IELTS Essay on Education (problem, effect, solution)

 

 

Problems

 

One major issue facing public education today is…

 

A common problem many schools struggle with is…

 

Public education is often challenged by…

 

Another difficulty that affects students and teachers is…

 

A significant concern in many school systems is…

 

 

Effects

 

As a result of these educational problems, many students…

 

Because of the issues in the school system, teachers often…

 

These challenges in education can lead to…

 

One major effect of the problems in education is that…

 

When educational systems fail to address these issues, it often results in…

 

 

 

Suggestions

 

One way to improve public education is to increase access to…

 

A useful step would be to invest more in…

 

To raise the overall quality of education, schools could…

 

Another effective approach might be to focus on…

 

Public education could be strengthened by introducing…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question:
Many countries around the world are facing serious problems in their education systems. These issues can have significant effects on students, teachers, and society as a whole. What are the main problems and their effects? What solutions can you suggest to address these problems?

Write at least 250 words.

 

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Asking a Favour

Polite & Formal

• Could you possibly…?

• Would you mind (doing)…?

• I was wondering if you could…

• I’d really appreciate it if you could…

• Would it be too much trouble to…?

---

Friendly & Neutral

• Can you do me a favour?

• Can I ask you a favour?

• Could you help me with…?

• Would you be able to…?

• Do you think you could…?

---

Casual

• Hey, can you give me a hand?

• Any chance you could…?

• Mind helping me out?

• Could you lend me a hand?

• Can you help me out with…?

Speaking - Asking a favour (B1)

Noelia: Paul, ____ _____ _____ ____ ______? I need a favour.

Paul: I'm ___ ____ ______, but sure, what ___ I help you _____?

Noelia: So, you know the branding job for Active Arctic?

Paul: Of course. It was so good to finally finish that project. It went on and on and on … 

Noelia: Yeah, so … look, I'm _____ ______ _____ _____, but they want some more changes made.

Paul: Seriously? I've already rewritten that copy, I don't know, like, 20 times?

Noelia: I know. I'm ____ _____. ____ you ____ _____ to work on it this afternoon?

Paul: Well, ____ _____ _____ _____ ____ _____ _____, Noelia. I'm finishing the Moosh Monkey social media campaign and they're expecting it by the end of the day.

Noelia: I'd forgotten about that. ___ _____ _____ _____ you could work late tonight?

Paul: Sorry, Noelia. I ____ ____ ____ _____ ____ ____ _____.

Noelia: ______?

Paul: I'm taking my niece to the cinema for her birthday. It's been planned for ages.

Noelia: OK. Well, then ____ _____ _____ _____ _____ tomorrow? I'll make it up to you!

Paul: OK. How?

Noelia: _____ your _____.

Paul: An extra day's holiday?

Noelia: Can you get in for 5 a.m.?

Paul: 7 a.m.

Noelia: 6 a.m.

Paul: _____.

Role play

Role-Play: Asking for a Favour

Instructions

1. Work in pairs – Student A and Student B.

2. One person asks for a favour, the other responds.

3. Use at least two different phrases from the “Useful Phrases” box.

4. Swap roles after each scenario.

5. Add polite thanks and responses.

---

Useful Phrases – Asking

• Could you possibly…?

• Would you mind…?

• I was wondering if you could…

• I’d really appreciate it if you could…

• Would it be too much trouble to…?

• Can you do me a favour?

• Can I ask you a favour?

• Could you help me with…?

• Any chance you could…?

• Could you lend me a hand?

Useful Phrases – Responding

• Sure, no problem.

• Of course.

• I’d be happy to.

• Sorry, I can’t right now.

• I’m afraid I’m busy, but maybe later.

---

Scenarios

1. Moving furniture – You need help lifting a table into another room.

2. Borrowing something – You want to borrow your friend’s laptop for a few hours.

3. Giving a ride – You need a lift to the train station.

4. Covering a shift – You ask your colleague to work for you on Friday.

5. Helping with homework – You ask a classmate to explain a difficult exercise.

6. Taking care of a pet – You need someone to feed your cat while you’re away.

7. Shopping help – You ask a friend to go to the supermarket with you.

8. Technology help – You want someone to help you set up your new phone.

---

Example

A: Can I ask you a favour?
B: Sure, what is it?
A: Would you mind helping me carry this box upstairs?
B: No problem. Where to?

