Exercicis de writing PAU — Anglès 2n Batxillerat

Comptar les paraules (per ajustar-te al límit demanat) i revisar el text per corregir errors de gramàtica, vocabulari i puntuació.

Un connector de conseqüència formal: 'therefore' (o 'as a result'). 'She studied very hard; therefore, she passed with top marks.'

Per exemple: 'In my opinion,', 'From my point of view,', 'I firmly believe that', 'It seems to me that', 'I am convinced that'.

a) Moreover: afegeix un segon argument a favor.
b) For example: introdueix un cas concret que il·lustra la idea anterior.
c) However: indica un contrast amb allò que s'acaba de dir.
Recorda que aquests connectors porten una coma darrere.

Model: «Dear Mr Smith, I am writing to inform you that the product is of poor quality, and I would like to request a refund.»
Canvis: Hi passa a Dear, wanna a would like to, rubbish a of poor quality i l'ordre agressiu es converteix en una petició educada.
En un text formal no s'usen contraccions ni col·loquialismes.

Model: «In my opinion, school uniforms should not be compulsory because they limit students' freedom of expression and do not improve results.»
Una bona tesi expressa clarament la teva posició i anticipa els arguments (en aquest cas, dos) que desenvoluparàs al cos.

Mínim: $\tfrac{125}{9} = 13{,}9$, és a dir, 14 línies.
Màxim: $\tfrac{150}{9} = 16{,}7$, és a dir, 16 línies completes (a la 17a ja et passaries).
Has d'escriure entre 14 i 16 línies; compta-les per saber on ets sense comptar paraula per paraula.

a) Yours sincerely: coneixes el nom del destinatari.
b) Yours faithfully: no coneixes el nom del destinatari.
c) Yours sincerely: hi ha nom (Ms Roca).
Regla: Dear + nom, Yours sincerely; Dear Sir or Madam, Yours faithfully.

«I strongly believe that homework should be limited.»
L'adverbi strongly va davant del verb believe, i després de that ve una frase completa (subjecte + verb).
Variant correcta: «I believe strongly...» és menys natural en anglès.

La frase temàtica és «Social media has changed the way teenagers communicate», perquè expressa la idea general que la resta de frases il·lustren.
Normalment es col·loca al principi del paràgraf, i la resta de frases en desenvolupen els detalls.
Al paràgraf de l'enunciat estava al mig; ordenat, queda més clar.

1. Introducció: presenta el tema i la teva posició (tesi). 2) Cos: dos o tres paràgrafs, un argument per paràgraf amb exemples. 3) Conclusió: recapitula les idees i reafirma la posició, sense idees noves.

Per exemple: 'I am writing to complain about a product I purchased from your shop last week, which turned out to be faulty.' (to formal, motiu clar).

Model (43 paraules): 'The phone rang at midnight. I was lying in bed, reading a book, while the rain was hammering against the window. I picked up the phone, but nobody spoke. I could only hear someone breathing slowly. Then, suddenly, a voice whispered my name.'
El past continuous ('was lying', 'was hammering') crea l'escena de fons, i el past simple ('picked up', 'whispered') fa avançar l'acció.

Model (49 paraules): 'The novel follows Lena, a shy seventeen-year-old who finds an old diary in her grandmother's attic. As she reads it, she discovers a family secret that changes the way she sees the people she loves. Meanwhile, she has to decide whether to reveal it or keep it to herself.'
Es presenta la protagonista i el conflicte, i s'acaba amb una pregunta oberta, sense explicar què decideix.

a) Although the exam was difficult, I passed it.
b) We stayed at home because it was raining.
c) She studied a lot, so she passed with top marks.
Fixa't que although i because introdueixen una oració subordinada, i que si la subordinada va al principi, cal una coma.

Model (44 paraules):
«Teenagers should have part-time jobs because they learn responsibility. For example, a student who works at weekends in a bakery has to arrive on time and follow instructions. In addition, earning their own money teaches them to manage a budget and to value effort.»
Estructura: frase temàtica, for example amb un cas concret, in addition amb un segon argument.

