An opinion essay: A2 Writing Exercise

6 A2 Writing exercises on “An opinion essay”, with answers. Complete each task and check it straight away. Free, no account needed.

SkillWriting
LevelA2 Elementary
Exercises6
Gaps19
Topic9 of 9
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Before you start. 6 exercises. Do each task, then compare your work with the answer key.

Exercise 1. Read the task and the essay. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?

  • 1
    Sarah wants a sound system because she hasn’t got anything for listening to music.
  • 2
    Her brother loves football.
  • 3
    She’d give money to an organisation that helps homeless people.
  • 4
    She’d spend most of the money.
  • If you won €1 million in the lottery, what would you do with it? Write an essay and include your ideas. Give reasons for your choices.
  • If I won €1 million, there are a lot of things I would like to do with the money. It would be nice to buy myself something, but it would also be good to help others.
  • First of all, I would buy myself a docking station with fantastic speakers. Although I have got an MP3 player and some speakers, they are not very good.
  • Secondly, I would buy a new car for my mum. Her car is really old. I would buy my brother a Liverpool kit and a scarf. He is a really big Liverpool fan!
  • Thirdly, there are a lot of homeless people in my city. I would donate money to the local hostel. If I gave them €5,000, they could buy a lot of meals for homeless people.
  • Finally, I would save at least half of the money. In my opinion, it would be silly to spend it all now. What is more, if I invested the money, it would grow, and I would have more to spend in the future.
  • To sum up, I would buy something nice for myself and other members of my family, support local charities, and also save some money for the future.

Exercise 2. Read the Writing Strategy. Then find the following in the essay:

Writing Strategy

In your writing, avoid starting too many sentences with the same words. Remember that you can:

– use a variety of phrases for introducing opinions (It seems to me …, In my opinion …, etc.) and for making additional points (Moreover …, Furthermore …, etc.)

– start conditional sentences with the if clause or the main clause.

– use concession clauses (although … / even though …) at the beginning or end of a sentence.

  • 1
    one concession clause (starting with Even though, although, etc.)
  • 2
    three second conditional sentences (with an if clause and a main clause).
  • 3
    one phrase for introducing an opinion.
  • 4
    four phrases for listing four points.
  • 5
    one phrase for introducing an additional point.

Exercise 3. Read the task in exercise 1 again. Make notes for your answer.

10 gaps
  • Introduction:
  • First idea:
  • Reasons:
  • Second idea:
  • Reasons:
  • Third idea:
  • Reasons:
  • Fourth idea:
  • Reasons:
  • Conclusion:

Your own answers - there is no answer key for this task.

Writing Guide

Exercise 4. Use your notes from exercise 3 to write an essay. Include an introduction and a conclusion.

Your own answers - there is no answer key for this task.

Extra exercises: exam practice

Exercise 5. Read the Strategy. Then read the exam task in exercise 6 and the model answer below. Complete the table using the information in the model answer.

9 gaps

Strategy

When writing an essay you need to make sure you structure your work carefully and divide it into paragraphs. Guide the reader through your points by starting your paragraphs with words such as, First of all, Secondly, and Finally.

Most important improvement:
Reason:
Result:
Second improvement:
Reason:
Result:
Third improvement:
Reason:
Result:
  • My town is very historic and we get a lot of visitors. There are several things I would improve to attract even more tourists. Here are three of the most important.
  • First of all, I would improve the parking. In my opinion, this is the most important thing because the town is always full of cars. If there was a car park on the edge of town, tourists could leave their cars there and get a bus into the centre. It would be easier for them and they could enjoy less crowded streets.
  • Secondly, I would cut the entrance price to museums and art galleries. The tickets can be very expensive, especially for families. If prices were cheaper, more tourists would visit these attractions.
  • Finally, I would arrange some interesting things for children to do in the park. If there were more activities for children, more families would come to the town.
  • To conclude, I would improve parking, reduce prices and provide things for children to do. All these things would attract more tourists to our town.

Your own answers - there is no answer key for this task.

Exercise 6. Write your essay.

  • Your town or a town near you is a tourist destination. What improvements would you make to attract even more tourists? Write an essay and include three ideas. Give reasons for your choices and say what effect the improvements would have on tourist numbers.
  • Include these points:
  • – say what the most important improvement would be
  • – choose two more improvements to make
  • – explain how these things would affect tourists.

Your own answers - there is no answer key for this task.

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How to Practice

  1. 1Read each question carefully
  2. 2Write your answer or select the correct option
  3. 3Click “Check answers” to mark your gaps, or “Show answers” to see the answer key
  4. 4Review any mistakes and try similar exercises
  5. 5Move to the next exercise when ready