Writing Workshop

Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2)

Question: Your lecturer has asked you to write a report on the current state of mental health awareness among young adults in your city. You should discuss the impact of social media on mental well-being and suggest whether professional therapy should be more widely integrated into educational institutions.

Write your report. You must use between 220-260 words.

Tips (en español)

• Structure: Para un report, utiliza subtítulos claros para cada sección. Esto ayuda al examinador a navegar por tu texto y demuestra control de la estructura formal.
• Register: Mantén un tono impersonal y profesional. Evita contracciones (use do not instead of don't) y evita el uso excesivo de la primera persona (I think $\rightarrow$ It is suggested that).
• Linking: Utiliza conectores de transición avanzados para guiar al lector (e.g., Furthermore, In light of the above, Conversely). No te limites a los básicos como and o but.
• Hedging (Lenguaje cauteloso): En temas de salud mental, evita generalizaciones absolutas. Usa verbos modales o expresiones de probabilidad (tends to, may lead to, is arguably) para sonar más académico y matizado.
• Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar problemas. Debes analizar la relación entre la causa (social media) y la consecuencia (mental health) para demostrar pensamiento crítico.
• Time management: Dedica 5 minutos a planificar los subtítulos y la estructura antes de escribir. En el examen, el tiempo es vital; no pierdas más de 45 minutos en esta tarea.

Useful language

Model answer

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Report on Mental Health Awareness and Support Systems

Introduction The aim of this report is to examine the current mental health landscape among young adults, specifically focusing on the influence of social media and the potential integration of therapy within educational settings.

The Impact of Social Media It is widely acknowledged that digital platforms play a pivotal role in the lives of young adults. While these tools facilitate connection, it could be argued that they often exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. The constant exposure to curated lifestyles frequently leads to unhealthy social comparisons. Consequently, there has been a noticeable rise in stress-related issues, which requires urgent attention.

Therapy in Educational Institutions Regarding the integration of professional therapy into schools and universities, there is a growing consensus that such measures are necessary. Currently, many students face significant barriers to accessing mental health support due to cost or social stigma. By incorporating counseling services directly into educational frameworks, institutions could provide a more accessible and preventative approach to psychological well-being.

Conclusion and Recommendations In conclusion, while social media presents significant challenges to mental health, the role of educational institutions is vital in mitigating these effects. To address these issues, it is highly recommended that: 1. Educational bodies implement regular mental health workshops to combat stigma. 2. Professional counseling services be subsidised and made readily available on campus.

By taking these steps, institutions can foster a healthier environment for the next generation.

Marking checklist

• Content: Evalúa si has respondido a todas las partes de la pregunta (social media + therapy integration). No te desvíes del tema principal.
• Communicative Achievement: Evalúa si el tono es apropiado para un report (formal/objetivo) y si el formato ayuda a transmitir la información de manera eficaz.
• Organisation: Evalúa la coherencia lógica, el uso de subtítulos y la progresión de las ideas. El texto debe fluir mediante el uso de conectores.
• Language: Evalúa la variedad de vocabulario (C1 level) y la precisión gramatical. Se busca el uso de estructuras complejas (pasivas, condicionales, inversión) sin errores que impidan la comunicación.