1st essay: Unit 1-2, 2nd essay: Unit 3-4

My vacation

1. Introduction:
places, time, duration;
2.Visited places
2.1. Ulaanbaatar
2.1.1. where you stayed
2.1.2. weather
2.1.3. sightseeing
2.1.4. events
2.1.5. food
2.2. Khubsugul lake
where you stayed, weather, sightseeing, events, food;
2.3. Gobi desert
2.4. Hometown
3. Conclusion
feeling, suggestion

Write about yourself.

1. Introduction
- name, where from, place you live, family;

2. Main parts:
- Physical appearance: age, height, build, face, eyes, hair, mouth, nose;
Clothes: preferences - casual, formal;
- Character, friends;
- Favourite activities on free time, likes / dislikes; hobbies/interests, food;
- Views on life - beliefs;

3. Conclusion
- final comments;

70 points:
1. semitests 6 x 4 = 24
2. workbook 6 x 2 = 12
3. essay 4 x 2 = 8
4. presentation 3 x 2 = 6
5. test 2 x 10 = 20

http://www.slideshare.net/first_suljee/slideshows

Verb tenses

Simple Present Simple Past Simple Future I study English every day. Two years ago, I studied English in England. If you are having problems, I will help you study English. I am going to study English next year. Present Continuous Past Continuous Future Continuous I am studying English now. I was studying English when you called yesterday. I will be studying English when you arrive tonight. I am going to be studying English when you arrive tonight. Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect I have studied English in several different countries. I had studied a little English before I moved to the U.S. I will have studied every tense by the time I finish this course. I am going to have studied every tense by the time I finish this course. Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous Future Perfect Continuous I have been studying English for five years. I had been studying English for five years before I moved to the U.S. I will have been studying English for over two hours by the time you arrive. I am going to have been studying English for over two hours by the time you arrive.

Basic Tenses: Irregular Verb

This page shows the basic tenses with the irregular verb sing. It includes the affirmative or positive form (+), the negative form (-) and the interrogative or question form (?).

The basic structure is:

positive: + subject + auxiliary verb + main verb negative: - subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb question: ? auxiliary verb + subject + main verb These are the forms of the main verb that we use to construct the tenses:

base verb past past participle present participle -ing sing sang sung singing

past present future SIMPLE do + base verb (except future: will + base verb) + I did sing I sang I do sing I sing I will sing - I did not sing I do not sing I will not sing ? Did I sing? Do I sing? Will I sing? SIMPLE PERFECT have + past participle + I had sung I have sung I will have sung - I had not sung I have not sung I will not have sung ? Had I sung? Have I sung? Will I have sung? CONTINUOUS be + -ing + I was singing I am singing I will be singing - I was not singing I am not singing I will not be singing ? Was I singing? Am I singing? Will I be singing? CONTINUOUS PERFECT have been + -ing + I had been singing I have been singing I will have been singing - I had not been singing I have not been singing I will not have been singing ? Had I been singing? Have I been singing? Will I have been singing?

How to learn vocabulary

http://esl.fis.edu/learners/advice/vocab.htm

Introduction

Learning vocabulary is a very important part of learning a language. The more words you know, the more you will be able to understand what you hear and read; and the better you will be able to say what you want to when speaking or writing.

Which words to learn

Every day you hear or read many new English words. You also find them in your dictionary when you are translating from your own language. You can’t possibly learn all these new words, so your first problem is to decide which ones to concentrate on. Here are some suggestions:

• learn the words that are important to the subjects you are studying
• learn the words that you read or hear again and again
• learn the words that you know you will often want to use yourself
• do not learn words that are rare or not useful (your teacher can help you with this)

How to learn words

Once you have chosen which words to learn, you next have to decide how you are going to learn them. Here are a few ideas:

• write the words in a notebook (with their translations or definitions)
• write the words and definitions on small cards
  (advice on how to do this)
• say the words many times (if you have an electronic dictionary you can hear how the word is pronounced)
• put the words into different groups (you could use a graphic organiser)
• write them in a file for use with a computer program
• make associations (in pictures or with other words)
• ask someone to test you
• use the words in your own speaking or writing

Some students put a tick or cross in their dictionary next to every word they look up. The next time they turn to a page with a marked word, they quickly check to see if they remember the meaning of that word.

