Task 1

Spend 20 minutes on this task. Imagine you recently took a taxi to get home from a shopping trip and you left a bag in the vehicle. You have no receipt or taxi company information, but you remember the taxi number. Write a letter to the local newspaper to ask for help in finding your lost item.

In your letter, you should:
- Explain what happened and how you felt when you realized your item was missing.
- Describe the bag and its contents so that the reader can easily identify it.
- Mention the taxi number and any other details about the taxi ride that could help.
- Ask for the newspaper's help and suggest how they could assist you in finding your lost item.
You should write at least 150 words.

Answers and Tips

Task 1

Band 5 Example Answer:

Dear Newspaper,

My name is Alex Carter. I need help. I took a taxi from the mall to my house last Saturday. After I got out, I saw I left my bag in the taxi. I felt really bad and worried because it has important things.

The bag is blue with white stripes. It's not very big but it's important. Inside there is my wallet with my ID and cards. There are also keys and a small red notebook. I really need these things back.

The taxi number was 4523. The taxi was yellow and the ride was around 6 pm from the mall to Pine Street. I don't know the taxi company and I lost the receipt.

Can you please put something in the newspaper about it? Maybe someone will see it and help me find my bag. You could ask people to call if they know about the taxi or the bag.

Thank you for your help.

Alex Carter

Band 7 Example Answer:

Dear Editor,

I am writing to you with a bit of a problem and hope you and your readers can help me out. Last Thursday, I took a taxi home from the Grand Mall after a long day of shopping. When I got home, I realized I had left one of my shopping bags in the taxi. The feeling of panic was immediate, and my heart sank, knowing that some precious items might be lost forever.

The bag is a red fabric tote with a picture of a cartoon cat on the front. Inside, there was a mix of things: a blue knitted sweater, a silver picture frame with a photo of my family, and a small, handmade glass vase. These items hold sentimental value, especially the photo and the vase, which was a gift from a close friend.

The taxi was yellow with a black stripe on the side, and the number 4521 was clearly displayed on the back door. It was around 7:30 PM when I caught the taxi from the mall's main entrance.

I would be so grateful if you could publish a small notice in your newspaper. Maybe a reader took the same taxi and saw the bag or the driver himself might notice it. Any help in spreading the word would be much appreciated.

Thank you for considering my request.

Warm regards,
Evelyn Sorensen

Band 9 Example Answer:

Dear Editor,

I am reaching out with a plea for assistance regarding a personal item I inadvertently left in a taxi last Thursday. The realization that my bag was not by my side struck me with a mix of panic and dismay as I unpacked my shopping in the comfort of my home.

The bag in question is a distinctive emerald green tote with a quirky owl-shaped keychain attached. Inside, among other things, are a pair of prescription glasses, a novel titled "Whispers of Time," and a small red notebook filled with my poetry drafts – items of sentimental value that I am desperate to recover.

The taxi was a yellow sedan with the number 4521 clearly displayed on both the license plate and the roof sign. Our journey began at the Hillside Mall at around 5 pm, and I was dropped off at the corner of Maple Street and 2nd Avenue. The driver, a middle-aged gentleman with a friendly demeanor, mentioned his love for classic rock as we chatted briefly about the music playing.

I implore the newspaper to help by publishing a small notice or appeal for information regarding the lost bag. Perhaps a reader might recall seeing it or even the taxi driver himself might notice the announcement and remember our conversation. Your reach within the community could be instrumental in reuniting me with my belongings.

I appreciate any effort you can make on my behalf and eagerly await any positive news.

Sincerely,
Elena Rodriguez

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 1:

