Task 1

Spend 20 minutes on this task. Imagine you attended a friend's wedding last weekend and accidentally left your camera at the venue. Write a letter to the wedding planner to ask for help finding your camera. In your letter, you should:

- Explain who you are and how you know the bride or groom.
- Describe the camera and any special features or marks that make it easy to identify.
- Tell them where you think you might have left the camera at the wedding.
- Ask the wedding planner what steps you should take to try and get your camera back.
You should write at least 150 words.

Answers and Tips

Task 1

Band 5 Example Answer:

Dear Wedding Planner,

My name is Alex Turner. I was at my friend's wedding last weekend. The friend is the groom, Peter Johnson. We are friends from college.

I had my camera at the wedding. It's a black Nikon camera. It has a big lens and a scratch on the bottom. The scratch looks like a small line. It's easy to see. The camera is important to me. I have many pictures on it.

I think I left my camera on a table near the dance floor. It was after taking pictures of the bride and groom dancing. I put it down to dance and forgot it.

Can you help me find my camera? What should I do now? Do you have a lost and found? Please tell me if someone found a camera like mine.

Thank you for your help.

Alex Turner

Band 7 Example Answer:

Dear Wedding Planner,

I'm Alex Bennett, a close friend of the groom, Thomas Green. I was at his wedding last weekend, which was a beautiful ceremony. Unfortunately, I seem to have left my camera at the venue.

The camera is a black Nikon D5600 with a red strap. It has a small scratch on the bottom right corner and a sticker of a blue butterfly on the battery cover. These marks should make it easy to spot.

I last remember using it near the big oak tree where the couple took their vows. I might have put it down on a nearby table when we all threw confetti.

Could you please let me know if there's a lost and found section where it might have been kept? Or if there's someone I could talk to who might have seen it? I would greatly appreciate any help you can provide in finding my camera.

Thank you for your assistance.

Warm regards,
Alex Bennett

Band 9 Example Answer:

Dear Ms. Cartwright,

I am reaching out to you regarding a personal item I misplaced during the joyous occasion of Samantha and Ethan's wedding last Saturday, where I had the pleasure of celebrating as one of Ethan's long-time friends from college. I believe I accidentally left my camera at the reception venue, and I am hopeful that you might assist me in locating it.

The camera in question is a black Nikon D850 with a red strap that has 'Alaska Adventure 2021' embroidered on it. Additionally, there is a small scratch on the lower left corner of the camera body, and it contains a memory card loaded with personal photographs that are of great sentimental value to me.

I last recall using the camera near the floral archway where the couple had their post-ceremony photos taken. I might have set it down on the nearby table that was adorned with a white lace cloth and an assortment of candles when we were called for the group photograph.

Could you please inform me of the procedure to report lost items? If the camera has been found, I would greatly appreciate any details on how it can be returned to me. I am willing to cover any shipping costs if necessary, or I can arrange to collect it in person at a time that is convenient for you.

Thank you very much for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Warmest regards,
Adrian Holloway

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 1:

1. Grateful (adjective): This means feeling thankful. You might start your letter by saying you are grateful for their help.
2. Misplaced (verb): This is another word for lost but it suggests you put the camera somewhere and can't remember where. You can say you misplaced your camera.
3. Distinctive (adjective): This means something that is very different and easy to recognize. You can describe your camera as distinctive if it has special marks.
4. Retrieve (verb): This means to get something back. You can ask how you can retrieve your camera.
5. Venue (noun): This is the place where an event happens, like a wedding. You can say you left your camera at the venue.
6. Invaluable (adjective): This means something is very valuable or priceless, often because of personal reasons. You can say the photos in the camera are invaluable to you.
7. Recollect (verb): This means to remember something. You can use it to tell the planner where you recollect last having the camera.
8. Oversight (noun): This is a mistake made because of a lack of attention. You can apologize for the oversight of leaving your camera behind.
9. Correspondence (noun): This means communication by exchanging letters or emails. You can ask for the best form of correspondence to follow up on your request.
10. Prompt (adjective): This means quick or without delay. You can thank the wedding planner for their prompt attention to your matter.
11. Awaiting your response (phrase): This means you are looking forward to hearing back from them. You can finish your letter by saying you are awaiting their response.
12. Item of sentimental value (phrase): This means something that may not cost a lot of money but is very special to you because of the memories it holds. You can explain that the camera is an item of sentimental value.
13. Attach a description (phrase): This means to add extra information about something. You can say you will attach a description of your camera to the letter.
14. Coordinate (verb): This means to organize an activity or process. You can ask the wedding planner to help coordinate the return of your camera.
15. Keep an eye out (phrase): This means to watch carefully for something. You can ask the staff if they can keep an eye out for your camera.