In all of the above ways, you are doing something with the words. It’s usually not enough to just read through a list of words with their definitions or translations and try to remember them. Most students find that they memorise words better if they do something with them. Even better is to try and learn the word in a typical combination with other words. Learning that to apologize means to say sorry is a good start, but it's much better to learn a whole expression containing the word, e.g. He apologized for being late. Not only is this often easier to remember, but you are also learning some very important information on how the word is used.

Learning vocabulary by reading

The way you learned very many of the words in your own language was by meeting them in the books and magazines you read. The context of a new word in a sentence or story was often enough for you to guess the meaning. Meeting the word again and again in your reading helped you learn it for use in your own speaking and writing. Doing lots of extra reading for pleasure - both fiction and non-fiction - is an excellent way to learn new English words, too. But choose books that you find quite easy to read. Difficult stories or texts that you struggle to understand will not help you to develop your vocabulary the natural way. But remember: to learn new words from reading you have to read A LOT!

More on the importance of reading.

More information about learning words

The vocabulary you know can be divided into two groups - passive vocabulary and active vocabulary. Passive vocabulary contains all the words that you understand when you read or listen, but which you do not use (or cannot remember) in your own writing and speaking. Active vocabulary is all the words you understand, plus all the words that you can use yourself. Your active vocabulary, in English and your own language, is probably much smaller than your passive vocabulary.

The more you work on learning a word, as suggested above, the more likely it is that it will become part of your active vocabulary.

Things to know about the words you learn

Usually the first things you learn about a new English word are what it means and its translation in your own language. But there are other things you need to find out before you can say that you know a word like a native speaker does. For example, you have to learn:

• how it is spelled
• how it is pronounced
• how it is inflected (i.e. how it changes if it is a verb, noun or adjective)
• other grammar information about it
• how it collocates (i.e. what other words are often used with it)
  More on collocation
• if it has a particular style or register

Native speakers learn these things about words by hearing them and reading them again and again. This is the best way for you to learn them, too.

Answer the questions. /Ойр зуур ярихад хэрэг болох асуултууд /
I. Your region or town:
1. Where are you from? Where were you born?
2. What's it like living there?
3. Have you always lived there?
4. Are there any interesting places to visit in your area?
5.Would you like to live anywhere else?

II. Home and Family:
1. Do you live in a house or an apartment?
2. Have you got any brothers and sisters?

III. Hobbies and interests:
1. Do you have any hobbies?
2. What do you like doing in your spare time?
3. What kinf of music do you like?

IV. Works and studies:
1. Are you working or studying at the moment?
2. Do you enjoy your work?
3. Do you need any special qualifications to do that?

V. Reasons for learning English:
1. Why are you learning English?
2. What other languages would you like to learn?

VI. Short term and long term future plans:
1. Are you doing anything special this summer?
2. What do you think you will be doing 5 years from now?

"How to be a good student?"

Have you ever faced with these problems?

- Although I know that doing my lessons is necessary for me but I can`t do anymore

- Although I open my book but I can`t read and just look.

- However, I want to do but I can`t

- I get bored easily during doing lessons.

If yes, I will strongly advise you to set your goal and plan for your whole life. You can use following methods to plan your purpose.

At first, just think about the situation where you are in 10 years. Ask yourself:

- What will I have created after 10 years?

- How will I be living?

- What will my pride have become like at that time and compare your dream with your present dreams. Then you should determine your goal.

Secondly, think about the situation after a year.

Thirdly, think about the time after 1-month period.

These 3 lists will help you to plan your work. For example, here is a plan of 1 student about his purpose and make your plan like that.

Plan for 10-year time:

- To become a good computer programmer

- To learn English and Japanese well

- To work in a big international company

1- year plan:

- To enter the university with major computer programming

- To learn with high points

- To learn in English course

1- month plan:

- To solve all the math problems in order to take the entering exam

- To find the best English course and start to learn .

You can plan your goals like this, then locate it place where it will easily be seen for you. It will help you to see it more often. If you see this more often you will be energetic and you will be encouraged. After that, set your weekly and daily work plan. Your daily plan must be included into your weekly plan.

Planning and dreaming is important for human life. Also never make joke with someone`s dream. It is said that the most stupid dream is enjoyed by everyone. There are 3 main enemies of success.

1. Sleepiness and laziness

People have to sleep but the time must be limited and defined. If you want to use time effectively you should sleep less time. In order to decline your sleepiness you should determine when to sleep and when to wake up, you are not allowed to go to bed unless you feel really sleepy, if you don`t sleep after 5 minutes lying on your bed just get up and do your lesson.

