CAE/ CPE When is it OK to use contractions?

Contractions are regarded as informal and spoken. Therefore it is advisable not to use contractions in formal writing.

 

When doing the writing paper in the CAE or CPE exam, it is important to read the task carefully. The kind of text we have to write will determine whether we use a formal or informal style:

 

Proposals, reports, essays and letters to the editor or letters of complaint are formal documents. It means it is preferable not use contractions in them.

 

Letters/e-mails to friends and articles for a students´magazine are informal pieces of writing. It is quite safe to use contraction in them.

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Essay on Healthy School Lunches

School time is the real test for our kids. Especially for younger ones. You may already guess what we have in mind. Yes, today we will focus on healthy school lunches.

After three months of holidays, our offspring go into the strict confines of school rules, school discipline, and school dieting. And it's not so bad. The thing is that the dieting is not all good.  

The main problem is that we, parents, cannot control what our children are having for lunch in school. Let the matter take its course, we have no right. Otherwise, the child with the high-school diploma will receive a well-earned gastritis certificate.

Is a compromise possible? What should be the ideal diet of our student is not too difficult to understand. 

Obediently eating all the necessary products at the indicated doses, the child will grow up healthy and feel good, all the major systems of the body will develop as expected, and so on. But our life is far from ideal.

How can the frantic pace of life of our children combine with the care of their health in general and the right healthy diet of schoolchildren in particular? Of course to live and eat on schedule in modern conditions few people can. Compromise is possible, if the regime is perceived as the alternation of mental, physical activity and recreation. During period of exertion, diet must be fractional and food - easily digestible. A denser part of the diet, a hearty meal that delivers proteins and fats, and requires a long digestion, it is better to combine with a period shorter or longer leisure.

Lunch is the cornerstone. We have no right to miss it. There are many options, and the modern food industry readily comes to help parents.

Option one is, of course, various porriges. You can cook old fashioned porridge from cereals, and you can take ready-mix, just add some hot water and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.

Another option are muesli and various cereals. Unfortunately, this food is not always as useful as we like to think. According to various studies, cereals and muesli may contain sugar equal to more than a bar of chocolate, and more fat than in sausage. According to various reports, 75% of existing flakes and muesli (especially aimed at children) contain a lot of sugar. 20% flakes contain high levels of salt, and 7% of cereal - elevated level of saturated fat. That is, if you still intend to feed your child with it - choose the most simple flakes, without flavorings, and carefully read the information on the packaging.

The undisputed leader in the healthy effect on the body is deservedly oats. Oat products are rich in fiber, most of whom - soluble fiber - beta-glucan. It lowers the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. 

Carbohydrates contained in the products of oats regulate blood sugar. Oats also rich in protein, lots of minerals and vitamins B and E.

Often happens that students need help with writing essay about Healthy School Lunches. That's why professional writers can write a custom paper for you. Try this site!

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CAE Writing Paper 2014

What pieces of writing to expect in the CAE exam this year?

From the official Cambridge web page:

"Candidates are expected to write non-specialised text types, with a focus on advising, comparing, evaluating, expressing opinions, hypothesising, justifying and persuading. Candidates need to be prepared to write a variety of text types – they are not told the topics and text types in advance of the exam. Text types will include:

• an article
• a contribution to a longer piece
• an essay
• information sheets
• a letter
• a proposal
• a report
• a review
• a competition entry."

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HOW TO WRITE A REPORT FOR CAE/ CPE

A report is a formal document you write to a figure of authority to describe an experience such as attending a conference or taking part in a project. Therefore it is expected to be a rather formal text, well-organised into sections and with proper language.

1. The organisation of a Report

A report should have a title and subtitles (or subheadings) and be divided into clear sections. There is usually an introduction and a conclusion. Click here to see example.

2. Useful language / Phrases to use in a Report.

In the introduction

- The aim of this report is to...

- The purpose of this report is to outline...

- This report will also provide some recommendations on...

In the conclusion

- I strongly recommend...ing

- It would be highly advisable to...

- I would no doubt suggest...ing

- I also believe we should...