Versió corregida: «In my opinion, social networks are dangerous because people share too much personal information. Moreover, cyberbullying exists. For example, many teenagers feel alone.»
Errors: the sobra en sentit general; information és incomptable; it exist es transforma en cyberbullying exists (o there is cyberbullying); teenagers feel, plural, sense -s.

a) Could you please send me the information as soon as possible?
b) I apologise for the inconvenience.
c) Thank you very much for your assistance.
En registre formal s'eviten abreviatures (info, ASAP), exclamacions i verbs col·loquials, i s'usa could o would per ser més cortès.

Model (42 paraules):
«To sum up, zoos may entertain visitors, but animals should not pay the price. Since sanctuaries and wildlife parks offer better alternatives, I firmly believe that zoos should be gradually closed and replaced by centres that protect species in their natural habitat.»
La conclusió resumeix la posició amb To sum up, reafirma l'opinió i no obre arguments nous.

Model (50 paraules):
«I ordered a laptop from your website on 3 March, and it was due to arrive within five days. However, it has still not been delivered, and nobody has answered my three emails. Consequently, I am requesting a full refund. I look forward to hearing from you within seven days.»
Conté els fets (data i retard), el problema addicional i la petició concreta amb un termini.

Model (40 paraules):
«Imagine a classroom without walls, where every lesson is only one click away. Online learning has grown quickly in recent years. However, I firmly believe that face-to-face lessons are more effective because they offer direct contact with teachers and classmates.»
Ganxo: «Imagine a classroom...»; context: «Online learning has grown...»; tesi: «I firmly believe...».

Text model (136 paraules):
Living in a big city: advantages and disadvantages

More and more young people move to big cities to study or work. But is city life really better?

On the one hand, cities offer many opportunities. There are more jobs, universities and cultural activities, such as concerts, museums and theatres. Public transport is usually good, so you do not need a car to get around.

On the other hand, living in a city has clear disadvantages. Rents are very expensive, and many young people cannot afford a flat of their own. Furthermore, cities are noisy and polluted, which can affect our health and our mood.

All things considered, the city is a great place for a few years of study and work. However, for a calm and healthy life, I would rather live in a small town.

Comprova-hi: títol, introducció sense opinió, dos paràgrafs equilibrats amb On the one hand / On the other hand i connectors d'addició, i conclusió amb la teva opinió.

Text model (127 paraules):
Hi Tom,

How are you? Sorry I haven't written for ages, but I've been really busy with my exams.

Guess what? Last weekend I went on a school trip to the Pyrenees, and it was amazing! We stayed in a small hostel in the mountains and went hiking every day. On Saturday we climbed to a lake, and although I was exhausted, the views were absolutely worth it.

The best part was the evenings. We cooked together, played cards and told stories until really late. I think I made some new friends, too.

What about you? Did you do anything special last weekend? You should come with us next year, I'm sure you'd love it.

Write back soon and tell me all your news!

Take care,
Pau

Comprova-hi: obertura que es disculpa pel silenci, relat en passat amb detalls, preguntes al lector i comiat informal.

Text model (139 paraules):
A Person I Admire

The person I admire most is my grandmother, Teresa. She is seventy-eight, but she is one of the most active people I know.

She is quite short, with curly grey hair and bright blue eyes that seem to smile all the time. She usually wears colourful scarves, and you can always hear her laughing before you see her.

However, what makes her special is her personality. She is generous, patient and incredibly curious. Although she left school at fourteen, she started learning English at the age of seventy, and now she sends me messages in English every day.

She has taught me that it is never too late to learn something new. Whenever I feel like giving up, I think of her, and I try again. I really hope I am like her one day.

Comprova-hi: aspecte físic amb detalls, personalitat amb un exemple concret (aprendre anglès als setanta) i l'explicació de per què l'admires, que l'enunciat demana.

