🔄 C1 Writing Task: Argumentative or Discursive Essay
Welcome to your final C1 consolidation task. This is your opportunity to synthesize all the advanced skills you have acquired—from complex grammar and punctuation to stylistic devices and register control—into a single, sophisticated piece of writing. You will choose a topic and write either an argumentative or a discursive essay.
Understanding the Essay Types
- An Argumentative Essay1 requires you to take a strong, clear position on a topic and persuade the reader that your viewpoint is valid.
- A Discursive Essay2 requires you to explore multiple sides of a complex issue in a balanced way before presenting your own considered opinion at the end.
Choose Your Essay Prompt
Select ONE of the following C1-level prompts for your essay:
Prompt 1: "The rapid growth of international tourism does more to erode local culture than to support it." To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use examples related to a place like Siem Reap.
Prompt 2: "In the age of artificial intelligence, traditional university education is becoming obsolete." Discuss the arguments for and against this statement and present your own conclusion.
Prompt 3: "A government's primary responsibility should be economic development, even if it comes at the cost of environmental protection." Argue for or against this position.
C1 Grammar & Style Checklist
As you write, aim to demonstrate your mastery of advanced English. This is your checklist for success. Try to include several of these features:
- Sentence Variety: Do you use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences? Have you used a participle clause or a reduced relative clause?
- Emphasis & Style: Can you use an advanced stylistic device like inversion (e.g., Rarely do we see...) or a cleft sentence (e.g., What is needed is...)?
- Advanced Cohesion: Are your ideas linked with sophisticated discourse markers (e.g., nevertheless, consequently, conversely, furthermore)?
- Control of Tone: Do you use hedging language (e.g., might suggest, could be) for speculative points and boosting language (e.g., undoubtedly, clearly demonstrates) for strong claims?
- Advanced Grammar: Can you correctly use a complex structure like a mixed conditional, the subjunctive mood, or an advanced passive form (e.g., It is argued that...)?
🧠 Pre-Writing & Planning
Before writing, a C1 student should always plan. Take a few minutes to outline your essay.
- Prompt Chosen: _________________________
- Essay Type (Argumentative/Discursive): _________________________
- Thesis Statement (Your main argument): _________________________________________
- Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: _________________________________________
- Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 2 (e.g., supporting point or counter-argument): _________________________________________
- Two C1 grammar points from the checklist I will try to include: _________________________
📝 Your Final Task: Write the Essay
Now, write your full C1-level essay (approximately 200-250 words). Use your plan and the C1 Grammar & Style Checklist to guide you. Focus on creating a coherent, sophisticated, and persuasive piece of writing that demonstrates the full range of your abilities. Good luck!
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Vocabulary Glossary
- Argumentative Essay: (Noun Phrase) - សំណេរបែបវែកញែក (sâm'nae baep vek'ñiek) - An essay that takes a strong position on an issue and uses evidence to persuade the reader. ↩
- Persuade: (Verb) - បញ្ចុះបញ្ចូល (bânh'choh'bânh'chaol) - To cause someone to do or believe something through reasoning or argument. ↩
- Discursive Essay: (Noun Phrase) - សំណេរបែបពិភាក្សា (sâm'nae baep pĭ'phéak'saa) - An essay that explores a topic from different viewpoints in a balanced way before reaching a conclusion. ↩
- Counter-argument: (Noun) - ការវែកញែកប្រឆាំង (kaa vek'ñiek prâ'chăng) - An argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument. ↩
- Synthesis: (Noun) - សំយោគ (sâm'yok) - The combination of components or elements to form a connected whole. ↩