Tips:

1. Clarify your connection to the wedding: Start your letter by introducing yourself and explaining how you are linked to the bride or groom. This helps the wedding planner remember you and understand why you were at the event.

2. Paint a picture of your camera: Describe your camera in detail. Mention the color, brand, size, and any unique stickers or scratches it might have. This will help the wedding planner spot it among other lost items.

3. Retrace your steps: Think about the last time you saw your camera at the wedding. Tell the planner about this place, like "next to the big flower arrangement by the guest book," so they know exactly where to look.

4. Ask for specific help: Politely ask the wedding planner what you should do next. Maybe they have a lost and found, or they can ask the staff if they've seen your camera. This shows you're ready to follow their advice to find your camera.

5. Provide your contact information: End your letter by giving the planner a way to reach you, like your phone number or email address. This way, they can tell you if they find your camera or need more information.

Task 2

Band 5 Example Answer:

Social media is like a coin with two sides, one side is good and the other side not so good. I think social media helps us to stay connected with our friends and family but also can hurt our relationships.

One good side is that we can talk to people far away. Like my friend Michael who moved to another country. We chat and share pictures on social media, so I still know what's happening in his life. It's like he never left. Also, when it's someone's birthday or a big day, we can all say nice things and make them feel special even if we can't be there.

But there is a bad side too. Sometimes people just look at their phones and don't talk to the people they are with. I have seen this at restaurants where families sit together but everyone is looking at their own phones. They don't talk to each other. Also, some people get sad when they see other people's perfect pictures and think their own life is not good. This can make friends feel bad.

So, I think social media is good for keeping in touch but we have to remember to not let it take all our time. We should still talk to people face to face. This way we can keep our friendships and family ties strong.

Band 7 Example Answer:

Social media has become a big part of our lives. Many people, including me, think it's a good way to stay in touch with friends and family. It's true that it can also cause problems in relationships, but I believe it has more good sides than bad.

One of the best things about social media is that it makes talking to people far away very easy. For example, my friend Maria moved to a different country, and we can still chat and share photos like she's here with me. It's like a bridge that keeps us close even when we are miles apart. We can also join groups with people who like the same things we do, which is a fun way to make new friends.

But sometimes, social media can be tricky. Some people might spend too much time on their phones or computers, looking at what others are doing instead of talking to the people right next to them. This can make family members or friends feel sad or ignored. I've seen this happen at dinner tables where everyone is just looking at their screens and not talking to each other.

Also, it's easy to get the wrong idea about what someone means when they are just writing words and not talking face to face. Once, my cousin Lily got upset because she thought her friend was mad at her, but it was just a big misunderstanding from a text message.

In the end, I think social media is good for keeping in touch if we use it the right way. We should remember to spend time with people in real life too and not just online. It's all about finding a balance. Social media is a tool, and it's up to us to use it to make our friendships stronger, not weaker.

Band 9 Example Answer:

Social media has undeniably become an integral part of our daily lives, serving as a platform for us to stay connected with friends and family. However, this modern convenience comes with its own set of pros and cons that affect the quality of our relationships. In my opinion, social media is a double-edged sword that can both enhance and impair our social connections, depending on how we use it.