Model (132 paraules sense el títol):
Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
Nowadays many people wonder whether sixteen-year-olds should be allowed to vote. In my opinion, they should, for two main reasons.
First of all, young people of sixteen already take important responsibilities. They can work, pay taxes and, in some countries, join the army. Therefore, it is fair that they have a say in the laws that affect their future.
Secondly, voting early creates a lifelong habit. Teenagers who take part in elections while they are still at school can discuss politics with their teachers and families. As a result, they are better informed.
Some people argue that teenagers are immature. However, many adults also vote without reading the programmes, so age is not a guarantee of wisdom.
To sum up, I firmly believe that the voting age should be lowered to sixteen.
Criteris: tesi clara, un argument per paràgraf, contraargument refutat amb However, connectors variats i conclusió sense idees noves.

Model (133 paraules amb salutació i signatura):
Dear Mayor,
I am writing to suggest that our town should build more bike lanes. At present, cyclists have to share narrow streets with cars, which is dangerous and discourages people from using bicycles. Many of my classmates would cycle to school if it were safer.
Firstly, safe lanes would reduce traffic and pollution in the centre. Moreover, they would encourage young people to exercise instead of spending hours indoors. For example, a lane connecting the schools with the railway station would be used by hundreds of students every day.
I understand that the project would be expensive. Nevertheless, its long-term benefits for health and the environment would clearly outweigh the cost.
I would be grateful if you could consider my proposal. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Marta Puig
Criteris: registre formal (I am writing to..., I would be grateful if...), propòsit clar al primer paràgraf, arguments amb exemple, objecció reconeguda i tancament Yours faithfully (no coneixem el nom).

Model (132 paraules):
The Last Lighthouse is a drama set on a small island, where an old keeper must decide whether to leave his home when the government closes the lighthouse.
The main strength of the film is its photography: the storms and the quiet sunsets are spectacular. The leading actor is also convincing, and his friendship with a young girl who visits him every summer is moving. However, the story is slow at the beginning, and some scenes could be shorter. The soundtrack, played by a single violin, adds to the lonely atmosphere, and the dialogues are short and natural.
Overall, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys calm films with beautiful images and an emotional message. It is not an action film, but it stays in your mind long after the credits.
Estructura: presentació sense final, valoració equilibrada amb However, recomanació i tancament. Verbs en present per descriure la trama.

Problemes: 1) phones is: concordança (are); 2) teachers says (say) i looking phones (are looking at their phones); 3) vocabulari vague (bad thing) i manca d'un exemple; 4) So that mal usat (Therefore / For these reasons).
Versió millorada: «Mobile phones are a serious distraction in class. Teachers say that students are constantly looking at their phones instead of listening. In addition, some use them to cheat in exams. For these reasons, I believe phones should be kept in lockers during lessons.»

For and against: introducció neutra amb el tema; paràgraf 1 amb avantatges (diccionari, recerca, emergències); paràgraf 2 amb inconvenients (distracció, trampes, ciberassetjament); conclusió equilibrada amb una opinió final.
Opinion essay: introducció amb tesi (per exemple, «phones should be banned»); paràgraf 1 amb argument i exemple; paràgraf 2 amb un segon argument i exemple; paràgraf 3 amb un contraargument refutat; conclusió que reafirma la tesi.
Diferència: la for-and-against presenta tots dos costats de manera objectiva; l'opinion essay defensa clarament una sola postura.

Format: email. Destinatari: un amic, per tant registre informal (contraccions, expressions com Can't wait!). Punts de contingut: 1) quan pot venir, 2) què farem, 3) pregunta sobre el menjar. Extensió: 125-150 paraules.
Repartiment: salutació i obertura, uns 20 paraules; cos amb els tres punts, uns 85 (unes 30 + 35 + 20); tancament i comiat, uns 25. Total: 130 paraules.
Error freqüent: oblidar un dels punts de contingut, que penalitza encara que el text sigui correcte.

Model de resposta (137 paraules):

Streaming platforms have transformed the way young people spend their free time and, in my opinion, there are three main reasons for their success.

Firstly, convenience plays a decisive role. Viewers can watch whatever they like, whenever they like, without depending on a timetable. For teenagers with busy schedules, this freedom is extremely attractive.

