Unit 7: Society, Law & Justice

Writing: The Formal Report

Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2)

Context: Your local city council is considering new regulations regarding community service and mandatory volunteer work for young adults (aged 18-25) to foster a greater sense of social responsibility and community cohesion.

Task: Write a report for the City Council. In your report, you should: * Evaluate the potential benefits of mandatory community service for society. * Discuss the possible drawbacks or challenges of such a policy. * Recommend whether or not the council should implement these new regulations.

Word count: 220–260 words.

Tips (en español)

• Structure: Utiliza subtítulos claros para cada sección (e.g., Introduction, Benefits, Challenges, Recommendations). Esto es esencial en un report para que el lector encuentre la información rápidamente.
• Register: Mantén un tono formal y objetivo. Evita contracciones (don't, can'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 para guiar al lector entre ideas complejas (e.g., Furthermore, Conversely, Notwithstanding).
• Hedging (Cautela): En el nivel C1, no afirmes cosas como verdades absolutas. Usa lenguaje de "probabilidad" para sonar más académico (It could be argued that..., This might lead to...).
• Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar pros y contras. Debes analizar el impacto. No digas "es bueno", di "podría fortalecer el tejido social".
• Time management: Dedica 5 minutos a planificar la estructura antes de escribir. En el examen, el tiempo es vital; no escribas de más, enfócate en la calidad de la argumentación dentro del límite de palabras.

Useful language

Model answer

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Report on Proposed Mandatory Community Service Regulations

Introduction The purpose of this report is to assess the feasibility of introducing mandatory community service for young adults within our municipality. This evaluation considers both the social implications and the practical challenges of such a policy.

Potential Benefits It is widely believed that mandatory service could significantly bolster community cohesion. By engaging young citizens in local projects, the council could foster a stronger sense of civic duty and social responsibility. Furthermore, such initiatives might provide invaluable practical experience to participants, potentially bridging the gap between different socioeconomic groups within the city.

Challenges and Drawcaks However, several concerns must be addressed. Critics argue that compulsory labour could be perceived as an infringement on personal freedom, potentially leading to resentment among the youth. Additionally, the administrative burden of supervising such a large-scale programme could place an undue strain on local government resources and existing volunteer networks.

Conclusion and Recommendations In light of the aforementioned points, it is evident that while the social benefits are compelling, the logistical and ethical challenges are significant. It is not recommended that the council implements a strictly mandatory programme at this stage.

Instead, it is suggested that a voluntary incentive-based scheme be established. This would encourage participation through educational credits or professional certifications, thereby achieving social goals without the friction of compulsion.

Marking checklist

• Content: Have you addressed all three bullet points from the task? Is the information relevant to the council?
• Communicative Achievement: Is the tone formal and professional? Does it follow the conventions of a report (using headings and an objective tone)?
• Organisation: Are the ideas logically sequenced? Do you use effective cohesive devices (linking words) to connect paragraphs and sentences?
• Language: Have you used a wide range of advanced vocabulary and complex grammatical structures? Did you avoid informal language and use "hedging" appropriately?

Vocabulario para Writing & Speaking

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