2. TV

It is the enemy of attention. What is the result of watching TV? Don`t watch unnecessary things on TV. It is believed TV decreases 80 percent of person`s creativeness.

3. Any kind of games like card and computer games. People who don`t have goal play computer games.

Maybe, it is difficult to get up early and to do lesson with plan but after 10 or 20 times tries it becomes habit of you. Also you should have personal mottos which always encourage you like “Don`t put works later just now”. Don`t give up. And you must put high requirements on you.

Ok, you have planned your work and start to do your homework. Now you must concentrate your attention. If you can`t concentrate it is not possible to fulfill your plan. The distractions of attention are to dream empty, to worry about something and to think like everybody is better than you, there are many subjects to review but there is no time. If you face these thoughts when you are doing homework you should ask yourself if it helps to do your homework and get your goal. Moreover, I advise you never do your lesson lying on the bed. It has only 1 end. That is to sleep. If you lie the brain will concentrate on sleeping and give signal to sleep to your body.

Now I will advise you how to learn English?

In my opinion, we should “attack” all sides like reading, writing, listening and grammar in order to learn English. So you should prepare books cassettes CDs and practice tests.

When you do reading exercise read as much as you can wherever you go like address instructions and words on the board. At first, you will face many new words but don`t give up and later the unfamiliar words will become fewer.

When you do listening exercise turn your TV into channels in English. Also listen to English songs looking lyrics.

If you want to do speaking exercise make friends with foreign people who have come to Mongolia to work and meet them more often and talk to them on all topics.

When you work on grammar practice on grammar books and take lessons from English teacher.

Why don`t you guide diary in English when you do writing? It is simple but it is effective way to improve your writing skills. You don`t have to be shy if you want to learn English.

Finally hardworking and patience will let you to become a good student.

Шалгалтанд яаж бэлдэх вэ?

1. Бүх хичээлийнхээ шинэ үгийг цээжлэх /өөр өөрийн аргаар: өгүүлбэрээр нь г.м./
2. "Дасгал ажлын ном"-ны дасгалуудаа бүрэн хийх / мэдэхгүйгээ асуух/
3. Бие даалтын сорилуудаа хийх /80 асуулттай/
4. Ойлгосноо Англиас - Монгол руу, Монголоос Англи хэл рүү орчуулж шалгах
5. Ойлгоогүйгээ хамтарч ярилцах / 70 оноогоо хүснэгтийн дагуу тооцож үзэх/
6. Өдөр бүр өөртөө цаг гаргаж, англи хэлээ давтах /Өдөрт 3-хан үг цээжилбэл 365 хоногт хэд...?/

Some sample essays from Internet

1. Many teachers assign homework to students every day. Do you think that daily homework is necessary for students? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Homework helps students to understand material more deeply. However, some people believe that homework does not bring any benefits. Personally, I think that this issue has some advantages and disadvantages. In this essay first I will focus on the reasons why I support this idea about daily homework and then I will move on to analyzing its disadvantages.

From the one side, daily homework brings many benefits. As I already mentioned, it helps students understand subjects more deeply. Also, young people learn how to arrange their time to have all things done on time. In addition to those practical benefits daily homework teaches students how to make their own research if something is not clear. Curiosity is one of the main reasons that leads a person to a success. Students learn to make their research, work with different kinds of informational resources such as an Internet, books, magazines, journals and newspapers. I think it is a great experience and it is very good for a long run.

From the other side, daily homework can bring many disadvantages. For instance, if a person has no interest in biology, but has a huge interest in music he has to spend his precious time doing his homework and reading uninteresting books instead of spending this time practicing new melodies. Another important aspect of this that a student can have no time for his physical activities. So, basically, doing daily homework will not keep him in a good shape.

To sum up, I think that an intermediate position can be taken. For example, a student will have to do his daily homework if he is going to specialize in this field in the future.

2. A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your essay.

I am from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. It is a very beautiful city that attract many people every year. My close friend is going to move here after her graduation. She already found a job and she asked me to help her with an apartment. Knowing her very well I think I can enumerate the majority of things she will like and dislike about my city.

