Task 1

Spend 20 minutes on this task. Imagine that you are a member of a book club and you have just finished reading a book that you really enjoyed. Write a letter to a friend recommending this book to them. In your letter, you should:
- Tell your friend about the book club and why you joined it
- Describe the book that you have read and why you liked it so much
- Explain what kind of people would enjoy this book
- Invite your friend to join the book club for the next meeting

You should write at least 150 words.

Answers and Tips

Task 1

Band 5 Example Answer:

Dear Emily,

I joined a book club because I love reading. We meet every week and talk about books. It's fun and I learn a lot.

We just read a book I really liked. It's called "The Adventure of Wonders." It's about a girl who travels to magical places. I couldn't stop reading because it was so exciting. The story was great and the places she visited were so cool.

People who like adventures and magic would love this book. It's good for anyone who enjoys a good story.

Do you want to come to the book club? The next meeting is on Saturday at 3 pm. It would be nice to see you there.

Best,
Alex Carter

Band 7 Example Answer:

Dear Emily Carter,

I've got to tell you about this book club I joined last month! I was looking for a way to meet new people who also love getting lost in stories, just like us. It's been such a fun way to discover books I might not have picked up on my own.

We just finished "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman, and it's been a magical ride. It's about a man who goes back to his childhood home and remembers wild, strange events he'd forgotten. The way Gaiman mixes real life with fantasy is incredible. It's like being a kid again, where every corner hides something amazing. I couldn't put it down because each page was a surprise.

I think anyone who loves a good story that makes them remember the wonder of being young would adore this book. It's not just for fantasy fans, but for anyone who enjoys tales that make the ordinary world seem full of secrets.

Hey, why don't you join us for the next meeting? It's this Saturday at 4 pm at the cozy little café on Pine Street. We'll be picking the next book, and I'd love for you to be there. Plus, they make the best chocolate cake!

Hope to see you there!

Warm wishes,
Alex Johnson

Band 9 Example Answer:

Dear Helena,

I hope you're doing splendidly. I've been meaning to tell you about this fantastic book club I joined recently. It's a diverse group of avid readers who meet monthly to discuss contemporary and classic literature. I joined to expand my reading horizons and to meet others who share my passion for books.

The latest gem we delved into was "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern. It's an enchanting novel set in a magical Victorian-era circus that only operates at night. Morgenstern weaves a narrative so vivid and enthralling that I found myself completely absorbed in the world of the circus. The story revolves around two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, bound in a competition of magical prowess, and their ensuing romance adds a poignant depth to the tale.

I believe this book would captivate anyone with a fondness for rich, imaginative storytelling and those who appreciate a blend of romance and fantasy. Its intricate plot and beautifully crafted scenes are likely to appeal to readers who enjoy getting lost in an alternate reality.

I'd love for you to experience the magic of "The Night Circus" and share your thoughts on it. How about you join us for the next book club meeting? It's scheduled for May 15th, and it would be wonderful to have you there. Let me know if you're interested, and I'll share the details.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the book and hopefully seeing you at the club.

Warm wishes,
Adrianne Pritchard

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 1:

1. captivating (adjective) - This word means that something is very interesting and holds your attention. If you say a book is captivating, it's like saying it's so good you can't stop reading it.
2. page-turner (noun) - A page-turner is a book that is so exciting or interesting that you want to keep reading more and more.
3. insightful (adjective) - When something is insightful, it helps you understand more about life or people. An insightful book might make you say, "Wow, I never thought about it that way before!"
4. recommend (verb) - To recommend means to tell someone that you think something is good and that they should try it, see it, read it, etc.
5. engrossing (adjective) - Similar to captivating, if a book is engrossing, it completely takes up all your attention because it's so interesting.
6. avid reader (noun phrase) - An avid reader is someone who loves to read a lot. If you're an avid reader, you probably have your nose in a book all the time!
7. literary gem (noun phrase) - A literary gem is a book that is very special and excellent. It's like finding a beautiful, shiny gemstone, but for books.
8. thought-provoking (adjective) - If something is thought-provoking, it makes you think deeply about things, maybe even in a new way.
9. to resonate with (verb phrase) - When a book resonates with you, it means that you can relate to it or that it has a special meaning for you. It's like the book is playing music that your heart understands.
10. genre (noun) - A genre is a type or category of something, especially books or movies. For example, mystery, romance, and science fiction are all genres.
11. compelling characters (noun phrase) - Compelling characters are the people in a book who are so interesting and realistic that you care about what happens to them.
12. vivid descriptions (noun phrase) - Vivid descriptions are words that paint a very clear and detailed picture in your mind. It's like the author is using words to create a movie in your head.
13. to join the ranks (verb phrase) - To join the ranks means to become a member of a group. If you join the ranks of a book club, you become one of the book club members.
14. unputdownable (adjective) - This fun word is used to describe a book that is so good you just can't put it down, even if you want to go to sleep or eat dinner.
15. to extend an invitation (verb phrase) - To extend an invitation means to invite someone in a formal or polite way. It's like saying, "I would be really happy if you came to this event with me."

