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 blockchain, crypto & decentralised finance into sustained writing.
Listen to the model audio before you answer the lesson tasks.
Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2 style)
Topic: The Future of Finance
Your lecturer has asked you to write a report on the impact of emerging financial technologies, such as blockchain and cryptocurrency, on traditional banking systems.
Write a report for your lecturer. In your report, you should: * Evaluate the potential benefits and risks of decentralised finance (DeFi). * Discuss whether traditional banks will become obsolete due to these technologies. * Suggest how financial institutions should adapt to this changing landscape.
Write your report in 220-260 words.
Tips (en español)
- Structure: Utiliza subtítulos claros para cada sección (e.g., Introduction, Evaluation of Risks and Benefits, The Future of Traditional Banking, Recommendations). Esto es vital en un report.
- Register: Mantén un tono formal y objetivo. Evita contracciones (don't, won't) y el uso de la primera persona del singular (I think); en su lugar, usa formas impersonales (It is argued that...).
- Linking: Usa conectores de transición avanzados para guiar al lector entre secciones y para contrastar ideas (e.g., Furthermore, Conversely, Notwithstanding).
- Hedging: En el nivel C1, no afirmes verdades absolutas. Usa lenguaje de "matización" (hedging) para sonar más académico (e.g., It is highly probable that... o This could potentially lead to...).
- Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar hechos. El examen evalúa tu capacidad de análisis. No digas solo qué es el blockchain, explica qué significa para la economía.
- Time management: Reserva 5 minutos al final para revisar la concordancia sujeto-verbo y la ortografía. En un texto técnico como este, los errores de precisión restan muchos puntos.
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 the Impact of Decentralised Finance on Traditional Banking
Introduction The purpose of this report is to assess the implications of blockchain technology and decentralised finance (DeFi) on the current banking sector, evaluating both its potential and the challenges it presents.
Evaluation of Risks and Benefits The rise of cryptocurrency offers unprecedented transparency and efficiency through decentralised ledgers. A significant advantage is the ability to conduct transactions without intermediary oversight, potentially reducing costs. However, these technologies are not without risk. The inherent volatility of digital assets and the lack of regulatory frameworks could lead to substantial financial instability for unsuspecting users.
The Future of Traditional Banking Regarding the survival of traditional institutions, it is unlikely that banks will become entirely obsolete. While blockchain could render certain intermediary roles redundant, the necessity for regulated, secure, and human-led financial management remains. Nevertheless, it is highly probable that the traditional model will undergo a radical transformation to remain competitive.
Recommendations In light of these technological shifts, it is recommended that financial institutions adopt a proactive approach. Rather than resisting decentralisation, banks should integrate blockchain technology into their existing infrastructure. Furthermore, investing in cybersecurity and digital literacy will be crucial to mitigate the risks associated with this transition.
Conclusion To conclude, while the shift towards decentralised finance presents significant challenges, it also offers transformative opportunities. By embracing technological innovation, traditional banks can ensure their continued relevance in an increasingly digital global economy.
Marking checklist
- Content: Has the writer addressed all three bullet points from the task? Is the information relevant to the topic of blockchain/finance?
- Communicative Achievement: Is the tone appropriately formal for a report? Does the writer use the correct format (subheadings, objective tone) to hold the reader's attention?
- Organisation: Is the report logically structured with clear paragraphs? Are cohesive devices (linking words) used effectively to connect complex ideas?
- Language: Does the writer use a wide range of advanced vocabulary (e.g., redundant, mitigate, inherent) and complex grammatical structures? Are there errors in spelling or punctuation?