essay sample
We are all aware of the fact that the benefits of reading are inexhaustible and the
importance of it cannot be overstressed. However, when young people begin to become
preoccupied with their studies and works, they tend to lose interest in the pure magic of
literature. Reading aloud has always played an indispensable role in human community.
The author of the first text expresses his deep concern about young people’s inertia to read
books for the mere enjoyment. Students have to juggle their demanding school subjects.
University students are languid in their free time and they have no intention of immersing
themselves into the staggering realm of literature again, be that as it may these digital
hedonistics can spend tremendous amount of time chatting on social networking sites.
Curling up with an intriguing novel on the sofa is an irreplaceable experience, which is
redolent of many of us childhood. Although most of us were bitten by the reading bug, this
feeling has been fading away inside. Science fiction is the best genre to abscond from the
prosaic world; the blue sky is the limit. You can even travel to a far-flung corner of the
universe to an alien planet, merely just using your imagination. You would feel the explorer's
innermost feelings in a perilous situation as you were in the character's shoes in an
adventure story. Such an intrinsic value literature has in our lives do we consider it the most
valuable. If young adults read a book per se it does not mean they enjoy this activity.
Parents and teachers should instil the love of literature into them.
The writer of the second passage highlights the significance of reading aloud. According to
well-known social anthropologists, reading activity was tantamount to a shared experience
in the antediluvian era. A guru used to read from a tablet and the surrounding people
listened to him, totally submerged into the tale. History and educational pundits provide
various cogent reasons why it is the most conducive way to learn. Suffice it to say that this
oral tradition helped strengthen the close-knit society with implanting moral stories. Today
this kind of practise is usually reserved for classroom activities and book club gathering. The
lucky ones have been brought up in a household where parents read out loud exciting
children novels. Not only does an evening fairy tale serve as a clever lullaby, but it also
helps to instil character values in them.
In conclusion, the importance of reading is beyond dispute, it is so beneficial for our brain
cells. Parents and teachers should be held responsible for fostering the love of reading
among young people. Reading out is one of the best teaching methods, which can
invigorate the sense of belongings.
Report sample
Introduction
This report is intended to provide an overview of a contemporary Russian television comedy
programme ‘Inside Lapenko’ and explain the reasoning behind its popularity.
Programme overview
Despite the abundance of exported* comedy and entertainment programmes, locally made
products are of high appeal to modern Russian audiences, occupying as much as 65% of
airtime. Currently one of the most watched Russian comedy shows with around 20 million
viewers, ‘Inside Lapenko’ is a prime example of modern Russian TV production, best
defined as a parody show consisting of a series of humorous sketches. It is styled in the
fashion of late Soviet films of 80s and early 90s with conspicuously low-budget movie
properties and absence of any special effects. The hallmark of the show, however, is
ingenious improvisation of the only actor, Anton Lapenko, who plays all the multiple
characters, and hence the name of the programme.
Characters and the reasons for their appeal
According to a poll conducted by one of the major Russian film aggregator platforms,
among the most loved characters are a nameless self-doubting engineer, an eccentric
journalist producing the TV show The Mystery of the Pit, and a dipsomaniac steamroller
driver Igor Katamaranov. The sentimental and meek engineer is a reference to similar
characters in Soviet films and therefore may arouse sympathy and the feeling of nostalgia
with the older audience; meanwhile, the other two characters are portrayed in a clearly
caricature style and seem to capture the younger viewership. It is worth noting that Russian
audiences generally appear tolerant to stereotyping and even prone to self-mockery
inasmuch as these humorous portrayals are produced by their own compatriots.
Conclusion
It is clear that the popularity of this show in Russia and former Soviet republics is induced
not by the unique acting talent of Anton Lapenko exclusively, but also by the whole gamut of
emotions and socio-historical references which his distinguishable characters call forth.
Despite the need for some background knowledge required from the viewer, there are
significant implications for the programme’s possible popularity worldwide due to the high
standard of acting involved.
article sample
Out of all the countries I have visited, Ireland stands out. Nowhere
have I seen such scenic and serene places so close to city life. The
country is literally lined with spectacular walking trails. Out of all the
Irish trails I have walked, one stands out. It’s the trail leading up the
Torc Mountain in Killarney National Park. Having climbed the
mountain in annoyingly incessant drizzle, I was awarded with
stunning views of the lakes and valleys below.
I made my way up in complete solitude - no other hiker in their right
mind was willing to embark on this adventure in this weather -
which made me realize a thing or two. Living in a city with a
population of 7 million people, rarely do I get to enjoy silence. The
Killarney soundtrack was noiseless wind which seemed to have
taken my city stress away. When I got to the top, it dawned on me
that it was the first time I had reached for my phone. Mind you, I
had the urge to take a picture, not check my social media accounts.
I was off the grid, and happily so. It felt like magic. On the way
down, another magical thing started happening. My brain started
coming up with ideas for work. I thought I was taking time off, but I
turned out to become more productive.
This got me thinking. Why do we keep fighting this? Why do we
keep staying home, glued to our TV or phone screens? Why do we
keep destroying the areas of national beauty? We have nothing to
gain by isolating ourselves from nature. In our increasingly busy
and demanding lives, nature might be the only cure we have.
Nature is what can effortlessly force us to take a break and clear
our heads. Nature is what can effortlessly help us to get inspired
and recharge our batteries. I am going on a hike next weekend.