Secondly, the variety on offer is almost unlimited. From documentaries to comedies, there is something for every taste, and algorithms constantly suggest new titles, which keeps users hooked.

Finally, streaming has become a social experience. Friends discuss the latest series at school, and not having seen it can make a person feel left out.

To sum up, I believe that comfort, choice and peer pressure explain the popularity of streaming. Although it is not harmful in itself, it should not replace other activities.

Criteris (quatre criteris oficials de la PAU, 1 punt cadascun): Grammar: estructures variades (relatives, whatever/whenever, participis) i sense errors significatius. Vocabulary: lèxic precís (transformed, decisive, hooked, peer pressure). Cohesion: cinc paràgrafs i connectors seqüencials (Firstly, Secondly, Finally, To sum up). Adequacy and coherence: respon el «per què», amb opinió clara i exemples.

Errors típics

• Descriure la plataforma o enumerar sèries en lloc d'analitzar-ne les causes.
• Repetir la mateixa idea amb altres paraules en dos paràgrafs.
• Usar només and, but, so com a connectors.
• Començar amb una frase memoritzada («Nowadays technology is very important...») sense relació amb el tema.

Conceptes treballats: opinion essay causal, estructura tesi-arguments-conclusió, connectors seqüencials, criteris de la PAU.

Model de resposta (128 paraules):

Working from home has become common in many companies, but it is not without controversy. This essay considers both its advantages and its drawbacks.

On the one hand, remote work saves time and money. Employees avoid long commutes and can organise their day more flexibly, which often improves their well-being. Moreover, companies can reduce the cost of offices.

On the other hand, there are clear disadvantages. Working alone can lead to isolation, and the boundary between work and private life tends to blur, so many people end up working longer hours. In addition, some tasks simply require face-to-face collaboration.

In conclusion, working from home offers undeniable benefits, but it works best when combined with regular days at the office. A balanced model would suit both employers and employees.

Criteris (quatre criteris oficials de la PAU, 1 punt cadascun): Grammar: ús correcte de presents, can, tends to i estructures de resultat. Vocabulary: commutes, isolation, boundary, face-to-face. Cohesion: On the one hand, Moreover, On the other hand, In addition, In conclusion, paràgrafs ben marcats. Adequacy and coherence: equilibri entre els dos costats i conclusió coherent.

Errors típics

• Escriure només avantatges o només desavantatges.
• Barrejar avantatges i desavantatges dins del mateix paràgraf sense ordre.
• Introduir una opinió extrema a la conclusió que no es veu reflectida al cos.
• Utilitzar On the contrary en lloc de On the other hand.

Conceptes treballats: for-and-against essay, connectors de contrast, equilibri argumentatiu, conclusió matisada.

Model de resposta (135 paraules, sense comptar salutació, comiat ni signatura; el nom del centre és fictici):

Dear Councillor,

I am writing to express my concern about the planned closure of the Riverside Youth Centre, which, as I understand, is due to budget cuts.

For many teenagers in our neighbourhood, the centre is far more than a building. It offers a safe place to meet friends, free workshops and homework support that many families cannot afford elsewhere. Without it, young people would probably spend their evenings on the street or alone at home.

Furthermore, the savings would be small compared with the long-term cost of the problems that may follow, such as school failure or antisocial behaviour.

I therefore urge the council to reconsider its decision and to explore alternatives, such as reducing opening hours instead of closing the centre altogether.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter with you in person.

Yours sincerely,
Carla Ferrer

Criteris (quatre criteris oficials de la PAU, 1 punt cadascun): Grammar: condicionals (would probably spend), relatives (which, as I understand, is due to...; problems that may follow), estructures formals. Vocabulary: concern, budget cuts, urge, reconsider, antisocial behaviour. Cohesion: paràgrafs amb funció clara i connectors (Furthermore, therefore). Adequacy and coherence: registre formal sostingut, arguments rellevants i proposta d'alternativa.

Errors típics

• Escriure amb un to emocional o agressiu en un text dirigit a una autoritat.
• Limitar-se a queixar-se sense proposar cap alternativa.
• Oblidar la salutació i el comiat adequats (Dear Councillor / Yours sincerely).
• Utilitzar dades inventades com a prova (xifres, percentatges).