Speaking - Persuading someone to do something (B2)

Noelia: Hey, Paul, ____   ____   ____ a minute?

Paul: ____ on, _____.

Noelia: I've got a _____ _____ ____ ask you. 

Paul: Right.

Noelia: So … _____ would you _____ about DJ___ at the office party next week? 

Paul: Office party? I _____ usually ____ work parties. 

Noelia: Oh, right. So where do you usually DJ ____? 

Paul: No, I _____ I don't usually go to work parties, ____ ____ DJ at them. 

Noelia: ____ on, I think you'd ____ brilliant ____ it! 

Paul: Oh, I don't know … 

Noelia: _____, I _______ usually ask, _____ you are the only DJ I know.

Paul: I'm not a very good one ______. My music taste is … quite strange. Everyone will probably hate it. 

Noelia: Come on! These guys will dance to anything when they are at a party! Why don't you ____ ___ __ ___? You'll be great!

Paul: Urgh … I think I'm _______ busy that day anyway.

Noelia: Come on! There's ______ to ____!

Paul: _______ my reputation and credibility …  

Noelia: Paul, you'd really ____ _____ me ____. 

Paul: OK, I'll ____ _____ it. 

Noelia: Great! Thanks, Paul! 

 

 

Match the three stages of asking for a favour with the phrases.

 

1. Set the Stage

2. Give a Reason

3. Provide an Escape Clause

 

A) “If you can’t help out, I completely understand, but I thought I’d ask.”

B) “something really unexpected has happened”

C) “I have a favour to ask you”

 

Consider the following:

A) Anthony, can you please cover for me at the client dinner tonight, I’m not going to be able to break away from the office?

B) Anthony, I have a favor to ask you… by any chance could you cover for me at the client dinner tonight? I’m not going to be able to break away from the office.

 

Quickly after making your request, be sure to add the following:

I completely _________ if you can’t make it; I _____ it’s a busy week for everyone.

I’d love an introduction to Katherine, but if you don’t feel ________ passing along her information for any reason that’s _____. I don’t _____ to create an uncomfortable situation for you.

 

Role plays:

 

1. Your child refuses to tidy up their room.

2. You need someone to give you a ride to the airport at 4a.m.

3. You've got a heavy couch that you need to move from one house to another. Your friend has a van.

4. You're going away for a week and need someone to feed your cat.

5. You have a great neighbour and you're good friends, but lately he's been using his barbeque every night and the smoke comes into your house if you have the windows open.

6. Someone you know is starting a new job at a company you want to work for. You've sent them your CV twice, but they've never replied. You want to ask them to recommend you for an interview.

Here are ten ways of persuading (or forcing) someone to do you a special favour. Rank them from the most acceptable to the least acceptable method.

Flattery
Bribery
Threatening
Flirtation
Charm
Pleading
Begging
Demanding
Blackmail
A polite request

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Role plays:

Your child refuses to tidy up their room.

You need someone to give you a ride to the airport at 4a.m.

You've got a heavy couch that you need to move from one house to another. Your friend has a van.

You're going away for a week and need someone to feed your cat.

You have a great neighbour and you're good friends, but lately he's been using his barbeque every night and the smoke comes into your house if you have the windows open.

Someone you know is starting a new job at a company you want to work for. You've sent them your CV twice but they've never replied. You want to ask them to recommend you for an interview.

Asking for a favour which is granted

Peter: Hi Anna. I've got a f___ to ask. Would you m____ cooking dinner tonight? I'm kind of busy.
Anna: Sure, Peter. What w____ you like for dinner?
Peter: Could I tr____ you to make some pasta?
Anna: That s_____s good. Let's have pasta. Which type of sauce should I make?
Peter: W____ it be too m___ trouble to make a four cheese sauce?
Anna: No, that's easy. Yum. Good idea.
Peter: Thanks Anna. That really h__ps me out.
Anna: No pr_____.

