Introductions

The purpose/aim of this report is to …

This report is intended to …

In order to write this report, I have interviewed/visited/investigated …

Presenting a list

Here are some of the advantages/disadvantages:

This would provide the following (benefits):

Making recommendations

I have no hesitation in recommending …

I can recommend … because …

Conclusions

In conclusion, I think that …

In my opinion, the best .. would be …

Here is the sample of a report.

Introduction:

The aim of this report is to describe the benefits of buying computers and video equipment and to suggest which resource our University should choose. I interviewed students from each class to get their opinions.

Computers:

Many students (67%) thought that computers were very useful for language learning. They gave the following reasons for having this opinion:

1. English word processors are good for practicing writing;

2. Access to the Internet and e-mail provides reading and writing practice;

3 Computer games can be a fun way of learning.

Nevertheless, a small group (16%) said they did not know how to use a computer.

Video equipment:

Although the University already has a video in classroom B2, many students (55%) said it would be a good idea to have a video in every classroom. All students enjoy it when their teachers use video in class.

Conclusion:

Both kinds of equipment obviously have benefits. Although video equipment was a popular choice it is important to remember that we already have one video but no computers. Therefore, the computer option seems best.

uNit 3

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

Reading

1 You are going to read an article about the wedding traditions in the world. Choose the most suitable heading from the list (A-H) for each part (1-6) of the article. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0).

A White Wedding Dresses

B Wedding Ring

C Wedding Cake Traditions

D Bachelor Parties

E Bridesmaids

F Getting to the Church

G The Garter & Bouquet

H Flower Power

0 C

The three-tier wedding cake is based on the unusual shape of the spire of Saint Bride's Church in London. The bride and groom make the first cut of the wedding cake to signify sharing their life together. Every guest then eats at least a crumb of the cake to ensure good luck. And if a single woman sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband. What does the single man do?

1 ________________________________________________________________

This tradition dates back to the soldiers of ancient Sparta. The Groom feasted with his male friends the night before the wedding thereby pledging his loyalty and friendship to them. The Spartan friends more than likely provided the "loose women," drink and good times for true male "bonding." The function of this rite of passage was simply to say good-bye to the wild escapades of bachelorship while swearing the groom's continued allegiance to his comrades.

2________________________________________________________________

This item of clothes was worn in 1499 by Anne of Brittany, for her marriage to Louis XII of France. Until that time, women simply wore their best dress, often yellow or red in color. In biblical times, most dresses were blue because blue symbolized purity. But in China and Japan the brides have traditionally always worn white. White is the color of mourning, which is thought to be appropriate as the bride is leaving her family of birth to join that of her husband's thereby undergoing a symbolic death.

3________________________________________________________________

The groom is supposed to wear a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his buttonhole. This stems from the medieval tradition of a knight wearing his lady's colors to declare his love. Every flower has a special meaning and significance and can display a special message. The Orange Blossom, for example, signifies chastity, purity and loveliness while the Red Chrysanthemum means, "I love you."

4________________________________________________________________

It was customary in the 14th century for the bride to toss her garter to the men. Sometimes the men would get drunk, become impatient, and try to remove the garter ahead of time. Therefore, the custom evolved for the groom to remove and toss the garter. And with that change, the bride started tossing the bridal bouquet to the unwedded women of marriageable age. After all, why should the guys have all the fun?

5________________________________________________________________

Inviting women to be members of your bridal party dates back to ancient times. One Roman custom was to dress the bridesmaids in a fashion similar to the bride's to confuse evil spirits trying to kidnap the bride. Bridesmaids also had the role of fending off unsuitable suitors, leaving the bride for her groom. Although the specific functions of being a bridesmaid have changed over time, being the brides support system, confident, defender and friend hasn't. And neither has wearing the ugly dress!

6________________________________________________________________

Seeing a rainbow, having sunshine on the bride, and meeting a black cat or a chimney sweep are all lucky. Of course you could run into some bad omens as well. Bad omens are considered seeing a pig, hare or lizard running across the road or seeing an open grave. Make sure you don't run into any Monks or Nuns either, because they foretell a life of barrenness and a life dependent on charity. Coming home from the church can be equally hazardous. Tradition dictates the new wife must enter her home by the main door, and to avoid bad luck, must never trip or fall.