Emphasis

Emphasis is showing or stating that something is particularly important or worth giving attention to. Some common ways of adding emphasis are:

FRONTING

Fronting involves placing information at or near the beginning of a sentence. 1) Placing the complement or direct object of a verb before the subject:

I met Irma and Marie ten years ago. Addi I didn't meet till last month.

2) Placing the subordinate clause before the main clause:

Because he was feeling depressed, Daniel stayed in bed all day.

3) Placing preposition and adverb phrases that are not part of another phrase before the subject of the sentence:

Despite its high cost of living, Paris attracts a lot of foreign visitors.

4) The verb can come before the subject of the sentence if it comes after a linking word for sequence (e.g. first, then, next, later):

First came the wind and then came the rain.

CLEFT SENTENCES

1) What + subject + auxiliary verb + is/was + infinitive with/without to:

They advertised on television. ► What they did was (to) advertise on television.

2) What + subject + main verb + is/was + to infinitive:

I really want to find a job in Bogota. ► What I really want is to find a job in Bogota.

3) It + is/was + [that]:

I like visiting other countries, but I don't enjoy flying. ► I like visiting other countries, but it's flying (that) I don't enjoy.

4) All / The last thing + subject + verb + is/was:

My house needs a swimming pool to make it perfect. ► All my house needs is a swimming pool to make it perfect.

Maria definitely doesn't want to have to leave the town where she grew up. ► The last thing Maria wants is to leave the town where she grew up.

USING ADVERBS

A large number of adverbs can be used to add emphasis. Note how the adverbs highlighted in blue in the sentences below add emphasis:

I personally always fly on scheduled airlines.

When my grandson first arrived in Los Angeles, he couldn't speak the language. He couldn't even say 'good morning' and 'thank you'.

REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

We can also use reflexive pronouns (myself, himself, itself, themselves, etc.) to emphasise nouns or pronouns:

I phoned my bank and the phone was answered by the managerhimself. ( = I was expecting someone less senior to answer the phone)

IMPORTANT: We often use reflexive pronouns to emphasise that someone did something alone and without help: He's sailing round the world in a boat he built himself. We emphasise the surprising ability to also build boats - compare this with: He's sailing round the world in a boat he built.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Phrasal Verbs to use in writing

Break down:           Get upset
Bring up:               Start talking about a subject
Call off:                 Cancel
Care for:                Accept - like
Catch up:              Get tot the same point
Come across:         Meet/fing unexpectedly
Cut down:             Interrupt
Figure out:            Understand
Find out:               Discover
Go over:                Review
Look into:              Investigate
Point out:              Make a point of
Put off:                 Postpone
Run into:               Meet unexpectedly
Stick to:                Limit yourself to one thing
Think over:            Consider

Wish -Hope Patterns

Explanation - click here

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Wish - If only explanation - click here

Exercise

Other types of Inversion

Had it not rained

Contracted negative forms are not possible when we use an inverted word order to talk about an unreal or impossible situation in the past.

Had she not helped me I would have been in bad trouble. (NOT Hadn’t she helped me I would have been in bad trouble.)

This is actually the inverted form of the sentence ‘If she had not helped me I would have been in bad trouble’.

Had it not rained yesterday, we would have finished painting the walls.

Of course, contracted negative forms are possible when we use normal word order.

If it had not rained yesterday, we would have finished painting the walls. OR If it hadn’t rained yesterday, we would have finished painting the walls.

If you hadn’t been so stupid as to reject that job offer, you could have attained financial independence now.

The third conditional sentences are used to talk about things that might have happened, but didn’t. Note that here we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would/could have + past participle in the main clause.

If it hadn’t rained yesterday, we would have hosted the party in the garden.

Should you not wish to

The inversion structure is also possible withshould.

The structure with should is used to talk about present and future conditions. Here again negative forms are not contracted.

Should you not wish to join them, you must let them know before 4 o’clock. (NOT Shouldn’t you…)

Should you decide the sell the house, I will be happy to buy it from you.

Note that here should does not show obligation. It is merely used as an alternative to the present simple tense.

If you decide to sell the house, I will be happy to buy it from you.

Were we to have

Inversion is also possible with were. This structure is used to talk about the imaginary or improbable future situations.

Were we to have kids, we would need a bigger house. (= If we were to have kids, we would need a bigger house.)

Conditionals

Mixed Conditional Patterns

PAST

PRESENT

Examples:

• If I had won the lottery, I would be rich.
  But I didn't win the lottery in the past and I am not rich now.
• If I had taken French in high school, I would have more job opportunities.
  But I didn't take French in high school and I don't have many job opportunities.
• If she had been born in the United States, she wouldn't need a visa to work here.
  But she wasn't born in the United States and she does need a visa now to work here.

PAST

FUTURE

Examples:

• If she had signed up for the ski trip last week, she would be joining us tomorrow.
  But she didn't sign up for the ski trip last week and she isn't going to join us tomorrow.
• If Mark had gotten the job instead of Joe, he would be moving to Shanghai.
  But Mark didn't get the job and Mark is not going to move to Shanghai.
• If Darren hadn't wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas, he would go to Mexico with us next month.
  But Darren wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas and he won't go to Mexico with us next month.

