This is the fifth sample article candidates of the ECPE examination (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English of the University of Michigan) My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in this type of piece of writing. As stated, examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words, readers are able to distinguish the author's unique "voice"). Before reading, take a look at the following post if you haven't already done so. It will help you focus on the vital aspects you need to be aware of while reading the article and what you should make sure to use when you write your own. The question appeared in Practice Tests for the ECPE Book 1 (revised 2021 version) and is accompanied by the following three writing prompts:
The following is a sample essay based on the Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) writing section.
The question can be found on page 12 of the old ECPE Book 1 Practice Examinations textbook published by the Hellenic American Union (date of publication 2012, now no longer in circulation).
If you haven't already done so, before you read this sample essay please read
The topic is the following:
Most cities dispose of garbage in landfills, burying it in deep holes in the ground. Many environmentalists, however, oppose this procedure. What is your view? How should societies dispose of waste? Discuss, giving examples.
The sample essay is approximately 320 words:
It is an undeniable fact that the impact of mankind on the environment is a much debated topic and one of paramount importance as the future of the planet depends on it. To be more specific, getting rid of our garbage is a thorny issue because many purport that throwing it away in landfills is the best solution while others find that burying it underground will contaminate the soil. In my view, a compromise between the two views much be reached.
On the one hand, the amount of waste generated by every household, workplace and
factory on the planet is such that we cannot simply click our heels and make it magically disappear. Though environmentalists state that this solution pollutes the soil, people’s rubbish must unfortunately be collected somewhere and buried so that immediate contamination of the air is prevented. In addition to this, burying waste means that it will not become a magnet for a variety of disease-carrying rodents and pests.
On the other hand, reducing the amount of waste we fill dustbins with, processing it and most importantly recycling it, should limit the amount of garbage landfills receive to a minimum. Special processing plants should be given tax reductions or other incentives from the government so that more entrepreneurs will be persuaded to setting up such factories that will process the waste before disposing of it. This means that parts can be reused or that whatever is left of the processed product will not be as toxic to the environment even if it reaches a landfill.
All things considered, the world is faced with what looks like an insurmountable dilemma. If environmentalists could come up with a safe means of disposing of garbage, then by all means let them propose it to the government. Until that time though, they must campaign for more recycling to take place, demand changes in government subsidies geared towards the construction of processing plants and encourage people to reduce their unbridled consumerism.
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