Mark: Hey, could you please help me w____ the homework?
Susan: I'd be gl___ to help out. What s___s to be the problem?
Mark:: I don't get this equation. Would you ___d explaining it to me?
Susan: No pr____. It's difficult!
Mark: Yeah, I know. Thanks a lot.
Susan: Don't w____ about it.

Asking for a favour which is refused

Employee: Hello, Mr. Smith. C____ I ask you a question?
Boss: S__, w___ do you need?
Employee: Would it be t__ much trouble f__ you to l__ me come in at 10 tomorrow morning?
Boss: Oh, that's a little d_____.
Employee: Yes, I know it's last moment, b__ I have to go to the dentist.
Boss: I'm afraid I can't let you come in late tomorrow. We r____ need you at the meeting.
Employee: OK, I just th____ I'd ask. I'll get a different appointment.
Boss: Thanks, I appr____ it.

Brother: Hey. W____ you mind letting me watch my show?
Sister: Sorry, but I c___ do that.
Brother: Why n__?
Sister: I'm watching my favorite show now.
Brother: B___ I'm going to miss my favorite game show!
Sister: Watch it online. Don't bo___ me.
Brother: Could you pl____ watch your show online, it's a rerun!
Sister: Sorry, but I'm un____ to do that. You'll j___ have to watch it later.

Part 2 - Use your "Pākehā" Voice 

Language: 

to mute (turn the sound off)

you owe me (I'm doing you a favour)

Lickity-split (very quickly, very soon)

Pakeha (Non-Maori, usually English speaking, NZer)

all good (it's alright)



Watch and answer these questions:


1. What problem are the flatmates having?

2. What excuse does the person on the phone give for failing to activate the broadband?

3. What does Paul do for a living?

4. What is a Pakeha voice and why do you need to use it?

5. How does Joan manage to get Caleb to send someone over immediately?

6. What do Caleb and his friend say after the call is over?



Watch:

Get you a pakeha voice



Discuss:


Why do we need to use different 'voices' for different situations?



Language focus: kiwi English / politeness and assertiveness / formal and casual


1. Come on ____! This is the fourth time I've called and it's ____  _______ stupid!"

2. ___  ______ we failed to connect you ____, but _________ no one was home when we came to the _______.

3. Hi ______ Caleb ___  _____  _____? We're just having a little bit of a _____________ about our connection and I'm hoping that you could _____ us ____.

4. Yes, it ____ no one was home when we came to the address.

5. ____ and ____ both know that that's not true, and we ____ call on Wednesday, _____. So if we don't _____ this out now, I think you and I going to have a _____ ____ of a problem.

6. Well, ___ don't want that. So ____ about I put you on our priority list for an appointment.

7. Will tomorrow at 10am _____ for you?

8. No it ______ actually. I'm ______ that's not good enough.

9. How about I _____  ____  ________ with a technician and ____ someone out to your place, lickety-split - in the next, ___,  60 minutes?

10. That _____ be wonderful.

11. Once _____, thank you ___ much for your help, Caleb.

12. Hey ___ a problem. Sorry for ____ ______________.


Part 3 Advertising

We all know smoking harms us and others, but many do it anyway. There are lots of examples of this in a consumer society. List some others....

1. Who will notice this ad? What's their life situation?

2. What other things might be influencing their life choices?

3. What feelings are evoked through the ad? How does the ad try to speak to group of people it is targeting?

The UK's Strictest Teacher

Controversial New Zealand-born head teacher Katharine Birbalsingh founded Michaela Park Community School, a charter-style inner-city school in North West London, in 2014.

She has been called the "strictest teacher in Britain" and Michaela, Britain's strictest school, but says the school's military ethos works, especially for the disadvantaged inner-city pupils who go there.


Lead in

1. Do you worry about your attendance?
2. What are the differences between private and public schools?
3. Do kids from less affluent families get a fair chance at education in your country?

