VSTEP Writing Task 2 - Exercises | Tài liệu Tiếng Anh

VSTEP Writing – Task 2 – Exercises

Exercise 1: Trong hai đoạn văn sau, đoạn thứ nhất sử dụng nhiều từ thông thường và đoạn thứ hai sử dụng nhiều từ học thuật (academic). Tìm các từ và cụm từ có nghĩa tương tự trong hai đoạn văn.

1. Informal

I think that computers have changed the way we communicate with each other a lot nowadays. We don't chat with friends face to face as much as we used to. Now, we chat online or email 2 or 3 times a day instead. I reckon that it's not a good form of communication as it's easy to get the person's meaning wrong cos you can't see their face or hear their tone.

1. Academic

In my opinion, computers have dramatically changed the way we communicate with each other nowadays. People do not talk with friends face to face as much as in the past; instead, they chat online or email two or three times per day. This is not an effective form of communication as it is easy to misinterpret the person's meaning as you cannot see their face or hear their tone.

• Đoạn văn - A paragraph
• Essay gồm nhiều paragraphs, chia thành 3 phần chính
• Introduction = 1 paragraph
• Body = 2-3 paragraphs
• Conclusion = 1 paragraph
• Body paragraph gồm các sentences
• Topic sentence - Câu chủ đề của đoạn
• Supporting sentences - Câu hỗ trợ

Exercise 2:

Kết hợp các câu hỗ trợ (suopporting sentences) với câu chủ đề (topic sentences) liên quan.

Đọc hai câu chủ đề dưới đây, sau đó đọc bảng liệt kê các câu hỗ trợ. Ghép nối câu hỗ trợ với câu chủ đề phù hợp bằng cách viết TS 1 (topic sentence 1) hoặc TS 2 (topic sentence 2) vào ô bên cạnh câu hỗ trợ. Lưu ý: từ trong ngoặc ở phía sau mỗi câu hỗ trợ cho biết loại thông tin hỗ trợ.

Topic sentences

TS 1: Low-fat diets are an excellent way to stay healthy and trim (slim).

TS 2: High-protein diets are favored by athletes and competitors.

Các bước thực hiện viết 1 essay:

Analysing the task - Phân tích đề

Brainstorming ideas - Suy nghĩ, thu thập ý tưởng

Outlining/ planning - Lập dàn ý

Writing the esay

Editing

Finalising the essay

Phân tích yêu cầu đề bài (Analysing the task)

a. What are the key topic words?

b. What are the question words?

c. What do you need to include in your answer?

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people believe that children should not be given homework every day, while others believe that they must get homework every day in order to be successful at school.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

a. What are the key topic words?

children not given homework every day

must get homework every day

b. What are the question words?

Discuss both these views

give your opinion

c. What do you need to include in your answer?

o why children should not be given homework every day

o why they must get homework every day

o your opinion on which is better

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The problem of traffic jams is getting more serious in many cities today.

What are some of the causes of traffic jams, and what measures can be taken to help reduce them?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

a. What are the key topic words?

traffic jams, more serious

b. What are the question words?

what are the causes

what are the measures

c. What do you need to include in your answer?

causes (reasons)

measures (solutions) to reduce the problem of traffic jams

Thu thập ý tưởng

• Sơ đồ (Mindmapping)
• Liệt kê (Listing)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Mobile phones are considered essential by most people nowadays.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones and state your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sử dụng mind mapping

Sử dụng listing

Mobile phones

Advantages

· small, portable

· cheaper than landlines

· can SMS rather than call – cheaper, more convenient

Disadvantages

· expensive, especially in poorer countries

· addictive

· may cause cancer – unknown but suggested

Lập dàn ý, bố cục (Outlining/framing)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people say that it is dangerous to use cell phones in cars because of the risk of accidents. Others believe that having a cell phone in your car is better for safety.

Discuss both viewpoints and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Outline

Introduction

Thesis Statement: helpful in some cases, but should not: car accidents

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence 1: car travel safer

• contact emergency services in case of accident
• if threatened, use cell
• help find directions when lost

Body Paragraph 2

Topic Sentence 2: very dangerous if chatting while driving

• mind divided → accident
• 3 main causes of accidents: careless driving, drink and drive, chat and drive
• even hands-free phone harmful – can’t concentrate

Conclusion: effective in some cases but should not use them. Why? Accident!

VIẾT PHẦN MỞ ĐẦU

2 cách

Cách 1: Viết đoạn mở đầu 2 câu, gồm 1 câu nêu vấn đề (question restatement) + 1 câu luận đề (thesis statement)

Cách 2: Viết đoạn mở đầu theo kiểu hình phễu

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

As computers are being used more and more in education, there will soon be no role for the teacher in the classroom. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

→ Đoạn mở đầu dạng 2 câu

It is true that in our modern world, computers have become a necessary tool for teachers and students in all areas of education. However, while computers are extremely useful, I do not agree with the idea that they could soon replace teachers completely.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Government is not able to solve environmental problems by itself. Businesses and individuals are also responsible for helping the government.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

→ Mở bài theo dạng hình phễu

It is obvious that our environmental problems need to be solved; however, not everyone agrees on who should be responsible for finding solutions to these issues. While many people argue that it is the responsibility of just the government, I believe that businesses and individuals should join hands in this common cause.