Conceptes treballats: email formal persuasiu, registre, estructura argumentativa, propostes d'alternativa.

Model de resposta (131 paraules, sense comptar salutació i signatura):

Hi Jamie,

Thanks for your message! It's great that you're thinking of going hiking this summer. Since I've just come back from a weekend in the Pyrenees, here are a few thoughts.

We left on Friday evening and reached the refuge after dark, so we were exhausted! On Saturday we got up at six and walked for almost seven hours. The views were incredible, but my legs hurt so much that I could hardly move the next day.

My advice? First, don't carry too much: I took three jumpers and never used them! Second, wear good boots and break them in before the trip. And finally, check the weather, because it can change really fast up there.

Do you fancy joining us next time? We're planning another trip in September. Let me know!

Write soon,
Núria

Criteris (quatre criteris oficials de la PAU, 1 punt cadascun): Grammar: past simple per a la narració, present perfect (I've just come back), imperatius i connectors de seqüència. Vocabulary: refuge, exhausted, break in, expressions informals (Do you fancy...). Cohesion: First, Second, And finally. Adequacy and coherence: to proper i informal, resposta a les dues parts de la tasca.

Errors típics

• Escriure un email informal amb un registre massa formal.
• Respondre només a una part de la tasca (només consells o només el viatge).
• Abusar de l'argot o de formes abreviades (gonna, wanna) fins que el text perd correcció.
• Oblidar els paràgrafs perquè «és un email informal».

Conceptes treballats: email informal, registre i to, narració breu més consells, imperatius, connectors seqüencials.

Model de resposta (140 paraules):

It was the first day of my exchange in Dublin, and I was determined to get to school on my own. I had checked the route on my phone the night before, so I felt confident. However, when I got off the bus, the battery had died.

At first I wasn't worried. I walked along a street that looked familiar, but after twenty minutes I realised that I had never seen those houses before. It was raining, my bag was heavy and my English suddenly seemed to have disappeared.

Finally, I gathered the courage to ask an old man for directions. He smiled, opened his umbrella and walked with me for ten minutes until we reached the school gate. I arrived late and soaking wet, but I had learnt something important: asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

Temps verbals. Past simple: got off, walked, asked, smiled, opened, arrived (fets en seqüència). Past continuous: it was raining (escena en curs). Past perfect: I had checked the route, the battery had died, I had never seen those houses (accions anteriors al punt de la narració).

Criteris (quatre criteris oficials de la PAU, 1 punt cadascun): Grammar: ús variat i precís dels temps del passat. Vocabulary: determined, soaking wet, gathered the courage. Cohesion: However, At first, Finally, paràgrafs per fases. Adequacy and coherence: història completa amb problema, resolució i reflexió final.

Errors típics

• Escriure tota la narració en present o barrejar temps sense raó.
• Fer una llista d'esdeveniments sense detalls ni emocions.
• No tancar la història o acabar de manera abrupta.
• Allargar-se en l'ambientació i quedar-se sense paraules per al final.

Conceptes treballats: narrative, temps del passat (simple, continuous, perfect), seqüenciació, detalls sensorials, estructura narrativa.

Model de resposta (138 paraules):

The person who has influenced me most is my grandfather, a retired carpenter who lives in a small village in the mountains. He is a tall, thin man with white hair and large, rough hands that have built half the furniture in our family home.

What strikes people first is his calm. He never raises his voice, and his blue eyes seem to listen as much as his ears do. He is also remarkably patient: when I was a child, he spent entire afternoons teaching me how to sand a piece of wood until it felt like silk.

Above all, he has taught me that quality takes time. Whenever I feel under pressure at school, I remember his workshop, with its smell of pine and its slow, careful rhythm, and I start again, one step at a time.

Criteris (quatre criteris oficials de la PAU, 1 punt cadascun): Grammar: relatives (who lives..., that have built...), present perfect, estructures comparatives i temporals. Vocabulary: strikes, remarkably, sand, rhythm. Cohesion: transició entre aspecte, personalitat i efecte (What strikes people first, Above all). Adequacy and coherence: cobreix els tres punts demanats.

