This is the fourth sample article that conforms to the writing section requirements of the ECPE (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 the piece of writing candidates compose. 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,
To get the most out of these sample essays and letters, please read "What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog?" before reading this blog entry.
The aim of the task is for candidates to write a letter to the editor of the The City Times to offer some solutions to the problem of young people driving under the influence of alcohol as a result of being more and more involved in accidents of this nature. Candidates have been instructed to begin their letter with the words "Dear Editor".
If you haven't already done so, read this post as well: B2 Writing: The Basics
Dear Editor,
Having
read your article in The City Times, as a 14-year-old student I would
like to suggest ways how to deal with the serious problem of drunk driving
among teenagers. It is my firm belief that parents and schools can help in this
matter a great deal.
To
begin with, one of the reasons why adolescents drink and then drive is due to
their lack of responsibility. Parents are the ones that can handle this issue
by not allowing their children to drive in the first place. This does not mean
that teens need to be grounded on a permanent basis, but parents should
encourage them to take a taxi or bus when they decide to go out with their
friends on Friday or Saturday nights. Paying for cab fare would guarantee that
teenagers make it home safely and enjoy themselves as well.
In
addition to this, educating adolescents about the consequences of their actions
is always the best means to prevent car accidents. Students can be shown
documentaries aimed at presenting the problem in a factual and brutally honest
way which should make them think about this issue in a mature manner. Teachers
can then lead discussions and have students express their thoughts and elicit
possible solutions from them. Organizing them so that they appoint a different
designated driver each weekend would be life-saving.
All things considered, there are a
number of things parents and schools should do to eliminate the problem of
drunk driving among adolescents. Were parents to offer their children a ride or
give them bus or cab fare while schools highlight the importance of designated
drivers, then the death toll on streets from such car accidents would most
likely plummet.
Yours
faithfully,
Tom
Hightower
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