Click here to see example

3. The use of formal language in a Report

Avoid using contractions in reports as they are too informal. Write "I would like to recommend..." instead of "I´d like to recommend..."

Another thing to avoid is using idioms and phrasal verbs as they tend to be spoken and informal.

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ADVISE OR ADVICE?

In British English advise (with "s") is the verb; and advice (with "c") is the noun. Let´s check some examples:

Advise (verb)

- I advise you not to go to Peru in this time of the year. It´s better to go in January.

- She advised me to take the FCE exam in June.

Advice (noun/uncountable)

- Listen to my advice and go to Peru in January when it´s sunny.

- Her advice was to take the FCE exam in June.

.....

*Note: Because advice is uncountable, it´s not possible to say advices. 

Incorrect: She gave me advices.
Correct: She gave me some advice. 

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DISCURSIVE ESSAY OR OPINION ESSAY?

A discursive ( or "for and against" ) essay is different from an opinion essay. In an opinion essay, the writer starts out stating his/her opinion; in a discursive essay, the writer gives a balanced view and in the conclusion can either state his/her opinion or give a summary of both sides of the argument.

 

Source: "Speak Out" by Eales Frances and Oakes S.

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CPE ARTICLE

An international current affairs magazine has invited readers to contribute articles entitled ‘ Globalisation- good news or bad ?’ for its next issue. You decide to write an article explaining your personal views on this topic.

280_ 320 words

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let’s go global

I disagree strongly with the idea that globalisation is a threat to traditional symbols, culture and identities. The way I see it, it is a reality which is provoking a sweeping change in our lifestyles.

No need to say that the Internet, the social networks, the mobile phone and the free access telephone services like skype have not only great accessibility but truly have brought people from all around the world much closer. 

"Personally, I can hardly do without these useful tools of communication. They enable me to stay in touch with my distant family and also to find and share information with different people who have the same interests as mine."

Besides, I find people less confined to one culture and identity, they are more open to new ideas and experiences. Being connected to others lead, thus, to a better understanding of our differences. Do not this prove that we all can be more open-minded and tolerant to others?

Another positive aspect of globalisation is discovering new clothes, new food and new products which come from the western culture. Now we have cheaper access to brands like Coca-Cola, Mc Donald and Nike. And that’s not all because companies can now boost their economy by expanding  and reaching new customers overseas.

But there is more, thanks to low-cost air companies  people  travel much more than in the past. I remember the time when my parents had to tighten their belt for a vacation to a one-hour-distance place. We can see a real betterment for the enjoyment of everybody. In that, we can extend our knowledge when visiting other countries and even habe more job opportunities.

All in all, I can say that globalisation is good news. It generates easier ways to do business, interlinks countries and creates a better standard of living. All things considered why are we so afraid of globalisation since it is confirmed to make people happier?

By SYB

CPE blogger from France

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AND WHAT IF MY MIND GOES BLANK?

Perhaps what I find more challenging in the CPE exam is writing an article. There is no magical formula for them, nor fixed phrases that you can memorise in order to use them in the exam (such as "the aim of this report is to..." or "dear Sir or Madam".)

It used to terrify me to think I could be asked to write about a topic I know nothing about, or that I could lose 20 minutes looking for interesting title or a good way to start.

 

So what´s the trick to successfully write an article? Is there one? Well, I found one, although I´m not sure it will work for everyone. When my mind goes blank in the middle of a writing exam, I always remember what my best friend told me once:

 

"Si no sabes cómo comenzar, empieza diciendo la verdad".

"Just start by telling the truth if you don´t know how to start." 

 

And I always to that.

 

 ..........

Read some SAMPLE ARTICLES

A nostalgic trip to BA

Life and the city






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES VOCABULARY

One of the books you are advised to read before taking the CPE exam is Sue Monk Kidd's "The secret life of bees". The book is full of very useful vocabulary. This comes from chapter 1 of the book.

BRISTLE ROLLERS

PEACH ORCHARD (an area of land devoted to the cultivation of peaches)

DUCKTAIL (hairstyle/ wear your hair in a ducktail)

SOCK HOP (a dance/ an event in which teenagers gathered in the school to dance in the USA in the 1950s)

KNEEL ON GRITS (  a very cruel form of punishment )

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Essay on Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults

Why should juveniles be tried as adults? This is a very complex question to answer, so we must consider closer the whole matter.

