PROCESS WRITING 4

A Complete the paragraph with the words from the box.

answer get in touch ignore return rude silent talking

I don’t spend a lot of time on my phone. It drives everyone crazy! My family and all my friends
complain because I never (1.) return their calls. Most of the time, I keep my phone
on (2.) , but I always check my messages. I try to (3.) my texts,
but when I get a call from someone, I usually (4.) it. I just don’t like
(5.) on the phone! For example, when I’m on the bus, I think it’s really
(6.) when people talk loudly on their phones. I prefer to (7.)
when it’s easier to talk.

B Do you spend a lot of time on your phone? Follow the DON’T START EVERY
steps below and write a paragraph in your notebook. SENTENCE WITH “I”
Remember not to start every sentence with “I”! When you write about personal
experiences, try not to start every sentence
• In your first sentence, answer the question: with “I.” Instead, you can link sentences
Do you spend a lot of time on your phone? with but, and, or because, or you can start
• Explain how you typically use your phone. some sentences with time expressions,
such as sometimes or most of the time.
• What do you do? What don’t you do?
✗ I keep my phone on silent. I always check
• Include reasons and supporting examples. my messages. I reply to my texts.
✓ Sometimes, I put my phone on silent, but
C Exchange papers with a partner. Identify mistakes. I always check my messages. Most of the
time, I reply to texts.
Give suggestions for improving their writing.

D Read the sentences. What do the underlined words and phrases mean? Circle the correct option.
1. I love this product! It’s so easy to use. affordable / user-friendly
2. Your new fitness tracker looks really trendy and cool. fashionable / reliable
3. We always buy this brand because we trust it. It’s totally dependable. reliable / durable
4. What she likes is that most of the features are very useful. durable / practical

E Complete the paragraph with the phrases from the box. One phrase is extra.

as fashionable as as many features as used to last

as long as not as affordable as used to love

I (1.) used to love my cell phone. I had it for a long time, and it was very reliable. But it was
too old, so I got a new one last week. My new cell phone looks pretty fashionable, but I think
I prefer my old one for two main reasons. The most important reason is that the old battery
(2.) a lot longer. I could use it for two days without charging it! Unfortunately,
my new phone’s battery life is not (3.) the other one’s. I have to charge it twice
a day. Another negative point is that my new phone was (4.) my old one. It has
(5.) my old one, but it was more expensive. Overall, I feel my old phone was a
better product!

T269 | PROCESS WRITING 4

F Compare two electronic devices. Choose from tablets, headphones, laptops, cameras, phones, or
your own idea. Follow the steps below to write a paragraph in your notebook.
1. Explain what products you are comparing.
2. Say which one you prefer. 4. Use key phrases to introduce the pros and cons.
3. Provide the pros and cons. 5. Support your main points with examples.
6. End by stating your preferred product again.

INTRODUCING PROS AND CONS

When you write a comparison between two or more items, it helps
the reader if you use phrases to signal the pros (advantages) and
cons (disadvantages).

Pros Cons
The most important advantage . . . The main disadvantage . . .
Another excellent feature . . . Unfortunately, . . .
The good thing about . . . Another negative point . . .

G Exchange papers with a partner. Identify mistakes. Give suggestions for improving their writing.

H Look at the numbered list. Then number the sentences to put the email in the correct order.
1. Introduce yourself and say where you’re from. 5. Say whether you’ve been to that city.
2. State when you’ll be visiting, who with, and why. 6. Express your hope to stay in that apartment.
3. Explain why you chose this apartment. 7. Ask any questions.
4. Provide some information about yourself.

Hi Pedro,
Your apartment seems close to the main tourist spots, and it looks really cool!
I’ve been to Guadalajara before, but neither of us has ever been to Mexico City.
Just to give you some information about us: Tom is 18, I’m 20, and we’re both crazy about
soccer!
I do have one question for you: Is there a washing machine in the apartment?
1 My name is Vincent, and I’m from Canada.
We’re really looking forward to it, and we hope your apartment is available. It’s the best we’ve
seen.
My brother Tom and I want to visit Mexico City July 14–18 for vacation.

Thanks, Pedro. Hoping to hear from you soon!

Vincent
SEMI-FORMAL EMAILS
I You and your cousin are traveling to London for a big music We use a semi-formal style in some
festival. In your notebook, write a semi-formal email to someone types of emails—for example, when
on a vacation rental website. Follow the steps in H to organize you are writing to someone you
don’t know very well, or someone
your email.
you haven’t met in person. In
semi-formal emails, it’s OK to use
J Exchange papers with a partner. Identify mistakes. Give contractions and informal greetings
suggestions for improving their writing. like Hi Pedro instead of Dear Pedro.
But it’s not OK to use slang or
other very informal language.

PROCESS WRITING 4 | T270