In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
To see what the different types of essays are and how they may be structured, read B2 Writing: The Basics.
The sample essay that follows answers the following question:
A healthy diet plays a large role in a person's emotional health. Discuss, giving examples to support any information.
Remember the reason why these sample essays have been uploaded and how to make the best of them by reading "What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog?".
This essay is 300 words long and is therefore not the length an examiner would expect at B2 level. Simply pick up the ideas stated and use the words or phrases that would improve your chances of passing the writing section of the examination.
If you're not taking an exam but have been given a similar topic as homework, paraphrase some of the arguments you might find apt or base your answer on the way this essay has been organized.
For more B2-level exam help, click the image!
It is an
undeniable fact that the way we feel is a determining factor in how enjoyable
our day is spent. Many advocate the fact that what we eat determines our
emotional well-being. To a certain extent they are right, but there are also
other issues that need to be considered which also affect our feelings.
On the one hand, eating well
definitely affects our emotions. If, for instance, someone eats balanced meals
– usually three to four is what dieticians recommend – then they will receive
all the necessary vitamins and minerals the body needs to function properly.
This, as a result, means that they will have all the energy needed to get all
their work done, and this in itself will make them feel good about themselves.
On the other hand, what a person eats
is not the only thing that affects their emotional health. A person’s mind is
too complicated for us to merely discuss food as being the only influencing
factor. A case in point is how well you sleep. If a person does not get enough
rest, they become irritable and restless, and their mental health becomes
affected by this. Relationships also play a part in our emotional health.
Should a boy break up with his girlfriend, or a girl not be asked out by the
boy she has a crush on, the effects on their feelings would be devastating.
In conclusion, although what we eat
has a direct effect on how we feel, other factors also play an important role
in our lives. Not only should we aim to lead a healthy lifestyle by watching what
we eat, but we should also work on maintaining a healthy balance in other areas
of life such as relationships and the amount of time available to rest.