Juvenile delinquency is one of the most pressing social problems around the world. The growth of such crimes is characterized primarily to the developed countries. To the main causes of juvenile delinquency, Western experts include youth unemployment, lack of the social aspects for young people in the future, dissatisfaction about the modern way of governance.

Thus, according to the West German police, 14% of all arrested offenders in 1996 had not a permanent job. Among the perpetrators committed theft, unemployed amounted to fourth. They have committed 28% of crimes against persons, 34% of robberies.

Western experts expressed other opinions on the causes of the growth of juvenile delinquency. Thus, the head of the federal Bureau of Justice for Justice and Delinquency Prevention United States A. Regnery considers major causes of juvenile delinquency a family breakdown, child abuse, violation of the inalienable rights of children to receive education and training, living in normal conditions and, as a result, child run away from home. Examination of minors in Connecticut showed that 75% of the perpetrators of the most serious acts of violence were themselves abused by parents and others. Their share of the total number of persons who have committed violent crimes, was 33%.

Japanese experts assess the causes of the current wave of juvenile crime in the country in their own specific way. They believe that this increase in crime is due to the growth of wealth and its consequences - the stress associated with learning, lack of education in the family, breakdown of traditional family values, individualism.

It should be noted that a Japanese study also shows that juvenile offenders are often those who grew up without parents, as well as people from low-income families.

Serious problem for Japanese schools is a recognized lack of specialists in psychotherapy. It is believed to be a reason for the increase in violence against parents, teachers, and classmates.

So the jurisprudence of suspended sentence, which is currently being implemented for approximately half of all juveniles sentenced to imprisonment is widely used for juvenile. In addition, some of the offenders (20%) shall be exempt from criminal liability or punishment: the materials thereon or transferred to juvenile commission, or they are subject to compulsory education measures.

Thus, the real criminal penalties are executed for less than half of adolescents who commit criminal acts. Given that juveniles are not subjected to a number of sentences, and some (such as a fine, correctional labor) are used in a very limited manner, the main type of real (executable) punishment is imprisonment, which persons condemned as minors serving in juvenile correctional facilities.

If a teenager who commits an offense under the age of criminal responsibility, i.e., he was not yet 14 years old, the use of the criminal penalties is recognized as impractical, nevertheless, such teenagers, who need special education conditions, are sent to a special educational institution.

If you are looking for professional essay writing help - you can get a custom essay on Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults topic written from scratch!

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USING TWO-PART PHRASES IN WRITINGS

Using two-part phrases will help you enhance your writing for an international exam such as CAE, CPE or IELTS.

Try using some of these two-part phrases the next time you write a letter/ essay/ article/ story...

LEAPS AND BOUNDS
                                                         PROS AND CONS
ROUGH AND READY
                                                        UPS AND DOWNS
THROUGH AND THROUGH
                                                        GIVE AND TAKE


Examples

Any skill such as playing the violin improves in leaps and bounds if you practise enough. (article)

Even though our relationship had its ups and downs, I was sure that ours was a match made in heaven. (story)

It would be infinitely preferable to take into consideration the pros and cons of building a new factory before making a final decision. (formal letter)


...............
Students´samples:

I’m sick and tired of having to queue every time I go to the bank.

There are pros and cons to travelling abroad alone.

I´m learning to speak English in leaps and bounds.

I´m an Italian food fan through and through.

I don´t like romantic films. They go on and on.

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CPE PHRASAL VERBS

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SADDLE SOMEBODY WITH SOMETHING

This week´s phrasal verb is " saddle with."

 

Definition: To make someone have a job or problem that is difficult or boring and that they do not want.

 

Examples:

 

I´ve been saddled with organising the whole party.

 

Many farms were saddled with debts.

 

I´ve been saddled with the job of writing a report of the college´s olympic games.