Errors típics

• Limitar-se a aspecte físic sense personalitat ni efecte emocional.
• Fer servir adjectius buits com nice, good, kind repetits.
• Escriure la descripció com una narració.
• No concretar la influència sobre l'escriptor.

Conceptes treballats: description, relatives, vocabulari descriptiu, estructura per aspectes, detalls i exemples.

a) C és la millor: postura clara, reconeix el contrari (Although...), dona dues raons concretes i té un to equilibrat. B expressa una postura, però és absolutista, informal (bad, useless) i gairebé impossible de defendre amb arguments. A és la pitjor com a tesi: només anuncia el tema i no té opinió.

b) A: Homework should be limited in secondary schools because its benefits are smaller than its costs. B: Although some homework is useful, excessive amounts of it do more harm than good, since they leave students little time to rest or pursue other interests.

c) Pla. Introducció: presentar el debat, concedir que els deures reforcen l'aprenentatge i enunciar la tesi. Paràgraf 1: els deures excessius limiten el descans i la salut (son, estrès). Paràgraf 2: creen desigualtats (famílies amb recursos o suport vs sense). Conclusió: reduir-los i fer-los més útils, no eliminar-los del tot.

Errors típics

• Confondre una tesi amb un anunci del tema (In this essay I will talk about...).
• Escriure una tesi absolutista que no es pot defendre.
• Presentar una tesi sense raons concretes.
• Fer que el pla no tingui relació amb la tesi.

Conceptes treballats: tesi i planificació d'un opinion essay, concessió, argumentació, to i matís.

Model de resposta (136 paraules):

The day I would love to relive is my sixteenth birthday. I woke up to the smell of pancakes, because my mother, who normally rushes out in the mornings, had decided to make me a special breakfast.

Later, my friends arrived at my house with a huge surprise: they had organised a day at the beach. Although the water was freezing, we spent hours playing volleyball, laughing and eating sandwiches on the sand.

In the evening, we went to a restaurant where my family was waiting for me. When they gave me my present, a phone I had been dreaming about for months, I was speechless.

What made that day so special was not the gift, but the feeling of being surrounded by the people I love most. I would give anything to experience it again.

Canvis segons els criteris. Grammar: es passa de frases simples i repetitives a estructures complexes (relatives: who normally rushes out...; past perfect: had organised; participis i subordinades concessives: Although the water was freezing). Vocabulary: relive, speechless, surrounded substitueixen very good, very nice. Cohesion: paràgrafs per franges del dia (matí, tarda, vespre) i connectors (Later, In the evening, Although); s'eliminen les repeticions de and i we. Adequacy and coherence: s'afegeix la raó per la qual el dia és especial (el que es demana a l'enunciat) i una conclusió.

Errors típics

• Només canviar paraules soltes (very good → excellent) sense reestructurar les frases.
• Afegir fets nous que contradiuen el text original.
• Escriure frases llargues amb errors en lloc de frases correctes i mitjanes.
• Oblidar explicar per què el dia va ser especial.

Conceptes treballats: millora de textos, complexitat sintàctica, vocabulari precís, cohesió, adequació a la tasca.

Model de resposta (144 paraules, sense comptar el títol):

Why Teenagers Should Learn to Cook

Think about your last meal. Did you prepare it yourself? If you are like most teenagers, probably not. Yet cooking is one of the most useful skills we can acquire before leaving home.

First of all, it saves money. A homemade meal costs far less than a takeaway, and it is usually healthier too. Once you know the basics, you can control exactly what you eat, instead of relying on processed food.

Secondly, cooking is a creative activity. Experimenting with flavours can be as exciting as playing music or painting, and sharing the result with friends is hugely rewarding.

Of course, learning takes patience, and burning a few dinners is part of the process. But that is precisely why we should start now, while our parents are still around to rescue us!

So, tonight, why not put on an apron and surprise your family?