1. Misplaced (verb)
When you put something somewhere and then can't remember where it is. It's like losing something but it might still be nearby.
2. Valuables (noun)
Things that are worth a lot of money or are very important to you, like a phone or a special piece of jewelry.
3. Distressed (adjective)
Feeling very worried, sad, or upset. It's like when you lose something important and feel really bad about it.
4. Unique identifier (noun phrase)
Something special that helps you tell one thing apart from all other things, like a number or a mark. It's like having a secret code that only one thing has.
5. Reach out (phrasal verb)
To ask someone for help or information. It's like stretching your arm out to someone so they can give you what you need.
6. Urgently (adverb)
Doing something very quickly because it's important. Like when you need to find your lost dog and you're calling everyone for help right away.
7. Anonymous (adjective)
When someone's name is not known or not given.
8. Recollection (noun)
Remembering something from the past. It's like playing a movie in your head of something that already happened.
9. Essential (adjective)
Something really important that you need a lot. Like water when you're really thirsty.
10. Civic duty (noun phrase)
Things that you should do to help your community and be a good citizen. Like when you help find someone's lost puppy because it's the right thing to do.
11. Elicit (verb)
To get a response or information from someone, often by asking them. It's like when a teacher asks a question to get students to say the answer.
12. Good Samaritan (noun phrase)
Someone who helps other people, especially strangers, when they need it.
13. Plead (verb)
To ask for something in a very serious and emotional way, because you want it so much.
14. Retrace (verb)
To go back over the same path or steps you took earlier. It's like walking back the way you came to look for something you dropped.
15. Public appeal (noun phrase)
Asking lots of people to help you with something

Tips:

1. Share your story clearly: Start by telling what happened in a simple way. Say when you took the taxi, where you were coming from, and how you felt when you noticed your bag was missing. Use easy words to paint a clear picture for the person reading your letter.

2. Describe your bag in detail: Pretend you’re playing a guessing game and you want the reader to guess your bag. Tell them what color it is, how big it is, and any special marks or tags it has. Don’t forget to list the important things that were inside, like a book with your name or a special gift.

3. Remember the taxi clues: Think like a detective and give all the clues about the taxi. Write down the taxi number and any other little details you remember, like the color of the car or something unique about the driver. The more clues, the better the chance to find your bag!

4. Ask for help nicely: Use kind words to ask the newspaper to help you. Tell them how important the bag is to you and how grateful you would be if they found it. Maybe they can put a notice in the paper or ask readers to contact you if they know anything.

5. Say thank you and goodbye: End your letter with a big thank you for reading and helping. It’s like giving a friendly handshake at the end of a chat. Let them know how to reach you, like your phone number or email, and say goodbye in a cheerful way.

Task 2

Band 5 Example Answer:

Fast food is popular because it saves time. Many people are busy with jobs and they don't have time to cook. So, they choose fast food because it is fast and they can eat quickly. This is good for people who need to eat in a hurry. Like, if someone has a short break at work, they can go to a fast food place and eat fast.

But fast food is not very healthy. It has a lot of fat and sugar and can make people gain weight. It can also cause diseases like heart problems and diabetes. Eating too much fast food is not good for our bodies. For example, my friend Michael eats fast food a lot and he has gained a lot of weight. He also feels tired all the time.

I think that the health risks of fast food are bigger than the benefits. It is important to eat healthy food even if we are busy. We can prepare simple meals at home that don't take a lot of time. Or we can choose healthier options at fast food places. Eating healthy helps us to stay fit and have more energy.

In conclusion, fast food is quick and easy but it's not good for our health. We should try to eat healthy food to take care of our bodies.

Band 7 Example Answer:

Fast food is really popular because it's fast and simple to get. When you're super busy and your stomach is growling, it's easy to choose a burger and fries. But some folks think eating this kind of food is bad for our health.

In my opinion, the health risks of eating fast food are bigger than the benefits. Sure, it saves time, but it can lead to big health problems. Fast food often has lots of salt, sugar, and fat. Eating too much of these can make you gain weight and can hurt your heart. It can also make you feel tired and not ready to play or work.

For example, my friend Alex used to eat fast food a lot because he was always rushing to his job. He didn't think it was a big deal until he went to the doctor. The doctor told him he was getting heavy and his heart wasn't doing so well. That was a wake-up call for Alex. He started to cook simple meals at home and took healthy snacks like fruits to work. After a while, he lost some weight and felt more energy.

So, even though fast food is quick and doesn't take much work, it's not the best choice for staying healthy. It's better to find a little time to make simple, healthy food. Your body will thank you for it!

Band 9 Example Answer:

In an era where time is as precious as gold, fast food has become the go-to solution for many individuals seeking a quick and effortless meal. The allure of its convenience is undeniable; however, the health implications of regularly consuming such food are a growing concern. In my opinion, the health risks associated with fast food consumption far outweigh the perceived benefits of convenience and speed.