PRESENT

PAST

Examples:

• If I were rich, I would have bought that Ferrari we saw yesterday.
  But I am not currently rich and that is why I didn't buy the Ferrari yesterday.
• If Sam spoke Russian, he would have translated the letter for you.
  But Sam doesn't speak Russian and that is why he didn't translate the letter.
• If I didn't have to work so much, I would have gone to the party last night.
  But I have to work a lot and that is why I didn't go to the party last night.

PRESENT

FUTURE

Examples:

• If I didn't have so much vacation time, I wouldn't go with you on the cruise to Alaska next week.
  But I do have a lot of vacation time and I will go on the trip next week.
• If Cindy were more creative, the company would send her to New York to work on the new advertising campaign.
  But Cindy is not creative and the company won't send her to New York to work on the new campaign.
• If Dan weren't so nice, he wouldn't be tutoring you in math tonight.
  But Dan is nice and he is going to tutor you tonight.

FUTURE

PAST

Examples:

• If I weren't going on my business trip next week, I would have accepted that new assignment at work.
  But I am going to go on a business trip next week, and that is why I didn't accept that new assignment at work.
• If my parents weren't coming this weekend, I would have planned a nice trip just for the two of us to Napa Valley.
  But my parents are going to come this weekend, and that is why I didn't plan a trip for the two of us to Napa Valley.
• If Donna weren't making us a big dinner tonight, I would have suggested that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.
  But she is going to make us a big dinner tonight, and that is why I didn't suggest that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.

FUTURE

PRESENT

Examples:

• If I were going to that concert tonight, I would be very excited.
  But I am not going to go to that concert tonight and that is why I am not excited.
• If Sandy were giving a speech tomorrow, she would be very nervous.
  But Sandy is not going to give a speech tomorrow and that is why she in not nervous.
• If Seb didn't come with us to the desert, everyone would be very disappointed.
  But Seb will come with us to the desert and that is why everyone is so happy.

Exercise

Extra exercise 1 

Extra exercise 2 

Extra exercise 3 

Word Formation

List of words - click here

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Writing Task 7

Task Type: Essay

Question

Read the two texts below.

Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible and include your own ideas in your answers.

The Financial Costs of Stress

Research carried out by the Health and Safety Council estimates that stress and mental illness continues to be neglected by many businesses, both small and large. And the economic impact of this is huge, costing employers around £26bn a year. Stress at work can lead to a lack of concentration, fatigue and low motivation, all of which will cost the company in terms of low productivity, customer satisfaction and the very reputation of the company itself. Employers are being urged to become more "emotionally intelligent" and to improve the way they deal with stress and mental illness.

Speak up about Stress

Many people find it difficult to talk about their feelings, particularly if we're feeling weak or vulnerable. However, when suffering from stress it’s vital you seek help. It's important to feel you can talk honestly with a close friend, a loved one, a work colleague or doctor about what’s going on. Stress is easily diagnosed and there is plenty you can do to successfully treat and manage stress. One of the most effective of these is to share your feelings with those you trust. Remember that accepting help and support is not a sign of weakness. Close relationships are vital to helping you get through this tough time.

Write the essay. (around 240 - 280 words)

Writing Task 6

Task Type: Article

Question

You are looking through the alumni newsletter of a school that you once attended and you see the following announcement:
What are your best and worst school memories? Write in and tell us and we will publish the most interesting articles in our next newsletter.

Write the article for the editor of the alumni newsletter. (around 280 - 320 words)

Writing Task 5

Task Type: Proposal

Question

The following comments were made during a discussion by members of the training department at your company about whether or not the department should replace classroom-based training with online training. Your manager has asked you to write a proposal on implementing online training, including: the benefits, the pitfalls and what your recommendation(s) would be:
Comments

"Just-in-time training is great - it can take place anywhere, even in bed!"
"The company will save money by getting rid of our traditional way of training."
"Will our employees miss the interaction with a real person?"

Write the proposal for your manager. (around 280 - 320 words)

Writing Task 4

Task Type: Letter to an Editor

Question

You have read the letter below which was sent to a newspaper by a reader. Other readers were invited to give their views in response. You decide to write to the editor giving your opinion about the points made:
I have just returned from a holiday to a destination that would once have been described as 'exotic'. Imagine my dismay at being confronted with the kinds of shopping centres and fast-food outlets that I can find on my own doorstep back home! Is it inevitable that different cultures merge into one or can we do more to ensure that local traditions are kept?

Write your letter for the newspaper editor, but do not use postal addresses. (around 280 - 320 words)

Writing Task 3

Task Type: Letter of Complaint

Question

You recently took a self-catering holiday in a luxury apartment, but the standard of the accommodation was very poor. The holiday company that you booked with have offered you some vouchers as compensation, but you have decided you would prefer a cash refund instead. Write a letter to the company outlining the problems you experienced with the accommodation and the action you want them to take.

