Analyse/Review/Comment

Write an article for a travel magazine in which you analyse and comment on the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by train.

Public transport has become one of London's finest forms of transport.Trains are fast and frequent but can also be very crowded and complicated.

With constant decreases in waiting times, it's no wonder we've all gone barking mad! It's definitely useful to have these train services running, as frequently as they do, as they enable the percentages of someone being late late to work to lower. Someone can simply jump on the next train with a waiting time of approximately five minutes - thus saving excuses and preventing unnecessary stress.

Trains are very useful in other ways such as minimizing the time taken to commute from one place to another. With technology advancing everyday, transport companies make sure their machines are up to speed. Engines are constantly tested to make sure they can work sufficiently enough to give their best possible performance equally balanced out with safety.

On the other hand, as the amount of commuters increases and travellers get caught in rush hours, trans become over crowded. Sweating workers and scents from a combination of products from fast food outlets can often throw you off. Travellers are often left feeling dizzy and dehydrated from the high concentration of heat. This creates a nightmare journey for the customers who can often opt to take the next train for their own safety.

In other cases catching a train hasn't been as simple as it was made out to be. With high demands for new train routes transport companies add more train lines to their network. This can often appear to look like a large scribble. Passengers often become confused, even lost, so their journey becomes longer and complicated.

Although trains are proof of how successful technology has become, they can cause large amounts of stress to the passengers using the services and at times even their health.

Argue, Persuade & Advise

You have been asked to give a talk to your class on either the benefits or the disadvantages of mobile phones. The title of your talk is ‘Mobile Phones-are they a blessing or a curse to modern society?’

Write what you would say

Remember that you are trying to persuade your listeners to agree with your views.

Mobile phones- a blessing or a curse? Mobile have become a familiar eyesore, you cannot miss these handheld gadgets. Every road you embark, the device is seen. You must have your opinions on this too. You may well possess one now. Undoubtedly I would expect you to drop in favour of these devices

Mobile phones are undoubtedly everywhere. Whether it’s the guy in the pinstripe suit or the builder on his ladder; everyone has one. The sudden ringtone brings everything to a halt; it even becomes hard to have a decent conversation with your mates at the pub. The ringtone pierces through the peace and tranquillity so rare to find. Whether it’s the digital version of “Beethoven’s 5th Symphony” or the theme tune to “Eastenders” the ringtone is sure to get you.

What happens when the sound booms through the device into the ear of the receiver; the numbers of decibels are undoubtedly higher than a face-to-face conversation. So when was the last time you unwillingly heard the guy behind you is planning a ‘few pints of beer’ on Saturday or, that the girl in the pink t-shirt was to be there in 10 minutes or the guy in the tracksuit was running late. I mean, I wouldn’t my private matters emitted out loud would I?

The more serious hazard, however, is the ability of certain individuals to use the devices while driving. Despite the wearied laws and long forgotten warning adverts; individuals still feel the urge to use these devices while driving. When was the last time you rejected a call? Your usage of the phone could mean another’s death; it could be anyone: pedestrians and road-users alike. Would you want to be compressed under a 4x4 because the driver could not resist the urge to call his wife? Even using a hands-free kit is seen as safe by individuals, it’s proven your full attention is actually on the call rather than the innocent pedestrians around you.

So what did cause a rise in crime rates last year? Undoubtedly, as the new features are introduced; so is the crime. Possessing one of these devices is extremely hazardous; if the ringtone is heard you shall be deemed to having to give up your device. They cause fights and thefts easily, ownership is easily disputed and there is no surprise if the gutter is flooded with blood and the police happen to arrive. Out of 5 crimes, 2 are mobile phone related. Are you waiting for your turn?

Add to this the health risks from the microwaves they emit, and it would seem clear that mobile phones offer more disadvantages than advantages. Worst of all, is that my wife can call me wherever I am. I am never safe from my mobile phone.