Tips:

1. Start with a friendly greeting: Begin your letter with a warm hello, like "Dear ______," to make your friend feel special. It's like you're smiling through your words!

2. Introduce the book club: Talk about the book club like you would tell a story. Share the fun things you do and the reasons why you decided to join, such as making new friends who also love books, or finding cool new stories to read.

3. Describe the book with excitement: Pretend you're a movie trailer, but for the book! Tell your friend about the characters, the adventures they go on, or the mysteries they solve. Share your favorite parts or how the book made you feel. Remember, no spoilers!

4. Match the book with the reader: Think about who would love this book. Is it perfect for someone who loves action, puzzles, or maybe learning about different places? Explain why you think your friend or other people would really get into it.

5. Extend a warm invitation: Finish your letter by asking your friend to join the next meeting. Make it sound super fun, like an exclusive party where they can meet other cool people and talk about amazing stories. Don't forget to tell them when and where it's happening!

Task 2

Band 5 Example Answer:

Globalization is like a big wave that brings countries close. It is like friends from all over the world holding hands. But some people are not happy because they think we lose special things from our places.

Good things about globalization are many. For example, we can eat food from different countries like pizza from Italy or sushi from Japan even if we are not there. This is fun and exciting. We also learn about other people and how they live. This can make us understand each other better and not fight. My friend, Maria, she learned to speak English because of globalization and now she can talk to people from many countries.

But there are bad points too. Sometimes when we get things from other places, we forget our own things. Like in my country, we have a dance called Bihu. But now, not many young people want to dance Bihu. They only want to do dances they see on the internet from America. This makes me sad because our dance is beautiful.

Also, big companies from rich countries come to small countries and open their shops. They sell things cheap and our small shops cannot compete. My uncle had to close his shop because nobody wanted to buy his handmade shoes anymore. They all go to the big shop that sells factory shoes.

So, globalization is good because it makes us friends with the world. But it is also bad because it can make us forget what is special about our home. We should try to keep our special things alive while we enjoy making new friends.

Band 7 Example Answer:

Globalization is like a big wave that has touched every shore in the world. It brings countries and people closer, like friends who share toys and ideas. This is a good thing because when we share, we can learn new things and help each other. For example, we can eat sushi from Japan even if we live in Brazil, or listen to pop music from America in India. It's fun to learn about other places and try new things.

When countries get closer, they can also work together to solve big problems like keeping our planet clean or making sure everyone is healthy. It's like when kids in a neighborhood come together to clean up a park. Everyone helps and the park is better for everyone.

But, globalization can also be tough for the world's special ways of life. Sometimes, when big companies come to small places, they can change the way people live. For example, if a big fast-food place opens in a small town, maybe fewer people will eat at the local food shop. The town might start to lose the special food it was known for. It's like if everyone at school starts wearing the same hat, and then you can't tell who is who.

Also, when everyone starts to do the same things, we might forget the old stories, games, and songs that made each place special. It's like if you have a special dance from your family, but you stop doing it because you're too busy watching dances on the internet.

In the end, I think globalization is both good and bad. It's like a seesaw that needs to be balanced. We should enjoy making new friends and learning new things, but also remember to keep the special parts of our own stories alive. That way, the world can be like a beautiful quilt, with each piece different but all sewn together to make something amazing.

Band 9 Example Answer:

Globalization is indeed a double-edged sword when it comes to the impact it has on the world's cultures. On one hand, it fosters intercultural exchange and understanding, while on the other, it threatens the uniqueness of local traditions and ways of life.

