Дополнительные упражнения для подготовки к написанию эссе (задание № 40 ЕГЭ)
материал для подготовки к егэ (гиа) по английскому языку (11 класс) по теме

Opinion Essay (Plan)

1. Make an introduction (state the problem, give two points of view about it)
2. Express your personal opinion and give 2-3 reasons for your opinion
3.  Express an opposing opinion and give 2 reasons for this opposing opinion
4.  Explain why you disagree with the opposing opinion (give your counter arguments)
5. Make a  conclusion restating your position

Useful Language  (OPINION  essay)

     I. Introduction ( state the topic/ problem  ; you may ask a question or start with a quotation; state your opinion)

• state the topic /problem

- Nowadays, we are often told …… Every day…                           There is no doubt that……..

-    II.    Main Body (3 paragraphs)

• the second paragraph should present your viewpoint supported by your reasons,
• the third   paragraph should present the opposing viewpoint
• the fourth paragraph gives your counter arguments (you explain why you disagree with the opposing opinion

Useful phrases:

• To express your opinion

In my opinion,   To my mind,    I think…I believe…I am convinced that …

• To list points

• In the first place…    First of all……    To start with…      To begin with…
• Secondly…     Thirdly…     Finally……               Last but not least………

• To add more points to the same topic

• What is more,…               Furthermore, …….                     Moreover,………        
• In addition to this,….                 Besides,………                      Apart from this,……….

• To introduce an opposing viewpoint

• However, some people do not agree with this point of view/ some people argue that …. The opponents of this view say …There are people who oppose          On the one hand, …on the other hand……….Although…

• To express your disagreement with the opposing point of view

I am afraid I cannot agree with this opinion/point of view because …

• To introduce examples

-  for example,……… for instance,… such as,…….. in particular,

    III.  Conclusion ( you restate your opinion using different words)

• To conclude

• To sum up,…   All in all, …   All things considered,….. .
•  In conclusion, ………

Примеры упражнений для подготовки учащихся к  написанию эссе.

Exercise 1. ( from Successful Writing –Upper Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing)

 Read the closing paragraphs below and say whether they express a balanced consideration or the writer's opinion.

1. In conclusion, getting married has, to my mind, more advantages than disadvantages. After all, what can be more fulfilling than a steady relationship with the person you love that lasts for the rest of your life?
2. To sum up, camping holidays do have advantages, the main one being that they are far cheaper than other holidays. In my opinion, however, there is too much hard work involved for them to ever feel like a real holiday.
3. To conclude, by looking after animals and helping them to breed, zoos play an important part in protecting many species from becoming extinct. Therefore, the negative aspects of keeping animals in captivity are balanced out by the positive ones.
4.  All in all, computers have both advantages   and   disadvantages. They may have replaced humans in many jobs, but they have also made our lives considerably easier, and it is now difficult to imagine life without them.
5.  On the whole, while most people go on holiday to rest, this is one thing you are unlikely to do on an adventure holiday. In my opinion, this disadvantage outweighs all the advantages associated with this kind of holiday.
6. Taking everything into account, there are both advantages and disadvantages in keeping pets. In the end, it is up to the individual to decide whether the pleasure associated with owning a pet is worth the work that goes with it.

                                                   (Key: 1,2,5-writers opinion,       3,4,6-balanced consideration)

Exercise 2. (from Successful Writing –Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing)

      Underline the correct linking word/phrase.

1. Besides/Despite, television affects the way we think.
2. Many people are against/argue that we need advertisements in order to keep up to date with the latest products on the market.
3. One point of view against/in favour of travelling is that it allows you to meet people from different cultures.
4. Even though/Nevertheless most people nowadays use a computer at work, it will be a while before we stop putting our ideas down on paper.
5.  For instance/Still, people who know how to play a musical instrument are usually popular and make friends more easily than others

      (Key: 1-besides, 2-argue that, 3-in favour of, 4-even though, 5-for instance)

Exercise 3.  from Reading & Writing Targets 3, Virginia Evans- Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing

 Read the opinions about motorcycles and match them to their justification. Which are points for motorcycles and which are against?

                                                    (Key: 1b 2f 3e 4a 5c 6d            for:1,4,6     against:2,3,5)

Exercise 4.  from  Reading & Writing Targets 3, Virginia Evans- Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing

Which of these sentences express the opinion given in the heading, and which express the opposing point of view?

"Having a pet is good for you."

1    In my opinion, owning a pet teaches children to become responsible adults.

2    In addition, a pet can be amusing.

3    However, pets need a lot of care and attention.

4    What is more, certain pets can be useful if you train them properly.    .

5    On the other hand, pets can be a nuisance.

6    Firstly, a pet can |be good company.

                          (Key: 1,2,4,6-opinion given in the heading           3,5-opposing point of view)

Exercise 6 (from Reading & Writing Targets 3, Virginia Evans- Jenny Dooley, Express Publishing)

  Match  the   viewpoints  to   the   reasons.   Is each point for watching TV, or against?

                         (Key:                                                                                                                                                

                   1B (for), 2C (for), 3A (against)

References:

• www.fipi.ru 
• “Successful Writing”, Upper Intermediate, Virginia Evans, Express Publishing
• Laser B2, Macmillan Publishers
• ФИПИ «Типовые экзаменационные варианты 2015 год» под ред. Вербицкой М.В., изд-во «Национальное образовани