Who is with me?
article sample 2
I arrived in the nick of time and managed not to miss my flight
connection to Buenos Aires, the city of tango. I got my usual seat
on the plane between the crying toddler and the overweight man,
but I did not care, nothing was going to spoil my trip. There I was on
my way to my favourite destination in the whole world. I could
already smell the welcoming lunch with spit-roasted-pig and a bottle
of fernet- the Argentinian´s national drink.
But no sooner had I landed that I started to feel nostalgic. Ezeiza
airport had not changed a bit, everything was as I remembered. I
changed some dollars into pesos, the local currency, and headed
for the bus stop to catch the "colectivo", which is a kind of minivan
that you can share with other travellers to save some money and
enjoy a light-hearted conversation in Spanish.
On the way to my 5-star rented flat in Recoleta, one of the most
beckoning areas in town, I went through the city centre, where the
sight of the traditional buildings made me travel back in time. I was
caught in a memory of me as a teenager visiting BA for the first
time, registering in a derelict old youth hostel, but eager to go out
and enjoy the city life.
As I got out of the van I was greeted by the friends I had not seen in
years. I´m not the type of person who says that men don´t cry, so I
did shed a tear, maybe two. I hugged and was hugged by my
missed ones. I had just arrived but I was missing them already, and
I promised not to leave for such a long time again.
essay sample - test 4 PTB
Both texts delve into the peculiar notion of modern culture and how it
is created. Although popular culture is currently extremely
industrialized, it is people themselves who choose to popularize a
particular aspect of culture. These days are exceptionally diverse and
versatile meaning that no culture is universally appealing.
The first text attests that however commercial and money-driven
cultural commodities seem to be at the first sight, all of them are
predominantly being created considering modern trends and what is
deemed groovy at that moment. Nevertheless, there are a plethora of
movies, musical compositions and other products that have been
rejected by the wider public even though they are seemingly on par
with current fads.
Backing up the foregoing idea that no culture is generic, the second
text outlines that the matter at hand is rather intrinsic and is unable to
be dictated and determined without people’s will. It is said that we are
far from being brainless masses susceptible to being led by various
marketers and producers alike. Consequently, the only way of
promoting a particular commodity that the latter are capable of
utilizing is to provide us with umpteen resources to choose from
patiently waiting in anticipation keeping their fingers crossed.
Having weighed up the focal points of these extracts, it has become
readily apparent that no matter how meticulously content creators try
to make a particular cultural product rife, it lies in the hands of people
to allow for it. Granted, the greater the population is, the easier it is for
a producer to find the right audience.
FORMAL LETTER VOCABULARY AND PHRASES
We are writing to inform you that …/ to confirm ../ to request …/ to enquire about …
I recently read/heard about ….. and would like to know….
I am writing to offer suggestions
I am writing to receive further information about
I am writing to enquire about
Referring to the previous contact
Thank you for your letter of March 15.
I am writing in response to…./ In reply to your request…..
Thank you for your letter regarding …
With reference to our conversation yesterday…
Making a request
We would appreciate it if you would …
I would be grateful if you could …
Could you please send me …
In addition, I would like to receive ../ It would be helpful if you could send us …
I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
Please let me know what action you propose to take.
Could you …? Could you tell me something about …?
I would particularly like to know …
I would be interested in having more details about …
Offering help
Would you like me to …?
I would be happy to …/ I am quite willing to …
I would be pleased to …
FORMAL LETTER VOCABULARY AND PHRASES
Giving good news
I am pleased to announce that …
I am delighted to inform you that ..
You will be pleased to learn that …
Giving bad news
I regret to inform you that …/ I’m afraid it would not be possible to …
Unfortunately, iIam unable to/ After careful consideration I have decided (not) to
Complaining
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with …
I am writing to complain about …
Demanding action
I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund
I would be grateful if my money was refunded
I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund
Making Suggestions
My first suggestion is
First of all I suggest/ I would like to suggest
Another possibility is/ A further possibility is
I further suggest/ I would further suggest/ Secondly
Ending
I look forward to receiving your reply. / I look forward to your reply.
I look to hearing from you.
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to ask
If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask
I will willingly provide further information on request
I am at your disposal should you require further information/ need assistance
Please do not hesitate to ask should you require further information
formal letter sample
You have asked your line manager at work for permission for time off to attend a week-long
training course. Your line manager is supportive but has asked you to make a formal request
in writing to be sent to the senior manager for official authorisation.
Write the letter to the senior manager, requesting
authorisation for you to attend the course. (around 280 –
320 words)
“Dear Sir,
I’m writing this letter to ask for your authorisation to attend an extremely
interesting and useful training course next week. As you certainly know, the
last course I attended was two years ago, therefore my knowledge of the
latest technological developments in our production department is a bit
outdated.
Recently, I participated in a few meetings with our sales force and I
realized that communication between different departments of our company
is a serious issue we need to deal with as soon as possible, and, since a
whole section of this course is about communication skills, I believe it would
be very useful for me to attend it, because after the courseI could make a
short lesson to explain what I learned to our colleagues in the sales
department and to all the people I work with everyday in the production
department. That kind of knowledge would definitely improve our customer
care sevice, as well.
I’m well aware that, if I get your authorization to attend the course, my
colleagues will probably have to work long hours next week to take care of
the duties that I won’t be able to take care of, but I already explained the
situation to them and they are all willing to help. Of course I will do the
same for them when it’s needed.
I believe this is a great opportunity because the course is entirely financed
by the government, which means it will cost nothing to our company. But,
since the funding program will expire at the and of this year, we probably
will not have another chance to attend it for free. It’s a very high profile
course with both qualified and trained teachers.
For all the aforementioned reasons, I kindly ask for your formal
authorisation to attend the course from Monday to Friday next week.
Yours faithfully,
