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:
Let's get a few things straight. If you need help with all things English, you won't find it here. If you need help with a variety of English as a second language or English as your mother tongue concepts, then by all means, come one, come all -- you've come to the right place.
This blog has been in the making for quite some time. It has been mulling since late 1995, since which time everything on this site has been lovingly culled through hands-on experience. I didn't want all this work to go to waste, but decided to upload what I have garnered in the hope that one day many, many years after I shuffle off this mortal coil someone out there will find some use for these musings.
Be warned. I'm no pretender to any throne aptly entitled "expert", "savant", or "bookworm". No text analysis is fully comprehensive, no grammatical explanation complete as language was, is and will continue to be in a state of flux, so don't expect the impossible. As with all things in life, take what is useful, stop complaining or feeling sorry yourself and move on.
It's knowledge. It's a half-open door to self-improvement. It's free.
Have fun.
Ars longa, vita brevis.
ὁ βίος βραχὺς, ἡ δὲ τέχνη μακρὴ, ὁ δὲ καιρὸς ὀξὺς, ἡ δὲ πεῖρα σφαλερὴ, ἡ δὲ κρίσις χαλεπή.
This blog has been in the making for quite some time. It has been mulling since late 1995, since which time everything on this site has been lovingly culled through hands-on experience. I didn't want all this work to go to waste, but decided to upload what I have garnered in the hope that one day many, many years after I shuffle off this mortal coil someone out there will find some use for these musings.
Be warned. I'm no pretender to any throne aptly entitled "expert", "savant", or "bookworm". No text analysis is fully comprehensive, no grammatical explanation complete as language was, is and will continue to be in a state of flux, so don't expect the impossible. As with all things in life, take what is useful, stop complaining or feeling sorry yourself and move on.
It's knowledge. It's a half-open door to self-improvement. It's free.
Have fun.
Ars longa, vita brevis.
ὁ βίος βραχὺς, ἡ δὲ τέχνη μακρὴ, ὁ δὲ καιρὸς ὀξὺς, ἡ δὲ πεῖρα σφαλερὴ, ἡ δὲ κρίσις χαλεπή.