Write the letter to the company (around 280 - 320 words).

Writing Task 2

Task Type: Article

Question

You have recently read an article from a youth magazine on the problem of inactivity in young people. The magazine has invited its readers to respond to the topic by writing a short article of their own, which answers the following questions:

Why are our young people becoming 'couch potatoes', and what can we do to solve the problem?
You should focus on young people in your country (or a country that you know well).

Write the article for the readers of the magazine. (around 280 - 320 words).

Writing Task 1

Writing Paper Part 1. Task Type: Essay

Read the two texts below.

Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible and include your own ideas in your answers.

Modals of Flexible Working

Over recent years many companies have moved away from the notion of fixed working hours, following the standard nine-to-five, Monday-to-Friday pattern. There is far more provision today for staff to take advantage of flexible working opportunities of various kinds. With high-speed Internet connections available to many, home-working has become a practical option for companies and members of staff. This modal of flexible working has been particularly beneficial for staff working on projects that entail spending little time in the office. The introduction of formal job-sharing also benefits employees who wish to have a greater work-life balance, particularly those with young children. Finally, employees often have access to flexi-time, the chance to 'bank' hours by working overtime and 'withdrawing' hours when time off is needed.

Employer Concerns

A recent survey of UK small-businesses discovered an underlying sense of disquiet about the issue of flexible working. Many companies feel under pressure to agree to requests out of fear they will be taken to court by their employee should they refuse. However, business advisers point out that employees have the right to request flexible working not the right to have it agreed. It might not be feasible for a company to agree to requests if the business depends on particular modals of operation, or if such a request would require significant change for a small business. As well as reassuring small businesses of their legal position, companies are also being encouraged to see flexible working as an opportunity rather than a threat. Experience shows it will often benefit both the company and its employees by having a positive impact on motivation and efficiency.

Write the essay. (around 240 - 280 words)

Make and Do

Explanation and exercises - click here

Inversion

Negative adverbs at the beginning of the sentence

Exercises - click here

Essay Writing

Future Perfect

Future Perfect explanation

Exercises on Future Perfect and Future Perfect Continuous

Exercise 1 - click here

Exercise 2 - click here

Exercise 3 - click here

Exercise 4 - click here

Future Continuous

Explanation - click here

Exercises

Simple Future and Future Continuous exercise - click here

Simple Present, Simple Future, Present Continuous, and Future Continuous exercise - click here

Use of English Practice

Practice - click here

In spite of - Despite - Although - Even though

In spite of / despite / although

In spite of, despite and although are all used to show a contrast but there are differences in the structures used with them.

In spite of / despite

After in spite of and despite we use a noun or a pronoun.

• We enjoyed our camping holiday in spite of the rain.
• Despite the pain in his leg he completed the marathon.
• Despite having all the necessary qualifications, they didn’t offer me the job.

Remember that the gerund (‘-ing’ form) is the ‘noun’ form of a verb.

The only difference between in spite of and despite is the ‘of’.

• Despite of the bad weather, there was a large crowd at the match.

Although

After although we use a subject and a verb.

• We enjoyed our camping holiday although it rained every day.
• Although he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.
• The holiday was great although the hotel wasn’t very nice.

We can use in spite of and despite with a subject and verb if we include the expression ‘the fact that’.

• In spite of the fact that he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.
• Despite the fact that he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.

Even though

Even though is a slightly stronger form of although.

• We decided to buy the house even though we didn’t really have enough money.
• You keep making that stupid noise even though I’ve asked you to stop three times.

Like although, even though is followed by a subject and a verb.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Essay Writing - click here

Structure of Paragraphs - click here

Common Idioms - click here

Linking Words - click here

Phrasal Verbs - click here

Paper 2 - Writing

What’s in the Writing paper?

Time allowed:	1 hour 30 minutes
Number of parts:	2
Number of questions:	Part 1: one compulsory question Part 2: one question from a choice of four

Part 1 

What's in Part 1?	Some material to read (two texts, each approximately 100 words). Using the information in this material, you have to write an essay.
What do I have to practise?	Writing a discursive essay in which you have to summarise and evaluate the key points contained in two texts of approximately 100 words each. Candidates must integrate a summary of these key points, an evaluation of the abstract arguments involved and their own ideas on the topic in a coherent essay.
How many questions are there?	One compulsory question.
How much do I have to write?	240–280 words

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Part 2

What's in Part 2?	A choice of four questions (2–5). For Questions 2–4, you may have to write an article, a letter, a report or a review.
What about Question 5?	If you read one of the set books and want to write about it, you may decide to try Question 5. You have a choice of two tasks, 5(a) or 5(b) for this question. You may have to write an article, essay, letter, report or a review.
What do I have to practise?	Writing different types of text as specified above, based on a given context.
How many questions are there?	One question from a choice of four.
How much do I have to write?	280–320 words

Cambridge Information for Candidates

For detailed information on Cambridge Proficiency - click here