First of all, I believe she will like a huge amount of museums, theatres, movie theatres, etc. My friend is from a small town, so, she can not enjoy all these benefits at her native town. Second of all, it seems to me that she will like the way people live here. The pace of life is much faster here then in a small town. People are always in a hurry, they try to catch a bus, then they run to the nearest subway station, go to an office, meet new people, etc. Also, I think my friend will like people here. They are very friendly and ready to offer a help to those in need.

Unfortunately, my friend will not surely like some things. As a result of a huge amount of cars and factories the air is polluted here. One more thing she will definitely not like is the weather. It is quite humid here.

However, I think she will also like the public transport here. The bus service are run by the Government and it is quite regular. If one in a hurry he can take a taxi, which also is quite cheap and provide a good transport.

In conclusion, I believe that in spite of all mentioned above disadvantages she will like this city.

3. Which do you feel is more important in your life: security or freedom and independence? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.

Security, Freedom and Independence are both important aspects in our lives. In my opinion these three things are interrelated. However, on top of my personal needs, security posts the utmost significance in my life.

There are several reasons in which I contended that security comes in first as an important need in my life. As it defines, it is the condition wherein one is being protected from the danger and loss. This is one of the reasons I want security because I want that, in any circumstances, I would feel safe and secured anywhere I want to go. At a glance of one of the breaking news recently, I heard that a 5-year old boy had left unattended by a mother playing in the park. As soon as the mother checked for her son, the boy found hit by a side truck. The boy didn't get the chance to survive. If the mother could have just stay put and watch her son, this situation could be avoided as the kid would be able to get free to play safely even in the unexpected scenario.

The second reason is that people who have struggled from a communist government are the candidate to being having less freedom and security. One example for this is that whoever opposes the legislation implemented by the government are bound to prison. In this manner, there is no freedom. For this reason, the people could only resolved this problem by keeping their mouth shut and stay passive for their security. If only a country is governed by a democratic officials there will be freedom and independence of the oppressed and more people feel they are secured and safe.

Finally, I believe that if I am secured I will be free from getting what I need and want. That's the reason I always had to put my money in the bank because in the bank I know the money I am saving is safe. Moreover, the money will be spent wisely and I can control my spending. Nobody knows when I get sick, right? For this reason, I am insured of my medical expenses whenever it calls for this matter.

Security is the best thing I need in my life while freedom and independence can be achieved once security is established.

4. Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Man, through the ages, has undergone many changes from the time when he depicted mammoth herds on the walls of a cave to nowadays when he works on a computer with a large amount of information. From my everyday experience and observation I can state several factors, which defend the statement that the ability to read and write is very important today.

At old times people did not depend on information that much. They did not have to fill out many application forms, write a lot, read news from a newspaper about an economic situation, etc. Now situation has changed. Knowledge and the ability to analyze information are more important now than man's physical strength.

First of all, it is essential for a person to be literate in Informational Age. Everyday one needs to withdraw money from cash machines, to pay a bill, to write out a check, to fill some forms, to read instructions, ads, job requirements and applications. It is almost impossible to survive in modern society without these basic abilities. Almost every job requires these important skills. Imagine that one does not have them and one has a family to care about. So, one's first step is to find a job. One can do it either through newspapers or asking for help from one's friends. One can not read, so one chooses the second way. Second step is to pass a job interview and fill out some forms. Moreover, one has to sign a job contract - an important document that concludes all one's rights and terms. So, basically, it is almost impossible to get a job for a literate person in modern world especially in developed countries.

Second of all, the amount of jobs that do not require the ability to read and write, is dramatically decreasing. Almost every employer wants to have an employee with basic communication and computer skills. In fact, more jobs on the labor market are for literate persons. A lot of primitive jobs are done by machines nowadays. So, it is a very good chance for illiterate people to be constantly on unemployment lists.

In conclusion, I think that every country must have strong programs against illiteracy.

5. Do you agree or disagree that progress is always good?

The main idea of progress is perfection. A man who is making progress in studying, a child who is speaking his/her first words, a scientist who has made a discovery, or an economy of some country is making progress, all of them are aspects of huge human progress. There is no doubt that progress is good for the humanity as a whole but whether it is good for the world.

For example, being anxious for success mankind often forgets about the environment. Every country has numerous fabrics with smoke rising form them. Needless to say, the amount of cars is increasing every day. World economy is making progress in creating different types of machines, vehicles that make easier our conditions of life. As a result we have many devices that make our life easier and at the same time we have acid rains, polluted lakes and rivers, our food does not have as many important vitamins as it used to, but it has nitrates, preservatives and unnatural components and ingredients.