Exercise 3: Viết phần mở đầu của bài tiểu luận theo một trong hai cách đã hướng dẫn.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people say that it is dangerous to use cell phones in cars because of the risk of accidents. Others believe that having a cell phone in your car is better for safety.

Discuss both viewpoints and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Introduction

• use mobile phones while driving or not?

• helpful in some cases, but should not: car accidents

→ Viết mở bài dạng 2 câu:

People use phones when they drive. Some think it is safe, others think it causes crashes.

→ Viết mở bài dạng phễu:

Nowadays, mobile phones are very common, and many people use them even while driving. Some people think having a phone in the car helps them stay safe, like calling for help. But others believe using a phone while driving is dangerous and can cause accidents.

This essay will show both opinions and explain why using phones while driving should be limited to keep people safe.

VIẾT CÂU LUẬN ĐỀ (Thesis statement)

It is true that in our modern world computers have become a necessary tool for teachers and students in all areas of education. However, while computers are extremely useful, I do not agree with the idea that they could soon replace teachers completely.

It is obvious that our environmental problems need to be solved; however, not everyone agrees on who should be responsible for finding solutions to these issues. While many people argue that it is the responsibility of just the government, I believe that businesses and individuals should join hands in this common cause.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Mobile phones are considered essential by most people nowadays.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones and state your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

(Nhiều điểm bất lợi hơn là ưu điểm)

→ Although mobile phones have obvious advantages, I believe that they are more harmful than useful and personally never consider them as an essential item of my daily life.

(Nhiều ưu điểm hơn)

→ Although mobile phones have obvious disadvantages, I believe that they are more useful than harmful and personally recognise them as an essential item of my daily life.

(Quan điểm dung hoà)

→ Although mobile phones have obvious advantages as well as disadvantages, it is necessary to point out that it depends on ourselves to use them wisely on an everyday basis as with most inventions in our modern time.

Bài làm:

Today, most people think mobile phones are very important. We use them every day for many reasons. While they have many advantages, there are also some disadvantages.

One big advantage is communication. Mobile phones help us talk to friends and family anytime, anywhere. We can call, text, or use apps like WhatsApp or Messenger. This is especially helpful in emergencies. Another benefit is information. With internet access, we can search for answers, check the news, or use GPS to find places.

Mobile phones are also useful for work and study. Many people use them for emails, video calls, and online classes. They also give us entertainment through music, games, and social media.

However, there are some problems. Many people spend too much time on their phones. This can cause eye problems, poor sleep, and less face-to-face communication. It can also make people less focused at work or school. Another issue is privacy. Hackers can steal personal information if we are not careful.

In my opinion, mobile phones are very useful and necessary in modern life. But we need to use them in a smart way. We should take breaks, limit screen time, and protect our data.

In conclusion, mobile phones have both good and bad sides. If we use them properly, they can make our lives easier and better.

Exercise 4: Sau đây là phần mở đầu của một bài tiểu luận. Sắp xếp các câu trong phần này theo đúng thứ tự rồi gạch dưới câu luận đề.

There are both positive and negative changes; however, many of these changes have badly affected the way people communicate today. Over the last twenty years, computers have become an important part of our lives and many people use a computer to communicate with others. This means that the way we communicate has changed very much.

Bài làm:

Over the last twenty years, computers have become an important part of our lives and many people use a computer to communicate with others. This means that the way we communicate has changed very much. There are both positive and negative changes; however, many of these changes have badly affected the way people communicate today.

Exercise 5: Viết câu luận đề cho mỗi đề bài sau đây.

1. The problem of traffic jams is getting more and more serious in many cities today. What are some of the causes of traffic jams, and what measures can be taken to help reduce them?

2. Mobile phones are considered essential by most people nowadays. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones and state your own opinion.

3. Working from home has become more common with technological progress; however, it has many challenges connected with it. What are some of the problems that someone working from home may face? What are some of the effects on society of more people working from home? What is your opinion?

About traffic congestion

Traffic jams are becoming a big problem in many cities because of rising populations and too many private vehicles. However, we can reduce traffic by improving public transport and managing roads better.

About mobile phones

Mobile phones help us communicate easily and find information quickly, but they can also be addictive and distracting. In my opinion, phones are still very useful if we use them properly.

About working from home

Working from home saves time and gives more flexibility, but it can also make people feel lonely and less focused. As more people work remotely, society will change and we need to adapt to it.