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CPE VOCABULARY IN PICTURES

A HEAP OF STRAW

                              


MOULDY BREAD

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GRIN LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT

To be grinning like a cheshire cat means to be incredibly happy.

The Cheshire Cat is a fictional cat popularised by Lewis Carroll in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and known for its distinctive mischievous grin.

Example: "She fancied him. It was as clear as water to us. As he talked to her she couldn´t help grinning like a cheshire cat."

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Today´s idiom: Red Tape

The idiom RED TAPE  refers to excessive rules and regulations, bureaucratic details and delays.

Example: I´m glad to announce I´ve made it through the red tape. The embassy has granted me a VISA so I´m going on holidays to Germany. ( = I have finally managed to get a VISA so I can travel.)

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USING ADVERBS TO WRITE DESCRIPTIVELY

It´s vitally important to be able to use adverbs in the CAE/ CPE exams. When writing a book or film review, for example, it is fundamental to write descriptively. This will cause a very positive effect on the reader/ examiner

Useful phrases

poignantly        directed by              (*note: poignant meaning touching or moving)
convincingly    directed by
skilfully            directed by

poignantly        acted by
convincingly    acted by
skilfully            acted by

highly                  praised by
overwhelmingly  praised by
widely                 praised by


harshly                criticised by        (*note: harshly meaning severely )
overwhelmingly  criticised by
widely                 criticised by


Examples:

The 1998 Warner Bros film was skilfully directed by Griffin Dunne.

Even though Practical Magic was widely criticised, I still consider it my favourite movie.

*For further reference see book SpeakOut by Frances Eales and Steve Oakes. /Pearson.


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Training and Development / Budgeting and Productivity Essay

Introduction

The most precious asset in an organization is its employees. They determine the success or breakdown in the organization. The personnel theory involves actions carried out by human resources managers in ensuring success in the organization. Organizations have a responsibility of assisting employees adapt to change. This has resulted to strategic training, as well as development activities, which must be planned for the organization to succeed in attaining its goals. Budgeting is crucial in ensuring high productivity in the organization. This study will focus on training, development, budgeting and productivity in achieving organizational goals.

Training and Development

The demand from the organizations is changing as a new generation takes charge. As the demand keeps on changing, organizations should execute training and development activities to ensure that employees have the required skills, knowledge and abilities to tackle the new challenges (Pynes 2009, 309). Sometimes, employees have the skills and knowledge to undertake a given job, but are not motivated to demonstrate their aptitude. Training and development plans endeavor to increase the individual’s competence necessary to handle a given task. 

     

The training process should be well planned to incorporate all what employees need to achieve organizational goals. The training process involves developing objectives, set of courses, determining methodologies to use, delivering training and evaluating training ((Pynes 2009, 311). An organization should evaluate its training methods to ensure that they achieve the required objectives. Evaluation allows for feedback, as well as to determine whether the training is beneficial to the organization or not. 

     

It is quite essential to understand the personnel practices, as they assist in the management of employees. The personnel, or human resources, ensure that recruitment and training is carried in the appropriate manner, since the quality of employees determines the success of the organization. Training involves gaining of knowledge and skills that assist employees in career development and growth of the organization. Training should be continuous, as it is vital in acquiring new knowledge and management skills. 

Budgeting and Productivity

Organization’s budgeting and productivity is linked to the performance of employees in the organization. Organizational development allows employees to make organizational change while training increases employees knowledge and skills to handle their duties with ease. Emergencies in the organization can create hazards and, consequently, reduce the productivity of employees. Effective preparation for emergency in the organization is vital in responding to an emergency. Being prepared before any emergency is crucial in ensuring that everyone has the necessary equipment, in addition to the information on how to handle emergencies. Employees should be encouraged to identify safety and health problems for the well-being of the organization (Jackson, et al. 2009, 483). Employees should always be aware that their organization has an appropriate health and safety plan to guarantee their safety. 

     

It is the responsibility of a human resources manager to ensure that the organization operates within its budgeted resources. The personnel should ensure that labor costs are kept relatively low to avoid making losses during difficult economic times (Jackson, et al. 2009, 360). Keeping wages low should not mean paying the employees meager salaries, but making sure that they get incentives and other benefits beyond their basic pay. This would motivate employees to work hard. Employees should be compensated fully for what they have done to improve the organization. When the organization ties its payments to productivity, its productivity usually improves. 