Attendance debate - Channel 4

The UK's Strictest Teacher

Before listening

1. Where should a teacher stand for most of the lesson?

A) Front of the class

B) The teacher should move around the class, interacting with the students

C) A mix of A and B

 

2. Which do you think provides better opportunities for learning?

A) A group project

B) An individual assignment

C) Studying for an exam or test

 

3. What kind of learning environment is best for most students?

A) A strict, disciplined, orderly environment

B) A dynamic, creative, interactive environment

C) A mic of A and B

 

4. What should a the focus of a teacher be?

A) Promoting thinking

B) Promoting knowledge retention

C) Promoting competition

 

 

Listen

1.What is "a more traditional approach" to education according Katharine?
2. Katharine describes her school as an _____ of calm.
3. Why does Katharine say her students like the strictness of her school?
4. What is at the core of her approach to teaching?
5. What is the focus?
6. Why do they avoid group work in her school?
7. What is Katharine's view of her students' parents?
8. What is Katharine's view of time?
9. Why does Katharine think partnership schools are great?
10. What adjectives are used to describe the pupils?
11. What is the prerequisite for a student to question what they learn, according to Katharine?
12. What is Katharine's view on 'dreamers'?
13. How do Katharine's critics describe her system?
14. In what way does Katharine believe project-based learning fails socially deprived students?


Discussion

1. Would you consider sending your kids to Katharine's school?
2. How would proponents of project-based learning answer her criticisms?
3. Do you think the teacher should deliver a lesson from the front of class or try to move around and interact more with individual students?
4. What problems might occur in this school?
5. Were you / are you afraid of any of your teachers? Can this be a good thing?
6. Is the Katharine's restrictive idea of knowledge liberating for the kinds of kids she teaches?
7. What happens if more and more schools adopt her model?

Grandma's Hands

core     understands  hand spank  swell   piece  church tambourine 

snakes  mother    picked   handy  heaven

 

 

Grandma's hands

Clapped in _________ on Sunday morning

Grandma's hands

Played a __________ so well

Grandma's hands

Used to issue out a warning

She'd say, Billy don't you run so fast

Might fall on a _________ of glass

Might be ___________ there in that grass

Grandma's hands

 

Grandma's hands

Soothed a local unwed ________

Grandma's hands

Used to ache sometimes and _______

Grandma's hands

Used to lift her face and tell her

She'd say, Baby, grandma __________

That you really love that man

Put yourself in Jesus' hands

Grandma's hands

 

Grandma's hands

Used to _________ me piece of candy

Grandma's hands

_______ me up each time I fell

Grandma's hands

Boy, they really came in ________

She'd say, Matty don' you whip that boy

What you want to __________ him for?

He didn' drop no apple ____________

But I don't have grandma anymore

 

If I get to ____________ I'll look for

Grandma's hands

Hmm-mmh

Grandma's hands

 

IELTS Writing Task 1 - sentence transformations

Prepositions

1. The percentage ______ women ______ the workforce is significantly lower than that ______ men, particularly in managerial and executive positions.

2. The number ______ international tourists visiting the country increased _____ 10% ______ 2018 and 2019, reaching a total _____ 5 million visitors.

3. The average temperature _____ the region fluctuated ______ 20 and 25 degrees Celsius t______out the year, ______ the highest temperatures occurring _____ the summer months.

4. The service sector accounted ______ over 70% ______ the country’s GDP ______ 2020, highlighting its dominance _______ the economy.

5. There is a strong correlation ______ higher levels ______ education and higher incomes, as individuals ______ advanced degrees tend ______ have more lucrative career opportunities.

6. The proportion ______ women ______ managerial positions ______ the company increased ______ 35% ______ 2018 _____ 45% ______ 2020.

7. The distribution ______ wealth ______ the country is highly unequal, ______ the top 1% owning more than 30% ______ the total wealth.

Sentence transformation

1. The number of car accidents across different regions varied significantly, with the highest rates occurring in urban areas.

_________ _________ __________ ___________ in the number of car accidents across different regions, with the highest rates occurring in urban areas.