Criteris (quatre criteris oficials de la PAU, 1 punt cadascun): Grammar: presents, If you are like..., Once you know..., comparatius. Vocabulary: acquire, processed food, rewarding. Cohesion: First of all, Secondly, Of course, But that is precisely why. Adequacy and coherence: pregunta inicial, dos arguments, matís i crida final; to semiformal i proper.

Errors típics

• Escriure com un assaig impersonal, sense apel·lar el lector.
• Afegir massa arguments sense desenvolupar cap.
• Oblidar el títol o la crida final.
• Fer servir expressions col·loquials en excés.

Conceptes treballats: article, to semiformal, apel·lació al lector, arguments i exemples, crida a l'acció.

a) Problemes possibles (en calen sis):
1) Registre i format (adequació): «hi editor», «ur», minúscules, «whatever», «Bye» i els signes d'exclamació són informals. Una carta al director demana «Dear Editor,» i un comiat formal («Yours faithfully,»).
2) To (adequació): «totally stupid» i «the council are idiots» ataquen en lloc d'argumentar. Cal criticar la mesura, no les persones.
3) Argumentació (coherència): «people need them» no s'explica; «my dad says» és una anècdota i no un argument; «pollution is bad but whatever» ignora l'objecció en lloc de refutar-la; «people will be sad» és vague.
4) Estructura (coherència): és un sol bloc, sense introducció que citi l'article ni paràgrafs. Hi ha un nou argument després d'«In conclusion».
5) Cohesió: gairebé no hi ha connectors; «Also» i «And also» es repeteixen i les frases curtes no es relacionen.
6) Riquesa lèxica i correcció: vocabulari bàsic («bad», «important», «people») i ortografia descurada (majúscules, «ur»). Per cert, «the council are» és acceptable en anglès britànic: no és un error.
7) Extensió: el text té 62 paraules, per sota del mínim (125).

b) Carta model (144 paraules, sense salutació ni signatura):

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to your article on the council's plan to close the town centre to cars every Saturday. Although I understand the concern about pollution, I believe the measure should be introduced gradually.

First of all, many elderly and disabled residents depend on cars to reach the pharmacy, the market and the health centre. Without alternative transport, they would be shut out of their own town on its busiest day.

Moreover, small shops make a large share of their weekly sales on Saturdays. If customers cannot park nearby, many will drive to the retail park instead, and local businesses will suffer.

Admittedly, cleaner air and quieter streets are worthwhile goals. However, they could be achieved by a free shuttle bus and a trial ban lasting a single morning.

I therefore urge the council to test the proposal before making it permanent.

Yours faithfully,
Marta Ribas

c) Anàlisi del model. Tesi: «I believe the measure should be introduced gradually». Argument 1: «many elderly and disabled residents depend on cars». Argument 2: «small shops make a large share of their weekly sales on Saturdays». Concessió: «Admittedly, cleaner air and quieter streets are worthwhile goals». Refutació: «However, they could be achieved by a free shuttle bus and a trial ban…». Connectors de contrast: Although, However. Altres connectors: First of all, Moreover, therefore.

d) La carta al director s'adreça al diari i, a través seu, als lectors; comença citant un article concret i acostuma a ser més breu i directa, amb una petició final i signatura. L'opinion essay té títol, es dirigeix a un lector general sense referir-se a cap text anterior i desenvolupa la tesi amb més paràgrafs.

Errors típics

• Fer servir una salutació o un comiat informals («Hi», «Cheers», «Bye»).
• Insultar o qualificar les persones en lloc de criticar la mesura.
• Presentar com a argument una anècdota o l'opinió d'un familiar.
• Ignorar l'objecció contrària en lloc de reconèixer-la i refutar-la.
• Posar una conclusió i afegir després un argument nou.
• Escriure menys de 125 paraules o repetir el mateix connector tres vegades.

Conceptes treballats: format i registre de la carta al director; tesi, arguments, concessió i refutació; connectors de contrast i addició; to formal; anàlisi de criteris de correcció (adequació, coherència, cohesió, correcció, riquesa lèxica).