Conclusion

Organizations should ensure that employees are well trained to adapt to changes. Training helps the employees to improve their skills, in addition to career growth. Organization development ensures that employees have the essential skills to facilitate higher productivity. Employees should also be guaranteed of their safety to enhance their productivity. Human resources managers should strategize on the budget to ensure that the organization is achieving its goals. Attractive remunerations will enhance organizational productivity and continuity. 

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Sociological Essay Example

This paper talks about a class - socioeconomical status on an advertisement about a perfume called channel No 5. The rhetorical appeal works on different socioeconomic levels, according to this advertisement. The advert is appealing, and its main goal is to encourage women spend money so as to obtain the perfume. The music tone in this ad is slow and romantic, and the movement is classy, this shows that it belongs to a socioeconomic class of middle level.

The advert represents a working or lower-middle class to show upward mobility symbol. The perfume is relatively expensive. According dialogue in the advert, it shows that when a person uses the perfume he will likely attract people of the opposite sex. Also, a person is likely to obtain elite status if the buy and use the perfume. The use of logical fallacies connected with middle level class may be shown in channel No 5 perfume advert. The ad uses figurative language that shows the working and middle class people may be represented. 

People from an upper and working/ middle class are the one who are using the perfume.  Many celebrities have used the perfume, among them being Marilyn Monroe who once said that he uses the perfume in her bed. The statement by Marilyn Monroe, it encouraged many women from both high and middle class to look for perfume. The advert is appeals a stereotype which is gender based; this is because it may be addressed to women. The advert seems to reinforce the status quo of the world since it liked and impressed by millions of women worldwide. The channel no 5 has set values associated with it as it clears bad odor and bring the house with fresh frost air.

You can sociological essay writing help from experts if you need.

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Essay on Movie Ratings

Which movie to watch, what computer game choose for your child and how best to spend time at the screen with the whole family? These are the questions we will try to answer in this short article.

It's no secret that the entertainment industry is increasingly tolerant to the violence on the screen. Violence and sex are an inherent part of almost every blockbuster or a video game. Nevertheless, there are several organizations that are trying to control and organize the content in the best way by age categories.

Those movies that you can download any time are freely available to children are rated as recommended and not recommended for viewing by a particular group of audience. 

Currently, the American Motion Picture Association has identified five groups of films for different groups of audiences:

1. "G" rating is given to the films recommended for all groups of viewers. Children may watch these movies without a parent, without harm to their psyche. In such films there is no coarse expressions, sexual scenes, use of harmful substances, or violence in pronounced form. These characteristics are vague, but at least it's better than nothing.
2. "PG"- marking movies, which are best to watch with parents. These films are not full of violence, but it can manifest itself more clearly, and there may be present the scenes with a minimum amount of swearing.
3. "PG13"- are films for children after 13 years. Parental control for children up to 13 years is required. In such films, there may be present profanity expressed in a sexual context, nudity without sexual connotation, drug use is minimal, with brief scenes of violence.
4. "R" is assigned to the movies with explicit obscene content. These films are not allowed to show to children under 12 years of age at all. And up to 17 years, children must be supervised by a parent, or the film is first to see by parents before offering it to the children. There may be sex and violence, and drugs, and a lot of swearing.
5. "NC-17"- a film for adults. This is not pornography, but the sex scenes may be present in a film explicitly, as well as drugs, violence, and plenty of swearing.

However, the reality is that you can download any movie on the Internet now freely, where there are no age limits, and your child can watch movies with NC-17 rating, regardless of time of day. The same situation is on television. It's not even funny, along with the new Law on the Protection of Children, which supposedly should control the Internet resources that could be harmful to children. In fact, parents themselves should control the movies their children are about to watch.

You can also get professional essay writing help on Movie Ratings online!

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CPE VOCABULARY FLOWERS

CAMOMILE                                                       DANDELION




SUNFLOWER

                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                          VIOLET


WATER LILY

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