeks in Romania? Give argumentsand examples to support your ideas . . . .82

4. Describe an ideal day in your life, including a type of physicalexercise that you consider most appropriate to your personality.Give arguments and examplesto support your ideas .. .......84

5. Speak about one famous person that you consider to have contributedto the progress of mankind through his/her work and dedication. Givearguments and examplesto supportyourideas ....... ..86

6. Speak about your favorite subjects at school. Give argumentsand examples to support your ideas . . . . .88

7. Speak about an important politician that had an important role in thehistory of our country. Give arguments and examples to supportyourideas .......90

8. Speak about your Iavorite character. Give arguments andexamplesto supportyourideas ........92

9. Speak about your favorite mountain resorUtown. Give argumentsandexamplestosupportyourideas ..........94

10. Speak about your favorite profession. Give arguments andexamplesto supportyourideas ........96

1 1. Speak about your favorite sportsperson and give reasons andexamplesto supportyourchoice .......98

12. Describe a park in your area. What do you like/dislike mostaboutit? .......100

13. Speak about some famous sportsperson/pop star/actor/politicianor an ordinary person (family member/friend/neighbor) you admire.Give arguments and examples to support your ideas . . . .1Oz

III. NARRATIVE ESSAYS .....104FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVES ....104THIRD-PERSON NARHATIVES . ....104

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1. Speak about your dearest memory. Give arguments and

examplesto supportyourideas .......1052. Speak about one day in your life when something happened and

changed your life. Give arguments and examples to support your

ideas.. ......1073. Speak about the most important day of your life. Give arguments

andexamplestosupportyourideas .........1094. Speak about a party that you will never forget. Give arguments

and examples to support your ideas . ' . .111

5. Speak about an experience that showed how we should be careful of

what we wish for. Give argumenb and examples to support your ideas 1 13

6. Speak about an act of heroism or cowardice. Give arguments

and examples to support your ideas . . . .115

7. Speak about your first time away from home. Give arguments

and examplesto supportyouropinion .... j. . -. - - -..1178. Speak about a day when everything weni wrong. Give arguments

and examples to support your ideas . . .1 19

9. Speak about an event that made you laugh until you cried' Give

arguments and examples to support your ideas - - - - - - .121

10. Speak about a film that impressed you. Give arguments and

examplesto supportyourideas - - - -.. J2311. Speak about an experience that helped you to grow up. Give

arguments and examples to support your ideas . . . . . . .125

INFORMAL LETTERS ......1271. Lettersgiving news - -. -.1272. Letters of invitation . .. . -129

3.Lettersaskingforadvice. ......131FORMAL LETTERS .. .. . . . .133

1 . Letters asking for information . . .133

2. Formal letters of application . . . .136

3. Formal letters of complaint ' . . . .138

Lucrare executatd la IMPRIMERIA,,OLTEN lA"Str. Dr. N. l. Sisegti nr.21, Craiova

tel.: 0351 804 901; fax: 0351 451 985e-mail: imprimeria.oltenia@gmail.com

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I. DISCURSIVE ESSAYS

DISCURSIVE ESSAYS present strong arguments and relevanlexamples concerning different topics, such as the lnternet, health,the gap between generations, current activities, immigration, food,technology and the list can go on. Discursive essays are divided intotwo categories: opinion essays and for-and-against essays.

1. OPINION ESSAY

An opinion essay presents our own opinion on a certain topic.We use a formal style and present tenses. The clear presentationof our opinions and viewpoints on the topic is very important and thearguments must always be strengthened with examples. The essayhas five or more paragraphs. These paragraphs are grouped intothree main parts : the introduction, the main body and theconclusion.

ln the introduction we make general remarks about the subject,stating our opinion clearly, if we agree or not with the topic. Topresent our opinions we can use expressions such as: in myopinion, I believe, I think, I consider, as I see it, as far as I amconcerned and so on.

The main body usually includes three paragraphs. The first two:onvey our viewpoints: if we agree with the topic, then we present itsadvantages and if we disagree with it, we present its negative parts orrinuses. We justify our opinions wlth arguments, reasons and'elevant examples. Each viewpoint is presented in a separateoaragraph; we can use words such as firstly, secondly, furthermore,,!so, moreover, in addition and so on to list the points. ln the fourth:aragraph we present the opposing point of view. So, if we agree with:-e topic, we presenl a negative point and if we disagree with it, then,"'e present a positive aspect. This last paragraph of the main body::3n be introduced by words such as however or on the other hand.

ln the conclusion, we sum up the topic, then we state once again:-' opinion, but in different words, to make clear our personal point:' 'riew. To introduce the last part of the opinion essay we use:-'ases such as in conclusion, in brief, briefly, to sum up, all the* ^gs being considered and so on.

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about the that would make a doctor.Give arguments and examples to support your ideas

When we were kids and somebody would ask us what wewanted to become, most of us would answer: "l will be a doctor", ofcourse, not knowing then what that really implied. Surely, being adoctor is a nice and respected profession, offering a good salaryand great job satisfaction in most cases, but I think we should alsobe aware of the risks it implies, and before making a decision weshould put in balance allthe advantages and disadvantages of sucha profession. But, most importantly, we need to understand whatqualities would make a good doctor, as this is one of the toughprofessions that rather choose you, instead of you choosing them.

To begin with, being a good doctor means being extremelyknowledgeable in the field, which means you have to study all yourlife. lt also means to keep track of allthe new technologies that helpdoctors put a better diagnosis and provide better treatments. lnorder te be able to accumulate new information all the time a doctorneeds to be an open-minded, intelligent and fast-thinking person,with the ability to learn continuously.