2. There has been a steady increase in the sales of electric cars, over the past five years, with a projected market share of 10% by 2017.

The sales of electric cars _______ ________ ________ ________ over the past five years, with a projected market share of 10% by 2017.

3. There has been a shift in consumer preferences towards environmentally-friendly products, which has resulted in an increase in demand for electric vehicles.

There has been a shift in consumer preferences towards environmentally-friendly products, _______ ______ an increase in demand for electric vehicles.

4. While the number of marriages has declined over the past decade, there has remained a relatively stable rate of divorce.

While the number of marriages has declined over the past decade, the divorce rate ______ ________ ________ _______.

5. The population density in the city center is significantly higher than in the suburbs, due to the concentration of businesses and services.

_______ _______ _______ _______ ________ population density in the city center than in the suburbs, due to the concentration of businesses and services.

6. Despite unemployment rates having decreased, the average wage has not kept pace with inflation, leading to concerns about income inequality.

The average wage has not kept pace with inflation, ______ _______ _______ _______ unemployment rates, leading to concerns about income inequality.

7. There is a strong relationship between air pollution levels and respiratory illnesses, with high pollution levels leading to increased rates of asthma and other respiratory problems.

Air pollution levels and respiratory illnesses _____ _______ _______, with high pollution levels leading to increased rates of asthma and other respiratory problems.

8. The rate of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has increased by 25% over the past decade.

Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest has increased ______ ______ ______ _______ 25% over the past decade.

Word form

1. The number of new businesses established in the city has been STEADY INCREASE over the past five years.

2. The majority of the country’s population is concentrated in urban areas, with over 70% of the total population LIVE in cities.

3. The total amount of carbon EMIT accumulated by the INDUSTRY sector from 2010 to 2020 was 2.5 billion metric tons.

4. It is PROJECT that the demand for RENEW energy in Europe will increase by 50% by the year 2030.

5. The amount of time SPEND studying is PROPORTION to the students’ overall PERFORM , with higher study time RESULT in better academic outcomes.

IELTS Writing part 2

 

Write about the following topic: 

We often hear that new technology presents a threat to our traditions. In what ways however can new technology help maintain our traditions?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. 
Write at least 250 words. 

In what ways however can new technology help maintain our traditions?

 

Some ideas

 

never    devote   Now    a lot    result   argued   From  It   Therefore

1. The Internet is _____ an established provider of education

2. _____ a good website we can learn _____ about our past 

3. As a _____ of the Internet , and mobile phones , it has _____ been easier to inform people of upcoming events 

4. ____ could be ____ that modern technology saves us time 

5. _____ we should have more time to _____ to traditional activities

 

Talk about traditional activities in your culture

Give some examples

Talk about how technology (like IT) makes these activities more alive.

For example - In NZ, we can all speak a lot more Te Reo Maori than we used to, partly because of the Internet. It just makes the language much more accessible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which paragraph could open with these sentence openers:

Finally , it could be argued that

We often hear that

In conclusion , there would seem to be

A second way in which today's technology can

First of all , it seems that 

__ _____ ____ ____ ___ __________ __ __ ________ ____ ___ __________ . ___ ___ __ _________ ___ ___ . ___ _____ ___ ____ _______ __ _____ ___ __________ ___ ____ _______ ___ __________ ___ ____ ____ ____ _____ 

_____ __ ___  __ _____ ____ __________ ___ ____ ________ ___ __________ __ _________ _ _______ __ _________ ___ ____ ___ ________ ___ ________ __ ___ __ ___________ ________ __ _________ ____ _ ____ _______ __ ___ _____ _ ___ _____ ___ ____ ___ ___ __________  ____ ___ __ _______ __ __ __ ___________ ____ __ ___ _______ ___ ___________ ________ __________ _ ________ ______________________ __________ ___ __ ____ _________ __ ___ _______ __ _____ _____ ______  _

