Grammar: Writing Task: A short essay expressing an opinion or describing an experience, using B1 grammar

📝 B1 Writing Task: Opinion or Experience Essay

Congratulations! You have learned a wide range of B1 grammar and vocabulary. Now it's time to put it all together. The goal of this task is to write a short, well-structured essay¹ to show your skills. You can choose one of two topics.

Choose Your Essay Prompt

Select ONE of the following topics to write about:

• Option 1 (Expressing an Opinion²): Is it better to live in a big city like Phnom Penh or a smaller, provincial city like Battambang? Give reasons for your opinion.
• Option 2 (Describing an Experience): Describe a memorable³ trip you have taken in Cambodia. Where did you go, what did you do, and why do you remember it so well?

How to Structure Your Essay

Good writing needs good structure⁴. Follow this simple three-paragraph model for your essay.

1. Introduction: Start with a general sentence. Then, state your main idea clearly in a thesis statement⁵. (e.g., "In my opinion, living in Battambang is better..." or "My most memorable trip was to Mondulkiri...")
2. Main Body Paragraph: Give 2-3 supporting points. Use details, reasons, and examples to explain your thesis statement. This is where you should try to use your best grammar and vocabulary.
3. Conclusion: Summarize your main idea in different words and give one final thought or feeling about the topic.

B1 Grammar Checklist

As you write, try to include some of these B1 grammar points:

• A mix of tenses (e.g., Past Simple, Present Perfect, a future form).
• Connect ideas with conjunctions (e.g., and, but, so).
• Add extra information with a relative clause (e.g., who, which, that).
• Explain a reason with an infinitive of purpose (e.g., I went there to see...).
• Use a modal verb (e.g., you should visit..., it could be...).
• Use synonyms to avoid repeating simple words like "nice" or "good".

Example Essay (Option 1)

Here is an example essay to give you an idea.

Why Life in a Smaller City is Better

Choosing where to live is a big decision for everyone. In my opinion, living in a smaller city like Battambang offers a much better quality of life than living in a huge capital city like Phnom Penh.

The main reason is the relaxed atmosphere. In Battambang, the streets are not as crowded, so it is easier to travel around. I used to live in a big city, and I don't miss the terrible traffic jams. A smaller city, which often has more green space, gives you more opportunities to enjoy nature. You should visit the countryside around Battambang; it's beautiful.

In conclusion, while big cities have more opportunities, I believe a smaller city provides a more peaceful and healthy lifestyle. It's a choice I have never regretted.

🧠 Pre-Writing Plan

Before you write, it's a good idea to make a quick plan. Answer these questions for yourself.

1. Which topic will you write about (Option 1 or 2)?
2. What is your main idea (your thesis statement)?
3. What are two or three key details or examples you will include in your main paragraph?
4. Which two grammar points from the checklist will you try hard to include?

📝 Homework: Write Your Essay

Now it's your turn! Write your short essay (about 100-150 words) on the topic you chose. Use the structure, checklist, and example essay to help you. Take your time and show what you can do. Good luck!

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Vocabulary Glossary

1. Essay: (Noun) - សំណេរ (sâm'nae) - A short piece of writing on a particular subject. ↩
2. Opinion: (Noun) - មតិ (m'tĭ) - A belief or judgment about something, not necessarily based on fact. ↩
3. Memorable: (Adjective) - ដែលគួរឱ្យចងចាំ (dael kuor'aoy châng'cham) - Worth remembering or easily remembered, especially because of being special or unusual. ↩
4. Structure: (Noun) - រចនាសម្ព័ន្ធ (rô'châ'na'sâm'poan) - The arrangement and relations between the parts of something complex, like a building or an essay. ↩
5. Thesis Statement: (Noun Phrase) - សេចក្តីថ្លែងការណ៍សំខាន់ (sach'kdəy'thlaeng'kaan sâm'khan) - A sentence in the introduction of an essay that states the writer's main idea or argument. ↩