Writing (1 hour 30 minutes)

Part 1

Read the two texts below.

Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your answers.

Wrife your answer in 240-280 words.

1.

Throwing things away

Every week many of us throw away a huge amount of stuff, ranging from packaging for food and plastic bottles to old newspapers and junk mail. Fortunately some, though not all, of this can be recycled successfully and both governments and private citizens seem to be doing their best to ensure that this happens nowadays. We should be careful not to congratulate ourselves too soon, however, because whether enough is being done is highly debatable. For example, the vast numbers of plastic bags used, many of which are not biodegradable, damage the environment, most notably the oceans, where they endanger marine life.

2.

Communications technology

 It seems that nowadays we keep electronic products such as mobile phones for only a short time, because we are bombarded with highly effective advertising that persuades us that we need to discard our present model in favour of the latest, improved device. Our willingness to discard such products may also be a consequence of the dizzying pace of technological change. We can hardly be expected to be content to remain behind the times, and we naturally wish to keep up with the latest exciting features and developments in communications technology.

Part 2

Write an answer to one of the questions 2 – 4 in this part. Write your answer in 220 – 260 words in an appropriate style.

2.  A general interest magazine has recently published a feature entitled ‘Taking risks makes life worth living’. The editor has asked readers to write in with their own experiences and views on the topic. You decide to write a letter briefly describing a risk you once took and its consequences. You should also discuss why some people are particularly attracted to taking risky and how this behaviour might be justified.

Write your letter.

3. Some bus services in your area are to be withdrawn, and the local council has asked people to submit reports for the council website on the impact this will have. You decide to submit a report on one bus service that is under consideration. Your report should briefly describe the route and explain its importance. You should also assess the role that a good transport system plays in either urban or rural areas.

Write your report.

4. A magazine is running a series of articles on people's experiences of being close to nature, for example, visits to beautiful lakes or mountains, or encounters with wildlife. You decide to write an article in which you briefly describe an experience you have ha'd when you were close to nature, and explain what you learned from this. You should also evaluate the role that contact with nature plays in people's lives.

Write your article.

5. Write an answer to one of the following two questions based on one of the titles below. Write 5(a) or 5(b) at the beginning of your answer.

(a) Anne Tyler: The Accidental Tourist

‘Two of the most important influences in this book are a child we never meet —and a dog.’ Write a review for your local college magazine of The Accidental Tourist. You should briefly explain this comment and analyse the roles of Ethan and Edward in the story as a whole.

Write your review.

(b) Ann Patchett: Bet Canto

An international literary magazine has asked readers to send in articles entitled ‘Music is the food of love ... ’ with reference to the role of music in books they have read.

You decide to write an article about Bet Canto, briefly describing Roxanne's role in the house and evaluating the connection between music and love in her relationships.

Write your article.