_ ______ ___ __ _____ _______ __________ ___ ____ __ __ _______ __ ________ ___ __________ ___ ____ _____ __ __ __________ __ _____ ____ ___ ___ _________ _________ __ _ ______ __ ___ ________ ___ ______ ________ ___ _____ ____ ______ __ ______ ______ __ ________ ______ ___ __ ______ ___ ____ __ _ _____ ______ __ ______ _______ _____ ___ __ ______ ______________________ _

_______ _ _____ __ ______ ____ ______ __________ _____ __ ____ _ ___ __ _ ___ __ _____ ____ ____ _______ ____ __ ___ ____ __ ______ _________ __ ______ ____ ____ ____ __ ______ __ ___________ __________ ______ __ ______ __ __ __ __ ___ _______ _____ ____ ___ __________ _______

__ __________ _____ _____ ____ __ __ _______ ____ __ _____ ___ __________ ___ ____ __ __ ________ ___ __________ ____________ __ _________ ___ _________ __ __ __ ____ _____ _______ __ ___ ____ _______ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ______ __ ______ ___ __________ __ ____ ___ _________ ___  

 

Review activity (model text)

Ghost Stories

Have you ever seen, heard or sensed a ghost?

Ghost Stories

For each story, stop after a the introduction and guess how the story will continue....

Story 1

Write down 5 key words from this story:

1._________

2._________

3._________

4._________

5._________

 

Now write the story very simply.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How do you feel about this story?  

Scared  /   amused  /  unconvinced   /   creeped out   /   upset    /     disturbed    /   fascinated   / reminded of another story  /   anxious

  

Story 2

Write down 5 key words from this story:

1._________

2._________

3._________

4._________

5._________

 

Now write the story very simply.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scared  /   amused  /  unconvinced   /   creeped out   /   upset    /     disturbed    /   fascinated    

reminded of another story  /   anxious

Story 3

Write down 5 key words from this story:

1._________

2._________

3._________

4._________

5._________

 

Now write the story very simply.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How do you feel about this story?  

Scared  /   amused  /  unconvinced   /   creeped out   /   upset    /     disturbed    /   fascinated    

reminded of another story  /   anxious

Story 4

_Write down 5 key words from this story:

1._________

2._________

3._________

4._________

5._________

 

Now write the story very simply.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How do you feel about this story?  

Scared  /   amused  /  unconvinced   /   creeped out   /   upset    /     disturbed    /   fascinated    / 

reminded of another story  /   anxious

off the beaten track

casket

a tin lunch pail

nightstand

abandoned logging camp

a red plaid shirt

removed

away

ever

got

when

had

one

used to

 

So, my uncle and I, we were really close. He passed _______ when I was a little girl. And he ________ play Pretty Pretty Princess with me, which has these little plastic rings that you wear during the game. And I loved this one ring. And _______ he passed away, I put it in his casket with him. And, you know, I did it during the funeral. Everyone saw it in there. And _______ day, a few weeks after the funeral, I woke up one morning and the ring that I _______ put in his casket showed up on my nightstand. No one had _______ it from the casket. No one knew how it _______ there, but it was the exact same ring. And I was little and I didn't think anything of it, but my mom swears up and down that it is the spookiest thing that's _______ happened to her.

 

had

always

still

one

fall

over

too

wouldn't

would

 

Growing up, me and my sister, we shared a bedroom. _______ night in the middle of the night, I woke up and in between our bed was this guy in a pinstriped suit standing there with a fedora and a briefcase. And I was like obviously assuming that I'm having a dream or a nightmare. And he ________ turn or anything. He never looked. I never saw his face. I never looked at him, but he _______ just stare right out the window. And I threw the covers ______ my head and would freak out and then I would _______ back asleep. And so one morning after I saw him there, I turned to my sister cuz we _______ woken up at the same time. And I was like, "Jillian, I saw this guy last night and he was standing there with a pinstriped suit and she was like, "And a fedora and a briefcase." And I was like, "Yeah, and a fedora and a briefcase." And she was like, "I saw him,________ ." She's like, "I ________ see him." And I was like, "Wait." I was like, "Me, too." Right now, I can close my eyes and I can see it so perfectly and I sound like I'm making up the biggest lie in the world. But it's the weirdest thing. I don't know. Me and my sister _______ talk about it to this day.