On the positive side, social media breaks down geographical barriers, allowing us to maintain relationships with loved ones who are miles away. For instance, my cousin, Emily, moved to Australia for her studies, and thanks to social media, we have been able to keep up with each other's lives. We share photos, exchange messages, and even have video calls, which makes the physical distance between us seem less daunting. Additionally, social media can be a great tool for reconnecting with old friends. Recently, I found a childhood friend through Facebook, and we have since rekindled our friendship, reminiscing about old times and creating new memories.

However, the reliance on social media can also have detrimental effects on our relationships. The illusion of connectivity might make us neglect face-to-face interactions, which are crucial for deeper emotional bonds. For example, I've noticed that during family gatherings, many of my relatives, especially the younger ones, are often preoccupied with their phones, checking social media instead of engaging in meaningful conversations. This behavior can create a sense of isolation and distance, even when we are physically together. Moreover, the curated nature of social media can lead to misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations, as people tend to present an idealized version of their lives, which may not always reflect reality.

In conclusion, while social media has the potential to keep us connected with friends and family, it is important to strike a balance. We must be mindful of the time we spend online and ensure that it does not replace the invaluable experience of in-person interactions. By using social media as a complementary tool rather than a substitute for real-life connections, we can enjoy the benefits it offers without compromising the quality of our relationships.

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 2:

1. Enhance (verb): This means to make something better or to improve it. For example, you could say that social media enhances your ability to keep up with friends' lives.
2. Detrimental (adjective): This word means causing harm or damage. You might argue that spending too much time on social media is detrimental to face-to-face interactions.
3. Connectivity (noun): This refers to the state of being connected, especially to the internet or to other people. You could say social media offers unprecedented connectivity with loved ones.
4. Isolation (noun): This means the state of being alone or apart from others. An example sentence could be: Some people fear that social media leads to social isolation.
5. Interpersonal skills (noun phrase): These are the skills used by a person to interact with others properly. You might mention that too much reliance on social media might affect someone's interpersonal skills.
6. Virtual interactions (noun phrase): These are ways of interacting with others online, rather than in person. You could discuss how virtual interactions on social media are different from real-life conversations.
7. Superficial (adjective): This means appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely. In your essay, you might suggest that some friendships on social media are superficial.
8. Nurturing relationships (verb phrase): This means to take care of and encourage the growth or development of relationships. You can talk about whether social media is effective for nurturing relationships.
9. Distraction (noun): This is something that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. You could use this word to describe how social media can be a distraction from in-person interactions.
10. Authentic connections (noun phrase): These are genuine and true relationships. In your essay, you might question if social media allows for authentic connections.
11. Time-consuming (adjective): This means taking a lot of time to do. You might point out that social media can be time-consuming and interfere with other activities.
12. Privacy concerns (noun phrase): This refers to issues related to the protection of personal information. You could discuss how privacy concerns might affect the way people use social media to connect.
13. Depersonalization (noun): This is the process of making something less personal or individual. You might argue that social media leads to the depersonalization of relationships.
14. Online persona (noun phrase): This is the personality that a person presents on the internet. You can mention how someone's online persona might differ from their real-life personality.
15. Maintain ties (verb phrase): This means to keep a connection or relationship with someone. An example sentence could be: Social media can help maintain ties with friends and family who live far away.

Tips:

1. Pick a side but acknowledge both: Decide if you think social media is more helpful or harmful for relationships, but remember to mention the other side too. You could say something like "Although some people find social media distracting, I believe it's a great way to stay in touch with loved ones."

2. Organize your thoughts: Create a little map in your mind or on paper with your main idea in the center and reasons around it. For example, if you think social media is helpful, you might list reasons like "easy to share news" or "fun to see photos".

3. Use personal stories: Talk about your own experiences with social media. Maybe you have a friend you only talk to through Instagram, or a time when a Facebook message caused a misunderstanding. Stories make your essay more interesting and show how your opinion connects to real life.

4. Stay focused: Stick to the topic and don't wander off into talking about other things like your favorite apps or games. Keep bringing your points back to the question of how social media affects relationships.

5. Review your work: After writing, go back and read your essay to see if it makes sense. Check if you've used words correctly and if your sentences are easy to understand. It's like looking in the mirror to make sure you don't have spinach in your teeth before you go out!