The positive aspect of globalization is its ability to bring people from different corners of the world closer together. It encourages the sharing of ideas, languages, and customs, which can lead to greater empathy and cooperation among nations. For instance, international events like the Olympics or the World Cup unite people in a spirit of friendly competition and celebration of human abilities, regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Additionally, the ease of travel and communication in the modern world allows for more personal connections across borders, enriching individual experiences and broadening horizons.

However, globalization can also have detrimental effects on cultural diversity. The spread of a dominant culture, often Western, can lead to the erosion of local cultures. For example, fast food chains like McDonald's and Starbucks can be found in nearly every major city around the globe, often overshadowing traditional local eateries and cuisines. This can result in a homogenization of cultural expressions and loss of unique cultural identities. Moreover, the relentless push for economic development can lead to the neglect of cultural heritage, as seen in the case of ancient sites being destroyed to make way for new infrastructure projects.

In conclusion, globalization has the potential to enrich the world's cultures by promoting understanding and unity, but it also poses a significant risk to cultural diversity. It is crucial to find a balance that allows for the celebration and preservation of local traditions while embracing the benefits of a connected world. Perhaps the key lies in promoting cultural exchange that is respectful and mindful of the value of maintaining the myriad of unique ways of life that color our world.

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 2:

1. Integrate (verb): This means to mix things or people together so they become a part of a whole. For example, when different kinds of food from around the world are served in one place, they are being integrated.
2. Homogenize (verb): This is a fancy word for making things the same everywhere. Like when all the towns you visit have the same stores, it feels like they are all homogenized.
3. Cultural diversity (noun): This is the variety of different cultures in the world or in a particular place. It's like when you see people celebrating lots of different holidays in your city.
4. Erode (verb): This means to slowly reduce or destroy something. When the beach gets smaller because of the waves, it's being eroded.
5. Cross-cultural (adjective): This word describes things that involve more than one culture. When you have friends from different countries, you're experiencing cross-cultural friendships.
6. Heritage (noun): This is the history, traditions, and qualities that a country or person has had for many years and that are considered important to keep. Your family's recipes are part of your heritage.
7. Assimilate (verb): It means to become part of a group, country, etc., or to make someone or something become part of a group. Just like when you start using words from your new city, you're assimilating.
8. Multinational corporations (noun): These are big companies that work in lots of different countries. McDonald's is a multinational corporation because you can find it almost everywhere.
9. Cultural imperialism (noun): This is when one culture is pushed onto another culture, which can change or hide the smaller culture. It's like when all the movies on TV are from one country, and you don't see movies from other places.
10. Ethnic cuisine (noun): This is food that comes from a particular culture or country. When you eat sushi, you're enjoying ethnic cuisine from Japan.
11. Disseminate (verb): This means to spread something like information or ideas to a lot of people. When you tell all your friends about a cool game, you're disseminating it.
12. Cultural exchange (noun): This is when people from different cultures share things like music, art, or ideas with each other. It's like when students from other countries come to your school and teach you about their traditions.
13. Global mindset (noun): This is when someone is able to understand and think about things from a world perspective, not just their own small part of it. When you care about what happens to people in other countries, you have a global mindset.
14. Local traditions (noun): These are the special customs and ways of doing things that belong to a particular place. When your town has a parade every year that started a long time ago, that's a local tradition.
15. Cultural assimilation (noun): This is when a person or group's language or culture comes to resemble those of another group. It's like when your friend from another country starts celebrating your holidays.

Tips:

1. Understand the question: Make sure you know what globalization means and think about how it can affect cultures both positively and negatively. Remember, the question is asking for YOUR opinion, so there's no right or wrong answer, just be honest about what you think.

2. Plan your essay: Before you start writing, take a few minutes to plan what you're going to say. Make a list of the good points and bad points of globalization that you can think of. Then, pick the strongest ones to write about in your essay.

3. Use examples: For each point you make, try to give a real-world example. This could be something you've read about, seen on TV, or experienced yourself. Examples help explain your ideas and make your essay more interesting to read.

4. Keep it clear and simple: Write in short sentences and use words that you are comfortable with. This will help you to express your ideas clearly and make sure the person reading your essay can understand what you're saying.

5. Check your work: When you finish writing, read over your essay to check for any mistakes. Look for spelling errors, make sure your sentences make sense, and check that you've answered all parts of the question. Fixing these little mistakes can make a big difference!