The primary advantage of fast food is its ability to save time. For people like Emily Carter, a busy software developer, grabbing a burger and fries can mean the difference between meeting a project deadline and falling behind. Fast food chains have mastered the art of delivering food within minutes, catering to our fast-paced lifestyles where every second counts. Moreover, the widespread availability of fast food restaurants means that one can find a meal at almost any hour, which is particularly beneficial for those who work late-night shifts or have unorthodox schedules.

However, the expedience of fast food comes at a steep price – our health. Fast food is often laden with excessive calories, saturated fats, and sodium, all of which contribute to health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. For instance, a typical fast food meal can contain more than half of the recommended daily calorie intake for an average adult. This was exemplified by the documentary "Super Size Me," where Morgan Spurlock's health deteriorated significantly after consuming fast food for every meal over a 30-day period.

Furthermore, the habit of eating fast food can lead to poor dietary choices in the long run. It can desensitize our taste buds to the subtleties of healthier, whole foods. As a result, people, especially the younger generation, might find it difficult to appreciate and incorporate healthier options into their diet, leading to a vicious cycle of poor health choices.

In conclusion, while fast food may offer the immediate gratification of saving time, the long-term health risks it poses cannot be ignored. It is essential for individuals to find a balance between convenience and nutrition. Preparing meals in advance or choosing healthier options from fast food menus can serve as viable alternatives. Ultimately, the fleeting convenience of fast food is not worth the potential sacrifice to one's health.

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 2:

1. Nutritious (adjective): This word describes food that is good for your health because it has a lot of the things your body needs to stay healthy, like vitamins and minerals.
2. Convenient (adjective): If something is convenient, it means it's easy to do or fits well with your plans or needs, like fast food being quick to get when you're in a hurry.
3. Detrimental (adjective): This means something that can cause harm or damage, like how some people think eating too much fast food can be bad for your health.
4. Obesity (noun): This is a health condition where someone is very overweight, and it can happen if you eat too much unhealthy food and don't exercise enough.
5. Lifestyle diseases (noun phrase): These are illnesses that happen because of the way a person lives, such as eating unhealthy food or not moving around a lot, which can lead to problems like heart disease or diabetes.
6. Time-saving (adjective): Something that helps you do things faster or use less time, like how fast food can be a quick option when you don't have time to cook.
7. Processed food (noun phrase): This refers to food that has been changed from its natural state, often to last longer or taste better, which is what a lot of fast food is.
8. Health-conscious (adjective): This describes someone who thinks a lot about their health and makes choices to stay healthy, like eating nutritious food and exercising.
9. Portion control (noun phrase): This is when you pay attention to how much food you eat, to make sure you don't have too much, which can be hard with fast food because the servings are often big.
10. Moderation (noun): This means not having too much or too little of something, but just the right amount, like how some people say it's okay to eat fast food sometimes, as long as it's not too often.
11. Culinary habits (noun phrase): These are the usual ways that someone likes to prepare and eat food, which can include eating fast food for some people.
12. Financially accessible (adjective phrase): This means something doesn't cost a lot of money and most people can afford it, like how fast food is often less expensive than other kinds of food.
13. Satiety (noun): This is the feeling of being full after eating, which can be a problem with some fast food because it doesn't always make you feel full for long.
14. Health ramifications (noun phrase): These are the possible results or effects that something can have on your health, like the problems that can happen if you eat too much fast food.
15. Long-term effects (noun phrase): These are the things that can happen after a long time, like how eating fast food a lot might affect your health many years later.

Tips:

1. Pick a side: Decide if you think eating fast food is worth it or not. You can't agree and disagree at the same time, so choose one side to argue for in your essay.

2. Make a list of points: Jot down the reasons why you think fast food is good or bad. Think about things like how it saves time, tastes yummy, or maybe how it can be unhealthy or cost a lot of money.

3. Give reasons for your opinion: When you explain why you feel a certain way about fast food, use the points from your list. Try to explain why these things are important to you and to others.

4. Use personal stories or examples: Share a story about a time you had fast food and it was really helpful, or maybe a time it made you feel not so great. Examples like this can help show why you think the way you do.

5. Review your essay: After you finish writing, go back and read your essay to make sure it makes sense. Check that you've given enough reasons and examples, and look out for any spelling mistakes or words that got mixed up.