As a result of human progress, now humanity has to deal with the problem of overpopulation.

It is my opinion that now it is time for humanity to think more about the making progress in solving the problems of air pollution, overpopulation and water contamination.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Obviously, the first teachers we have in our lives in most cases are our parents. They teach us to speak, walk, ride a bike, behave ourselves etc. From my everyday experience and observation I can totally agree with the statement that parents are the best teachers. In the following paragraphs I will try to support my answer with some reasons and examples.

First of all, I would say that parents are our very first teachers. They with great patience pass down the essential knowledge that we need in order to join "the real world". Children often copy their parents' habits and traits because children are sure that parents do only right things. Often children's first wish is to be like their mother of father. Parents are the best teachers because they wish their children a success and they do not teach them bad things.

However in order to succeed in today’s world children need more than just to know good manners and be able to read and write. They need real teachers who would teach them logic, mathematics, literature, foreign language, management etc. Moreover, they need to communicate with the children of the same age. Adolescence is a period when children learn more from their friends then from their parents. At this age many young people reject their parents' advices and warnings. They begin to learn from their own experience, make conclusions and analyze their first mistakes. It is very important for parents in this period to be supportive and patient. Children may slam door and refuse to do some things because they want to feel independence.

Another important aspect of this is that parents are the first people who must worn their children about the danger of drugs and cigarettes and how to avoid and say "No" when they need to. In the modern world parents must talk with their children about everything because it can save their life and make them happier. So, the role of parents is really important because it gives the strength and understanding the real world.

In conclusion, I think that parents are the best teachers because they give their knowledge that cannot be taken from books when it needs to be known by children.

Write your own essays on your vacation!

1> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

2> Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

3> Your city has decided to build a statue or monument to honor a famous person in your country. Whom would you choose? Use reasons and specific examples to support your choice.

4> Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.

5> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has made the world a better place to live. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

6> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Advertising can tell you a lot about a country. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

7> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Modern technology is creating a single world culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

8> Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

9> A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this vis¬itor go on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

10> If you could go back to some time and place in the past, when and where would you go? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

11> What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial for people in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

12> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Telephones and e-mail have made communication between people less personal. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

13> If you could travel back in time to meet a famous person from history, what person would you like to meet? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

14> If you could meet a famous entertainer or athlete, who would that be, and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

15> If you could ask a famous person one question, what would you ask? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

16> Some people prefer to live in places that have the same weather or climate all year long. Others like to live in areas where the weather changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

17> Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why these qualities are important.

18> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Dancing plays an important role in a culture. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

19> Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, traveling to the moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money on our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

20> People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

21> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers should be paid according to how much their students learn. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

22> If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

23>You have been told that dormitory rooms at your university must be shared by two students. Would you rather have the university assign a student to share a room with you, or would you rather choose your own roommate? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.

24> Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other people disagree and think that this money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

25> Some people like doing work by hand. Others prefer using machines. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

26> Schools should ask students to evaluate their teachers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

27> In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humor) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use
specific reasons and examples from your experience to explain your answer.

28> It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by your society? Give specific reasons to support your answer.

29> Students at universities often have a choice of places to live. They may choose to live in university dormitories, or they may choose to live in apartments in the community. Compare the advantages of living in university housing with the advantages of living in an apartment in the community. Where would you prefer to live? Give reasons for your preference.

30>You need to travel from your home to a place 40 miles (64 kilometers) away. Compare the different kinds of transportation you could use. Tell which method of travel you would choose. Give specific reasons for your choice.

31> Some people believe that a college or university education should be available to all students. Others believe that higher education should be available only to good students. Discuss these views. Which view do you agree with? Explain why.

32> Some people believe that the best way of learning about life is by listening to the advice of family and friends. Other people believe that the best way of learning about life is through personal experience. Compare the advantages of these two different ways of learning about life. Which do you think is preferable? Use specific examples to support your preference.

33> When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country. Others prefer to keep their own customs. Compare these two choices. Which one do you prefer? Support your answer with specific details.

34> Some people prefer to spend most of their time alone. Others like to be with friends most of the time. Do you prefer to spend your time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

35> Some people prefer to spend time with one or two close friends. Others choose to spend time with a large number of friends. Compare the advantages of each choice. Which of these two ways of spending time do you prefer? Use specific reasons to support your answer.

36> Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?

37> The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.

38> Some people think that the family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use examples to support your position.

39> Some people prefer to plan activities for their free time very carefully. Others choose not to make any plans at all for their free time. Compare the benefits of planning free-time activities with the benefits of not making plans. Which do you prefer—planning or not planning for your leisure time? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your choice.

40> People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing things; other people learn by reading about things; others learn by listening to people talk about things. Which of these methods of learning is best for you? Use specific examples to support your choice.

41> Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?

42> Some people enjoy change, and they look forward to new experiences. Others like their lives to stay the same, and they do not change their usual habits. Compare these two approaches to life. Which approach do you prefer? Explain why.

43> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People behave differently when they wear different clothes.Do you agree that different clothes influence the way people behave? Use specific examples to support your answer.

44> Decisions can be made quickly, or they can be made after careful thought. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The decisions that people make quickly are always wrong. Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.

45> Some people trust their first impressions about a person's character because they believe these judgments are generally correct. Other people do not judge a person's character quickly because they believe first impressions are often wrong. Compare these two attitudes. Which attitude do you agree with? Support your choice with specific examples.

46> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different. Use specific reasons to support your answer.

47> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts. Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.

48> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

49> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? All students should be required to study art and music in secondary school. Use specific reasons to support your answer.

50> Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? There is nothing that young people can teach older people. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Advice on 'how to write an essay'

http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing

The Structure of an Essay

Your essay should start with an introductory paragraph. There are actually many different ways to begin an essay; therefore, the format of the introductory paragraph is flexible. Often, essays begin with a general introductory statement. This statement could be an anecdote, description, striking statistic, a fact that will lead to your thesis, etc. Beginning this way, you will use the first few sentences to prepare, or "lay the groundwork" for your thesis, and use the last sentence of the first paragraph to present your thesis. However, your thesis statement can be anywhere in your introduction. In a longer essay, you can even wait to present your thesis until the second paragraph or later. Also for a longer essay, you should begin to introduce a few supporting ideas in the first couple of paragraphs. These supporting ideas should be the topics that you will discuss in full in your body paragraphs. For a short essay, presenting supporting ideas during the introduction is optional.

Your second paragraph generally begins the body of the paper. (For a longer paper, the body of the paper may not begin until the third paragraph or later). This paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that introduces the first supporting idea (the support for your thesis). You should use the middle of the paragraph to discuss your support, give examples, and analyze the significance of these examples. Your last sentence of the body paragraph could be used to draw a conclusion for that supporting idea, or to transition into the next paragraph.

Your next two body paragraphs should follow the same format as your first body paragraph. They should each have a separate topic sentence and supporting ideas, but the three paragraphs should work together to prove your thesis. If you are writing a longer paper, you will have more than three body paragraphs, but they should all follow this format.

The form of your conclusion, like your introduction, is flexible. One good way to conclude a paper is to begin the last paragraph with a statement that reflects on what has been stated and proved, without repeating it exactly. Then you should briefly restate your key points to gently remind the reader how well you proved your thesis. Your conclusion should end with a statement or idea that leaves a strong impression and provokes further thought.