Argue, Persuade & Advise

You have been asked to give a talk to your class on either the benefits or the disadvantages of mobile phones. The title of your talk is ‘Mobile Phones-are they a blessing or a curse to modern society?’

Write what you would say

Remember that you are trying to persuade your listeners to agree with your views.

Opening Worlds - Task 4

Look carefully at the extract describing Bolan in the fountain and beneath the parrots in the tree.Compare how Bolan and one other character from another short story of your choice seek happiness, and assess how successful they are.

"a joyful secret"
In many of the Opening world short stories the main protagonist seek to pursue happiness and whereas in The Red Ball Bolan finds his happiness when in Woodford Square.In Games at Twilight, Ravi finds his brief moment of happiness whilst hiding in the shed but then comes crashing back down to the reality of being an outcast.

Bolan begins the story as a pariah when moving from the comforts of "the sugar-cane fields " of Tunapuna to living in The Port of Spain.He seeks comfort in Woodford Square and in particular the fountain there.That was the "only place...where people weren't chasing him down".Whereas at home he was forever being bullied by his father.

Similarly, Ravi manges to find comfort in the "dark,spooky" shed.Once in his little haven he "shivered with delight" at this great achievement of his.Like Bolan, Ravi has found a place of his OWN where he can be left "unconquered".

However, Bolan feels at home in Woodford Square and come whenever he likes to see the fountain.In the presence of the fountain "he felt as though he were back in Tunapuna". Being a pariah in his new society he has found a place where he feels is like home and is equivalent to his beloved Tunapuna.

On the other hand, outside his private cocoon Ravi is 'conquered'.Instead of coming out with a feeling of pride and happiness "the ignominy of being forgotten" by his siblings makes him feel the opposite.Instead of having a heart filled with confidence and pride he feels unwanted,forgotten and "insignificant".

In The Winter Oak, Savushkin similar to Bolan finds happiness in The "majestic..Oak".Both these characters are successful in finding happiness despite being pariahs in their societies.However, Ravi doesn't quite achieve his happiness and instead is "silenced by a terrible sense of his insignificance".

Argue/Persuade/Advise - Task 5

Education.Education.Education.These were words spoken by the former Prime Minister Tony Blair emphasising the importance of Education.Many people including me thought he was a muppet and so didn't take his words very seriously.However, we soon realised that in his words he spoke some wisdom.

When I was your age I used to muck about in my lessons.I was year seven, it wasn't like I was taking my exam now was it?CATs were a big joke anyway ,so what was the point of studying when I could just have fun?Fun.Fun.Fun was my motto back then.Hitler couldn't get in the way of my fun so who was a teacher.They were going to get paid whether I learnt or not.

Now in year ten I regret what I did.I regret not listening to my teacher who wanted the best for me.I regret listening to what my parents said in one ear and letting it out the other.I regret giving in to peer pressure.Regret.Regret.Regret.It runs through my veins like blood.

Though this is true it doesn't have to be the same for you.You can break loose the chains of peer pressure and what people think of you and do as you are told by your elders.There are people who dream of going to school but can't and yet we take it for granted.Our teachers as annoying as they may seem are only out to get the best out of us.


I know at this age you are more worried about what your peers think of you but thats not going to get you your high flying career path.Education is the key to success.You may be seen as a geek now but when you are living in a penthouse with a high flying job as a consultant in a hospital then we will see what the 'cool' people will say when they are carrying your basket in ASDA.

Argue/Persuade/Advise - Task 5

Write a speech to give to a Year 7 assembly in which you try to persuade students not to make the same mistakes you and your peers have made, and to learn from them instead as they progress through the school.

Analyse/Review/Comment - Task 5

More and more people believe in alternative therapies (homeopathy, aromatherapy, osteopathy etc.) as the answer to illness. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of non-conventional medicine, and comment on whether or not you would put faith in alternative remedies.

Opening Worlds - Task 5

How does the main protagonist learn an important lesson in two stories of your choice from the anthology?