Writing Workshop
Guided writing practice with model answer, structure and useful language.
Lesson objectives
- Plan and structure a stronger Cambridge C1 writing response.
- Use clearer argument, linking and register control.
- Recycle the unit language around finance, investment & risk into sustained writing.
Listen to the model audio before you answer the lesson tasks.
Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2 style)
Topic: Finance, Investment & Risk Type: Report
The Situation: You work for a medium-sized international company. The Board of Directors has asked you to write a report evaluating the company's current investment strategy. They are concerned that the company is being too cautious and missing out on growth opportunities, but they are also worried about the risks of aggressive expansion.
The Task: Write a report for the Board of Directors. In your report, you should: * Assess the current investment approach. * Discuss the potential risks and benefits of diversifying into new markets. * Recommend a course of action to balance growth and stability.
Word count: 220-260 words.
Tips (en español)
- Structure: Para un report, utiliza subtítulos claros para cada sección. Esto ayuda al lector a encontrar la información rápidamente, algo vital en contextos profesionales.
- Register: Mantén un tono formal y objetivo. Evita contracciones (use do not instead of don't) y evita el uso excesivo de la primera persona (I think); en su lugar, usa estructuras impersonales (It is suggested that...).
- Linking: Utiliza conectores de transición para guiar al lector entre la evaluación de riesgos y las recomendaciones (e.g., Furthermore, Conversely, Notwithstanding).
- Hedging (Lenguaje cauteloso): En finanzas, nada es 100% seguro. Usa "hedging" para suavizar afirmaciones (it is highly probable that, could potentially lead to) para no sonar demasiado tajante.
- Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar hechos. Un estudiante de nivel C1 debe analizar la relación entre el riesgo y el beneficio. No digas solo "es arriesgado", di "el riesgo podría comprometer la liquidez a corto plazo".
- Time management: En el examen, dedica 5 minutos a planificar la estructura de los subtítulos antes de escribir. Esto te asegura que no te saltes ningún punto de la tarea.
Useful language
| # | Expression | Español | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | What immediately stands out is... | Lo que destaca enseguida es... | 🔊 |
| 2 | At first glance, the scene appears to... | A primera vista, la escena parece... | 🔊 |
| 3 | Whereas the first image suggests..., the second one points to... | Mientras que la primera imagen sugiere..., la segunda apunta a... | 🔊 |
| 4 | There is a striking contrast between... and... | Hay un contraste marcado entre... y... | 🔊 |
| 5 | The people seem to be dealing with... | Las personas parecen estar lidiando con... | 🔊 |
| 6 | It is highly likely that... | Es muy probable que... | 🔊 |
| 7 | One could infer that... | Se podría inferir que... | 🔊 |
| 8 | This might reflect a broader issue: ... | Esto podría reflejar un problema más amplio: ... | 🔊 |
| 9 | Although the setting is different, both images convey... | Aunque el contexto es distinto, ambas imágenes transmiten... | 🔊 |
| 10 | The overall impression is one of... | La impresión general es de... | 🔊 |
| 11 | This would be a useful example of... | Esto sería un ejemplo útil de... | 🔊 |
| 12 | I would argue that the second image feels more... | Diría que la segunda imagen resulta más... | 🔊 |
Model answer
🔊
Report on Investment Strategy and Market Diversification
Introduction The purpose of this report is to evaluate our current investment strategy and assess the implications of diversifying into emerging markets. The Board seeks to balance capital growth with financial stability.
Current Investment Status At present, the company maintains a conservative approach, focusing primarily on low-risk domestic assets. While this has ensured consistent stability and preserved liquidity, it has also resulted in stagnant growth. Consequently, we are failing to capitalise on the higher returns offered by more volatile markets.
Risks and Benefits of Diversification Diversifying into new international markets presents a dual-edged sword. On the one hand, it offers the potential for significant revenue growth and reduces dependency on the domestic economy. On the other hand, such expansion involves substantial capital expenditure and exposure to geopolitical instability. It is argued that while the risks are non-negligible, the cost of inaction—namely, losing market share to more aggressive competitors—may be even higher.
Recommendations In light of the aforementioned factors, it is recommended that the company adopts a "balanced growth" strategy. Rather than an abrupt shift, we should incrementally allocate a portion of our surplus capital to international ventures. This would allow for market penetration while maintaining a sufficient safety net.
Conclusion To conclude, transitioning from a purely conservative stance to a more diversified portfolio is essential for long-term viability. By implementing a phased approach, the company can mitigate risk while securing future growth.
Marking checklist
- Content: ¿Has respondido a todos los puntos de la tarea? (Evalúa si la información proporcionada es relevante y completa).
- Communicative Achievement: ¿El tono es formal y adecuado para un informe dirigido a una junta directiva? (Evalúa si el estilo cumple con las convenciones del género report).
- Organisation: ¿Has utilizado subtítulos y conectores para que el texto fluya de forma lógica? (Evalúa la estructura y la cohesión interna).
- Language: ¿Has usado vocabulario avanzado (C1) y estructuras gramaticales complejas sin errores graves? (Evalúa la precisión y la variedad léxica).