Five Paragraph Essay Sample

The Hazards of Moviegoing

By John Langan
From College Writing Skills with Readings

Introductory paragraph (Thesis)	I am a movie fanatic. When friends want to know what picture won the Oscar in 1980 or who played the police chief in Jaws, they ask me. My friends, though, have stopped asking me if I want to go out to the movies. The problems in getting to the theater, the theater itself, and the behavior of some patrons are all reasons why I often wait for a movie to show up on TV.
First supporting paragraph	First of all, just getting to the theater presents difficulties. Leaving a home equipped with a TV and a video recorder isn't an attractive idea on a humid, cold, or rainy night. Even if the weather cooperates, there is still a thirty-minute drive to the theater down a congested highway, followed by the hassle of looking for a parking space. And then there are the lines. After hooking yourself to the end of a human chain, you worry about whether there will be enough tickets, whether you will get seats together, and whether many people will sneak into the line ahead of you.
Second supporting paragraph	Once you have made it to the box office and gotten your tickets, you are confronted with the problems of the theater itself. If you are in one of the run-down older theaters, you must adjust to the musty smell of seldom-cleaned carpets. Escaped springs lurk in the faded plush or cracked leather seats, and half the seats you sit in seem loose or tilted so that you sit at a strange angle. The newer twin and quad theaters offer their own problems. Sitting in an area only one-quarter the size of a regular theater, moviegoers often have to put up with the sound of the movie next door. This is especially jarring when the other movie involves racing cars or a karate war and you are trying to enjoy a quiet love story. And whether the theater is old or new, it will have floors that seem to be coated with rubber cement. By the end of a movie, shoes almost have to be pried off the floor because they have become sealed to a deadly compound of spilled soda, hardening bubble gum, and crushed Ju-Jubes.
Third supporting paragraph	Some of the patrons are even more of a problem than the theater itself. Little kids race up and down the aisles, usually in giggling packs. Teenagers try to impress their friends by talking back to the screen, whistling, and making what they consider to be hilarious noises. Adults act as if they were at home in their own living rooms and comment loudly on the ages of the stars or why movies aren't as good anymore. And people of all ages crinkle candy wrappers, stick gum on their seats, and drop popcorn tubs or cups of crushed ice and soda on the floor. They also cough and burp, squirm endlessly in their seats, file out for repeated trips to the rest rooms or concession stand, and elbow you out of the armrest on either side of your seat.
Concluding paragraph	After arriving home from the movies one night, I decided that I was not going to be a moviegoer anymore. I was tired of the problems involved in getting to the movies and dealing with the theater itself and some of the patrons. The next day I arranged to have cable TV service installed in my home. I may now see movies a bit later than other people, but I'll be more relaxed watching box office hits in the comfort of my own living room.

---

Outline for a Five-Paragraph Essay

Title: ____________________ Introduction Introductory statement Thesis statement: ____________________ Body First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Conclusion Closing statement Restate thesis: ____________________

---

Sample Outline for a Five-Paragraph Essay

This is in relation to "The Hazards of Movie going"

Title: The Hazards of Moviegoing Introduction Introductory statement Thesis statement: I like watching movies but I prefer watching them at home. Body First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): just getting to the theater presents difficulties bad weather long drive and limited parking space long waiting to buy ticket Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): facing the problems of the theater itself old theater's problems such as smelly carpet, worn-out seat, etc new theater's problems such as smaller size, noise from next movie theater, etc both floors will be rubber-like dirty at the end of the movie Third Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): Some of the patrons are annoying bad behavior such as running, talking loud, etc human noise and disturbance Conclusion Closing statement Restate thesis: I prefer to watch movies at home where it is comfortable, clean and safe.

The Essay

To define the essay briefly, one can say that it is a piece of writing usually short (3 to 10 pages), written in prose, and that may be on any subject. The essay is generally based on other people's statements. In the essay you can include your personal opinion, and some examples to illustrate your point of view. It is written about one topic, just as a paragraph is. However, the topic of an essay is too long and too complex to discuss it in one paragraph. Therefore, you must divide the topic into several paragraphs, one for each major point. In general, essays have three basic parts: introduction, body and conclusion.

1. The Introduction

   It is the first section of your essay. This makes it extremely important, because first impressions are often lasting ones. It consists of two parts: a few general statements about your subject to attract your reader's attention, and a thesis statement, that states the specific subdivisions of your topic and/or the "plan" of your paper. The introduction then, begins with remarks to interest people. As it progresses, it should present general ideas or facts to orient the reader. Then, it will narrow its focus, and move from general to specific facts smoothly and logically.

2. The body Paragraphs

   They are the longest section of you essay. In a short essay there are usually three body paragraphs, each one considering in detail one aspect of the essay's controlling idea. This is called a three-point essay. At the beginning of each of your support paragraphs, there is a topic sentence that tells what the rest of your text is going to be about. This sentence should direct your readers back to the controlling idea and indicate which aspect of it you are going to discuss. Once you present your topic, you need details and facts to support it. It is not enough to state your position; your reader needs to be convinced that your point of view is valid an accurate. There is not any rule that determines how long a body paragraph should be. The more relevant detail you can bring in to support each of your topic sentence, the clearer your points will be.

3. The Conclusion

   The ideas in this part must be consistent with the rest of your essay. In it, you should restate the controlling idea. This restatement is usually more effective when it is located at the beginning of the conclusion. It reminds your public about the major points you were trying to make, and it indicates your essay is about to end. Many writers like to end their conclusion with a final emphatic sentence. This strong closing statement will make your readers think about the implications of what you wrote. You do not introduce your points in your conclusion.