Patience, on the other hand, is, I think, an even more importantquality in a doctor. Doctors meet new, difficult, strange caseseveryday and they have to brace themselves for the worst life-threatening crisis a patient might encounter, in lhe meantimedealing with the anxiety and fear of all their patients. And, at thesame time, a doctor must not involve emotionally with a patient, ashe or she must be able to focus entirely on the case as anyparticular case could be an answer to larger problems, such asincurable diseases. A doctor's patience is also crucial when he orshe is urgently required at the hospital in the middle of the night,even if it is not his or her shift, because some emergency occurred.And, last but not least, a lot of patience is required from a doctorwhen a hypochondriac comes running to the hospital convinced that

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he or she suffers from the most dreadful afflictions, and it is the

doctor's job to convince them they are all right.

However, that cannot suffice to make a good doctor if there isn't

any passion involved. I strongly believe that the real motivation deep

down, for any profession, is a personal, ultimately selfish one.

Therefore, I should say, the most important quality in a doctor is loreally like being a doctor, to love this job. Really liking it means you

have got the call to do it, hence the patience and the study and the

hard work. If you love what you do and if it comes to represent who

you are, the phone calls in the middle of the night and the sickness

and the desperation of the patients will never put you off, although,

I am sure, there are difficult moments in a doctor's career-

All in all, there are some specific traits to a good doctor, among

which intelligence, hard work, open mindedness, patience, and agood attitude towards patients. But I strongly believe that, most

importantly, such a profession, maybe more than any other, should

be done with passion.

about three factors that atfect our lives in away in today's arguments

examples to support your ideas.

We are said to be sacrificed generations because over the pasldecades the world has changed in a negative way: we, humans, haveconstantly tried to make our lives easier and better through technologicalbreakthroughs and machines, more food and more entertainment. Howdid we end up like this, on the verge of irreversible naturalchanges? Andwhy did our progress and welfare turn against us? These are questionswith no easy answers. what are the main factors that affect us today ina negative way? lt is hard to say but if I were to identify the three majorones, I would say they are pollution, the consumer's society and the sideeffects of the hi-tech lives we live.

To start with, pollution is a very complex issue stretching toevefihing pertaining to our existence: the food we eat, the water wedrink, and the air we breathe. And, unfortunately, it reaches beyond ourexistence, to the vast eco-systems of the earth and sea, making themsick, causing species to become .extinct, as well as triggering globalwarming. At the beginning of the 20In century, industry was perceived asthe golden key to progress, but, unfortunately, it turns out that thehumankind has earned its welfare the hard way and maybe has not yetlearned its lesson. lndustry has brought about new afflictions such astuberculosis and other lung illnesses, as well as cancer and heavy metalpoisoning. lt has contaminated the water of the rivers with highly toxicchemicalwaste and has led to massive land clearing. And ironically, asa result of the industrial production, we have much more food, but theproducers, in order to obtain larger crops at small prices, use chemicalfertilizers and additives to enhance the flavour. So, in the end, we getmore unhealthy food and less real food than, let's say, a hundred yearsago. Nonetheless, we do not seem to care much, in our turn, aboutpreventing pollution, as we buy more fancy cars and generally producemore garbage every year. And although we agree in theory to all thesocial programmes aiming at stopping pollution, we do very little to mendour ways when it comes to giving up our personal comfort.

Moreover, our consumer's society educate us to want more than wecan ever afford and turn us into compulsive buyers. It is a vicious circle'18,.

actually, as the society provides us means to get everything we want,although we haven't really earned any of those things. Our consumerbehaviour leads to mass production and requires industry development,which leads to pollution. The connection between demand andconsumption is stronger than ever but the real connection, between needand demand, has lost its meaning almost completely. Nowadays, in anysupermarket one can find the widest and most exotic selection ofvegetables and fruit. Thus we end up having no connection with thenatural flow of the seasons; even worse, the luxury of eating freshtomatoes or melons in winter - some of them are tasteless anyway -brings about health risks, as these out of season fruit and vegetables areanltivated through procedures that afiect the quality. Strong taste, on theother hand, has come to define our food choices. We prefer tasty, spicyfast food to vegetables and traditional dishes, and we would almostatways choose a bar of chocolate over a fruit. As a result, nowadays youget to see more fat people than ever, and the saddest thing is that a lot ofhem are teenagers and kids. We are compulsive consumers and victimsof the taste to the detriment of health. And, to make things worse, due tote infinite choices we are given in the supermarkets, we constantly eattoo much, albeit half of the foods we buy we throw away eventually.

To make things even worse, we live in a hitech world that fulfills ourdesires without the slightest effort. Machines are serving us in every way.We use cars, buses, elevators, escalators;we pay our bills through theinternet, and order our food on the phone. We are not required to run,walk, climb stairs, or, as a matter of fact, make the slightest move. We,tave our share of struggle, of course, and while not making any physicaleffort whatsoever, we are living under constant, sometimes unbearabletressure. No wonder that the word "stress" was invented in the 20thcentury. Consequently, the number one killers in our society are theeart diseases. And even if lately we have been trying to eat healthierrcod. and our life span has expanded to over 80, we have conqueredt.td at the price of a very high percentage of Alzheimer cases. Our brainecsivgs too many stimuli, watches too much TV, gets too much,rrormation moving too fast, and we are, ultimately, the victims of our,lgress.

To sum up, pollution, consumer's mentality and technology are,:nnically, our best friends and our most feared enemies. They help usr*elop and better our lifestyle but in the end we are their victims, andr s'eally hard to fight enemies with such friendly faces.

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