Word formation

Practising word formation is super important for your fluency and accuracy. It's quite similar to studying and practising verb tense forms, but probably more difficult.

B1

Word formation practice

Word formation practice

Word formation practice

Word formation practice

C1

Word formation practice

Word formation practice

Word formation practice

Word formation practice

Advanced quiz here:

 Word formation challenge

Telling a story

 

 

Mariska's story

Film Night 

By Mariska 

On arriving      That      though     One day       On the way     However     So       So     In the end 

1.___________ back in my home country, two friends and I planned a film night at my house. When we were texting about the plans, we decided we would first go to the supermarket to buy some snacks. _________, when the day of the film night finally arrived, my friends picked me up with the car and we drove to the supermarket. 2.___________, we decided we would buy some drinks and chips. Not that difficult, you may think, but when we were standing there in the supermarket in front of the chips, it looked like my friends had lost their ability to choose. 3.___________, it took us quite long to choose a chip flavour. In the end, we chose some drinks and some chips, we paid and were ready to go back.  

4.__________ , while we were walking back to the car one of my friends, who lives on a farm, suddenly came up with the idea to go to her house because she wanted to show us something. So instead of going back to my house, we went to her farm. 5._________, she led us to the sheep barn. It turned out they just had gotten lots of lambs, which she wanted to show us. We spent some time playing with the lambs and at some point I suggested it would be better to go back home, because we had a film we wanted to watch. So that was what we did.  

We drove back home and arrived there after a couple of minutes. While I was walking through our hallway, I suddenly noticed something suspicious. I could see some balloons hanging in our living room, and it also was a little dark. I walked another step that led me closer to the living room, and all-of-a-sudden, a big group of friends appeared! 6.__________ was a surprise. It was right then that I understood why we had been visiting the lambs at the farm and why it took my friends so long to decide about the chips.  

What I didn’t tell you in the beginning of this story, 7._________, is that this happened just a few days before I went off to New Zealand. You now maybe get why they wanted to surprise me. 8.__________ we all had a great time together. We enjoyed some delicious tompouces (and lots of other food as well) and we played a Kahoot game about New Zealand. 

Oh, and guess who won? 

Check

One day back in my home country, two friends and I planned a film night at my house. When we were texting about the plans we decided we would first go to the supermarket to buy some snacks. So when the day of the film night finally arrived, my friends picked me up with the car and we drove to the supermarket. On the way we decided we would buy some drinks and chips. Not that difficult, you may think, but when we were standing there in the supermarket in front of the chips, it looked like my friends had lost their ability to choose. So it took us quite long to choose a chip flavour. In the end we chose some drinks and some chips, we paid and were ready to go back. 

However, while we were walking back to the car one of my friends, who lives on a farm, suddenly came up with the idea to go to her house because she wanted to show us something. So instead of going back to my house, we went to her farm. On arriving, she led us to the sheep barn. It turned out they just had gotten lots of lambs, which she wanted to show us. We spend some time playing with the lambs and at some point I suggested it would be better to go back home, because we had a film we wanted to watch. So that was what we did. 

We drove back home and arrived there after a couple of minutes. While I was walking through our hallway, I suddenly noticed something suspicious. I could see some balloons hanging in our living room, and it also was a little dark. I walked another step that led me closer to the living room, and all of a sudden a big group of friends showed up! That was a surprise. It was right then that I understood why we had been visiting the lambs at the farm and why it took my friends so long to decide about the chips. 

What I didn’t tell you in the beginning of this story, though, is that this happened just a few days before I went off to New Zealand. You now maybe get why they wanted to surprise me. At the end we all had a great time together. We enjoyed some delicious tompouces (and lots of other food as well) and we played a Kahoot game about New Zealand. Oh, and guess who won?

Task

Write us a story about a coincidence or a surprise that happened to you.

Make it about the same length has Mariska's story.

Send it to me by email - I'll send back corrections.

When we're done we can share our stories in groups by reading them aloud.